JP5919446B1 - Mail distribution apparatus, mail distribution method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The mail storage unit (230) stores electronic mail requested to be distributed to the user (user terminal). The extracting unit (242) extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from the e-mails stored in the mail storage unit (230). The discriminating unit (243) sets an upper limit value in which the number of distributions or the amount of data to be delivered within the most recent predetermined period for the email address that is the destination of the email retrieved by the retrieving unit (242) is set according to the email address It is determined whether or not. The distribution unit (244) directs the e-mail extracted by the extraction unit (242) to the user when the determination unit (243) determines that the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data has not reached the upper limit. And deliver.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mail delivery device, a mail delivery method, a recording medium, and a program.

In recent years, electronic mail has been widely used on the Internet.
For example, in a sales site (shopping mall site, etc.) composed of many stores (virtual stores), a distribution service that distributes e-mail (e-mail magazines, etc.) containing special sales information and recommended information to users It is carried out. Specifically, a mail distribution device that receives a request from each store distributes such an e-mail to the user's e-mail address periodically or as needed.

  As a prior art of a mail distribution apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mail distribution apparatus (information distribution) that grasps each user's needs and distributes an electronic mail (information mail) by adjusting a distribution time zone for each user. Apparatus).

JP 2011-23039 A

  In the e-mail delivered to the user (more specifically, to the user's e-mail address) from the above-mentioned e-mail delivery device, the opened (viewed) user is guided to the sales site (product sales page, etc.) There is a commercial purpose to encourage the purchase of For this reason, a certain amount of electronic mail is distributed to the user from the mail distribution device.

  However, if too many e-mails are delivered to users, many users give up opening them and leave them alone. Also, depending on the mailer used by the user, some emails sent in large quantities from the same delivery source are recognized as spam emails, and the email sent from the delivery source is moved to a spam folder or the like. .

  As described above, an e-mail that is not opened by the user not only achieves the original commercial purpose but also wastes network resources. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a technique that can appropriately control the number of electronic mails to be distributed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a mail distribution device, a mail distribution method, a recording medium, and a program capable of appropriately controlling the number of electronic mails to be distributed. .

In order to achieve the above object, a mail delivery device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
An accumulator that accumulates emails requested to be delivered to users;
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
It is characterized by providing.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
For each user, an e-mail address, the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data performed within the predetermined period for the e-mail address, and the upper limit of distribution permitted for the e-mail address within the predetermined period A storage unit for storing user management information including
The determination unit determines, based on the user management information, whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data has reached the upper limit for a mail address that is a destination of the retrieved e-mail. May be.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
An update unit that aggregates the opening rates of the emails distributed by the distribution unit for each user, and increases or decreases the upper limit value in the user management information based on the totaled opening rates,
May be further provided.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
An update unit that increases the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data in the user management information each time the distribution unit distributes an e-mail;
May be further provided.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
The storage unit stores the requested e-mail in association with period information that defines an effective period of delivery,
The extraction unit may extract an e-mail that is currently within the valid period based on the period information.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
Even if it is determined that the distribution number or the distribution data amount has reached the upper limit value by the determination unit, if the start of the next predetermined period following the predetermined period is within the effective period, A re-registration unit that re-registers the retrieved e-mail in the storage unit;
May be further provided.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
The storage unit stores the requested e-mail in association with priority information that defines the priority of distribution,
The extraction unit may extract electronic mails in descending order of priority based on the priority information.

In the mail delivery device according to the above aspect,
For the e-mail distributed by the distribution unit, opening the e-mail, browsing the sales page via the link information included in the opened e-mail, and purchasing products on the viewed sales page A detection unit for detecting user actions including:
A setting update unit for increasing the priority of the priority information associated with an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the user in which the action is detected;
May be further provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a mail delivery method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
A mail delivery method executed by a mail delivery device having a storage unit for storing electronic mail requested to be delivered to a user,
The mail delivery device takes out an e-mail that satisfies a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
Whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail reaches the upper limit value set according to the mail address Determining step to determine,
A delivery step of delivering the retrieved e-mail to a user when the mail delivery device determines that the number of deliveries or the amount of delivery data has not reached the upper limit value in the determination step;
It is characterized by providing.

In order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable recording medium according to the third aspect of the present invention provides:
A computer having a storage unit for storing e-mail requested to be distributed to the user,
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
A program characterized by functioning as a program is recorded.

  The recording medium may be a non-transitory recording medium and can be distributed and sold independently of the computer. Here, the non-temporary recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Non-temporary recording media are, for example, compact disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, semiconductor memories, and the like. The transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagation signal) itself. The temporary recording medium is, for example, an electric signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic wave, or the like. The temporary storage area is an area for temporarily storing data and programs, and is, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
A computer having a storage unit for storing e-mail requested to be distributed to the user,
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
It is made to function as.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed.

  According to the present invention, the number of electronic mails to be distributed can be appropriately controlled.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the mail delivery system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the typical information processing apparatus with which a mail delivery apparatus and a user terminal are implement | achieved. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the mail delivery apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of user management information. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of setting information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the mail delivery process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the mail delivery apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of the setting information which concerns on other embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiment of the present invention, a mail delivery apparatus suitable for a sales site (a shopping mall site or the like) configured by a collection of many stores (virtual stores) will be described as an example. In this mail distribution apparatus, a distribution service is provided that accumulates electronic mail (such as a mail magazine) requested for distribution from each store of the sales site and distributes it to the user.
Further, the following embodiments are for explanation, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, the mail delivery system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that a mail delivery device 200 and each user terminal 300 are communicably connected via the Internet 900.
Each user terminal 300 can be connected to the Internet 900 through an ISP (Internet Service Provider) (not shown). These ISPs include a mail server, and each user is assigned a mail address. The ISP mail server can store the e-mail sent to the user's e-mail address and supply it to the user terminal 300.
In the following, for ease of explanation, such ISP mail server is omitted. The description will be made assuming that an electronic mail is distributed from the mail distribution apparatus 200 to the user terminal 300.

The mail delivery device 200 is composed of, for example, a server computer, accumulates electronic mail requested for delivery, and delivers it to the user terminal 300 as appropriate.
For example, the mail distribution apparatus 200 is requested to distribute an electronic mail (e-mail magazine or the like) including special sales information, recommended information, etc. from each store of the sales site. Then, the mail distribution device 200 accumulates the requested electronic mail, and distributes the electronic mail to the user terminal 300 so that the number of distribution to the user does not exceed the upper limit value, as will be described later.

The user terminal 300 includes, for example, a personal computer or a smartphone and is used by the user. The user terminal 300 receives the electronic mail distributed from the mail distribution apparatus 200, and the user can open (view) the received electronic mail.
Further, the user terminal 300 can access a sales site (such as a product sales page) by following link information included in an e-mail opened by the user.

(Outline configuration of information processing device)
A typical information processing apparatus 400 in which the mail delivery apparatus 200 and the user terminal 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention are realized will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 404, an image A processing unit 405, an audio processing unit 406, a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 407, an interface 408, an external memory 409, a controller 410, a monitor 411, and a speaker 412 are provided.

  The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 400 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data.

  The ROM 402 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, a predetermined program is read into the RAM 403 and execution of the program by the CPU 401 is started. The ROM 402 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 400.

  The RAM 403 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for communication.

  The NIC 404 is for connecting the information processing apparatus 400 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and conforms to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). An analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, etc. These are configured by an interface (not shown) or the like that mediates between these and the CPU 401.

   The image processing unit 405 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM or the like by a CPU 401 or an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the image processing unit 405, and then processes the processed data in a frame memory included in the image processing unit 405. (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to the monitor 411. Thereby, various page displays are possible.

  The audio processing unit 406 converts audio data read from a DVD-ROM or the like into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker 412 connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 401, a sound to be generated during the progress of the process performed by the information processing apparatus 400 is generated, and a sound corresponding to the sound is output from the speaker 412.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 407 stores, for example, a program for realizing the mail delivery apparatus 200 according to the embodiment. Under the control of the CPU 401, the DVD-ROM drive 407 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 403 or the like.

  An external memory 409, a controller 410, a monitor 411, and a speaker 412 are detachably connected to the interface 408.

  In the external memory 409, data related to the personal information of the user is stored in a rewritable manner.

  The controller 410 accepts operation inputs performed at various settings of the information processing apparatus 400. The user of the information processing apparatus 400 can record these data in the external memory 409 as appropriate by inputting instructions through the controller 410.

  The monitor 411 presents the data output by the image processing unit 405 to the user of the information processing apparatus 400.

  The speaker 412 presents the audio data output by the audio processing unit 406 to the user of the information processing apparatus 400.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 400 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an external memory 409, a DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 407, and the like. You may comprise.

Hereinafter, the configuration and the like of the mail delivery apparatus 200 realized in the information processing apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the information processing apparatus 400 is powered on, each program that functions as the mail delivery apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is executed, and the mail delivery apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is realized.
Similarly, the user terminal 300 is realized in the information processing apparatus 400. The configuration of the user terminal 300 is omitted, and the most characteristic mail delivery device 200 in the present embodiment will be described below.

(Outline configuration of mail delivery device)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the mail delivery device 200 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the mail delivery device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a user management information storage unit 220, a mail storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

The communication unit 210 receives distribution request information sent from a store terminal (not shown) (terminal used at each store of the sales site) via the Internet 900. This distribution request information is information for requesting distribution of an electronic mail, details of which will be described later. That is, the communication unit 210 receives the distribution request information sent from the store terminal at each store of the sales site.
Further, the communication unit 210 is controlled by the control unit 240 (a distribution unit 244 described later), and distributes an e-mail to the user terminal 300.
The above-described NIC 404 or the like can function as such a communication unit 210.

The user management information storage unit 220 stores information for managing sales site users.
Specifically, the user management information storage unit 220 stores user management information 221 as shown in FIG. As an example, the user management information 221 includes a user ID 222, a user name 223, a mail address 224, the number of distributions 225, and an upper limit value 226.

  The user ID 222 is identification information for identifying a user of the user terminal 300 (a user who uses a sales site). The user name 223 indicates the user's name and nickname.

The mail address 224 is a unique address corresponding to the user, and indicates an address at which the user terminal 300 can receive an email.
Note that the mail addresses 224 of “user A” to “user C” in the user name 223 shown in FIG. 4 are fictitious mail addresses determined for explanation.

The delivery number 225 indicates the number of emails delivered within a predetermined period to the user's email address 224. The predetermined period is, for example, a certain period such as one month or one week, and is appropriately determined according to the number of users in the mail distribution system 100, the communication environment, and the like.
The delivery number 225 is incremented by one by the control unit 240 (update unit 246 described later) every time an email is delivered to the email address 224. The number of distributions 225 is the number within the most recent (current) predetermined period, and is cleared to zero when switching to the next predetermined period (for example, the next month or the next week).
Note that the user management information 221 in FIG. 4 manages emails distributed by the number of distributions 225, but the distributed emails may be managed by other information. For example, instead of the distribution number 225, the distributed electronic mail may be managed according to the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount.

The upper limit value 226 indicates the upper limit (upper limit number) of distribution permitted for the user's mail address 224 within a predetermined period. The predetermined period is a fixed period such as one month or one week, for example, as described above.
The upper limit value 226 differs depending on the mail address 224 (user). For example, although the initial value of the upper limit value 226 in the mail delivery system 100 is constant, the value is increased or decreased by the control unit 240 (update unit 246 described later) according to the opened rate of the delivered email. Yes.
When the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount described above are managed instead of the number of distributions 225, the upper limit value 226 is set to a value that determines the upper limit of the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount.

In addition to these, the user management information storage unit 220 includes attribute information such as the user's sex, age, address, occupation, and hobby. These attribute information is used when selecting an e-mail delivery target, as will be described later.
The above-described RAM 403, external memory 409, and the like can function as such a user management information storage unit 220.

Returning to FIG. 3, the mail storage unit 230 stores the electronic mail requested to be distributed to the user. For example, the mail storage unit 230 stores electronic mail registered by the control unit 240 (a registration unit 241 described later).
More specifically, the mail storage unit 230 stores the requested electronic mail in association with the period information that defines the effective period of distribution. Specifically, the mail storage unit 230 stores setting information 231 as shown in FIG. As an example, the setting information 231 includes a mail ID 232 and a validity period 233.

  The mail ID 232 is identification information for identifying the mail. The mail ID 232 also indicates a storage location in the mail storage unit 230 for the associated electronic mail.

  The valid period 233 is period information indicating a period (starting and ending) when the electronic mail should be distributed. The effective period 233 is referred to by the control unit 240 (extraction unit 242 described later), and only an e-mail whose present (extraction time point) is within the effective period 233 is extracted from the mail storage unit 230. .

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 240 controls the mail delivery apparatus 200 as a whole. The control unit 240 includes a registration unit 241, an extraction unit 242, a determination unit 243, a distribution unit 244, a re-registration unit 245, and an update unit 246, and appropriately distributes electronic mail to the user terminal 300.

When the communication unit 210 receives distribution request information (information for requesting distribution) sent from a store terminal (terminal of each store at a sales site) (not shown), the registration unit 241 is based on the received distribution request information. Then, an e-mail is generated and registered in the mail storage unit 230.
In the distribution request information, in addition to the text that becomes the mail text, for example, information that specifies the attributes of the distribution target such as “female”, “30's”, “previous purchaser of genre XX”, etc. include. Therefore, the registration unit 241 searches the user management information 221 stored in the user management information storage unit 220 for a user that matches the specified attribute, and generates an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the searched user. Then, it registers in the mail storage unit 230.
Note that the distribution request information includes a period (start and end) for which e-mail distribution is desired, and the registration unit 241 sets the validity period 233 and the like in the setting information 231 shown in FIG. , It is registered in the mail storage unit 230.

The take-out unit 242 takes out an e-mail that satisfies a predetermined condition from the e-mails stored in the mail storage unit 230. That is, the extraction unit 242 extracts an e-mail whose current (at the time of extraction) is within the valid period 233 based on the setting information 231 shown in FIG.
Specifically, when the current time is “2014/11/21”, the extraction unit 242 extracts only the electronic mails having the mail IDs 232 “DEF2345” and “EFG3456” from the setting information 231 illustrated in FIG. 5. In other words, an e-mail with an e-mail ID 232 of “CDE1234” whose effective period 233 is “2014/11 / 23-2014 / 11/28” is out of the range and is not extracted.
The takeout unit 242 takes out such an e-mail several times a day (a predetermined delivery time), for example. As an example, when the delivery times are set to AM (10:00 AM) and PM (PM 5:00), the takeout unit 242 takes out an e-mail at those delivery times. Therefore, e-mails accumulated in the mail accumulation unit 230 before the delivery time (more specifically, e-mails within the valid period) are taken out.
The distribution time (the number of distributions and the time) is arbitrary. Further, the delivery time may be changed according to the day of the week or the like.

The determination unit 243 determines whether or not the number of distributions within the most recent predetermined period with respect to the mail address that is the destination of the electronic mail extracted by the extraction unit 242 has reached the upper limit set for the mail address.
That is, the determination unit 243 identifies a user that matches the e-mail destination from the e-mail address 224 of the user management information 221 shown in FIG. 4 described above, and reads the number of deliveries 225 and the upper limit value 226 for that user. Then, the determination unit 243 determines whether or not the read distribution number 225 has reached the upper limit value 226.
Specifically, when “user A” of the user name 223 in the user management information 221 shown in FIG. 4 is the destination, the determination unit 243 has the “63” of the number of distributions 225 not reaching “100” of the upper limit value 226. Is determined. On the other hand, when “user C” of the user name 223 in the user management information 221 is the destination, the determination unit 243 determines that “40” of the distribution number 225 has reached “40” of the upper limit value 226.
In the user management information 221, when the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount described above are managed instead of the distribution number 225, the determination unit 243 determines that the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount have the upper limit value 226 (in this case, the distribution frequency). Or a value that determines the upper limit of the distribution data amount).

When the determination unit 243 determines that the number of distributions (number of distributions 225) has not reached the upper limit (upper limit 226), the distribution unit 244 distributes the e-mail extracted by the extraction unit 242 to the user. To do. That is, since the number of distributions for the mail address that is the distribution destination is less than the upper limit value, the distribution unit 244 controls the communication unit 210 to distribute the electronic mail to the user terminal 300 (user terminal 300 of the distribution destination).
In addition, in the user management information 221 shown in FIG. 4, when the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount described above are managed instead of the number of distributions 225, the distribution unit 244 sets the distribution frequency and the distribution data amount to the upper limit by the determination unit 243. When it is determined that the value 226 (in this case, a value that determines the upper limit of the distribution frequency and the amount of distribution data) has not been reached, the e-mail extracted by the extraction unit 242 is distributed to the user.

Even if the re-registering unit 245 determines that the number of distributions (the number of distributions 225) has reached the upper limit (upper limit 226) by the determination unit 243, the start of the next predetermined period is valid for the e-mail. If it is within the period, the electronic mail is re-registered in the mail storage unit 230.
Specifically, the case where the predetermined period is one week and the current predetermined period is “2014/11 / 16-2014 / 11/22” will be described as an example. The next predetermined period is “2014/11/23 -2014/11/29 ", and the beginning is" 2014/11/23 ".
In this case, if it is determined that the number of distributions has reached the upper limit value, the e-mail ID 232 in the setting information 231 shown in FIG. 5 described above is associated with “EFG3456”, the next predetermined period. Since “2014/11/23” that is the start period is within the range of “2014/11 / 21-2014 / 11/30” that is the valid period 233, the re-registration unit 245 sends the e-mail to the mail storage unit Re-register with 230.
On the other hand, if the e-mail that has been determined that the number of distributions has reached the upper limit value is associated with “DEF2345” in the mail ID 232 in the setting information 231, “2014/11 / Since “23” is out of the range of “2014/11 / 16-2014 / 11/22” which is the valid period 233, the re-registration unit 245 discards the electronic mail.

Each time the distribution unit 244 distributes an e-mail, the update unit 246 increases the value of the distribution number 225 (the distribution number 225 of the distribution destination user) in the user management information 221 shown in FIG. increase).
In the user management information 221, when the above-described distribution frequency and distribution data amount are managed instead of the distribution number 225, the update unit 246 increases the value of the distribution frequency and distribution data amount.
In addition, the update unit 246, for example, totals the opening rates of the emails distributed by the distribution unit 244 for each user at the transition of a predetermined period (for example, the beginning of the next month or the next week). Based on the rate, the upper limit value 226 in the user management information 221 is increased or decreased. Specifically, the update unit 246 increases the upper limit value 226 for users whose e-mail opening rate is higher than the reference value, and decreases the upper limit value 226 for users whose opening rate is lower than the reference value.
Whether or not the e-mail has been opened is, for example, whether or not there is access to a specific object linked to the e-mail (such as image data at a different link destination for each e-mail) when the e-mail is HTML mail. Is to be determined. Note that it may be determined whether or not the e-mail is opened by another method.

In addition to these, the control unit 240 also collects the action content of the user who opened (viewed) the e-mail. For example, the opened e-mail includes a link that guides the user to a sales site (such as a product sales page), and when the user selects (clicks) such a link, the control unit 240 collects the action content that the user has browsed the sales destination site. Further, in response to sales performance information from the sales site, the control unit 240 collects action details indicating that the user has purchased the product at the sales site of the guidance destination.
The above-described CPU 401 or the like can function as the control unit 240 having such a configuration.

(Operation of mail delivery device)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mail delivery apparatus 200 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of mail delivery processing according to this embodiment.
This mail delivery process is a process executed by the control unit 240 and is started every time a predetermined delivery time is reached, for example. It is assumed that the e-mail requested to be delivered to the user has already been accumulated in the mail accumulation unit 230.

First, the control unit 240 takes out an electronic mail from the mail storage unit 230 (step S11).
That is, the extraction unit 242 extracts an e-mail that satisfies a predetermined condition from the e-mails stored in the mail storage unit 230. Specifically, the retrieving unit 242 retrieves all e-mails that are currently within the valid period 233 (at the time of retrieval) based on the setting information 231 illustrated in FIG. 5 described above.

The control unit 240 identifies the destination user of the extracted nth e-mail, and acquires the number of distributions and the upper limit value for the destination user (step S12).
That is, the determination unit 243 identifies a user that matches the destination of the nth e-mail from the mail address 224 of the user management information 221 shown in FIG. 4 described above, and the number of deliveries 225 and the upper limit value 226 for that user. Is read.

The control unit 240 determines whether the number of distributions has reached the upper limit value (step S13).
That is, the determination unit 243 determines whether or not the number of distributions 225 of the user who is the destination of the nth e-mail reaches the upper limit value 226.
When determining that the number of distributions has reached the upper limit value (step S13; Yes), the control unit 240 advances the process to step S16 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of distributions has not reached the upper limit (step S13; No), the control unit 240 distributes the nth electronic mail (step S14).
That is, since the number of distributions for the mail address that is the distribution destination is less than the upper limit value, the distribution unit 244 controls the communication unit 210 to send the nth electronic mail to the user terminal 300 (distribution destination user terminal 300). To deliver.

The control unit 240 updates the number of distributions (Step S15).
That is, the update unit 246 increases the value of the distribution number 225 (the distribution number 225 of the distribution destination user) in the user management information 221 shown in FIG. 4 described above by one.

If it is determined in step S13 described above that the number of distributions has reached the upper limit value, the control unit 240 re-registers the nth e-mail if there is a possibility that it can be distributed later (step S16).
That is, even if the re-registration unit 245 determines that the number of distributions (number of distributions 225) has reached the upper limit (upper limit 226) by the determination unit 243, the start of the next predetermined period is the nth If the e-mail is within the valid period, the e-mail is re-registered in the mail storage unit 230. On the other hand, if the start of the next predetermined period is outside the valid period of the nth electronic mail, the re-registration unit 245 discards the electronic mail.

The control unit 240 determines whether or not processing has been completed for all e-mails extracted from the mail storage unit 230 (step S17).
When determining that the processing has not been completed for all the e-mails (step S17; No), the control unit 240 returns the processing to step S12 described above.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the processing has been completed for all electronic mails (step S17; Yes), the control unit 240 ends the mail delivery process.

If the number of deliveries to a user (email address) reaches the upper limit value by such a mail delivery process, the delivery of electronic mail to the user is not performed. In addition, since the upper limit is set (updated) for each user based on the opening rate of the distributed e-mail, more e-mails are provided to users with a high opening rate of the distributed e-mail. On the other hand, fewer e-mails are delivered to users with a low unsealing rate.
As a result, the number of electronic mails to be distributed can be controlled appropriately.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the extraction unit 242 uniformly extracts e-mails within the effective period from the mail storage unit 230 has been described. However, when the e-mails are extracted from the mail storage unit 230, You may make it take out mail.
Hereinafter, another embodiment characterized in that e-mails are extracted in descending order of priority will be briefly described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a mail delivery device 500 according to another embodiment. As illustrated, the mail delivery device 500 includes a communication unit 210, a user management information storage unit 220, a mail storage unit 530, and a control unit 540.
The communication unit 210 and the user management information storage unit 220 have the same configuration as the mail delivery device 200 shown in FIG.

The mail storage unit 530 stores electronic mail requested to be distributed to the user.
More specifically, the mail storage unit 530 stores the requested electronic mail in association with priority information that defines the priority of distribution. Specifically, the mail storage unit 530 stores setting information 531 as shown in FIG. For example, the setting information 531 includes a mail ID 232, a validity period 233, a mail address 534, and a priority 535.
The mail ID 232 and the valid period 233 have the same configuration as the setting information 231 shown in FIG.

  A mail address 534 indicates a destination of the associated electronic mail. The mail address 534 is referred to when the priority 535 described below is updated by the control unit 540 (a setting update unit 548 described later).

The priority level 535 is priority information indicating the priority level at which the electronic mail should be distributed. The priority level 535 is referred to by the control unit 540 (extraction unit 542 described later), and electronic mails are extracted from the mail storage unit 530 in descending order of the priority level 535.
In the setting information 531 shown in FIG. 8, the priority 535 is indicated as “high”, “medium”, and “low”, but these are for ease of explanation. It shall be indicated.
The priority 535 is appropriately updated by the control unit 540 (a setting update unit 548 described later).

Returning to FIG. 7, the control unit 540 controls the mail delivery apparatus 500 as a whole. The control unit 540 includes a registration unit 241, an extraction unit 542, a determination unit 243, a distribution unit 244, a re-registration unit 245, an update unit 246, a detection unit 547, and a setting change unit 548. Deliver to the terminal 300 as appropriate.
The registration unit 241 and the determination unit 243 to the update unit 246 have the same configuration as the control unit 240 illustrated in FIG. 3 described above.

The extracting unit 542 extracts an e-mail that satisfies a predetermined condition from the e-mails stored in the mail storage unit 530. That is, the extraction unit 542 extracts emails in descending order of priority 535 based on the setting information 531 illustrated in FIG. 8 described above.
Specifically, the extracting unit 542 extracts e-mails in descending order of priority 535 after narrowing down e-mails that are currently within the valid period 233 (at the time of extraction) based on the setting information 531.

  The detection unit 547 includes, for the distributed e-mail, opening the e-mail, browsing the sales page via the link information included in the opened e-mail, and purchasing the product on the viewed sales page Detecting the behavior of

  The setting update unit 548 identifies the email address of the user whose behavior has been detected by the detection unit 547, and if there is an email address 534 that matches the email address identified in the setting information 531 shown in FIG. The corresponding priority 535 is increased.

In such a mail delivery device 500, e-mails are taken out from the mail storage unit 530 in descending order of priority. If the number of deliveries to the user (mail address) reaches the upper limit by the same process as the mail delivery process shown in FIG. 6 described above, the delivery of the email to the user is not performed. In addition, since the upper limit is set (updated) for each user based on the opening rate of the distributed e-mail, more e-mails are provided to users with a high opening rate of the distributed e-mail. On the other hand, fewer e-mails are delivered to users with a low unsealing rate.
In addition, the priority of the e-mail is that for the delivered e-mail, opening the e-mail, browsing the sales page via the link information included in the opened e-mail, and the product on the viewed sales page The price increases according to user behavior including purchase.
As a result, the number of electronic mails to be distributed can be controlled appropriately.

  In the above embodiment, a mail server suitable for a sales site (a shopping mall site or the like) constituted by a large number of stores (virtual stores) has been described as an example. However, there are various sites such as a mail magazine site. Is also applicable as appropriate.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mail distribution device, a mail distribution method, a recording medium, and a program that can appropriately control the number of electronic mails to be distributed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mail delivery system 200,500 Mail delivery apparatus 210 Communication part 220 User management information storage part 230,530 Mail storage part 240,540 Control part 241 Registration part 242,542 Extraction part 243 Discrimination part 244 Delivery part 245 Re-registration part 246 Update Unit 547 detection unit 548 setting update unit 300 user terminal 400 information processing device 401 CPU
402 ROM
403 RAM
404 NIC
405 Image processing unit 406 Audio processing unit 407 DVD-ROM drive 408 Interface 409 External memory 410 Controller 411 Monitor 412 Speaker 900 Internet

Claims (6)

An accumulator that accumulates emails requested to be delivered to users;
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
For each user, an e-mail address, the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data performed within the predetermined period for the e-mail address, and the upper limit of distribution permitted for the e-mail address within the predetermined period A storage unit for storing user management information including
An update unit that aggregates the opening rates of the emails distributed by the distribution unit for each user, and increases or decreases the upper limit value in the user management information based on the totaled opening rates,
With
The determination unit determines, based on the user management information, whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data has reached the upper limit value for a mail address that is a destination of the retrieved e-mail.
A mail delivery device characterized by that. An accumulator that accumulates emails requested to be delivered to users;
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
With
The storage unit stores the requested e-mail in association with period information that defines an effective period of delivery,
The retrieving unit retrieves an e-mail that is currently within the valid period based on the period information,
Even if it is determined that the distribution number or the distribution data amount has reached the upper limit value by the determination unit, if the start of the next predetermined period following the predetermined period is within the effective period, A re-registration unit that re-registers the retrieved e-mail in the storage unit;
A mail delivery device characterized by that. An accumulator that accumulates emails requested to be delivered to users;
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
With
The storage unit stores the requested e-mail in association with priority information that defines the priority of distribution,
The retrieving unit retrieves an e-mail in descending order of priority based on the priority information,
For the e-mail distributed by the distribution unit, opening the e-mail, browsing the sales page via the link information included in the opened e-mail, and purchasing products on the viewed sales page A detection unit for detecting user actions including:
A setting update unit for increasing the priority of the priority information associated with an e-mail addressed to the user's e-mail address in which the action is detected;
A mail delivery device characterized by that. A mail delivery method executed by a mail delivery device having a storage unit for storing electronic mail requested to be delivered to a user,
The mail delivery device takes out an e-mail that satisfies a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
Whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail reaches the upper limit value set according to the mail address Determining step to determine,
A delivery step of delivering the retrieved e-mail to a user when the mail delivery device determines that the number of deliveries or the amount of delivery data has not reached the upper limit value in the determination step;
For each user, an e-mail address, the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data performed within the predetermined period for the e-mail address, and the upper limit of distribution permitted for the e-mail address within the predetermined period A storage step of storing user management information including a predetermined storage unit;
An update step of counting the open rates of the emails distributed in the distribution step for each user, and increasing or decreasing the upper limit value in the user management information based on the calculated open rates;
With
In the determining step, based on the user management information, it is determined whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data has reached the upper limit value for a mail address that is a destination of the retrieved e-mail.
A mail delivery method characterized by that. A computer having a storage unit for storing e-mail requested to be distributed to the user,
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
For each user, an e-mail address, the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data performed within the predetermined period for the e-mail address, and the upper limit of distribution permitted for the e-mail address within the predetermined period A storage unit for storing user management information including
An update unit that aggregates the opening rates of the emails distributed by the distribution unit for each user, and increases or decreases the upper limit value in the user management information based on the totaled opening rates,
Function as
The determination unit determines, based on the user management information, whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data has reached the upper limit value for a mail address that is a destination of the retrieved e-mail.
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program characterized by the above-mentioned. A computer having a storage unit for storing e-mail requested to be distributed to the user,
An extraction unit that extracts an e-mail satisfying a predetermined condition from e-mails stored in the storage unit,
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data within the most recent predetermined period for the mail address that is the destination of the retrieved e-mail has reached the upper limit set according to the mail address;
A distribution unit that distributes the retrieved e-mail to a user when the number of distributions or the distribution data amount is determined not to reach the upper limit value by the determination unit;
For each user, an e-mail address, the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data performed within the predetermined period for the e-mail address, and the upper limit of distribution permitted for the e-mail address within the predetermined period A storage unit for storing user management information including
An update unit that aggregates the opening rates of the emails distributed by the distribution unit for each user, and increases or decreases the upper limit value in the user management information based on the totaled opening rates,
Function as
The determination unit determines, based on the user management information, whether or not the number of distributions or the amount of distribution data has reached the upper limit value for a mail address that is a destination of the retrieved e-mail.
A program characterized by that.

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