JP2001092743A - Method, device and system for information distribution and storage medium with software product distributing information stored therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively distribute advertisement information to each customer. SOLUTION: A customer registers personal information such as an address when the customer desires the distribution of information (e.g. cooking recipe, etc.), corresponding to the interest of each person. Even though advertisement information is attached to information to be distributed, the advertisement information is selected on the basis of personal data (e.g. discount coupons for specified items at a store in the neighborhood of the customer when an advertiser is a national chain supermarket). When a sales promotion item of the neighboring supermarket is, for instance, chicken, a recipe to be distributed is a cooking recipe in which chicken is used, is distributed preferentially so that the intention of the advertiser can also be reflected in a distribution content.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of distributing information using a network, and more particularly, to transmitting predetermined distribution information to a predetermined distribution destination by using information stored in association with the distribution destination. Related to a control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art "Nikkei Business Provider 1999.
As described in “7.9 pp6-7”, a service for distributing PCs to customers free of charge and licensing their use has been conventionally provided on condition that a predetermined e-commerce or network connection contract is concluded. Exists.

[0003] In "Internet bookstore magmag (http://www.mag2.com/)", a user searches for information that matches the user's preference, and his / her own e-mail as a distribution destination.
By registering a mail address, it is possible to periodically receive information containing advertisements free of charge. Advertisers can consider the potential customer segments of their products and the customer segments who want to receive their distribution information and costs, and can sponsor distribution information that is considered to be most effective.

[0004] In such a case, however, the advertiser has, for example, a considerable number of specific product inventory in a specific region,
It is difficult to fulfill a demand to clear inventory over a certain period of time without incurring large costs such as transportation to other areas. Also, if a customer who lives or works in an unspecified area is distributed with information on an area that is not related to the customer, most customers have little relation to themselves in order to access the desired information. You will receive regional information or information that is of little interest, and you may not want the distribution itself.

[0005] On the other hand, it is also possible to distribute advertisement information to a specific area by distributing a newspaper insert advertisement or a flyer. However, determine the layout of the advertisement information, request printing from the printing company, receive the delivery, check the contents, hand the printed matter to the newspaper delivery company and flyer distribution company,
Since the distribution is performed, there is a problem that a considerable time and cost are required from the determination of the advertisement content to the distribution.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to periodically print information containing an advertisement on a printing device (a device having a printing function: a printer, a facsimile, a multifunction machine, etc.). It is an object of the present invention to distribute (or sell) printing devices to customers (users) free of charge (or at a discount), and to realize a new business to earn advertising revenue and printing device supply revenue.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is for a customer (user) to be able to obtain a printing device or a printing device consumable item free of charge (or at a discount), which can be normally used on a computer (personal computer). It is to provide a system. -To provide a system that can obtain information or interests (for example, coupons, etc.) that are interesting to oneself (specific interests, preferences, or specific residential areas). -To provide a system that allows purchase of supplies (toner cartridges, ink, etc.) at a discount by printing necessary information.・ It is an object of the present invention to provide a system in which even people who do not know how to use the Internet can receive information in printed form.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide printing equipment companies (for example, when the business owner is a printing equipment maker) to distribute (or sell) their own printing equipment for free (or discount) in the industry. The purpose is to provide a system that can increase the company's market share and generate stable supply income. An object of the present invention is to provide a system that enables the cost of a printing device distributed free of charge (or discount) to be returned to an electronic information distribution center (print data distributor) or an advertiser.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a stable advertising revenue for an electronic information distribution center (print data distributor). In a mode in which printing is performed directly on paper, an object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of preventing electronic data from being transmitted by electronic mail and protecting the copyright of distribution data.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an advertiser with a highly effective advertising system that can advertise according to the user's interests, preferences, or residence area. -To provide a system capable of minimizing the period from the determination of the advertisement content to the distribution of the advertisement to customers as much as possible.・ To provide a system with lower distribution costs than newspapers, facsimile machines, flyers, etc. -It is to provide a system capable of distributing highly convenient information that is printed directly on paper and can be carried around by customers.・ In the mode of distributing coupons, a system is provided in which a customer directly brings a distributed coupon to an advertiser's store and the advertiser aggregates the coupons so that the advertising effect can be easily verified. I do. -A campaign for a specific product can be effectively executed, and inventory management, distribution management, staffing management, and the like can be made more efficient.

[0011]

When a customer desires distribution of information (for example, a recipe for cooking, etc.) according to an individual's interest, the customer also registers personal information such as an address. Advertisement information is attached to the information to be distributed, and the advertisement information is selected based on personal data (for example, when the advertiser is a supermarket of a nationwide chain, the advertisement information is Discount coupon for specific item). In addition, for example, when the sales promotion item of the neighborhood supermarket is chicken, the advertiser's intention is also reflected in the contents of the distribution, such as that the recipe to be distributed is preferentially distributed to a recipe of a dish using chicken.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, wherein (a) the customer's personal information is uniquely identified. (B) storing delivery information type identification information for identifying the type of delivery information to be delivered to the customer in association with the customer identification information; and (c) advertising Storing information in association with the distribution information type identification information;
(D) extracting distribution information related to the distribution information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from a plurality of distribution information; and (e) comparing the distribution information type identification information with the customer personal information. Provided is an information distribution method including a step of extracting advertisement information on condition that both are related to each other, and (f) a step of distributing the extracted distribution information and distributing the extracted advertisement information to the customer. Is done.

[0013] In the claims herein,
"Customer-side information terminal" is a concept including a computer incorporated in various home electric appliances such as a normal personal computer (PC), a workstation, a printer, a television, a facsimile or the like having a function of connecting to a network, or a device combining these. is there. “Network” refers to the Internet, dedicated telephone lines, public telephone lines, cable TV
It is a concept including a line, a satellite broadcast line, a LAN, and the like. “Customer identification information” includes a customer number, an e-mail address,
This is a concept including a P address and the like. “Distribution information type specifying information” is a concept including a distribution information type number, a distribution information type name, and the like. The “advertisement information” is a concept including information for presenting a discount such as a coupon, information for a limited time bargain, information for opening a new store, and the like. In addition, delivery to customers,
Distribution by e-mail format, distribution by FTP, F
This is a concept including distribution by a known distribution method using a network, such as distribution by AX, distribution by a print data format, and the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of distributing information via a network to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer, the method comprising: (a) storing customer personal information of the customer; (B) storing distribution information type specifying information for identifying the type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer in association with the customer specifying information; And (d) storing the advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information, and (d) distributing information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from a plurality of pieces of distribution information, and relating to the customer personal information. And (e) extracting advertisement information to be stored in association with the distribution information type specifying information; and (f) extracting the extracted distribution information. Information distribution method comprising the steps of distributing advertisement information to the customer, is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution method further comprising a step of converting the extracted distribution information based on the customer personal information before the step of distributing to the customer. You.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution method, wherein the step of extracting the distribution information is performed on condition that the step is related to specific sales promotion item information. You.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the advertiser pays for the advertisement, so that the printing device or the printing device consumable is distributed to the customer for free or at a low price, and is distributed to the customer. An information distribution method for extracting information and advertisement information to be automatically printed is provided.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the advertisement information stores advertisement period condition information in association with each other, and the step of extracting the advertisement information includes extracting the advertisement period condition information as a condition. An information distribution method is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution method characterized in that the information distribution is started in response to a transmission request from the customer.

In another aspect of the present invention, the customer personal information includes regional information indicating the customer's address or work place, and the delivery information to be delivered to the customer is the delivery information Is determined based on a sales promotion item of a store corresponding to the regional information of the advertiser of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution apparatus for distributing information via a network to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer, comprising: (a) customer personal information of the customer; A customer data storage unit for registering delivery information type identification information for identifying the type of delivery information to be delivered in association with customer identification information for uniquely identifying the customer; and (b) delivering information to the delivery information type identification information. (C) an advertisement data storage unit that stores advertisement information in association with the distribution information type specifying information; and (d) a plurality of distribution information items stored in the distribution data storage unit. And extracting the delivery information related to the delivery information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from the advertisement data storage unit. Information including, on the condition that the advertisement information is related to both, the advertisement information, and the extracted distribution information, and a customer distribution data creation / transmission unit that distributes the extracted advertisement information to the customer. A distribution device is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution apparatus for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, comprising: (a) customer personal information of the customer; Delivery information type identification information that identifies the type of delivery information to be delivered to the customer data storage unit in association with customer identification information that uniquely identifies the customer;
(B) an advertisement data storage unit that stores advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information; (c) a distribution data storage unit that stores distribution information in association with the distribution information type identification information; Extracting delivery information from a plurality of pieces of delivery information from a delivery data storage unit on condition that the delivery information type identification information is stored in association with the customer identification information and associated with the customer personal information; From the advertisement information to be stored in association with the distribution information type identification information, the extracted distribution information, and a customer distribution data creation and transmission unit that distributes the extracted advertisement information to the customer A distribution device is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution system for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, comprising: (a1) customer personal information of the customer; A customer data storage unit that associates delivery information type identification information for identifying the type of delivery information to be delivered with the customer identification information that uniquely identifies the customer; and (a2) stores the advertisement information in the delivery information type identification information. (A3) a distribution data storage unit that stores distribution information in association with the distribution information type specifying information; and (a4) a distribution data storage unit that stores a plurality of distribution information from the distribution data storage unit. Delivery information type specific information stored in association with the specific information, and on the condition that it is related to the customer personal information, extract the distribution information, from the advertisement data storage unit Extracting advertisement information to be stored in association with the distribution information type specifying information, creating customer distribution data based on the extracted distribution information and the extracted advertisement information, and distributing the customer distribution data to the customer An information delivery device including a creation / transmission unit; (b1) a time management unit that detects that a current time is a preset predetermined time;
2) a network input / output unit that transmits a request message for requesting distribution of the customer distribution data including the customer identification information in response to detecting that the current time is a preset predetermined time. An information distribution system including a customer-side information terminal is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing an information distribution processing program executed on an information distribution apparatus for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network. , The program
(A) customer personal information of the customer and delivery information type identification information for identifying the type of delivery information to be delivered to the customer;
Accessing a customer data storage unit that associates the customer with customer identification information that uniquely identifies the customer, and a distribution data storage unit that stores distribution information in association with the distribution information type identification information. A program code for instructing the information distribution apparatus to extract distribution information related to the distribution information type identification information stored in association with the specific information; and (b) storing the advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information. Accessing the advertisement data storage unit and the customer data storage unit, and extracting the advertisement information on the condition that the advertisement information is related to both the distribution information type specifying information and the customer personal information. And (c) distributing the extracted distribution information and the extracted advertisement information to the customer by the voice recognition. Storage medium is provided comprising, a program code for instructing the location.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing an information distribution processing program executed on an information distribution device for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network. , The program
(A) a customer data storage unit for registering customer personal information of the customer in association with customer identification information for uniquely identifying the customer, and distribution information type identification information for identifying the type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer And a delivery data storage unit that stores the delivery information type in association with the customer identification information, and stores the delivery information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from a plurality of delivery information and the customer personal information. A program code for instructing the speech recognition apparatus to extract distribution information on condition that:
Accessing the customer data storage unit and an advertisement data storage unit that stores advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information, and extracting the advertisement information to be stored in association with the distribution information type identification information; A program code for instructing the recognition device, (c) the extracted distribution information, and a program code for instructing the voice recognition device to distribute the extracted advertisement information to the customer. A storage medium is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, prior to the step of distributing to the customer, in order to instruct the voice recognition device to convert the extracted distribution information based on the customer personal information. Is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, the program code for instructing the voice recognition device to extract the distribution information is extracted on the condition that it is also related to specific sales promotion item information. A storage medium is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, the advertisement information stores advertisement period condition information in association with the advertisement information, and a program code for instructing the speech recognition apparatus to extract the advertisement information. The present invention also provides an information distribution method characterized in that the advertisement period condition information is extracted as a condition.

In another aspect of the present invention, the customer personal information includes regional information indicating the customer's address or work location, and the delivery information to be delivered to the customer is the delivery information Is determined based on a sales promotion item of a store corresponding to the regional information of the advertiser of the present invention.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the present invention. The business entity 110 is the business entity of the business in the present embodiment. The advertiser 120 is an advertisement provider (sponsor). The print data distributor 130 creates and distributes print data to the customer 150.

The Internet service provider 140 provides an Internet connection service to the customer 150 (for example, an Internet connection is provided for a monthly fee).
Is a trader. The customer 150 receives a free (or discounted) printing device 153 (printing device consumable 154) from the business entity 110, receives the distribution print data via the Internet 141, and prints the data on the printing device 153. Customer 150 is also an advertising supplier. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 153 can be connected to the computer 151 and used as a normal computer terminal printing device.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the business entity 110,
Although the print data distributor 130 and the Internet service provider 140 are each described as one entity, the business entity 110 may also serve as the print data distributor 130 and the Internet service provider 140.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the business entity 110 first makes a contract with the customer 150 as follows. (1) If the customer 150 is not currently subscribed to an Internet service provider (Internet service provider), the customer 150 makes an Internet connection contract with the Internet service provider 140 designated by the business entity 110. The business entity 110 obtains a subscription fee from the Internet service provider 140.

(2) Register the name, address, work address, other personal information, desired distribution print items, etc. via the Internet 140 using Internet browsing software or electronic mail, or by writing or telephone. This information is recorded in the customer information database. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this registered content can be changed, added, or deleted as appropriate.

(3) Introduce a dedicated application 152 to a computer 151 that is individually owned or newly purchased (the printing device 153 without passing through the computer 151).
, Except that the print data can be received directly via the Internet 140).

(4) Customer (Recipient of Print Data) 150
Prints the print data distributed by the print data distributor 130 on a regular basis (for example, once a day) with the printing device 153 received under this contract. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of items can be selected at the time of registration of the present distributed print data, and the contents of distribution can be changed according to a desired period and a desired day of the week. (It is assumed that the number of prints is determined for each distribution item.) However, the number of prints that must be printed in a minimum period can also be determined.

The items and contents to be printed are useful information according to personal registration / interest, etc., and advertisements provided by the advertiser 120 related to the contents can be mixed in the print contents. Examples of useful content are as follows:

News according to interests (specific sports, specific industrial fields, stocks, technical information, etc.), newspaper contents ・ New books, movies, houses, employment, stocks, travel, fortune-telling, weather forecast, menu, health Information such as education, supermarkets, fast food, convenience stores, etc., coupons for various stores, businesses and public organizations, special sales information (stores near the customer's residence area, etc.), questionnaire /
Quiz / lottery (for advertising / sales promotion of stores related to the customer's residence area-Fill out the questionnaire or answer the quiz, if you hit the lottery number you will get a small gift at that store), first-come-first-served order purchase ticket, signature / Various application forms for shops, businesses, and public entities that need to be stamped / posted (application forms pre-filled with name, address information, etc. based on personal registration data), store maps (for districts related to the customer's residence area) Restaurant news, etc.), opening new stores, opening new stores, etc. (related to customer's residential area) ・ Correspondence education (language, test, etc.)

The customer 120 can be periodically (daily, weekly, etc.)
Or, when using a computer or a printing device, or when you want to distribute predetermined advertising information,
The print data distributor 130 sends information (interesting) suitable for the customer and advertisements (interesting) suitable for the customer via the network 140 based on the registered customer information database 113 and electronic print data 113. Then, printing is performed on the printing device 122 from the customer's computer 121. When the printing device 122 is directly connected to the network 140, printing can be performed directly without passing through the computer 121.

By providing such information to the customer, the business entity 110 can obtain income from advertisement costs (or sponsorship costs) from the advertiser 120 for the distribution print data. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this print information is recorded as history information in a customer information database.

Further, a subsidy is issued to a printing apparatus supplier under conditions such as in accordance with the amount of printing so that the customer 120 can purchase supplies (toner cartridges, ink, etc.) 150 at low cost. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the business entity 110 can know whether or not the distribution print data has been received (printed) through the print data distributor 130, and use this information as a reference for the advertisement cost. You can do things. In addition, it is possible to know whether the contractor is printing according to the contract (how much printing is performed). These specific implementation means will be described later in detail.

B. Hardware Configuration FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a hardware configuration for implementing a distribution server 300 or a customer-side printing device control device 500 of the present invention, which will be described later. The distribution-side server 300 or the customer-side printing device control device 500 includes a central processing unit (CP).
U) 1 and a memory 4. CPU 1 and memory 4
Are connected to hard disk devices 13 and 31 as auxiliary storage devices via a bus 2 or the like. Floppy disk drive (or MO28, CD-ROM26, 29
Are connected to the bus 2 via a floppy disk controller (or various controllers such as an IDE controller 25 and a SCSI controller 27).

Floppy disk drive (or MO, C
Medium drive device 26, 28, 29, 30 such as D-ROM)
20 has a floppy disk (or MO, CD-R
OM etc.), and a storage medium such as the floppy disk or the hard disk device 13 or the ROM 14 gives instructions to the CPU or the like in cooperation with the operating system to execute the present invention. The code of the program can be recorded and executed by being loaded into the memory 4. The code of the computer program can be compressed or divided into a plurality of parts and recorded over a plurality of media.

The distribution server 300 or the customer printing apparatus controller 500 can be a system further provided with user interface hardware. The user interface hardware includes, for example,
Pointing device for inputting screen position information (mouse, joystick, trackball, etc.)
7. A keyboard 6 that supports key input, and a display 11, 1 that presents image data to a user.
There are two. The speaker 23 receives an audio signal from the audio controller 21 via the amplifier 22 and outputs the audio signal as audio.

The distribution server 300 or the printing apparatus controller 500 can communicate with other computers via the serial port 15 and a modem or a communication adapter 18 such as Ethernet.

The present invention is applicable to ordinary personal computers (PCs), workstations, printers, televisions,
The present invention can be implemented by a computer incorporated in various home appliances such as AX or a combination thereof. However, these components are merely examples, and not all the components are essential components of the present invention. In particular, since the distribution server 300 of the present invention distributes electronic information, components such as the audio controller 21, the amplifier 22, the speaker 23, and the scanner 31 are essential in one embodiment of the present invention. is not. In addition, since the customer-side printing apparatus control device 500 also controls printing of the distributed electronic information, the components such as the audio controller 21, the amplifier 22, the speaker 23, and the scanner 31 are included in one embodiment of the present invention. Is not required.

As the operating system of the distribution server 300 or the customer printing apparatus controller 500, Windows NT (a trademark of Microsoft), W
Windows 9x (a trademark of Microsoft), Windows
ows3. x (Microsoft trademark), OS / 2 (I
BM), MacOS (a trademark of Apple Inc.), L
inux (trademark of Linus Torvlds), AI
X-WINDOW system on X (trademark of IBM) (M
IT trademark), a standard that supports a GUI multi-window environment, a character-based environment such as PC-DOS (trademark of IBM) and MS-DOS (trademark of Microsoft), and an OS / Open
(Trademark of IBM), VxWorks (Wind Riv)
er Systems, Inc. (Trademark) or an OS embedded in a network computer such as a Java OS, and is not limited to a specific operating system environment.

C. System Configuration FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the distribution server 300 of the print data distributor 130 and the customer-side printing apparatus control device 500 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the distribution server 300 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention
1, distribution data management unit 302, advertisement data storage unit 30
3, a delivery data storage unit 304, a customer print data creation / transmission unit 305, a customer data storage unit 306, a customer data management unit 307, a customer delivery management unit 308, and a delivery print data storage unit 309.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, customer data management unit 307 provides an interface for registering, changing, and deleting customer data 306. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, registration, change and deletion of customer data are performed directly by the customer via the Internet,
The operator can also use a letter or the like.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of customer management data in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the customer management data 310 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a customer ID 311, a customer name 313, a delivery destination address 314, and customer detailed information 315 as gender, age 317, and address 31.
9. Family structure 321, hobby information 323, preference information 32
5. Also, as a delivery content 327, a cooking recipe 33
1, the weather forecast 333, the news 335, the accompanying information 337 for each item, the schedule information 339 such as the desired delivery period, the delivery time, and the day of the delivery for each item, the delivery log 341, the print log 347, and the like.

The distribution destination address 314 is information for specifying a distribution destination. In a mode in which distribution data is directly obtained from a customer, this information is not particularly necessary. When receiving distribution of a cooking recipe, the accompanying information 337 for each item imposes certain restrictions on the distribution information, such as "separate the menu for two couples and two children" and "do not eat pork". Information. The delivery log 341 is
This is information on bibliographic items such as the item number, number of copies, date and time, and advertiser number of the distributed data. The print log 347 is an item for managing bibliographic items such as the item number, number of copies, date and time, and the like.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, distribution data management section 302 provides an interface for registering, changing, and deleting distribution data 304. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, registration / change /
The deletion is performed by the business entity 110, the print data distributor 130,
Either of the advertisers 120 performs it.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of distribution data in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the distribution data 350 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a distribution item number 351, a distribution item name 353, a distribution data number 355, distribution data 357, and distribution schedule data 359.

In the distribution schedule data 359, a period in which the distribution data is distributed (start date and time, end date and time), a week in which the distribution is to be performed (month to date), and the flag is set to ON. Broadcast on the day of the week.

The customer distribution management unit 308 manages the distribution print data 309 with the customer. The customer print data creation / sending unit 305 creates delivery print data 309 based on the delivery data 304 and the advertisement data 303 with reference to the registered contents of the customer data 306.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement data management unit 301 provides an interface for registering, changing, and deleting the advertisement data 303. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement data 303 is stored in the business entity 110 or the print data distributor 1 based on information provided from the advertiser 120 through the advertisement data management unit 301.
The registration / change / deletion is performed by 30. The advertiser 120 can also perform registration / update etc. directly via the network.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the advertisement data in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the advertisement data 370 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an advertisement company number 371, an advertisement item name 373, a store number 374, an advertisement data number 375, an advertisement data 377, an advertisement schedule data 379, and a distribution data ID 381. , And a distribution limitation condition 383.

Advertisement schedule data 379 includes the period of distribution of the advertisement (start date and time, end date and time), the designation of the week to distribute (month to day), and the day of the week when the flag is on. To deliver. The distribution data ID is information for specifying the distribution data 350 on which the advertisement is to be placed, and all designations and the like can be made by using a wild card. By giving the distribution data ID 351 a complex number such as a distribution genre + number, it is possible to easily specify a specific genre or the like. The distribution limitation condition 383 includes the area code (postal code) of the address to be distributed, the work area code, the age, the gender,
This is information for setting conditions such as occupation and the like, which are limited according to the personal information of the customer.

On the other hand, the printing apparatus control apparatus 500 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention
1, print data / log management unit 502, print processing management unit 5
03, time management unit 504, customer ID 505, print data storage unit 506, print log storage unit 507, printing device 50
8, a display control unit 509, and a display unit 510.

The printing apparatus controller 500 can be implemented as a normal computer connected to the printing apparatus. In such a case, the printing apparatus 508 is an independent printing apparatus, and the display unit 510 is used as a display of the computer. Implemented. When the printing apparatus control apparatus 500 is implemented in a form in which the printing apparatus control apparatus 500 is incorporated in the same housing as the printing apparatus 508, the display unit 510 is mounted as a display panel attached to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus control apparatus 500 and the printing apparatus 508 are installed. And a printing apparatus having a function connectable to a network including the display unit 510.

The network input / output unit 501 performs protocol conversion, message transmission / reception, etc., for transmitting / receiving messages to / from the distribution server 300 via the network. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network 400 is the Internet, and the network input / output unit 501 supports TCP / IP.

The print data / log management unit 502 receives the print data 506 from the distributor server 300 through the network input / output unit 501 and passes the print data 506 to the print processing management unit 503. The print processing management unit 50
Print log 507 (print time, print content,
It performs processing and management such as transmission of information such as the number of copies to the distribution server 300.

The print processing management unit 503 stores the print data 50
6 to the printing device 508 for printing.
If the print data 506 is normally printed on the printing apparatus 508, the print log 507 is updated and the print data / log management unit 502 is notified.

The time management unit 504 is used for obtaining distribution print data at a designated time. The customer ID 505 is an identification number given to the printing apparatus controller 500 on the customer side in advance.

The printing device 508 prints the transmitted print data. Also, the print processing management unit is notified of the result of the normal end of the printing or the end of the printing. The display control unit 509 controls the display unit 510.

Although the respective functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 have been described above, these functional blocks are logical functional blocks, which means that they are realized by hardware or software having one unit. not,
It can be realized by complex or common hardware and software. In particular, instead of transmitting a transmission request from the customer-side printing device control device to the distribution-side server 300 at a predetermined time, the distribution print data is transmitted from the distribution-side server 300 to the customer-side printing device control device 500 when a predetermined condition is met. Is transmitted, the time management unit 5
04 is an unnecessary component.

In one embodiment of the present invention, since the print log is not managed, the print log storage unit 507 is an unnecessary component. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, since the customer only needs to recognize the distributed information, either the print processing management unit 503 and the printing device 508 or the display control unit 509 and the display unit 510 are unnecessary components. Become.

D. Operation Procedure FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the print processing management unit 503 and the print data / log management unit 503 in the customer-side printing apparatus control device 500. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a unit 605 and a customer distribution management unit 308.

First, in FIG. 7, when a predetermined time (date and time) is reached using the time management unit 504, the print data / log management unit 502 detects this (step 423), and detects it through the network input / output unit 501. The customer ID 505 stored in the customer information 505 is stored in the distribution server 3
00 (step 425).

On the other hand, the customer distribution management unit 308 of the distribution server 300 monitors the transmission request from the customer (step 443 in FIG. 8), and if there is a transmission request from the customer, transmits the request message. It is passed to the customer print data creation / sending unit 305. At this time, it is also possible to check whether the user is a member based on the customer ID or the like included in the transmission request message.

The customer print data creating / sending unit 305 searches the customer data 306 using the customer ID 505 included in the request message as a key. And the matched customer data 3
Based on the information 06, the data advertisement data of the distribution items 331 to 335 having the distribution data distribution conditions 337 and 339 are extracted from the distribution data storage unit 304. The advertisement data matching the advertisement data distribution conditions 379 to 383 is extracted from the advertisement data storage unit 303, and the distribution print data 309 dedicated to the customer is created (step 445), and the created distribution print data is transmitted to the customer. (Step 44
7). Then, the distribution log 341 of the customer data 306 is updated (step 449).

The print data of the client computer 500
The log management unit 502 receives the distribution print data via the network input / output unit 501 (FIG. 7, step 4).
27), and save it as print data 506. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the distribution print data is not correctly received, a retry is performed after a predetermined time (step 431). If the distribution print data is received correctly, a print log is transmitted (step 433). ). The customer distribution management unit 308 of the distribution server 300 that has received the print log,
The print log item 345 of the customer data is updated (FIG. 8, steps 451 and 453).

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The distribution print data generation procedure to be transmitted to the customer side is started by detecting the transmission request from the customer-side printing apparatus control device 300. In the distribution-side server 300, the distribution request data stored in the customer data storage unit is stored. Initiate a procedure to periodically refer to the time and generate distribution print data of the customer corresponding to the time, or start this procedure for the relevant customer in response to the registration of a new advertisement. You can also. Furthermore, this procedure may be started at the time registered for each distribution data. What kind of trigger triggers the procedure of the present invention is a concept that can be variously changed in implementation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure in the printing apparatus controller 500 on the customer side. If the print processing management unit 503 has the print data 506 and the printing apparatus 508 is in a printable state (step 40)
3, 405), and outputs the print data 506 to the printing device 508, and instructs the printing device 508 to print (step 409). In the case where printing cannot be performed at present, such as when the power of the printing apparatus 508 is not turned on, the power of the printing apparatus 508 which can be automatically turned on by the computer 500 is automatically turned on to perform printing. If printing cannot be performed automatically, a message such as "Please turn on the power of the printing apparatus to enable printing" is displayed on the display unit 510 through the display control unit 509 of the computer 500 (step 407).

As described above, the print data 5 is stored in the printing device 508.
06 is printed normally, the print processing management unit 503 deletes the print data 506 and prints the print log 50.
The print data, the number of prints, the print time, and the like of No. 7 are updated (step 415). The updated print log 507 is stored in the print data / log management unit 502 at the time of the next print data distribution.
Is transferred to the distribution server 300 through the network input / output unit 501. Based on this print log information, the customer distribution management unit 308 of the distribution server 300
06 is updated. If the printing by the printing device 508 fails, processing such as step 407 is performed to perform a retry (step 413).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of distribution print data distributed to a customer. This figure shows a state where the data is distributed to the customer side and printed on the customer side printing device 508. This example is an example in which a cooking recipe (daily menu) is distributed and a supermarket advertisement (coupon) near the customer's residence is distributed.

In this example, it is assumed that a housewife at home uses distribution print data of a family meal (dinner). “Cooking recipe” is registered as a desired delivery print content of the customer data 306 by the customer, and preference (family food likes / dislikes) data is stored as the accompanying data. If the user prefers a meat dish relatively, a chicken dish is selected from the menu registered in the distribution data 304 as in this example. The material is also the customer data 306
Is automatically calculated based on the ingredients of one part of this recipe in the distribution data 304 based on the family composition registered in. Also, as for the seasoning, for example, if a spicy one is liked, the amount of spices is automatically increased. From such information, a recipe that is perfectly suited to the customer is created.

Next, from the advertisement data 303, the customer data 3
An advertisement for a supermarket near the customer's residence is created from the address information registered in 06. This example is an example of a discount coupon for a material used in the above-mentioned recipe or a free trial ticket for a seasoning used in cooking. In this way, an advertisement matching this customer and the above-mentioned distribution contents (recipe) is created, and distribution print data 309 summarizing the advertisement is created and printed on the printing device 508 in this way. When a recipe or the like is actually used for cooking, it is often printed and used on paper, and a coupon ticket cannot be used unless it is printed on paper.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an additional function of the customer print data creating / sending unit 305 in an additional embodiment of the present invention. In this example, in step 445 of FIG. 8, it is detected that the customer who has requested the transmission desires to transmit the cooking recipe and conforms to other conditions such as the desired transmission period (step 445). 46
3).

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram for realizing a preferred additional embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, a promotion item data management unit 311 and a promotion item data storage unit 313 are added as compared with FIG. The sales promotion item data management unit 311 has a function of supporting addition, change, and deletion of sales promotion item data.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of sales promotion item data in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure,
Promotional item data 39 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
0, promotion item data number 391, promotion item category name 392, promotion item category number 393,
The sales promotion item number 394 and the sales promotion schedule information 395 are included. This promotional item data is
Stock information and POS (Point Of Sales)
Automatically, based on the sales information obtained from.

The sales promotion item data number 391 is a number assigned to a unit for simultaneously promoting sales. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sales promotion item data number 391 is composed of an advertisement company number + distribution data number + serial number. . The sales promotion item category name 392 is the category name of the target item for which a campaign for sales promotion is to be executed. Category name = item name may be used. The sales promotion item category number 393 is the number of this category. The promotion item number 394 is, for example,
"○ chicken thighs delivered from ○ × Bussan"
At the same time, it is the number of the item that is managed as a promotion target. The sales promotion schedule information 395 is information (conditional expression) for managing a period during which sales promotion of this data is performed.

In a preferred additional embodiment of the present invention,
The sales promotion item data is taken into consideration when generating the distribution data. In this example, it is registered so that there are a plurality of pieces of distribution data of a cooking recipe that match the distribution conditions. In addition, the distribution data of each cooking recipe includes information on the material number and the quantity. Based on the material number, the sales promotion item data is referred to, and it is determined that the material is the target of the current sales promotion. In this case, a score higher than usual is given to the cooking recipe distribution data (step 465). In addition, points are assigned in consideration of the number calculated based on the family structure and the basic recipe. Also, in order to prevent recommending the same menu every day, the distribution log information (341 in FIG. 4) is referred to, and if the data is distributed the day before, a bad score is given. Further, preference 325 and accompanying information 33 for each item
Refer to 7 and give a high score if you like chicken, and a low score if you do not like it. If there is no description, if you can not say either, the score calculated based on other information To do it.

Then, various settings such as the recipe recipe distribution data with the highest score, the n-th highest rank (n is a predetermined number, a value exceeding a certain value, or a value satisfying both conditions) are set. Is adopted as distribution data (step 467). The basic information of the recipe adopted is such that the quantity and cooking time of the ingredients are updated according to the family composition, and the quantity of the ingredients is determined based on information such as taste (prefers light taste, prefers strong taste, and does not like spicy taste). , Cooking time and the like can be changed.

In this example, the merchandise item that the advertiser wants to sell is registered as sales promotion data and used for the point calculation. Conversely, the merchandise item with a small stock quantity is registered in the same format. If they match, it is possible to give a bad score.

Next, advertisement data 370 having the adopted distribution data as the transmission number (381 in FIG. 6) is extracted (step 469). Then, an advertiser number 371 of the advertisement data 370 is obtained, and a supermarket close to the customer address is specified based on the advertiser number 371 and the address information of the customer information included in the customer data 306, and a store number (FIGS.
74) is obtained (step 471). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, store management data for each advertiser exists (not shown), and the conditions of the area code assigned to each store are set. Using a known car navigation system or map information system, the travel distance between the candidate store and the customer address may be calculated, and the closest store may be selected. Further, a store number (or a trader number + a store number) may be managed as customer data by selecting a nearest store as customer information.

Then, the advertiser number 371 and the store number 37
4. Extract advertisement data that meets distribution data conditions 381 and advertisement conditions 379 and 383, and specify advertisement data to be distributed (step 473). At this time, the advertisement data to be transmitted in the same manner as the distribution information is determined based on the material data of the selected cooking recipe and the like, and is determined by a predetermined number or exceeding a predetermined evaluation value (or both conditions). ).

Then, distribution print data is created based on the selected cooking recipe and the selected coupon ticket (step 475). This distribution print data is transmitted to the customer as described in FIG.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a system capable of maximizing the profits of a customer, a printing apparatus supplier, an advertiser, a business entity, a network connection service provider, and the like.

[0091]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a hardware configuration for implementing a distribution server or a customer printing device control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of processing elements in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of customer management data in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of distribution data in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of advertisement data in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the customer-side printing apparatus control device in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the distribution server in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the customer-side printing apparatus control device in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution print data distributed to a customer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an additional function of a customer print data creating / sending unit in an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram for realizing a preferred additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of sales promotion item data in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 Business Entity 120 Advertiser 130 Print Data Distributor 140 Internet Service Provider 150 Customer-Side Printing System 151 Print Control Device 153 Printing Device 154 Printing Device Consumable 300 Delivery Server 301 Advertisement Data Management Unit 302 Distribution Data Management Unit 303 Advertisement Data storage unit 304 Distribution data storage unit 305 Customer print data creation / transmission unit 306 Customer data storage unit 307 Customer data management unit 308 Customer distribution management unit 309 Distribution print data storage unit 311 Promotion item data management unit 313 Promotion item data storage Unit 400 network 500 customer-side print control device 501 network input / output unit 502 print data / log management unit 503 print processing management unit 504 time management unit 505 customer ID 506 print data storage unit 507 print log Storage unit 508 the printing device 509 display control unit 510 display unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Watanabe 1623-14 Shimotsuruma, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term (reference) 5B075 KK07 KK34 KK35 ND20 PQ03 PQ32 PR08 UU38 UU40 5B089 GA12 GA23 GB04 HA10 HB05 JA33 JB02 JB22 KA00 KB00 KC28 KC30 LA03 LA06 LB14

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A method for distributing information via a network to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer, comprising: (a) converting customer personal information of the customer into customer identification information uniquely identifying the customer; (B) storing distribution information type identification information for identifying the type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer in association with the customer identification information; and (c) storing the advertisement information in the distribution information type. (D) extracting distribution information associated with the distribution information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from a plurality of distribution information; and (e) extracting the distribution information. Extracting advertisement information on condition that it is related to both the type specifying information and the customer personal information; and (f) distributing the extracted distribution information and the extracted advertisement information to the customer. Information distribution method including the steps, a. 2. A method for distributing information via a network to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer, comprising: (a) converting customer personal information of the customer into customer identification information uniquely identifying the customer; (B) storing distribution information type identification information for identifying the type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer in association with the customer identification information; and (c) storing the advertisement information in the distribution information type. (D) storing distribution information type specifying information stored in association with the customer specifying information from a plurality of pieces of distribution information, and distributing the distribution information on condition that the distribution information is related to the customer personal information; (E) extracting advertisement information stored in association with the distribution information type specifying information; and (f) extracting the extracted distribution information and the extracted advertisement information to the customer. Information distribution method including the steps of delivery, the. 3. The information distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to the step of distributing to the customer, converting the extracted distribution information based on the customer personal information. 4. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the step of extracting the distribution information is performed on condition that the information is related to specific sales promotion item information. 5. An advertiser pays for advertising expenses, so that a printing device or a printing device consumable is distributed to the customer at a free or low price, and the distribution information and the advertisement information distributed to the customer are automatically set. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein information to be printed is extracted. 6. The advertisement information, wherein advertisement period condition information is stored in association with the advertisement information, and the step of extracting the advertisement information includes extracting the advertisement period condition information as a condition. The information distribution method according to 1 or 2. 7. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution is started in response to a transmission request from the customer.
Information distribution method described in. 8. The customer personal information includes regional information indicating an address or a work place of the customer, and the distribution information to be distributed to the customer includes the regional information of an advertiser of the distribution information. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution method is determined based on a sales promotion item of a corresponding store. 9. An information distribution device for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, comprising: (a) identifying customer personal information of the customer and a type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer; A customer data storage unit for registering distribution information type identification information to be associated with the customer identification information uniquely identifying the customer; and (b) distribution data storage for storing distribution information in association with the distribution information type identification information. (C) an advertisement data storage unit that stores advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information; and (d) an advertisement data storage unit that associates the advertisement information with the customer identification information from a plurality of distribution information stored in the distribution data storage unit. Extracting the distribution information related to the stored distribution information type specifying information, and extracting both the distribution information type specifying information and the customer personal information from the advertisement data storage unit. An information distribution device, which includes, as conditions, advertisement information, and a customer distribution data creation / transmission unit that distributes the extracted distribution information and the extracted advertisement information to the customer. 10. An information distribution device for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, comprising: (a) customer personal information of the customer and the type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer Distribution information type identification information to be identified,
A customer data storage unit that associates the customer information with customer identification information that uniquely identifies the customer; (b) an advertisement data storage unit that stores advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information; A delivery data storage unit that stores the delivery information type in association with the delivery information type identification information; (d) delivery information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from a plurality of pieces of delivery information from the delivery data storage unit; Delivery information is extracted on condition that it is related to the information, the advertisement information to be stored in association with the delivery information type specifying information is extracted from the advertisement data storage unit, and the extracted delivery information and the extracted delivery information are extracted. An information distribution device, comprising: a customer distribution data creation / transmission unit that distributes advertisement information to the customer. 11. An information distribution system for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, comprising: (a1) the customer's personal information and the type of distribution information to be distributed to the customer; A customer data storage unit that associates the distribution information type identification information to be identified with the customer identification information that uniquely identifies the customer; and (a2) an advertisement data storage that stores advertisement information in association with the distribution information type identification information. (A3) a distribution data storage unit that stores distribution information in association with the distribution information type identification information; and (a4) a plurality of distribution information from the distribution data storage unit that is stored in association with the customer identification information. Distribution information type specifying information and, on condition that it is related to the customer personal information, extract distribution information, and from the advertisement data storage unit to the distribution information type specifying information. Extracting advertisement information to be stored in association with the customer, creating customer delivery data based on the extracted delivery information and the extracted advertisement information, and providing a customer delivery data creating / transmitting unit for delivering to the customer; (B1) a time management unit that detects that it is a preset predetermined time, and (b2) a response in response to detecting that it is now a preset predetermined time. And a network input / output unit that transmits a request message for requesting distribution of the customer distribution data including the customer identification information. 12. A recording medium storing an information distribution processing program executed on an information distribution device for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, the program comprising: (a) Customer personal information of the customer, and delivery information type identification information for identifying the type of delivery information delivered to the customer,
Accessing a customer data storage unit that associates the customer with customer identification information that uniquely identifies the customer, and a distribution data storage unit that stores distribution information in association with the distribution information type identification information. A program code for instructing the information distribution apparatus to extract distribution information related to the distribution information type specific information stored in association with the specific information; and (b) storing advertisement information in association with the distribution information type specific information. Accessing the advertisement data storage unit and the customer data storage unit, and extracting the advertisement information on the condition that the advertisement information is related to both the distribution information type specifying information and the customer personal information. (C) the voice recognition that the extracted distribution information and the extracted advertisement information are to be distributed to the customer. Storage media including program code for instructing the device. 13. A recording medium storing an information distribution processing program executed on an information distribution apparatus for distributing information to a customer-side information terminal used by a customer via a network, the program comprising: (a) A customer data storage unit for registering the customer personal information of the customer in association with customer identification information uniquely identifying the customer, and a delivery information type identification information for identifying a type of delivery information to be delivered to the customer; A distribution data storage unit that stores the information in association with the specific information; and accesses the distribution information type identification information stored in association with the customer identification information from a plurality of pieces of distribution information, and on condition that the information is related to the customer personal information. A program code for instructing the speech recognition apparatus to extract distribution information; (b) the customer data storage unit; A program code for instructing the speech recognition apparatus to access an advertisement data storage unit stored in association with the type identification information and to extract the advertisement information stored in association with the distribution information type identification information; A) a storage medium including the extracted distribution information and a program code for instructing the speech recognition device to distribute the extracted advertisement information to the customer; 14. A program code for instructing the speech recognition apparatus to convert the extracted delivery information based on the customer personal information prior to the step of delivering to the customer. 14. The storage medium according to 12 or 13. 15. The program code for instructing the voice recognition device to extract the distribution information is extracted on condition that it is also related to specific sales promotion item information. 14. The storage medium according to 12 or 13. 16. The advertisement information stores advertisement period condition information in association with each other, and a program code for instructing the speech recognition apparatus to extract the advertisement information includes: 14. The information distribution method according to claim 12, wherein the information is extracted as a condition. 17. The customer personal information includes regional information indicating an address or a work place of the customer, and the distribution information to be distributed to the customer includes the regional information of an advertiser of the distribution information. 14. The storage medium according to claim 12, wherein the storage medium is determined based on a sales promotion item of a corresponding store.