JP2001312659A - Information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve motivation when commodity information is browsed. SOLUTION: When commodity information in an information station 2 is browsed from a terminal station 3 through a network 1, commodity information in the information station 2 is cashed in a repeating station 4 being a proxy server and time when cashed commodity information is provided to the respective terminal stations is clocked. A clocking result is point-converted and it is paid back to the user of the respective terminal stations 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing system for providing various information such as merchandise information relating to merchandise transactions when, for example, mail-order sales are performed on a network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mail-order sales have been performed as one mode of commodity transactions. Mail-order sales are a type of non-store retailing that provides products and services in non-stores. Conventionally, products are mainly introduced in catalogs, and consumers watch the catalogs and use telephones, faxes, postcards, etc. Catalog sales for ordering desired products were at the core.

On the other hand, with the rapid spread of the Internet in recent years, Internet shopping has been expanding. Internet shopping is a form of online shopping. In general, it introduces and receives orders for goods through virtual stores (virtual shopping malls) provided on the network, and delivers the ordered goods to home delivery. are doing. Such Internet shopping requires a low cost of opening a store for the seller,
The advantage is that the purchaser can shop at any time from stores all over the world while staying at home.

[0004]

When purchasing a product through Internet shopping, it is necessary for the purchaser to access a web page on which product information and the like are posted.

[0005] However, conventionally, in order to access a product information page in which information of a product desired by the purchaser is posted, the purchaser himself / herself needs a WWW (world wide web).
Had to search for the product information page by following the link, which required a complicated operation. For example, for a purchaser who is unfamiliar with the Internet, searching for a product information page is a very cumbersome operation, and this has caused a problem that the willingness to purchase by Internet shopping has been reduced, and thus the spread of Internet shopping has been hindered.

[0006] In particular, in order to connect to the Internet, communication costs such as telephone charges and communication fees for a communication connection service company called a provider are generally required. Often increases. Therefore, even if the purchaser pays a great deal of communication costs, there is a long-awaited need to improve the motivation to connect to the Internet and purchase products at the virtual shopping mall.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an information providing system capable of improving motivation for browsing various information, such as browsing merchandise information on the Internet, for example, in a virtual store. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal stations and a single or a plurality of base stations are connected through a predetermined network, and a single or a plurality of external predetermined stations connected to the base station by the network. An information providing system for transmitting predetermined information pre-stored inside at least one of the information station and the base station from the base station to the terminal station, wherein the base station or the information station comprises: For each user who operates a predetermined terminal station according to a predetermined operation formula, based on a predetermined calculation formula, based on a predetermined result, based on a totaled result obtained when providing the information to the terminal station. In addition, a score related to a reward for browsing the information of the user is converted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal stations and a single or a plurality of base stations are connected through a predetermined network, and an external singular or an external base station connected to the base station by the network is provided. An information providing system for transmitting predetermined information pre-stored inside at least one of a plurality of predetermined information stations and the base station from the base station to the terminal station, wherein the base station or the information station Calculates predetermined factor information relating to the provision result when the information is provided to the terminal station, and operates the predetermined terminal station according to a predetermined calculation formula based on the totaled result. For each user, a reward for browsing the information of the user is determined by lottery.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the base station comprises:
A user specifying means for specifying and identifying a user of each terminal station when a communication request is made from each of the terminal stations through the network; and a terminal which specifies the information in response to a request from each of the terminal stations. Request processing means for transmitting to the station, the base station or the information station, for each user identified and identified by the user identification means, provided record when providing the information to the terminal station And a score calculating means for performing calculation according to the predetermined calculation formula based on the calculation result.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined factor information includes, when the request processing unit specifies one of the arbitrary pieces of information, another arbitrary arbitrary information in response to a request from each of the terminal stations. A time measurement in which the base station or the information station measures the elapsed time for each user and for each piece of information based on a signal from the request processing means. Means.

The invention according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined factor information is the number of times the request processing means has specified the information and transmitted the information to the terminal station. The station further includes counting means for counting the number of times based on a signal from the request processing means.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 6, the predetermined factor information is an information amount of the information when the request processing unit specifies the information and transmits the information to the terminal station. The base station or the information station further includes a counting unit that counts the information amount based on a signal from the request processing unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the base station is provided as a single unit, and the time measuring means is configured to detect a clock signal generated by a predetermined single clock signal oscillator in the base station. Based on this, the elapsed time is measured.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the information is stored in advance in an information station connected to the base station by the network, the base station includes a predetermined storage device, and the request processing means includes: When a signal requesting the information in the information station connected to the base station through the network is transmitted from each of the terminal stations, the information is transferred from the information station and stored in the storage device. Then, the information stored in the storage device is transmitted to the terminal station.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the time measuring means may determine the time at which the request processing means specified one of the arbitrary information and the other arbitrary information in response to a request from each of the terminal stations. Accumulate history information with the time when the information was specified,
The time measuring means or the score calculating means, based on the information of the user identified and identified by the user identifying means and the history information, from the time when the request processing means identified any one of the information, Until the time when any other information is specified in response to a request from each terminal station, when the same information is repeatedly transmitted to the same user, the same information is Regarding the duplicated elapsed time, the elapsed time is measured or the score is converted assuming that the information is transmitted only singly.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS << First Embodiment >><Structure> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall outline of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration.

This information providing system, as shown in FIG. 1, transmits predetermined information about commodities and the like stored in one or more information stations 2 (2a to 2g) via a network 1 such as the Internet to each terminal station (2). Client) 3 (3
a to 3f), a predetermined relay station 4 as a unified base station determines the connection time of each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) to each information station 2 (2a to 2g) by each terminal station. 3 (3a
To each of the terminal stations 3 as a reward, for example, a part of a profit corresponding to a sales amount in each of the information stations 2 (2a to 2g) according to a result of the individual tabulation of the connection time. (Payback).

Here, each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f), each of the information stations 2 (2a to 2g), and the relay station 4 mutually request an individual IP (Internet Protocol) address. Are connected to each other on networks such as the Internet,
Each terminal station 3 (3a to 3a) that has requested this IP address
f), each information station 2 (2a to 2g) and the relay station 4
The content (web page) prepared in advance can be viewed on the display device 7 of the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f).

The information bureau 2 (2a to 2g) provides various merchandise information and distributes each merchandise to each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3g).
f) Selling to each user (buyer) based on the operation of each user (buyer) on the side, the CPU,
A computing system is used in which various electronic components such as a main memory and a hard disk drive are mounted and can be connected to a network 1 such as the Internet through a communication connector such as a modem or a terminal adapter. This information station 2 (2a to 2g) is, as shown in FIG.
An IP address called a domain is assigned in advance to each of the content servers 5a to 5d, and information (contents) provided by each information station 2 (2a to 2g) is set. ) Is the lower address (IP address: URL) of these domains
(Uniform Resource Locator)). For example, in the example of FIG.
Information bureau (first contract site) 2a and second information bureau (second contract site) 2b
a, the third information bureau (third contract site) 2c and the fourth
Information station (fourth contract site) 2d is provided to the second content server 5b by the fifth information station (fifth contract site) 2e.
Is provided to the third content server 5c by the sixth information station (the sixth
Contract site) 2f and a seventh information station (seventh contract site) 2g are associated with the fourth content server 5d, respectively, and the respective information stations (contract sites) 2a
2g is stored in a predetermined storage device in each of the corresponding content servers 5a to 5d. And each information station 2 (2a to 2g)
Is transmitted from each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) through the relay station 4.
When data specifying a P address (URL) is transmitted, corresponding contents are transmitted to the relay station 4 in response to the data.

Here, the contents provided by the information bureau 2 (2a to 2g) include various kinds of product information, for example, a product selection page and a product introduction page as shown in FIG. An order product input page (not shown) for inputting a product number, a purchase quantity, a purchaser's name and address, a payment method, and the like when a purchaser orders or purchases a product is included. Therefore, each terminal station 3
The user on the (3a to 3f) side displays the product selection page on the screen of the display device 7, browses the product introduction page, and if a favorite product is found, displays the purchased product on the order product input page. By inputting the product number, the number of purchases, the name and address of the purchaser, the payment method, etc., each user can order or purchase various products.

Each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) is equipped with various electronic components such as a CPU, a main memory and a hard disk drive, and can be connected to a network 1 such as the Internet through a communication connector such as a modem or a terminal adapter. And various information using input devices such as a so-called keyboard and mouse (for example, selection information of the information bureaus 2a to 2g, identification information of a product to be purchased, and attribute information such as a user name as a purchaser). , And each purchaser displays a plurality of contents as a virtual shopping mall while displaying various contents on the screen of the display device 7 of each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f). One of the information stations 2 (2a to 2g) is selected, and each of the selected information stations 2 (2a to 2g) is selected.
A product selection page (see FIG. 6), a product introduction page, an ordered product input page, or the like as content provided by g) is displayed on the screen of the display device 7 so that a desired product can be ordered or purchased. . Each terminal station 3 (3a to 3
In (f), a predetermined connection authentication code called a connection account is given to a relay station 4 described later in advance.

Here, before each terminal station 3 (3a-3f) displays the contents in each information station 2 (2a-2g), first, the information station selection provided by the relay station 4 is selected. The page (menu screen: see FIG. 5) is displayed on each terminal station 3 (3
a to 3f) displayed on the display device 7 and the link area 1 set in the information station selection page (menu screen: FIG. 5).
By performing a pointing operation called a click on the pointers 1a to 11h with a so-called mouse or other pointing device (input device), the IP addresses associated with the link areas 11a to 11h are specified, and the IP addresses are assigned to the relay station 4. To each terminal station 3 (3a to 3a).
The information station 2 (2a to 2g) selected by f) is always transmitted to the relay station 4.

Each time each terminal station 3 (3a-3f) selects and displays the content (destination site) in each information station 2 (2a-2g) through the relay station 4, the selected / displayed content is displayed. The information on the domain and the path is transmitted from each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) to the relay station 4.

The relay station 4 is, as shown in FIG. 3, a login server 4a to which each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) logs in.
And each terminal station 3 logged in to the login server 4a
A database (DB) server 4b for inquiring personal information on the (3a-3f) side;

The login server 4a is connected to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3a).
3f) and each information station 2 (2a-2g), and instead of each terminal station 3 (3a-3f), the information station 2 (2a-2)
g) is a proxy server that transmits and receives information to and from which information station 2 (contract site 2a-2) the user (purchaser) on each terminal station 3 (3a-3f) side.
g) It is monitored whether the IP address is requested (requested). More specifically, when a predetermined request processing unit (request processing unit) 13 receives information such as a request from each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f), the login server 4a appropriately transmits the request. To the information station 2 (2a-2g).
2g) is returned to each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) such as the content (web page) of the result received from the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f). At this time, the information station 2 (2a to 2g) responds to the request from the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f).
The information such as the web page received from the server is stored in a predetermined storage device 14 in the login server (proxy server) 4a.
, The information is temporarily stored (cached) for a predetermined period, and thereafter, for the same request from the same or another terminal station 3 (3a to 3f), the information station 2 (2a ２2g), and return the stored data on the content such as a web page to the terminal station 3 (3a〜3f) (caching function). With this caching function, all of the contents (web pages) provided to each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) are limited to those cached in the login server 4a. Each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) can realize high-speed information access without generating extra traffic with the information station 2.

When each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) logs in, the log-in server 4a causes a predetermined log-in section 15 to display a predetermined log-in screen page as shown in FIG. (3a to 3f). That is, when each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) logs in to the login server 4a, the first input field 12a of the login screen page (FIG. 4) provided by the relay station 4 is used.
Then, the address information of the e-mail of each purchaser is input by an input device such as a keyboard, and the second input field 12b
After inputting a password set in advance for each purchaser using an input device such as a keyboard, and then using a pointing device such as a mouse to point to a predetermined login button area 12c on the screen, A login to the login server 4a of the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) is requested. Here, the address information and the password of the e-mail function as ID information for specifying the purchaser. The login screen page (FIG. 4) as content is created using, for example, a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) and stored in the storage device 14 in advance, and each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) is used. ) From each input field 12a, 1
The ID information input to 2b is output to the database server 4b as defined by CGI.
In addition, the input information relating to the login of each user (purchaser) requested (that is, the e-mail address information input in the first input field 12a, the password input in the second input field 12b, etc.) , A database server 4 described later
b.

Various information about the user of each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) is generated as user identification information called a cookie (Cookie) on the login server 4a side, and this cookie is generated by each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f). To 3f). In particular, the ID of each user
If the information is stored as a cookie, or when each user requests access to each content, the information is stored as a cookie. It becomes easy to obtain the access history to the content after the fact. Here, the cookie is first stored in each terminal station 3.
When (3a-3f) is connected to the relay station 4 described later, the relay station 4 side identifies the user of the terminal station 3 (3a-3f) or sends unique information to each terminal station 3 (3a-3f). Issued by the cookie, and in this cookie, the user name to identify each user,
Along with the identification information such as the domain and the password, various information such as the expiration date of the cookie itself and data values such as the history of the user's past connection to the relay station 4 are cumulatively recorded. This cookie is stored in each terminal station 3 (3a
3f) is issued from the relay station 4 when the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) connects (logs in) to the relay station 4.
3f) and stored in the hard disk drive.

Alternatively, ID information of each user and an access request for each content may be automatically transmitted to the login server 4a in a predetermined script language called JAVA (registered trademark).

The database server 4b is connected to each terminal station 3
After identifying the user (purchaser) on the (3a-3f) side,
The access time of each information station 2 to each of the contract sites 2a to 2g is totaled. Specifically, the database server 4b is configured such that the login server 4a
After providing the login screen page (FIG. 4) to (3a to 3f), the user who has entered the input fields 12a and 12b in the login screen page by the user of each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f).
When the D information is received through the login server 4a,
A user specifying unit (user specifying means) 17 for specifying a user (purchaser) with reference to a predetermined user database (not shown) stored in a predetermined database;
When the user (purchaser) specified by the user specifying unit 17 transmits and requests the IP address of the content (web page) cached in the login server 4a, the content (web) associated with the IP address is A browsing time measuring unit (time measuring means) 18 for measuring the time during which the page is displayed on the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) (that is, the time during which the user is browsing).
And the browsing time measured by the browsing time measuring unit 18 is accumulated for each user (purchaser), and a point related to the return (payback) to the user of each terminal station 3 is determined according to the accumulated value. And a reduction operation unit (point operation means) 19 that operates by a calculation formula.

The user specifying unit 17 stores the IDs entered in the respective input fields 12a and 12b on the login screen page (FIG. 4).
The information is stored in a predefined C through the login server 4a.
Received as per GI, ID given by this CGI
Based on the information, data in an internal user database is referred to to identify a user (buyer).

The browsing time measuring section 18 measures time based on a single clock signal for regulating the operation timing of the database server 4b.
(3a-3f) to individual information bureau 2 (contract site 2a-
When the request to connect to 2g) is given as the request for the IP address, the timer starts, and when the IP address of the web page of another virtual shopping mall is requested thereafter, the terminal station 3
(3a-3f) side provided information station 2 (2a-2
The timing for g) ends. At this time, the clock start time and the clock end time are recorded in a predetermined storage device without omission, and the time elapsed from the clock start time to the clock end time is recorded in the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f). , And is recorded in the storage device as the viewing time of each content (web page). Since the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) changes the IP address of the information station 2 (2a to 2g) as a virtual shopping mall and makes a request, the browsing time is measured. 3 (3a to 3f) can record the content of which information station 2 (2a to 2g) and how long the content was browsed (browsing time) without fail.

Here, the single clock signal for regulating the operation timing of the database server 4b is generated by a predetermined clock generator (clock signal oscillator) such as a crystal oscillator, and this clock signal is used as a unit. Therefore, all operation timings of the database server 4b as a computing system are regulated. In addition, since the clock start time and the clock end time at this time are all measured based on the time information used in the browsing time measuring unit 18 of the database server 4b, for example, each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) The display start time and the display end time are obtained from the side, and each information station 2 (2a to
2g), the display start time and the display end time are obtained from the side and the browsing time is measured.
a to 2g) and 3 (3a to 3f), it is possible to accurately measure the browsing time without worrying about an error in the time information between the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) and the information station 2 (2a to 2g). ) Eliminates the possibility of falsification of the display start time and the display end time, thereby making it possible to measure the browsing time with high reliability.

The return calculation unit 19 accumulates the browsing time measured by the browsing time measuring unit 18 for each user (purchaser) and for each information station 2 (2a to 2g) and records it in a storage device. The accumulated and recorded value is converted into a score related to a return (payback) to the user of each terminal station 3 at regular intervals, for example, using a predetermined calculation formula. As an arithmetic expression used at this time, for example, the user (purchaser) of the terminal station 3 “x” is “i (= a, b,...,
g) ", the cumulative value of the time during which the content (web page) of the information station 2 (2a to 2g) is displayed is Txi, and each information station 2" i (= a, b,..., g) "is determined in advance. Assuming that the opacity coefficient is “Ki”, a score C related to the return (payback) to the terminal station 3 of “x” is expressed by the following equation (1).

C = Ka.Txa + Kb.Txb +... + Kg.Txg (1) In addition, the request processing unit 13, the login unit 15, and the user identification in the database server 4b in the login server 4a of the information station 2 (2a to 2g). The unit 17, the browsing time measuring unit 18, and the return calculation unit 19 are functional components that operate in a general CPU to which a ROM, a RAM, and the like are connected by a predetermined software program stored in the ROM or the like in advance.

<Operation> The operation of the information providing system having the above configuration will be described. In each of the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f), a connection account of a user (purchaser) operating the terminal station 3 has already been set, and the unified login server 4
It is assumed that the setting to use a as a proxy server has already been set (proxy server setting) (see step S01 in FIG. 2). Also, the login server 4 of the relay station 4
It is assumed that a login screen page (FIG. 4) is stored in the storage device 14 of FIG. 6A, and a product selection page (FIG. 6) is stored in each information station 2 (2a to 2g) as a virtual shopping mall. In addition to the product introduction page, various contents (such as an order product input page for inputting the product number, purchase quantity, purchaser's name and address, payment method, etc.) when the purchaser purchases the product, Web page) is stored.

First, the user (purchaser) on each terminal station 3 (3a-3f) performs a predetermined operation using an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse of the terminal station 3 (3a-3f). As in step S01 of FIG. 2, a signal relating to the connection request is transmitted to the login unit 15 of the login server 4a of the relay station 4 through the network 1. In response to this, the login unit 15 of the login server 4a connects the login screen page (FIG. 4) as the content (web page) defined by the CGI in the storage device 14 as in step S02 in FIG. Requested terminal station 3
(3a to 3f).

The terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) displays a login screen page (FIG. 4) transmitted from the login section 15 of the login server 4a on the screen of the display device 7. Then, the user (purchaser) inputs the e-mail address information of the user (purchaser) into the first input field 12a of the login screen page shown in FIG. After a password is input to the input field 12b by using an input device such as a keyboard, a predetermined login button area 12c on the screen is pointed using a pointing device such as a mouse. Then, the e-mail address information and password input at this time are transmitted to the log-in unit 15 of the log-in server 4a as ID information.

The login section 15 of the login server 4a receives the ID information entered in each of the input fields 12a and 12b of the login screen page (FIG. 4) as defined by the CGI (step S03 in FIG. 2). ), And outputs such information to the user specifying unit 17 of the database server 4b.

The user identification section 17 of the database server 4b searches the user database for ID information (step S04 in FIG. 2) and checks (step S05 in FIG. 2), and in step S06 in FIG. If the collation is successful, the process proceeds to step S07 to update predetermined connection history data (not shown) in the user database.

At this point, the request processing unit 13 of the login server 4a transmits the information station selection page (menu screen) shown in FIG. 5 to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) (step S08 in FIG. 2). . On the side of the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f), an information station selection page (menu screen: FIG. 5) transmitted from the request processing unit 13 of the login server 4a.
Is displayed on the screen of the display device 7 (step S0 in FIG. 2).
9), the link areas 11a to 11h set in this information station selection page (menu screen: FIG. 5) are pointed (clicked) with a pointing device (input device) such as a mouse, so that the link areas are displayed. 11a-1
1h is identified, and the IP address
The address is transmitted to the request processing unit 13 of the login server 4a of the relay station 4 (Step S10 in FIG. 2).

Request processing unit 1 of login server 4a
In 3, the I transmitted from the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f)
It receives the P address and recognizes the requested IP address. Then, the content (web page) such as the product selection page (see FIG. 6) or the product introduction page associated with the obtained IP address is already stored in the storage device 14.
If the content (web page) is cached in the terminal station 3 (3a to 3a), the request processing unit 13 of the
f).

On the other hand, if the content (web page) associated with the IP address is not cached in the storage device 14, the IP address is transferred to the content server as the information station 2 (2a to 2g) through the network 1. Transfer to 5a-5d. In this case, information bureau 2
In (2a to 2g), after receiving the IP address, the login server 4a performs request processing of various contents (web pages) such as a product selection page (see FIG. 6) or a product introduction page associated with the IP address. Part 1
Transfer to 3. The request processing unit 13 of the login server 4a caches the content (web page) transferred from the information bureau 2 (2a to 2g) in the storage device 14, and then stores the cached content (web page) in the terminal. It transmits to the station 3 (3a-3f).

The terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) displays the content (web page) transmitted from the request processing unit 13 of the login server 4a on the screen of the display device 7, and browses the content.

Here, upon receiving the IP address from the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f), the request processing unit 13 of the login server 4a transmits the ID information of the operator on the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) side. The data is output to the browsing time measuring unit 18 of the database server 4b to instruct the start of timing (step S11 in FIG. 2).

The browsing time measuring unit 18 starts measuring time in response to the instruction to start measuring time, and updates the database to that effect (step S12 in FIG. 2).

Next, the operator of the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) confirms that the IP address of the content different from the content displayed so far (content held by different information stations (2a to 2g)) is changed. Login server 4a of relay station 4
Is transmitted to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) as a proxy server. The terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) reloads the content related to the new information station (2a to 2g) on the screen (frame) of the display device 7 (step S1 in FIG. 2).
3). At this time, the IP related to the new information station (2a to 2g)
At the time when the address is transmitted to the login server 4a, the time measurement for browsing the content related to the previous information bureau (2a to 2g) is ended (step S14 in FIG. 2). In the database server 4b, the time elapsed from the clock start time to the clock end time is regarded as the content browsing time of the previous information station (2a to 2g) and is updated in the database (step S15 in FIG. 2). At the same time, the time of browsing time for each content (web page) related to the new information station 2 (2a to 2g) is started and updated in the database. Thus, the terminal station 3 (3a-
Each time the IP address is changed by the operation on the 3f) side and each content relating to the new information station 2 (2a to 2g) is loaded by the display device 7, the new information station 2 (2a to 2g) is loaded.
The browsing time for the content (web page) according to g) is updated in the database one after another (steps S16 to S21 in FIG. 2).

In this case, each terminal station 3 (3
If the browsing software application program called a browser is terminated on the side of a to 3f) while browsing a certain content, the browsing end time may not be able to be specified. Every second), the IP address of the content being viewed is transmitted to the relay station 4 side, and whether or not each user is actually browsing any content is determined every few seconds (for example, 10 seconds). Make sure to check on the side.

As described above, the measurement of the browsing time of each content (web page) at the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) is performed by the information station 2 (2a to 2g) serving as a virtual shopping mall. ) Is executed each time a request is made after changing the IP address (steps S13 to S21 in FIG. 2), so that all the information processing stations 2 (2a to 2g: virtual) It is possible to completely record how long the content of the shopping mall) was browsed.

Thereafter, the return calculation unit 19 of the database server 4b of the relay station 4 calculates the browsing time (access time) measured by the browsing time measuring unit 18 for each user (purchaser) and each information station 2 ( 2a to 2g), the data is accumulated and totaled (step S22 in FIG. 2), and the user database is updated using the data as data (step S2 in FIG. 2).
3). Then, the accumulated value is recorded as a point (point) related to the return (payback) to the user of each terminal station 3 by using, for example, the arithmetic expression shown in Expression (1).
(Step S24 in FIG. 2). Then, when the score reaches a certain reference point or more, pay back the cash by bank transfer, or give the operator (buyer) a price discount according to the score when purchasing a new product. A predetermined reward may be paid back to each user, such as providing novelty goods.

As described above, each terminal station 3 (3
a-3f) through the relay station 4 to each information station 2 (2a-2
g: The longer a user browses the content (web page) provided by the virtual shopping mall, the higher the payback score for the user becomes. Motivation for purchasing products at the mall can be improved. Therefore, even if the purchaser pays a great deal of communication costs, it is possible to improve the motivation for connecting to the Internet and purchasing a product at the virtual shopping mall.

Also, according to the contract sites (information bureaus) 2a to 2g, when various information including product information is provided as contents as advertisements, payback can be made to each user according to the actual results of browsing by the user. Therefore, the cost-effectiveness when each content is viewed as an advertisement becomes clear, and it is possible to clearly return profits to the user.

Here, when the user's browsing time is measured and the number of payback points is counted as described above, each terminal station 3 (3a-3f) and each information station 2 (2a-2)
The browsing time can be counted based on only the unified relay station (base station) 4 time information instead of setting the browsing time based on the time information of g). For example, each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) ) And the times measured in the information stations 2 (2a to 2g) have errors, the relay station (base station) 4 unified by these time errors.
Is not affected, and thus accurate browsing time can be measured. In addition, there is no possibility of falsification of the display start time and the display end time on the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) side or the information station 2 (2a to 2g) side, and highly reliable browsing time can be measured. it can.

It should be noted that the same user is assigned to a plurality of terminal stations 3 (3
In some cases, the environment in which a to 3f) can be operated is provided.
Then, there may be a case where the same contents of the same contract site 2 (2a to 2g) are simultaneously viewed using the plurality of terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f). In this case, despite providing a plurality of terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f), a single content is provided to the same user. The browsing time may be measured as provision of one content. More specifically, the browsing time measuring unit 18 accumulates all history information (transactions) at the browsing start time and browsing end time. , When the same content is sent to the same user redundantly, the elapsed time is measured assuming that only the content was sent singly for the duplicated elapsed time for the same content do it. Alternatively, in the score calculation in the reduction calculation unit 19,
When the same content is sent to the same user more than once, the score is converted assuming that only the single content was sent for the same elapsed time for the same content. It may be.

In the above-described embodiment, the relay station 4 unified as a base station caches contents (web pages) provided from the information stations 2 (2a to 2g) to the relay station 4, thereby The relay station 4 serves as a proxy server for the information station 2 (2a to 2g) and the terminal station 3 (3a to 3g).
f), but a large-capacity storage device is installed in the server of the base station, and this base station also serves as a part or all of the information stations. Even if the content (web page) provided by the base station is prepared in the base station in advance, the browsing time can be counted based on only the unified base station time information as in the above-described embodiment, and each station 2 (2a 2g) and 3 (3a to 3f), it is possible to accurately measure the browsing time without being affected by an error or falsification of the time information.

In the above embodiment, the case where each of the contract sites (information bureaus) 2a to 2g provide merchandise information as contents has been described. In addition, only contents relating to a company image and a company concept are provided. You may do so. Further, contract sites (information bureaus) 2a to 2
Although a virtual store (virtual shopping mall) has been described as an example as g, regardless of the provision of product information or the like for the purpose of selling products, for example, personal hobby websites, non-commercial artworks, etc. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the provision of information in all fields, such as announcements.

In the above embodiment, the browsing time measuring unit 18 for measuring the elapsed time is installed in the login server 4a as a base station.
8 may be installed on each information station 2 (2a to 2g) side. In this case, the elapsed time cannot be measured by the unified server, but the payback score for each user can be converted without delay.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the unified relay station 4 is applied as the base station. However, each provider (IS
P) may function as a base station. In this case, a plurality of base stations exist and are not unified, but the payback score for each user can be converted without delay.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the browsing time is measured by the browsing time measuring unit 18, and the browsing time is counted to determine the reward points for each user. In the base station 4 or the information station 2 (2a to 2g).
A counting means for counting the number of times that the terminal 3 specifies various contents and transmits the contents to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) may be provided.

Alternatively, instead of the browsing time measuring unit 18,
In the base station 4 or the information station 2 (2a to 2g), the request processing unit 13 specifies various contents and counts the information amount of each individual content when the content is transmitted to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f). Counting means may be provided. However, in this case, it is possible to allow the user to change the IP address one after another and increase the number of times the content of the contract site 2 (2a to 2g) is counted, even though the user has not seen it.
Preferably, it is desirable to measure the browsing time as in the above embodiment.

<< Second Embodiment >> In the first embodiment described above, the computing system is applied as the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f). However, it is possible to receive content as an advertisement. In addition, any content can be applied as long as the content can be displayed on a display unit (display device 7) such as a liquid crystal panel.
ode (trademark) or EZweb (trademark), etc., a mobile phone or a mobile terminal with an image display function may be used. In this case, the communication between the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) and the base station uses not only a wired communication path in the wired network 1, but also wireless communication.

In the first embodiment described above, the reward points are converted for all users who browsed the content. However, the reward is given only to the user who has won the lottery. No problem.

In view of the above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) has, for example, i
-Using a mobile phone having an image display function and an e-mail transmission / reception function compatible with mode (trademark) or EZweb (trademark) and the like, as shown in FIG. Wireless relay station 21a,
The content as an advertisement can be provided to each terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) through 21b. Then, the base station 20 totals predetermined factor information relating to the provision results when providing this content, and performs a lottery according to a predetermined calculation formula based on the totaled result, and the user who wins the lottery And pays money as a reward for viewing the content.

The base station 20 is composed of a single server. The internal configuration of the base station 20 is the same as that of the information station 2 (described in the first embodiment of FIG. 2 except for the function of executing a lottery event described later). 2a to 2g) and the relay station 4.

The contents to be transmitted to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) are held inside the base station 20 based on various materials submitted from each client, and are stored in the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f).
When there is a login from f), the contents held therein are transmitted to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f).

As the factor information relating to the provision result when the content is provided through the base station 20, information on the time when the provision of the content to the user's terminal station 3 is started, information on the number of the provided contents, There is information on the time at which the user has indicated the intention to participate in the lottery at the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) after the provision of the content.

In the base station 20, the CPU operates according to the software program to receive a timer for counting the start time of the lottery event and a signal of participation in the lottery from each user's terminal station 3 (3a to 3f). A counter that counts every time functions.

In this information providing system, a user browses a plurality of advertisement pages of a predetermined number of pages (for example, 5 pages) or more as content (first condition), and from the start of browsing to the time of indicating intention to participate in lottery. A lottery can be made only when a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has passed (second condition) and the user has indicated his intention to participate in the lottery (third condition). You can participate.

An example of a specific lottery method in the base station 20 will be described.

First, the number of lottery events to be performed within a predetermined period (for example, “one day” or “one month”) (number of lottery executions) is determined in advance. Based on a random number table stored in advance in a storage unit such as a built-in ROM, the start reference time of each lottery event is determined by the number of times the lottery is performed (first step). For example, assuming that a certain period is “one day” and the first lottery event is performed at 0:00, and that the lottery event is performed once every seven minutes, the number of lottery executions is two.
06 times. When the lottery event is repeatedly performed once every 7 minutes, the first step of determining the start reference time is executed every 7 minutes, and every 7 minutes. May be determined. By doing so, there is no need to record many start reference points in advance, which is convenient.

If a plurality of users' participation signals are received after the start reference time of each lottery event, the number of lottery participations (hereinafter referred to as “winning count number”) from the start reference time is determined. It is determined in advance whether to win the user who has won based on a random number table stored in the storage unit in advance (second step).

Then, when each lottery event is started after each start reference time has elapsed, the count value of the counter realized by the operation of the CPU in the base station 20 according to the software program becomes zero. Each time a user is initialized and a lottery participation signal is received from each user's terminal station 3 (3a to 3f), the count value of the counter is incremented by "1", and the count value matches the winning count number. It is determined whether they are present or not (third step). Then, if each user browses the advertisement page for a certain period of time and the count value of the user at that time matches the winning count number, the user who has transmitted the lottery participation signal at that time is won. On the other hand, if the count value does not match the winning count number, the user who has transmitted the lottery participation signal at that time is determined to be unwinned (fourth step). In this case, the information of the winning / non-winning is immediately transmitted to the user's terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) as the content, and each terminal station 3 (3
a to 3f) are displayed on the display device 7.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show specific examples of contents transmitted from the base station 20 to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f).
Here, as in the above example, an example in which the predetermined period is set as “one day”, the first lottery event is performed at 0:00, and the lottery event is repeated at the timing of every seven minutes in the day Will be described.

The base station 20 determines the starting reference time of the lottery event at that time every seven minutes in a day based on a random number table stored in the storage unit, and repeatedly determines the starting reference time every seven minutes. (First step). Also, at the same timing, the “winning count number” of the number of the user who has indicated the intention to participate in the lottery from the start reference time point is repeatedly determined (second step).

Then, the terminal station (mobile phone) 3 (3a-3)
When f) specifies the URL and connects to the base station 20, the base station 20 transmits the contents of the login screen page shown in FIG. 8 to the terminal station (mobile phone) 3 (3a to 3f). Note that the login screen page is created using, for example, the CGI, as in the first embodiment.

The terminal station (mobile phone) 3 (3a to 3f) displays the contents of the login screen page given from the base station 20 on the display unit (display device 7), and displays the contents in the first input field 12a. Enter the phone number of the phone and
In the input field 12b, a password previously set for each user is input, and the cursor is selected in the transmission button area 12c. At this time, a login is requested from the login server (corresponding to reference numeral 4a in FIG. 2) of the base station 20. At this time, the base station 20 records the time at which the login was requested as "information of the time when the provision of the content to the user was started (hereinafter, referred to as" first factor information "). The reference numeral 12d in FIG. 8 indicates a clear button for erasing input numbers or characters at a user's discretion when the user erroneously performs an input operation in either of the input fields 12a and 12b. Is shown.

Next, the base station 20 transmits an advertisement page (FIG. 9) as content for a predetermined page to the terminal station (mobile phone) 3 (3a to 3f), and the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f).
f) Display on the display unit (display device 7). At this time, when the user specifies the page switching button 22 set in each advertisement page on the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f) side, a signal (page switching signal) to that effect is sent to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f).
(3a to 3f) to the base station 20, and in response, another subsequent advertisement page is transmitted from the base station 20 to the terminal station 3.
(3a to 3f) to cause the display unit (display device 7) to display different advertisement pages one after another. Then, in the base station 20, the page switching signal is transmitted to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3a).
Every time given from f), the number of contents is incremented, and this is set as “second factor information”.

Further, when the user operates the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f)
By switching a predetermined menu screen (not shown), the lottery participation page shown in FIG. In response to the request, the base station 20 transmits the lottery participation page to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f),
(3a to 3f) are displayed on the display unit (display device 7).

Here, when the user specifies the lottery participation intention confirmation button 23 set in the lottery participation page of the display unit (display device 7), a signal to that effect (lottery participation intention confirmation signal) is transmitted to the base station 20. Sent to. At this point, the base station 20 recognizes that the “third condition” has been satisfied.

Next, the base station 20 is connected to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3a).
At the time when the lottery participation intention confirmation signal is given from f), the time at that time is referred to as “time information indicating the intention to participate in the lottery (hereinafter, referred to as“ third factor information ”)”. recognize.

The base station 20 increments the count value of the counter by “1” each time a lottery participation confirmation signal is received from each user's terminal station 3 (3a to 3f), and the count value is incremented by one. It is determined whether or not the number matches the winning count number (third step).

Then, the base station 20 communicates with the terminal station 3 (3a to 3a).
When the lottery participation confirmation signal is given from 3f),
Based on the “second factor information” incremented each time an advertisement page is presented, whether or not the user has viewed a plurality of advertisement pages of a predetermined number of pages (for example, 5 pages) or more as content, It is determined whether the first condition is satisfied.

If the first condition is not satisfied, the base station 20 transmits to the terminal stations 3 (3a to 3f) information indicating that it is necessary to browse a plurality of advertisement pages as contents to participate in the lottery. This is displayed on the display unit (display device 7).

On the other hand, if the first condition is satisfied, the above-mentioned “third factor information (information of time indicating an intention to participate in the lottery)” and “first factor information ( Information on the time at which the provision of content to the user was started)), and the elapsed time from the start of browsing to the intention to participate in the lottery is calculated, and the resulting time is a predetermined fixed time (for example, 2 minutes) It is determined whether or not the above is satisfied, that is, whether or not the second condition is satisfied.

If the second condition is not satisfied,
Further, information indicating that the user cannot participate in the lottery without continuously browsing the advertisement page is transmitted from the base station 20 to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3a).
f) and displays it on the display unit (display device 7).

On the other hand, if the second condition is satisfied, the lottery result of this user is determined as “winning”, and the base station 20 sets the “winning result page” as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the terminal station 3 (3a to 3f), and this is displayed on the display unit (display device 7) (fourth step).

The user designates the confirmation button 24 in the winning result page displayed on the display unit (display device 7), and displays an input page (not shown) such as a destination of a predetermined amount of reward for browsing information. I do.

As described above, the user can qualify to participate in the lottery event only by browsing the advertisement page of a predetermined number of times or more for a certain period of time. The motivation for browsing the page can be increased, and the frequency of user login and the number of users are increased, so that there is an advantage that the advertisement page can be presented to many people by the client of the advertisement page.

In this case, as the number of users increases, each client increases the total amount of reward, and if the number of lotteries is increased, the winning probability of the user does not decrease significantly, and a certain advertisement for the client does not decrease. The effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, as a lottery method, the number of lottery executions is determined in advance for each predetermined period (for example, one day), and the start reference time of each lottery event is determined based on a random number table. The winning count number is determined based on the random number table at each start reference time, and the user corresponding to the winning count number is won, but the lottery method is not limited to such a method.

In addition, as a qualification for each user to participate in the lottery event, it is required that the user browses the advertisement page for a certain period of time (for example, two minutes) and browses the advertisement page of a certain number of pages or more. It is not limited.

Further, in the second embodiment, a single server is applied as the base station 20. However, as in the first embodiment, the information station 2 (2a to 2g) and the relay station 4
May be separately provided.

[0093]

According to the invention as set forth in claims 1 to 3, the base station or the information station provides the predetermined factor information relating to the provision result when the information (content) was provided to the terminal station. Aggregate, based on the aggregated result, according to a predetermined arithmetic expression, for each user who operates a predetermined terminal station, convert the score pertaining to the user for browsing each information, or pertain to the reward Since the lottery is performed, if each user is given a reward (payback) according to the points and the lottery result, for example, according to the sales amount at each information bureau, each user can use each terminal. The longer the station views various information, the higher the payback score for the user or the more the user can participate in the lottery.

For example, as described in claim 4, the reward score is converted based on the time required for each user's information browsing as factor information, and as in claim 5, the user's information browsing frequency is calculated as factor information. By converting the reward score based on the information, or converting the reward score based on the information amount of the information browsed by the user as the factor information as in claim 6, it is clear based on the browsing results of the user information. It is possible to convert the reward points. For this reason, even if the user pays the communication fee himself / herself, it is possible to improve the motivation for browsing information by connecting to a network such as the Internet, and from the information provider such as an information bureau. For example, in the case of providing various information as advertisements, the reward points for each user can be converted according to the actual results of browsing by the user, so the cost-effectiveness of viewing each information as an advertisement is clear , And the reward can be clearly returned to the user.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the time measuring means specifies the one arbitrary virtual store based on the clock signal generated by the predetermined single clock signal oscillator. The time point, the time point and the elapsed time when any other virtual store is specified in response to a request from each terminal station are measured, so that the browsing time can be counted based only on the time information of the unified base station. In comparison with the case where the time elapsed from the time when each terminal station starts browsing to the time when browsing ends is specified based on, for example, the time measurement result of each terminal station, the error of the timekeeping information between each terminal station Also, it is possible to accurately measure the browsing time without being affected by the falsification of the timing information in each terminal station.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when a signal to request product information is transmitted from each terminal station,
The request processing means transfers product information from various information bureaus, stores the product information in the storage device, and transmits the product information stored in the storage device to the terminal station. Since the provision of information and the measurement of the browsing time can be executed by the centralized base station, the time elapsed from the time when each terminal station started browsing to the time when the browsing ended is counted by each information station. Compared to the case of specifying based on the result of timekeeping, accurate measurement of the browsing time is not affected by the error of the timekeeping information between each information station and the falsification of the timekeeping information at each information station Becomes possible.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the same user browses the same information in the same time zone, the provision of the information to the user is regarded as the provision of the single information and the reward score is provided. Is converted, the reward effect can be converted by properly evaluating the browsing effect on the user relating to the actual information browsing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram illustrating an outline of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a relay station.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen of a product introduction catalog provided by a login unit of a login server of the relay station.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen of an information station selection page provided by a request processing unit of the login server of the relay station.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen of a product selection page stored in an information station in advance and provided to a terminal station after being cached in a relay station.

FIG. 7 is an overall block diagram illustrating an outline of an information providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen of a product introduction catalog provided by a login unit of the login server of the relay station.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which content transmitted from a relay station is displayed on a terminal station.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for performing a lottery operation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displaying a result of a lottery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 2 (2a-2g) Information station 3 (3a-3f) Terminal station 4 Relay station 4a Login server 4b Database server 5a-5d Content server 7 Display device 13 Request processing unit 14 Storage device 15 Login unit 17 User identification unit 18 Browsing time measurement unit 19 Reduction calculation unit 20 Base station

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal stations and a single or a plurality of base stations are connected through a predetermined network, and one or more external predetermined information stations connected to the base station by the network. An information providing system for transmitting predetermined information stored in advance in at least one of the base stations from the base station to the terminal station, wherein the base station or the information station transmits to the terminal station The predetermined factor information related to the provision result when the information was provided by the user is totalized, and based on the totaled result, in accordance with a predetermined arithmetic expression, for each user operating the predetermined terminal station, the user An information providing system for converting a score relating to a reward for browsing each of the information. 2. A plurality of terminal stations and a single or a plurality of base stations are connected through a predetermined network, and one or more external predetermined information stations connected to the base station by the network. An information providing system for transmitting predetermined information stored in advance in at least one of the base stations from the base station to the terminal station, wherein the base station or the information station transmits to the terminal station The predetermined factor information related to the provision result when the information was provided by the user is totalized, and based on the totaled result, in accordance with a predetermined arithmetic expression, for each user operating the predetermined terminal station, the user An information providing system, wherein a reward for browsing the information is determined by lottery. 3. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the base station receives a communication request from each of the terminal stations via the network, and the user of each of the terminal stations receives the communication request. User identification means for performing specific identification, and request processing means for identifying the information in response to a request from each of the terminal stations and transmitting the information to the terminal station, wherein the base station or the information station comprises: For each user identified and identified by the user identifying means, predetermined factor information related to the provision result when the information is provided to the terminal station is totalized, and calculated based on the totaled result according to the predetermined arithmetic expression. An information providing system comprising a point calculation means for performing the following. 4. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined factor information is included in a request from each of the terminal stations from a point in time when the request processing unit specifies one arbitrary piece of the information. The base station or the information station, based on a signal from the request processing means, the elapsed time for each user and the information An information providing system further comprising a time measuring means for measuring each time. 5. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined factor information is the number of times the request processing unit specifies the information and transmits the information to the terminal station; The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the base station or the information station further includes a counting unit that counts the number based on a signal from the request processing unit. 6. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined factor information is the information when the request processing unit specifies the information and transmits the information to the terminal station. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the base station or the information station further includes a counting unit that counts the information amount based on a signal from the request processing unit. 7. The information providing system according to claim 4, wherein the base station is provided as a single unit, and the time measuring means is a predetermined single clock signal oscillator in the base station. Based on the generated clock signal,
An information providing system configured to measure the elapsed time. 8. The information providing system according to claim 7, wherein the information is stored in advance in an information station connected to the base station by the network, and the base station includes a predetermined storage device, The request processing means transfers the information from the information station when a signal to request the information in the information station connected to the base station through the network is transmitted from each of the terminal stations. An information providing system stored in the storage device and configured to transmit the information stored in the storage device to the terminal station. 9. The information providing system according to claim 4, wherein the time measuring unit determines when the request processing unit specifies one arbitrary piece of the information. And accumulating history information of the time when the other arbitrary information is specified in response to a request from each of the terminal stations, wherein the time measuring means or the score calculating means is specified and identified by the user specifying means. From the time at which the request processing means specified one arbitrary piece of the information based on the information of the user and the history information, to the time point at which the other arbitrary information was specified in response to a request from each of the terminal stations. During the period, when the same information was repeatedly transmitted to the same user, only the information was transmitted singly for the elapsed time that was duplicated for the same information. Information providing system adapted to convert the or score measures the elapsed time as the.