JP2002150147A - Information providing system and method, and recording medium with information providing program recording thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable effective sales promotion by providing news items according to individual users' interest and taste preferentially in information providing technique. SOLUTION: A sort part 34 rearranges the written order of the news items according to the individual users' taste by matching a member interest and taste valve for every user stored in a registered member interest and taste value saving file 403 and an information interest and taste value or news item interest and taste value for every news item saved in a site information interest and taste value conditional film 404 or a male news item interest and taste value conditional file 405. A Web output part 35 and a mail magazine transmitting part 36 provide the respective new items to the user according to the rearranged written order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a technology for providing information by a retailer such as a department store using the Internet, and in particular, preferentially provides articles that match individual users' tastes and preferences. By doing so, it is possible to promote effective sales.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of computer networks, Internet homepages, that is, web pages and websites, and electronic media such as mail magazines have become increasingly important in information distribution. And
Conventionally, retailers who are proactive in the Internet business have been introducing store introductions, product information, lifestyle proposals and mail-order sales on the Internet homepage, as a media for promoting advertising and as a means of sales such as online shopping. Was. In addition, some retailers recruited members by registration system with the aim of enclosing customers, and distributed seasonal essays, fashion trends, new product introductions, etc. via e-mail magazine.

[0003] Among them, for example, in an Internet homepage, an appropriate amount of information to be posted on one page is limited, so that sites are hierarchically designed, and titles that are likely to contain information of interest according to user's preference are placed. When clicked, a configuration is used in which the user can jump to a detail page with a link to browse detailed information.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that it is difficult to effectively promote sales according to the tastes and preferences of each user. In other words, the homepage of a retailer with more items to handle has a wider variety of contents and tends to include more items,
The more information that is provided to more users, the more complex the site is and the more layers. As a result, it has been difficult for individual users to find interesting information.

[0005] Also in the mail magazine, basically, only the character data is delivered, and since the number of lines displayed at a time when the mail is opened is limited at first, there is no item that is interesting at the beginning of the sentence. And there is a strong tendency to be skipped immediately. Some retailers recruit registered members by theme and distribute e-mail newsletters corresponding to each theme to the corresponding registered members, but still match the diversifying consumer hobbies and preferences. Was difficult and the appeal effect was limited.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above. The purpose of the present invention is to preferentially provide articles that match individual users' hobbies and preferences. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing technique that enables effective sales promotion, that is, an information providing system and method, and a recording medium on which an information providing program is recorded. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information providing technique for effectively collecting information on a user's hobbies and preferences.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an information providing system according to claim 1 acquires a hobby preference value representing a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided, and stores the hobby preference value. Recording means, for each article serving as a unit of the information provision, means for associating and storing a hobby preference value of an assumed reader target, and the hobby preference value for each user and the hobby preference value for each article. By providing matching, sorting means for rearranging the order of publication of the respective articles in an order that matches the hobbies and preferences of individual users, and providing means for providing each article to the user in accordance with the rearranged publication order It is characterized by.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method which captures the invention of the first aspect from the viewpoint of a method, and acquires and stores a hobby preference value indicating a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided. Preference recording processing, for each article serving as a unit of the information provision, processing to associate and store the hobby preference value of the assumed reader target, and the hobby preference value for each user and the hobby preference value for each article. By matching, the process of rearranging the order of publication of each article in the order that suits the individual user's hobby and preference, and the providing process of providing each user to the user according to the rearranged publication order, Features.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention captures the first and eighth aspects of the present invention from the viewpoint of a recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, and records a program for providing information using a computer. In a medium, the program causes the computer to acquire and store a hobby preference value representing a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided, and for each article serving as the information provision unit, By storing the hobby preference values in association with each other, and matching the hobby preference values for each user with the hobby preference values for each article, the posting order of the articles is rearranged in an order that matches the hobby preference of each user. The article is provided to the user according to the sorted publication order.

[0010] In these embodiments, when a retailer such as a department store provides information to a user such as a registered member registered in advance on a homepage or an e-mail magazine established on the Internet, the hobby and preference of each user is determined. Keep it on the other hand, and set the target hobbies and preferences for each article. Then, by matching the two, the order of the articles is rearranged and customized in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of each user, and customized, and posted on the index web page or the mail magazine body. As a result, articles that match the hobbies and preferences of each user are preferentially displayed at the top and can be provided with effective information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to the first aspect, the hobby preference recording means acquires the hobby preference value for each user based on a questionnaire response result in a predetermined website. It is characterized by having been constituted so that.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the second aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to the ninth aspect, in the hobby preference recording process, a predetermined web site is set for each user. The hobby preference value is obtained based on a questionnaire response result in the above.

[0013] In these embodiments, hobbies and preferences for each user are determined by a questionnaire, so that it is possible to efficiently collect information on hobby and taste elements suitable for the purpose of marketing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to the first or second aspect, the hobby / preference recording means comprises:
The system is characterized in that, for each user, the hobby preference value is acquired based on an access history indicating which page in a predetermined website has been viewed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the invention of the third aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to the ninth or tenth aspect, in the hobby and preference recording process, a predetermined The hobby preference value is acquired based on an access history indicating which page in the website has been viewed.

In these embodiments, since the tastes of each user are determined on the basis of the actual access history in the website, the unconscious tastes and potentials which are not conscious of the users themselves and do not appear in the questionnaire results. It is also possible to collect information on various hobbies and preferences, and to perform more effective marketing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, a predetermined affiliated card member is a user to whom information is to be provided, and the hobby / preference recording means includes The system is characterized in that for each user, the hobby preference value is obtained based on the purchase history as the card member.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the invention of the fourth aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, a predetermined affiliate card member is As a user to be provided, in the hobby preference recording process, the hobby preference value is obtained for each user based on a purchase history as a card member.

In these embodiments, the affiliate card customer is registered as a member in advance, and based on the actual merchandise purchase history of the affiliate card, the hobbies and preferences are determined from common characteristics such as the genre of the purchased merchandise. And accurate information can be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a predetermined affiliated card member is provided for information provision and based on a purchase history as the card member. By extracting the hobby preference value corresponding to the purchaser specified from the purchase history from the hobby preference recording means for the product that has been sold by the card, the hobby preference of the product is obtained. It is characterized by having means for analyzing whether it is liked by consumers.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the fifth aspect is grasped from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, a predetermined affiliated card member is Based on the purchase history as a card member, based on the purchase history as the card member, the hobby preference value corresponding to the purchaser specified from the purchase history is recorded by the hobby preference recording process for the product that has been sold by the card. It is characterized by including a process of analyzing what kind of hobbies and tastes the consumer likes by extracting the product from the hobby preference values thus obtained.

In these embodiments, for each product, the actual purchaser is specified from the purchase history, and the average image of the purchaser is grasped from the tastes and preferences of the purchasers. It is possible to analyze whether or not it has been purchased by the customer and use it for subsequent marketing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the providing means includes a web site configured based on the reordered posting order. The article is configured to be displayed to the user.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the sixth aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method, and in the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, in the providing process, Each article is displayed to the user by a website constructed based on the published order.

In these embodiments, when a user accesses a website to obtain information, items such as titles and images on an index page are changed or customized in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of each browsing user, and personal link collections are made. It will be posted in the order that interests you from top to bottom. For this reason, the user can easily find desired information, jump to a linked page and easily browse the article body by an operation such as a mouse click on the corresponding item, and provide effective information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the providing means transmits the electronic mail in which the articles are posted in accordance with the sorted posting order. It is configured to transmit to the user.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the seventh aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to fourteenth aspects, in the providing process, An e-mail in which the articles are posted according to the posted order is transmitted to the user.

In these embodiments, even in an e-mail magazine by simultaneous distribution, since the order of the articles in the text is customized to match the hobbies and preferences of each user to which the mail is transmitted, an uninterested article comes first. Skipping can be minimized.

[0029] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the providing means determines, in each article, a predetermined number of upper ranks in the rearranged publication order. It is characterized by being configured to be selectively provided.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the eighth aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects, each article is provided in the providing process. Among the above, the predetermined number in the rearranged publication order is selected and provided.

In these embodiments, a predetermined number of articles in the rearranged publishing order are selected and provided, so that each user is provided with only a limited number of articles particularly suited to his / her hobbies and preferences. The likelihood of being skipped during busy hours is reduced.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, in the present embodiment, a registered member (referred to as a registered member) among predetermined affiliated card members is set as a user to whom information is provided, and articles that match the hobbies and preferences of each user are provided preferentially. The present invention relates to an information providing system (hereinafter, referred to as “the present system”) and an information providing method executed on the present system, and can be understood as a recording medium on which an information providing program is recorded. The unit of information provision in this system is called an article.

That is, the present system provides articles to each registered member through a homepage, ie, a website, and an e-mail, ie, a mail magazine. In particular, the hobby / preference value set for each of the article and the registered member is provided. The articles are provided in the display order based on the degree of matching.

Here, the "hobby preference value" is information representing a hobby or preference in a predetermined format, and the specific content is free.
As an example, mind, taste, and grade are used. Of these, “mind” is a relative criterion that defines age sensation among hobbies and preferences when a consumer selects a product. “Taste” is a relative criterion that defines novel directivity among hobbies and preferences when a consumer selects a product. “Grade” is a relative criterion that defines an economic sensation among hobbies and preferences when a consumer selects a product. These are all represented by numerical values evaluated relative to each other on a five-point scale, and are referred to as “mind value”, “taste value”, and “grade value”.

Articles provided on the website are called "site information", and articles provided by e-mail are called "mail articles". Also, the hobby preference value set for each registered member is "member hobby preference value", the hobby preference value set for each site information is "information hobby preference value", and the hobby preference value set for each mail article is " Article hobby preference value ".
The member hobby preference value is also obtained from a past purchase history as a card member, and the hobby preference value set for each product for that purpose is referred to as “product hobby preference value”.

[1. Configuration] First, as shown in FIG. 1, the present system includes a mail server computer 30 and a storage device 40, and shares data with an existing affiliated card purchase history storage device 50 by synchronizing and updating a database. Things. In addition, a user personal computer 10 used by an unspecified number of users is connected to the system via the Internet 20. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a website provided from the server computer 30, FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the registered member cookie 101 recorded on the user personal computer 10, and FIG. Shown in

[1-1. Database of Storage Device] The storage device 40 stores the following databases shown in FIG. 1, and each database has the following data structure as shown in FIG. The following is a conceptual example, and normalization is appropriately performed in actual database construction.

First, the registered member history database 401
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), by sharing data with the affiliated card purchase history storage device 50, the purchase history of each registered member by the affiliated card is accumulated. In addition, the product hobby preference value conversion table 402 is shown in FIG.
Is a data table for associating (associating) a product hobby / preference value 4021 with a product registered in the registered member history database 401.

Further, the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 4
03, as shown in FIG.
This is a file for storing the determination result of the member hobby preference value 4031. In addition, the site information hobby preference value linked file 40
As shown in FIG. 4D, reference numeral 4 denotes a unit for storing information hobbies and preferences of assumed reader targets in association with each article, ie, site information, which is a unit of information provision on the website.

More specifically, the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403 includes site information detail pages 301 to 30n which are articles created when the site is opened and updated.
(FIGS. 1 and 2), assuming a reader target individually, the site information titles (301t to 30t) shown in FIG.
nt) 4041 is a file for estimating information hobby preference values 4042, which are hobby preference relative evaluation values for the reader target, and associating them in advance (FIG. 4).
(D)).

As shown in FIG. 4E, the e-mail article hobby / preference value linked file 405 stores, for each e-mail article serving as a unit of information provision in an e-mail magazine, an assumed hobby / preference value of a reader target. It is a means of storing in association with, more specifically, assuming a reader target for each email article posted at the time of distribution of the email magazine,
An article hobby preference value 4052 which is a hobby preference relative evaluation value for the reader target in the mail article title 4051
Is a file for estimating and linking and estimating and storing in advance.

[1-2. Functions of Server Computer] Also, virtual function blocks as shown in FIG. 1 are realized on the server computer 30 by the action of the program. That is, the questionnaire processing unit 31, the access history processing unit 32, and the purchase history processing unit 33 acquire the member hobby preference value indicating the hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided, together with the product hobby preference value conversion table 402. This is a hobby / preference recording unit to be stored.

In order to record such a member's hobby / preference value for each member, the questionnaire processing unit 31
This is a part for acquiring a member's hobby preference value based on a questionnaire response result in a predetermined website. Also,
The access history processing unit 32 is a part that acquires a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on an access history indicating which page in a website provided by the server computer 30 has been viewed.

The purchase history processing section 33 is a section for acquiring a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on the purchase history as a card member. The purchase history is read, the product hobby preference value corresponding to the product included in the purchase history is checked in the product hobby preference value conversion table 402, and the product hobby preference value is subjected to predetermined statistical processing such as an average calculation, and the user's member hobby preference value And recorded in the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403.

The sorting unit 34 stores the member hobby preference value for each user stored in the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403 and the site information hobby preference value linked file 4.
By matching the information hobby preference value or the article hobby preference value of each article stored in the file 04 or the e-mail article hobby preference value linked file 405, the posting order of each article is determined in the order that matches the individual user's hobby preference. This is sorting means for rearranging.

The web output unit 35 and the mail magazine transmitting unit 36 are providing means for providing each user with the articles in accordance with the sorted publication order. Specifically, the web output unit 35 is a unit that displays each article to the user by using a website configured based on the publication order rearranged by the sorting unit 34. Further, the e-mail magazine transmitting unit 36 is a unit that transmits an e-mail in which each article is published to the user according to the publication order rearranged by the sorting unit 34.

The analysis unit 37 also registers, based on the purchase history as a card member, a member's hobby preference value corresponding to the purchaser specified from the purchase history for a product that has been sold by the card. By extracting from the preference value storage file 403, this is a means for analyzing what kind of hobbies and preferences the consumer has for the product.

[1-3. Server computer page)
The server computer 30 shall provide a website including the following pages shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the operation of a server program having a CGI function.
First, the site top page 300 is a page that displays the member registration corner title linked to the member registration corner 3000 and the site information titles 301t to 30nt.

At the member registration corner 3000, in addition to the ID number 1011 which is the mail address of the member, a password 1012, a series card number 1013
When a user inputs such information, a registered member cookie 101 unique to the personal computer 10 is created in the user personal computer 10 (FIG. 3).

Further, site information detail pages 301 to 30
In n, information such as product information and lifestyle proposal information provided to the user on the site is posted, and each is linked to the corresponding site information title 301t to 30nt by a link.

[2. Operation] The present embodiment configured as described above operates as follows. [2-1. Preparation of Articles and Hobby / Taste Values] First, at the time of opening a website (hereinafter referred to as “this site”) by this system and updating the site, each site information detail for each website information unit, that is, each site information, Pages 301 to 30n are created (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Each site information detail page 3
Site information title (301
(t-30 nt) 4041, the information hobby preference value 4042 of the assumed reader target is set in advance,
A site information hobby / preference value association file 404 is created (FIG. 4D).

The mail articles serving as a unit for providing information in the mail magazine are automatically copied from the site information detail pages 301 to 30n, or separately created, and assumed readers for each mail article. The target article hobby preference value 4052 is stored in the mail article hobby preference value linked file 405 in association with, for example, a mail article title 4051 and a mail article body 4053 for each article.

[2-2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when a user accesses this site. In other words, in response to access from a user, if personal information is not registered (step 501), the system registers or acquires personal information for identifying an individual (step 502).

For example, when accessing the site for the first time, in order to use the site, the user accesses the member registration corner 3000 from the user's personal computer 10 via the Internet 20 and receives the ID which is the mail address of the member. When the user inputs a number 1011, a password 1012, a series card number 1013, etc., the information is stored as a registered member cookie 101 in the user personal computer (FIG. 3).

[2-3. Acquisition of Member Hobbies and Preference Values] With respect to registered members for which such member registration has been performed, at least one of the questionnaire processing unit 31, the access history processing unit 32, and the purchase history processing unit 33 performs, for each registered member,
The member hobby preference value indicating the hobby preference is acquired and stored.

For example, the purchase history processing unit 33 acquires a member hobby preference value for each user using the product hobby preference value conversion table 402 based on the purchase history as a card member. In this case, the purchase history processing unit 33 retrieves the product purchase history of the registered user from the existing affiliate card purchase history storage device 50, and adds the data to the registered member history database 401 (step 50).
3).

Subsequently, the purchase history processing unit 33 extracts the product code 4012 of the product purchased by the registered member in the past or recently for a certain period, and furthermore, the corresponding product hobby / preference value conversion table 402 The average value is replaced with the member hobby / preference value 403 of the registered member.
1, and stored in the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403 (step 504).

Thereafter, when the affiliated card purchase history data is updated, the merchandise purchase history is extracted from the existing affiliated card purchase history storage device 50, and the data is added to the registered member history database 401. In this case, similarly, the product code 4012 of the product purchased by the registered member is extracted from the registered member history database 401,
Product hobby preference value 4 in product hobby preference value conversion table 402
021 and the average value similar to the above is determined as the member hobby preference value 4031 of the registered member, and the data of the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403 is updated accordingly.

The following is another example of obtaining a member's hobby preference value. For example, the questionnaire processing unit 31 acquires a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on a questionnaire response result in this site. As a specific example, at the member registration corner 3000,
Five types of answer choices are provided for questionnaire items such as favorite brands and each questionnaire, and when the user answers the questionnaire on the Internet, the user's hobby preference value is determined based on the answer result.

The access history processing unit 32 acquires a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on an access history provided by the server computer 30 and indicating which page in the site has been browsed. The member hobby preference values thus obtained are also stored in the registered member hobby preference value storage file 4.
03.

[2-4. Homepage display) and
Before displaying the homepage in response to the user's access, the sorting unit 34 links the member hobby preference value for each user stored in the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403 with the site information hobby preference value. By matching the information hobby preference value or the article hobby preference value for each article stored in the file 404 or the mail article hobby preference value linked file 405 (step 50).
6), the order of publication of the articles is rearranged in an order that matches the hobbies and preferences of each user (step 507).

That is, the registered member is the user PC 10
When the user accesses the site top page 300 via the Internet 20 by using
By searching the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403 using the ID number 1011 in the registered member cookie 101 as a key, the member hobby / preference value 4031 of the registered member is obtained.
(FIG. 4C) is derived (step 505).

Further, the sorting unit sets the member hobby preference value 4
031 is matched with the information hobby preference value 4042 (FIG. 4D) of the site information hobby preference value linked file 404 (step 506), thereby listing the site article title to be published on the top page 300 for each site information. The order is rearranged (step 507).

Then, the web output unit 35 outputs
The website information is provided to the user by displaying the website information on the website configured based on the publishing order rearranged in step 4. Specifically, the site information titles 301t to 30nt are presented in a predetermined column of the site top page 300 in order from the item having the highest matching rate (step 508). A homepage whose contents have been changed in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of individual users in this way can be called a customized homepage.

As a result, the registered member can access the site information titles 301t to 301t arranged in the order of matching the hobby and preference values.
Check the 0nt and click on the title of the site information you like.
It is possible to browse from 01 to 30n.

[2-5. Mail distribution] When performing mail distribution, the sorting unit 34 stores the ID number 1011 and the member hobby preference value 40, which are the mail address of the target registered member, from the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403.
31 (FIG. 4 (c)), and an e-mail article hobby / preference value linked file 405 (FIG.
(E)) to match the article hobby preference value 4052
The mail articles 4053 are rearranged in order from the item having the highest matching rate with the mail article 4053.

Then, the mail magazine transmitting section 36 converts the e-mail in which the text information of each article is published in accordance with the publication order, which is the result rearranged by the sorting section 34, into an ID number 1011 which is a mail address for each registered member. Deliver to.

[2-6. Analysis of product purchasers' hobbies and preferences)
In addition, based on the purchase history as a card member, the analysis unit 37 stores a member hobby preference value corresponding to a purchaser specified from the purchase history for a product that has been sold by the card, and stores the registered member hobby preference value. By extracting the product from the file 403, it is analyzed what kind of hobbies and tastes the consumer likes.

Specifically, for example, (1) the purchaser of the product is extracted from the registered member history database 401. (2) The registered member's hobby preference value storage file 403 is used to determine the hobby preference value and other attributes of each purchaser. (3) Analyze the distribution of the hobby and preference values of the product purchaser for the taste value, grade value, mind value, and other attributes.

[3. Effect] As described above, in this embodiment, when a retailer such as a department store provides information to users such as registered members in advance on a homepage or an e-mail magazine opened on the Internet, individual Stores the hobbies and preferences of each,
Set hobbies and preferences to be targeted for each article. Then, by matching the two, the order of the articles is rearranged and customized in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of each user, and customized, and posted on the index web page or the mail magazine body. As a result, articles that match the hobbies and preferences of each user are preferentially displayed at the top and can be provided with effective information.

Further, in this embodiment, the affiliate card customer is registered as a member in advance, and based on the actual merchandise purchase history of the affiliate card, the hobby / taste is determined from common characteristics such as the genre of the purchased merchandise. It is possible to provide accurate information based on the information.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the hobbies and preferences for each user are determined based on the questionnaire, it is possible to efficiently collect information on the hobby and taste elements suitable for the purpose of marketing.

Further, in this embodiment, since the hobby preference for each user is determined based on the actual access history in the website, the unconscious hobby preference that does not appear in the questionnaire results without the user being aware of it. Information can also be collected on potential hobbies and preferences, and more effective marketing can be performed.

In the present embodiment, when a user accesses a website to obtain information, items such as titles and images on an index page are changed, ie, customized, according to the hobbies and preferences of each browsing user. Like a collection of links, they are listed in order of interest from the top. For this reason, the user can easily find desired information, jump to a linked page and easily browse the article body by an operation such as a mouse click on the corresponding item, and provide effective information.

Also, in the present embodiment, even in an e-mail magazine by simultaneous distribution, the order of publication in the text is customized to match the hobby and preference of each user to which the message is to be transmitted, so that an uninteresting article comes first. This can minimize skipping.

Further, in this embodiment, for each product, the actual purchaser is specified from the purchase history, and the average image of the purchaser is grasped from the tastes and preferences of the purchasers. It is possible to analyze whether or not the customer has purchased such a product and use it in subsequent marketing.

[4. Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes other embodiments as exemplified below. For example, among the articles, a predetermined number in the rearranged publication order may be selected and provided to the user. As described above, by selecting and providing the predetermined number in the rearranged publication order, each user is provided with only a limited number of articles particularly matching his / her tastes and preferences. The chance of being skipped is reduced.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, an information providing technique for preferentially providing articles that match the tastes and preferences of individual users, that is, an information providing system and method, and an information providing program are recorded. Since a recording medium can be provided, effective sales promotion is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a website provided from a server computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a code layout of a registered member cookie stored in a user personal computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a code layout of a database, a table, and a file in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed in a server computer when customizing a homepage in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... User personal computer 101 ... Registered member cookie 20 ... Internet 30 ... Server computer 31 ... Questionnaire processing part 32 ... Access history processing part 33 ... Purchasing history processing part 34 ... Sorting part 35 ... Web output part 36 ... Mail magazine transmission part 37 ... Analysis unit 300 ... Site top page 3000 ... Member registration corner 301-30n ... Site information detail page 40 ... Storage device 401 ... Registered member history database 402 ... Product hobby / preference value conversion table 403 ... Registered member hobby / preference value storage file 404 ... Site Information hobby preference value linked file 405 ... Email article hobby preference value linked file 50 ... Series card purchase history storage device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 12, 2001 (2001.9.1)
2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

Patent application title: Information providing system and method, and recording medium recording information providing program

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a technology for providing information by a retailer such as a department store using the Internet, and in particular, preferentially provides articles that match individual users' tastes and preferences. By doing so, it is possible to promote effective sales.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of computer networks, Internet homepages, that is, web pages and websites, and electronic media such as mail magazines have become increasingly important in information distribution. And
Conventionally, retailers who are proactive in the Internet business have been introducing store introductions, product information, lifestyle proposals and mail-order sales on the Internet homepage, as a media for promoting advertising and as a means of sales such as online shopping. Was. In addition, some retailers recruited members by registration system with the aim of enclosing customers, and distributed seasonal essays, fashion trends, new product introductions, etc. via e-mail magazine.

[0003] Among them, for example, in an Internet homepage, an appropriate amount of information to be posted on one page is limited, so that sites are hierarchically designed, and titles that are likely to contain information of interest according to user's preference are placed. When clicked, a configuration is used in which the user can jump to a detail page with a link to browse detailed information.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that it is difficult to effectively promote sales according to the tastes and preferences of each user. In other words, the homepage of a retailer with more items to handle has a wider variety of contents and tends to include more items,
The more information that is provided to more users, the more complex the site is and the more layers. As a result, it has been difficult for individual users to find interesting information.

[0005] Also in the mail magazine, basically, only the character data is delivered, and since the number of lines displayed at a time when the mail is opened is limited at first, there is no item that is interesting at the beginning of the sentence. And there is a strong tendency to be skipped immediately. Some retailers recruit registered members by theme and distribute e-mail newsletters corresponding to each theme to the corresponding registered members, but still match the diversifying consumer hobbies and preferences. Was difficult and the appeal effect was limited.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of conventional techniques as described above, and its object is hobby
Feelings of taste, mind value, taste value and grade value
An information providing technology, an information providing system and method, and an information providing program that enable effective sales promotion by preferentially providing articles that match the tastes and tastes of individual users by expressing them as visual elements. It is to provide a recorded recording medium. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information providing technique for effectively collecting information on a user's hobbies and preferences.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an information providing system according to claim 1 acquires a hobby preference value representing a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided, and stores the hobby preference value. Recording means, for each article serving as a unit of the information provision, means for associating and storing a hobby preference value of an assumed reader target, and the hobby preference value for each user and the hobby preference value for each article. By providing matching, a sorting unit that rearranges the order of publication of the articles in an order that suits the hobbies and preferences of each user, and a providing unit that provides each user to the user according to the rearranged publication order , Hobby preference values are used in product selection.
Mind value that relatively represents the sense of age
Value and product that relatively express novel directivity
A grade value that relatively represents the economic sense of choice.
Characterized in that that.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method which captures the invention of the first aspect from the viewpoint of a method, and acquires and stores a hobby preference value indicating a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided. Preference recording processing, for each article serving as a unit of the information provision, processing to associate and store the hobby preference value of the assumed reader target, and the hobby preference value for each user and the hobby preference value for each article. by matching, seen including a process of rearranging the published sequence of the each article in order to fit the tastes of the individual user, and providing process for providing each article to the user in accordance with the order rearranged, a, The hobby preference value is used in product selection.
Mind value that relatively expresses age sensation and product selection
Value and product selection that relatively express novel directivity
It is a grade value that relatively represents the economic sensation in the alternative .

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention captures the first and eighth aspects of the present invention from the viewpoint of a recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, and records a program for providing information using a computer. In a medium, the program causes the computer to acquire and store a hobby preference value representing a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided, and for each article serving as the information provision unit, By storing the hobby preference values in association with each other, and matching the hobby preference values for each user with the hobby preference values for each article, the posting order of the articles is rearranged in an order that matches the hobby preference of each user. And the user is provided with each article according to the sorted publication order , and the hobby preference value is
Value and the product selection
A taste value that relatively expresses the novel directivity in
And a gray color that relatively expresses the economic sense of product selection
Characteristic value .

[0010] In these embodiments, when a retailer such as a department store provides information to a user such as a registered member registered in advance on a homepage or an e-mail magazine established on the Internet, the hobby and preference of each user is determined. Keep it on the other hand, and set the target hobbies and preferences for each article. Then, by matching the two, the article order is rearranged and customized according to the hobbies and preferences of each user, and the customized articles are posted on the index web page and the mail magazine body. As a result, articles that match the hobbies and preferences of each user are preferentially displayed at the top and can be provided with effective information. In particular, as a hobby preference value
Individual specifics such as keywords, genres and title
Age in product selection, not interest in the target
Mind value that relatively expresses sensation and sharpness in product selection
Taste value that relatively expresses new directivity and product selection
Of a grade value that relatively represents the economic sense of
Effective sales promotion by using a combination of visual elements
Becomes possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to the first aspect, the hobby preference recording means acquires the hobby preference value for each user based on a questionnaire response result in a predetermined website. It is characterized by having been constituted so that.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the second aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to the ninth aspect, in the hobby preference recording process, a predetermined web site is set for each user. The hobby preference value is obtained based on a questionnaire response result in the above.

[0013] In these embodiments, hobbies and preferences for each user are determined by a questionnaire, so that it is possible to efficiently collect information on hobby and taste elements suitable for the purpose of marketing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to the first or second aspect, the hobby / preference recording means comprises:
The system is characterized in that, for each user, the hobby preference value is acquired based on an access history indicating which page in a predetermined website has been viewed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the invention of the third aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to the ninth or tenth aspect, in the hobby and preference recording process, a predetermined The hobby preference value is acquired based on an access history indicating which page in the website has been viewed.

In these embodiments, since the tastes of each user are determined on the basis of the actual access history in the website, the unconscious tastes and potentials which are not conscious of the users themselves and do not appear in the questionnaire results. It is also possible to collect information on various hobbies and preferences, and to perform more effective marketing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, a predetermined affiliated card member is a user to whom information is to be provided, and the hobby / preference recording means includes The system is characterized in that for each user, the hobby preference value is obtained based on the purchase history as the card member.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the invention of the fourth aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, a predetermined affiliate card member is As a user to be provided, in the hobby preference recording process, the hobby preference value is obtained for each user based on a purchase history as a card member.

In these embodiments, the affiliate card customer is registered as a member in advance, and based on the actual merchandise purchase history of the affiliate card, the hobbies and preferences are determined from common characteristics such as the genre of the purchased merchandise. And accurate information can be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a predetermined affiliated card member is provided for information provision and based on a purchase history as the card member. By extracting the hobby preference value corresponding to the purchaser specified from the purchase history from the hobby preference recording means for the product that has been sold by the card, the hobby preference of the product is obtained. It is characterized by having means for analyzing whether it is liked by consumers.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the fifth aspect is grasped from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, a predetermined affiliated card member is Based on the purchase history as a card member, based on the purchase history as the card member, the hobby preference value corresponding to the purchaser specified from the purchase history is recorded by the hobby preference recording process for the product that has been sold by the card. It is characterized by including a process of analyzing what kind of hobbies and tastes the consumer likes by extracting the product from the hobby preference values thus obtained.

In these embodiments, for each product, the actual purchaser is specified from the purchase history, and the average image of the purchaser is grasped from the tastes and preferences of the purchasers. It is possible to analyze whether or not it has been purchased by the customer and use it for subsequent marketing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the providing means includes a web site configured based on the reordered posting order. The article is configured to be displayed to the user.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the sixth aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method, and in the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, in the providing process, Each article is displayed to the user by a website constructed based on the published order.

In these embodiments, when a user accesses a website to obtain information, items such as titles and images on an index page are changed or customized in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of each browsing user, and personal link collections are made. It will be posted in the order that interests you from top to bottom. For this reason, the user can easily find desired information, jump to a linked page and easily browse the article body by an operation such as a mouse click on the corresponding item, and provide effective information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the providing means transmits the electronic mail in which the articles are posted in accordance with the sorted posting order. It is configured to transmit to the user.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the seventh aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to fourteenth aspects, in the providing process, An e-mail in which the articles are posted according to the posted order is transmitted to the user.

In these embodiments, even in an e-mail magazine by simultaneous distribution, since the order of the articles in the text is customized to match the hobbies and preferences of each user to which the mail is transmitted, an uninterested article comes first. Skipping can be minimized.

[0029] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the providing means determines, in each article, a predetermined number of upper ranks in the rearranged publication order. It is characterized by being configured to be selectively provided.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the eighth aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In the information providing method according to any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects, each article is provided in the providing process. Among the above, the predetermined number in the rearranged publication order is selected and provided.

In these embodiments, a predetermined number of articles in the rearranged publishing order are selected and provided, so that each user is provided with only a limited number of articles particularly suited to his / her hobbies and preferences. The likelihood of being skipped during busy hours is reduced.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, in the present embodiment, a registered member (referred to as a registered member) among predetermined affiliated card members is set as a user to whom information is provided, and articles that match the hobbies and preferences of each user are provided preferentially. The present invention relates to an information providing system (hereinafter, referred to as “the present system”) and an information providing method executed on the present system, and can be understood as a recording medium on which an information providing program is recorded. The unit of information provision in this system is called an article.

That is, the present system provides articles to each registered member through a homepage, ie, a website, and an e-mail, ie, a mail magazine. In particular, the hobby / preference value set for each of the article and the registered member is provided. The articles are provided in the display order based on the degree of matching.

Here, the "hobby preference value" is information indicating a hobby or a preference in a predetermined format, and uses a mind, a taste, and a grade. Of these, “mind” is a relative criterion that defines age sensation among hobbies and preferences when a consumer selects a product. “Taste” is a relative criterion that defines novel directivity among hobbies and preferences when a consumer selects a product. “Grade” is a relative criterion that defines an economic sensation among hobbies and preferences when a consumer selects a product. These are all represented by numerical values evaluated relative to each other on a five-point scale, and are referred to as “mind value”, “taste value”, and “grade value”.

Articles provided on the website are called "site information", and articles provided by e-mail are called "mail articles". Also, the hobby preference value set for each registered member is "member hobby preference value", the hobby preference value set for each site information is "information hobby preference value", and the hobby preference value set for each mail article is " Article hobby preference value ".
The member hobby preference value is also obtained from a past purchase history as a card member, and the hobby preference value set for each product for that purpose is referred to as “product hobby preference value”.

[1. Configuration] First, as shown in FIG. 1, the present system includes a mail server computer 30 and a storage device 40, and shares data with an existing affiliated card purchase history storage device 50 by synchronizing and updating a database. Things. In addition, a user personal computer 10 used by an unspecified number of users is connected to the system via the Internet 20. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a website provided from the server computer 30, FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the registered member cookie 101 recorded on the user personal computer 10, and FIG. Shown in

[1-1. Database of Storage Device] The storage device 40 stores the following databases shown in FIG. 1, and each database has the following data structure as shown in FIG. The following is a conceptual example, and normalization is appropriately performed in actual database construction.

First, the registered member history database 401
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), by sharing data with the affiliated card purchase history storage device 50, the purchase history of each registered member by the affiliated card is accumulated. In addition, the product hobby preference value conversion table 402 is shown in FIG.
Is a data table for associating (associating) a product hobby / preference value 4021 with a product registered in the registered member history database 401.

Further, the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 4
03, as shown in FIG.
This is a file for storing the determination result of the member hobby preference value 4031. In addition, the site information hobby preference value linked file 40
As shown in FIG. 4D, reference numeral 4 denotes a unit for storing information hobbies and preferences of assumed reader targets in association with each article, ie, site information, which is a unit of information provision on the website.

More specifically, the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403 includes site information detail pages 301 to 30n which are articles created when the site is opened and updated.
(FIGS. 1 and 2), assuming a reader target individually, the site information titles (301t to 30t) shown in FIG.
nt) 4041 is a file for estimating information hobby preference values 4042, which are hobby preference relative evaluation values for the reader target, and associating them in advance (FIG. 4).
(D)).

As shown in FIG. 4E, the e-mail article hobby / preference value linked file 405 stores, for each e-mail article serving as a unit of information provision in an e-mail magazine, an assumed hobby / preference value of a reader target. It is a means of storing in association with, more specifically, assuming a reader target for each email article posted at the time of distribution of the email magazine,
An article hobby preference value 4052 which is a hobby preference relative evaluation value for the reader target in the mail article title 4051
Is a file for estimating and linking and estimating and storing in advance.

[1-2. Functions of Server Computer] Also, virtual function blocks as shown in FIG. 1 are realized on the server computer 30 by the action of the program. That is, the questionnaire processing unit 31, the access history processing unit 32, and the purchase history processing unit 33 acquire the member hobby preference value indicating the hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided, together with the product hobby preference value conversion table 402. This is a hobby / preference recording unit to be stored.

In order to record such a member's hobby / preference value for each member, the questionnaire processing unit 31
This is a part for acquiring a member's hobby preference value based on a questionnaire response result in a predetermined website. Also,
The access history processing unit 32 is a part that acquires a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on an access history indicating which page in a website provided by the server computer 30 has been viewed.

The purchase history processing section 33 is a section for acquiring a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on the purchase history as a card member. The purchase history is read, the product hobby preference value corresponding to the product included in the purchase history is checked in the product hobby preference value conversion table 402, and the product hobby preference value is subjected to predetermined statistical processing such as an average calculation, and the user's member hobby preference value And recorded in the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403.

The sorting unit 34 stores the member hobby preference value for each user stored in the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403 and the site information hobby preference value linked file 4.
By matching the information hobby preference value or the article hobby preference value of each article stored in the file 04 or the e-mail article hobby preference value linked file 405, the posting order of each article is determined in the order that matches the individual user's hobby preference. This is sorting means for rearranging.

The web output unit 35 and the mail magazine transmitting unit 36 are providing means for providing each user with the articles in accordance with the sorted publication order. Specifically, the web output unit 35 is a unit that displays each article to the user by using a website configured based on the publication order rearranged by the sorting unit 34. Further, the e-mail magazine transmitting unit 36 is a unit that transmits an e-mail in which each article is published to the user according to the publication order rearranged by the sorting unit 34.

The analysis unit 37 also registers, based on the purchase history as a card member, a member's hobby preference value corresponding to the purchaser specified from the purchase history for a product that has been sold by the card. By extracting from the preference value storage file 403, this is a means for analyzing what kind of hobbies and preferences the consumer has for the product.

[1-3. Server computer page)
The server computer 30 shall provide a website including the following pages shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the operation of a server program having a CGI function.
First, the site top page 300 is a page that displays the member registration corner title linked to the member registration corner 3000 and the site information titles 301t to 30nt.

At the member registration corner 3000, in addition to the ID number 1011 which is the mail address of the member, a password 1012, a series card number 1013
When a user inputs such information, a registered member cookie 101 unique to the personal computer 10 is created in the user personal computer 10 (FIG. 3).

Further, site information detail pages 301 to 30
In n, information such as product information and lifestyle proposal information provided to the user on the site is posted, and each is linked to the corresponding site information title 301t to 30nt by a link.

[2. Operation] The present embodiment configured as described above operates as follows. [2-1. Preparation of Articles and Hobby / Taste Values] First, at the time of opening a website (hereinafter referred to as “this site”) by this system and updating the site, each site information detail for each website information unit, that is, each site information, Pages 301 to 30n are created (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Each site information detail page 3
Site information title (301
(t-30 nt) 4041, the information hobby preference value 4042 of the assumed reader target is set in advance,
A site information hobby / preference value association file 404 is created (FIG. 4D).

The mail articles serving as a unit for providing information in the mail magazine are automatically copied from the site information detail pages 301 to 30n, or separately created, and assumed readers for each mail article. The target article hobby preference value 4052 is stored in the mail article hobby preference value linked file 405 in association with, for example, a mail article title 4051 and a mail article body 4053 for each article.

[2-2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when a user accesses this site. In other words, in response to access from a user, if personal information is not registered (step 501), the system registers or acquires personal information for identifying an individual (step 502).

For example, when accessing the site for the first time, in order to use the site, the user accesses the member registration corner 3000 from the user's personal computer 10 via the Internet 20 and receives the ID which is the mail address of the member. When the user inputs a number 1011, a password 1012, a series card number 1013, etc., the information is stored as a registered member cookie 101 in the user personal computer (FIG. 3).

[2-3. Acquisition of Member Hobbies and Preference Values] With respect to registered members for which such member registration has been performed, at least one of the questionnaire processing unit 31, the access history processing unit 32, and the purchase history processing unit 33 performs, for each registered member,
The member hobby preference value indicating the hobby preference is acquired and stored.

For example, the purchase history processing unit 33 acquires a member hobby preference value for each user using the product hobby preference value conversion table 402 based on the purchase history as a card member. In this case, the purchase history processing unit 33 retrieves the product purchase history of the registered user from the existing affiliate card purchase history storage device 50, and adds the data to the registered member history database 401 (step 50).
3).

Subsequently, the purchase history processing unit 33 extracts the product code 4012 of the product purchased by the registered member in the past or recently for a certain period, and furthermore, the corresponding product hobby / preference value conversion table 402 The average value is replaced with the member hobby / preference value 403 of the registered member.
1, and stored in the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403 (step 504).

Thereafter, when the affiliated card purchase history data is updated, the merchandise purchase history is extracted from the existing affiliated card purchase history storage device 50, and the data is added to the registered member history database 401. In this case, similarly, the product code 4012 of the product purchased by the registered member is extracted from the registered member history database 401,
Product hobby preference value 4 in product hobby preference value conversion table 402
021 and the average value similar to the above is determined as the member hobby preference value 4031 of the registered member, and the data of the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403 is updated accordingly.

The following is another example of obtaining a member's hobby preference value. For example, the questionnaire processing unit 31 acquires a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on a questionnaire response result in this site. As a specific example, at the member registration corner 3000,
Five types of answer choices are provided for questionnaire items such as favorite brands and each questionnaire, and when the user answers the questionnaire on the Internet, the user's hobby preference value is determined based on the answer result.

The access history processing unit 32 acquires a member's hobby / preference value for each user based on an access history provided by the server computer 30 and indicating which page in the site has been browsed. The member hobby preference values thus obtained are also stored in the registered member hobby preference value storage file 4.
03.

[2-4. Homepage display) and
Before displaying the homepage in response to the user's access, the sorting unit 34 links the member hobby preference value for each user stored in the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403 with the site information hobby preference value. By matching the information hobby preference value or the article hobby preference value for each article stored in the file 404 or the mail article hobby preference value linked file 405 (step 50).
6), the order of publication of the articles is rearranged in an order that matches the hobbies and preferences of each user (step 507).

That is, the registered member is the user PC 10
When the user accesses the site top page 300 via the Internet 20 by using
By searching the registered member hobby / preference value storage file 403 using the ID number 1011 in the registered member cookie 101 as a key, the member hobby / preference value 4031 of the registered member is obtained.
(FIG. 4C) is derived (step 505).

Further, the sorting unit sets the member hobby preference value 4
031 is matched with the information hobby preference value 4042 (FIG. 4D) of the site information hobby preference value linked file 404 (step 506), thereby listing the site article title to be published on the top page 300 for each site information. The order is rearranged (step 507).

Then, the web output unit 35 outputs
The website information is provided to the user by displaying the website information on the website configured based on the publishing order rearranged in step 4. Specifically, the site information titles 301t to 30nt are presented in a predetermined column of the site top page 300 in order from the item having the highest matching rate (step 508). A homepage whose contents have been changed in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of individual users in this way can be called a customized homepage.

As a result, the registered member can access the site information titles 301t to 301t arranged in the order of matching the hobby and preference values.
Check the 0nt and click on the title of the site information you like.
It is possible to browse from 01 to 30n.

[2-5. Mail distribution] When performing mail distribution, the sorting unit 34 stores the ID number 1011 and the member hobby preference value 40, which are the mail address of the target registered member, from the registered member hobby preference value storage file 403.
31 (FIG. 4 (c)), and an e-mail article hobby / preference value linked file 405 (FIG.
(E)) to match the article hobby preference value 4052
The mail articles 4053 are rearranged in order from the item having the highest matching rate with the mail article 4053.

Then, the mail magazine transmitting section 36 converts the e-mail in which the text information of each article is published in accordance with the publication order, which is the result rearranged by the sorting section 34, into an ID number 1011 which is a mail address for each registered member. Deliver to.

[2-6. Analysis of product purchasers' hobbies and preferences)
In addition, based on the purchase history as a card member, the analysis unit 37 stores a member hobby preference value corresponding to a purchaser specified from the purchase history for a product that has been sold by the card, and stores the registered member hobby preference value. By extracting the product from the file 403, it is analyzed what kind of hobbies and tastes the consumer likes.

Specifically, for example, (1) the purchaser of the product is extracted from the registered member history database 401. (2) The registered member's hobby preference value storage file 403 is used to determine the hobby preference value and other attributes of each purchaser. (3) Analyze the distribution of the hobby and preference values of the product purchaser for the taste value, grade value, mind value, and other attributes.

[3. Effect] As described above, in this embodiment, when a retailer such as a department store provides information to users such as registered members in advance on a homepage or an e-mail magazine opened on the Internet, individual Stores the hobbies and preferences of each,
Set hobbies and preferences to be targeted for each article. Then, by matching the two, the order of the articles is rearranged and customized in accordance with the hobbies and preferences of each user, and customized, and posted on the index web page or the mail magazine body. As a result, articles that match the hobbies and preferences of each user are preferentially displayed at the top and can be provided with effective information. In particular, as a hobby preference value,
Interest in individual and specific objects such as file titles
Rather, it is a tool that relatively expresses the sense of age in product selection.
Relative to India value and novel directivity in product selection
Taste value and economic sensation in product selection.
Use a combination of sensory elements called grade values,
This enables effective sales promotion.

Further, in this embodiment, the affiliate card customer is registered as a member in advance, and based on the actual merchandise purchase history of the affiliate card, the hobby / taste is determined from common characteristics such as the genre of the purchased merchandise. It is possible to provide accurate information based on the information.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the hobbies and preferences for each user are determined based on the questionnaire, it is possible to efficiently collect information on the hobby and taste elements suitable for the purpose of marketing.

Further, in this embodiment, since the hobby preference for each user is determined based on the actual access history in the website, the unconscious hobby preference that does not appear in the questionnaire results without the user being aware of it. Information can also be collected on potential hobbies and preferences, and more effective marketing can be performed.

In the present embodiment, when a user accesses a website to obtain information, items such as titles and images on an index page are changed, ie, customized, according to the hobbies and preferences of each browsing user. Like a collection of links, they are listed in order of interest from the top. For this reason, the user can easily find desired information, jump to a linked page and easily browse the article body by an operation such as a mouse click on the corresponding item, and provide effective information.

Also, in the present embodiment, even in an e-mail magazine by simultaneous distribution, the order of publication in the text is customized to match the hobby and preference of each user to which the message is to be transmitted, so that an uninteresting article comes first. This can minimize skipping.

Further, in this embodiment, for each product, the actual purchaser is specified from the purchase history, and the average image of the purchaser is grasped from the tastes and preferences of the purchasers. It is possible to analyze whether or not the customer has purchased such a product and use it in subsequent marketing.

[4. Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes other embodiments as exemplified below. For example, among the articles, a predetermined number in the rearranged publication order may be selected and provided to the user. As described above, by selecting and providing the predetermined number in the rearranged publication order, each user is provided with only a limited number of articles particularly matching his / her tastes and preferences. The chance of being skipped is reduced.

[0079]

As in the above, according to the present invention, according to the present invention, hobby嗜
Feeling of good, mind, taste and grade
Of providing information that preferentially provides articles that match individual users' hobbies and preferences, that is, an information providing system and method, and a recording medium that records an information providing program. Sales promotion is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a website provided from a server computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a code layout of a registered member cookie stored in a user personal computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a code layout of a database, a table, and a file in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed in a server computer when customizing a homepage in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 10 User PC 101 Registered Member Cookie 20 Internet 30 Server Computer 31 Questionnaire Processing Unit 32 Access History Processing Unit 33 Purchasing History Processing Unit 34 Sorting Unit 35 Web Output Unit 36 Mail Magazine transmission unit 37 Analysis unit 300 Site top page 3000 Member registration corner 301-30n Site information detail page 40 Storage device 401 Registered member history database 402 Product hobby preference value conversion table 403 Registered member hobby preference value Storage file 404 ... Site information hobby / preference value tied file 405 ... Email article hobby / preference value tied file 50 ... Series card purchase history storage device

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A hobby / preference recording means for acquiring and storing a hobby / preference value indicating a hobby / preference for each user to be provided with information, and an assumed reader target for each article which is a unit of the information provision. Means for storing hobby preference values in association with each other, and matching the hobby preference value for each user with the hobby preference value for each article, so that the order of publication of the articles in the order that matches the hobby preference of each user is determined. An information providing system comprising: sorting means for sorting; and providing means for providing each user to the user according to the sorted publication order. 2. The hobby preference recording unit is configured to acquire the hobby preference value for each user based on a questionnaire response result in a predetermined website. Information providing system. 3. The hobby preference recording means is configured to acquire the hobby preference value for each user based on an access history indicating which page in a predetermined website has been viewed. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. A predetermined affiliate card member is a user to whom information is to be provided, and said hobby / preference recording means acquires, for each user, said hobby / preference value based on a purchase history as said card member. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information providing system is configured. 5. A predetermined affiliated card member is provided for information provision, and based on the purchase history as a card member, a product which has been sold by the card corresponds to a purchaser specified from the purchase history. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit configured to extract the hobby preference value from the hobby preference recording unit to analyze what kind of hobby preference the consumer has for the product. 6. The information providing system according to any one of the above. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit is configured to display each article to the user by a website configured based on the reordered publication order. The information providing system according to any one of the above. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit is configured to transmit an e-mail in which the articles are published to the user in accordance with the rearranged publication order. An information providing system according to one of the above. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said providing means is configured to select and provide a predetermined number of articles in the rearranged publication order among the articles. An information providing system according to one of the above. 9. A hobby / preference recording process for acquiring and storing a hobby / preference value indicating a hobby / preference for each user to be provided with information; By storing the hobby preference value in association with the hobby preference value, and by matching the hobby preference value for each user with the hobby preference value for each article, the order of publication of the articles in the order that matches the hobby preference of each user is determined. An information providing method, comprising: a rearranging process; and a providing process of providing each article to the user according to the rearranged publication order. 10. The information providing method according to claim 9, wherein, in the hobby preference recording processing, the hobby preference value is acquired for each user based on a questionnaire response result in a predetermined website. 11. The hobby preference recording process, wherein the hobby preference value is acquired for each user based on an access history indicating which page in a predetermined website has been browsed. 9. The information providing method according to 9 or 10. 12. A predetermined affiliate card member is a user to whom information is to be provided, and in the hobby preference recording process, the hobby preference value is obtained for each user based on a purchase history as the card member. The information providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: 13. A predetermined affiliated card member is provided for information provision, and based on the purchase history as the card member, a product which has been sold by the card corresponds to a purchaser specified from the purchase history. By extracting the hobby preference value from the hobby preference value recorded by the hobby preference recording processing, the method includes a process of analyzing what kind of hobby preference the consumer has for the product. The information providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 12. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in the providing process, each article is displayed to the user by a website configured based on the sorted publication order. Information provision method described. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein in the providing process, an e-mail in which the articles are posted is transmitted to the user in accordance with the reordered posting order. Information provision method. 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in the providing processing, a predetermined number of articles in the rearranged publication order are selected and provided from each article. Information provision method. 17. A recording medium recording an information providing program for providing information using a computer, wherein the program obtains a hobby preference value indicating a hobby preference for each user to whom information is provided by the computer. For each article serving as the information providing unit, the hobby preference value of the assumed reader target is associated and stored, and the hobby preference value for each user is matched with the hobby preference value for each article. Thus, the information providing program is characterized in that the posting order of each article is rearranged in an order that suits the taste and taste of each user, and each article is provided to the user according to the rearranged posting order. recoding media.