JP2003323556A - Device, system, method, memory medium and program for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device or system for information processing, capable of reducing the publishing cost at a seller of a publication, promoting the sale of the publication highly efficiently, and saving the space for storing the publication on the customer side by distributing the electronic publication whose contents are electronic data to customers who are expected to purchase the publication (prospective customers) for the expansion of sale of the publication in a general market. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a display part 100 for displaying the electronic publication, a search part 110 for searching a requested back number in a published back number database 21, a price estimation calculating part 120 for calculating the estimate of the subscription based on a charge estimation database 22, an application input part 130 for inputting the user information, and an inquiry display part 150 for inquiries from a user to the seller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information output device, an information output system, and an information output used for a device or a system for transmitting electronic information such as an electronic publication to a user side via a communication network. The present invention relates to a method, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the method, and the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a paper-based publication is published, a series of operations for that purpose is, for example, “decision of editing policy” → “request / collection of manuscript” → “decision of manuscript layout” → “manuscript "Create / Print" → "Distribution of printed matter" is being performed.

In recent years, personal computers (P
Due to the spread of C) and various document creation software, a digitized manuscript (including drawings etc.) is generated in place of the conventional "making a block copy", and the generated electronic manuscript is digitally printed. It is generally performed by a machine.

Further, due to the remarkable progress of communication network technology represented by the Internet, various electronic information is transmitted via the communication network, and the receiver of the electronic information is remote from the information sender who is the information source. It is possible to quickly and easily obtain desired electronic information even if the user is located at.

By the way, in order to expand sales of paper media publications in the general market, publishers of publications generally carry out various advertising activities, specifically, for example, advertisements using mass media, Carry out promotional activities such as mailing printed materials such as letters to specific customer groups, or sales representatives providing sales guidance to prospective customers.

[0006]

However, as described above, in order to expand the sales of the paper medium publication in the general market, the sales agency of the publication carries out the advertisement using the mass media and the specific customer. For conventional advertising activities such as mailing printed materials to layers or sales activities by sales staff,
There were the following problems.

[0007] When a publisher of a publication advertises a paper medium publication by using mass media, a paper surface area for introducing the content of the publication due to the limited space of newspapers and advertising papers. Since it is difficult to secure sufficient information, it is not possible to describe the publication information by detailed explanation. Also, when a publication is advertised at the distributor by means of video or audio, the content transmitted for the promotion disappears instantly, so if you do not repeat the publication about that publication many times, It is difficult to reliably convey the content to the customer side.

[0008] Further, when a printed matter such as a direct mail is mailed to a specific customer group, since a similar advertisement is frequently carried out by the direct mail also for many other publications, the customer who receives the direct mail is The impression I have of the publication tends to fade. For this reason, there is a problem that mailing a direct mail to a customer depending on the publisher of the publication does not directly relate to the sales performance of the publication.

Further, for example, even when a sales representative for sales promotion introduces the contents of the publication to a prospective customer who can expect to purchase the publication, the sales representative does not always carry out the sales activities of the publication. It is not always linked to improving sales performance, and there was a problem that the advertising effect was low for the time required for sales activities of publications by the sales staff.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and reduces the publication cost at the publisher of the publication, promotes highly efficient sales, and stores the publication on the customer side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, a computer readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the information processing apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium capable of realizing space saving.

[0011] Specifically, for example, by converting the content of a publication on a paper medium into electronic data, an electronic publication of the publication is generated, and to a customer (prospective customer) who can expect to purchase the electronic publication. In addition, by introducing the introduction and purchase method of electronic publications by email,
It is possible to reduce publishing costs, promote highly efficient sales, and save space.

[0012]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Under such a purpose,
The present invention is an information processing device for delivering predetermined electronic information to an arbitrary user via a communication network,
Management means for managing a plurality of the predetermined electronic information, providing means for providing the user with information regarding purchase of electronic information in the management means, and information acquisition means for acquiring user information from the user for the purchase information. And an information distribution unit that distributes corresponding electronic information in the management unit to the user based on the user information obtained by the information acquisition unit.

Further, the present invention is an information processing method for delivering predetermined electronic information to an arbitrary user via a communication network, wherein the managing step manages a plurality of the predetermined electronic information, and the managing step. Providing step for providing the user with information regarding purchase of electronic information in the above,
An information acquisition step of acquiring user information for the purchase information from the user, and an information distribution step of distributing corresponding electronic information in the management step to the user based on the user information obtained by the information acquisition step. It is characterized by including.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a predetermined means, wherein the predetermined means manages a plurality of predetermined electronic information and electronic information in the management means. Based on the providing means for providing the user with information regarding purchase, the information obtaining means for obtaining the user information from the user for the purchase information, and the user information obtained by the information obtaining means, the corresponding means in the managing means is applicable. Information delivery means for delivering electronic information to the user is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the program according to claim 7 is recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] The present invention is an electronic publication (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "publishing") via a communication network typified by the Internet as shown in FIG.
Is applied to an electronic publication distribution system 10 for distributing to users.

Electronic Publication Distribution System 1 of this Embodiment
0 sends an e-mail describing the introduction of the electronic publication and how to purchase the electronic publication to customers who can expect to purchase the electronic publication (potential customer), and the content of the response from the customer who referred to the electronic mail is displayed. Accordingly, it is configured to determine whether or not to distribute the electronic publication to the customer, and to manage customer information necessary for realizing distribution of the electronic publication. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the electronic publication delivery system 10 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

<Overall Structure of Electronic Publication Delivery System 10> The electronic publication delivery system 10 is as shown in FIG.
A customer database 20, an already-published back number database 21, a terminal device 30 for an administrator to which the price estimation database 22 is connected, and a plurality of user-side terminal devices 50 (1) to 50 (n) are a communication network. It is configured so as to be communicable with each other via 80.

A terminal device 30 for the administrator (hereinafter, simply referred to as "administrator side 30") and a terminal device 50 for the user side.
(1) to 50 (n) (hereinafter, simply “user side 50
(X) ”has a so-called computer function, and its CPU reads and executes a predetermined program to implement the function in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer function 60 has a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, and
Keyboard (KB) 69 Keyboard controller (K
BC) 65 and a CRT display (C
RT) 70 CRT controller (CRTC) 66,
Disk controller (DKC) 67 of hard disk (HD) 71 and flexible disk (FD) 72
And a network interface controller (NIC) 68 for connecting to the network 80 are communicably connected to each other via the system bus 64.

The CPU 61 is a ROM 62 or HD 71.
By executing the software stored in the computer or the software supplied from the FD 72.
The components connected to the are collectively controlled. That is,
The CPU 61 executes a processing program according to a predetermined processing sequence in the ROM 62, the HD 71, or the FD 7
By reading from 2 and executing it, control for realizing the function in the present embodiment is performed.

The RAM 63 functions as a main memory or a work area of the CPU 61. KBC65 is KB
An instruction input from the device 69 or a pointing device (not shown) is controlled. The CRTC 66 controls the display of the CRT 70. The DKC 67 includes a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files,
The HD 71 and the FD that store the network management program, the predetermined processing program in the present embodiment, and the like
Control access to 72. The NIC 68 bidirectionally exchanges data with a device or system on the network 80.

The user side 50 (1) to 50 (n)
2 each have a configuration based on the computer function 60 shown in FIG. 2 above. For example, when focusing on a terminal device 50 (x) on the side of an arbitrary person in charge of business, the terminal device 50 (x)
Is a signal transmitting unit (NIC68) for transmitting a signal to the manager side 30, and an information presenting unit (CRTC66) for displaying information from the manager side 30 on the CRT 70 of the terminal device 50 (x). ) Is provided.

In the present embodiment, as an example,
Although the administrator side 30 and the user side 50 (x) are separately provided, for example, the function of the administrator side 30 is provided to any one of the user side 50 (x) devices. You may. Further, the number of terminal devices 50 (1) to 50 (n) connected to the network 80 is not limited to n, and may be more or one.

The data exchange is not limited to the communication via the network 80, and the data may be exchanged by a method using an arbitrary communication line or storage medium.

Further, the customer database 20, the already-issued back number database 21, and the price estimation database 22 may be configured as one database.

<Structure of administrator side 30 and user side 50 (x)> The administrator side 30 uses the customer database 20, the already-issued back number database 21, and the price estimation database 22 to store various data relating to publications and customers. In addition to management, the user side 50 (x) can access the already published back number database 21 and the charge estimation database 22.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional configuration blocks on the administrator side 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the administrator side 30 displays the display unit 100, the search unit 110, and the price estimation unit 12
0, application input unit 130, subscriber page connection unit 14
0, inquiry display section 150, and related link page connection section 160.

On the manager side 30 of FIG.
0 is the already-issued list display unit 101, the issue-specific index display unit 1
02, sample number list display section 103, publication information display section 104, and search result display section 105. The user side 50 (x) issues a publication desired to be displayed from the list of published issues (also called back numbers) or sample issues displayed by the published issue list display unit 101 or the sample issue list display unit 103. If the number of issues is specified, the content of the publication of the specified issue number will be 5
It is displayed on the terminal screen of 0 (x).

The already-issued list display unit 101 displays a list of information (for example, the publication date of the publication) identifying the publications issued so far on the user side 50 (x). still,
When the publication is published on a yearly or weekly basis, the information identifying the publication may be the year of publication or the date of publication of the publication.

The table of contents display section 102 for each issue is displayed on the user side 50.
When (x) selects the back number in order to refer to the content of the specific back number in the already published list, the table of contents of the publication is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x).

The sample issue list display section 103 identifies information of a specific issue number (for example, a publication number) predetermined by the administrator side 30 from the already published publications stored and managed in the published back number database 21. Display the list of the issue date etc.).

The above-mentioned specific issue number is a part of the back number of the publication (hereinafter referred to as "the back number" of the publication prepared by the administrator 30 in advance).
"Sample issue"). A sample issue is available before the user side 50 (x) officially subscribes to the publication.
It is a publication that can be viewed free of charge in order to grasp the details of the publication using the electronic publication distribution system 10 or to simulate the distribution of the publication.

The publication information display section 104 is provided on the user side 50.
The contents described in the publication of the issue number selected by the user from all the published issues or sample issues displayed in (x) are extracted from the published back number database 21 and displayed on the user side 50 (x).

In the search result display unit 105, the search unit 110, which will be described later, searches the already-issued back number database 21 for a back number that matches the search condition and displays the search result.

The price estimation calculation unit 120 is provided on the user side 50.
Information specified by (x), such as the subscription period of the publication,
By referring to the price estimation database 22 based on information such as the number of users who want to subscribe and the number of booklets for paper media,
The user side 50 (x) who wants to subscribe to the publication calculates the fee incurred when applying to subscribe to the publication.

The application input unit 130 is provided on the user side 50.
When (x) applies for a publication to the administrator side 30, the user information necessary for the electronic publication distribution system 10 to actually be able to subscribe (specifically,
(User's name and address, user ID and password, etc.)
Is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x) so as to allow easy input.

For example, when the user 50 (x) inputs the user information, the application input unit 130 normally inputs the user information according to a predetermined form (for example, the name of the user). , There is no omission of the input of the address etc.), and the registration confirmation screen for notifying the user side 50 (x) that the user's own user information has been correctly registered on the manager side 30 (x) screen. Display on top.
On the other hand, if the input of the user information does not follow the predetermined form and is not normally performed, the application input unit 130
Displays a message prompting the user to re-enter the user information.
It is displayed on the screen of 0 (x).

When the user side 50 (x) normally inputs the user information necessary for the subscription application of the publication using the application input unit 130, the administrator side 30 makes the application for the user side 50 (x). x) is registered in the customer database 20 as a regular subscriber of the publication. After the registration of the above-mentioned subscribing customer is completed on the administrator side 30, the subscriber page connection unit 14
0 is W for registered subscribers only for registered subscribers
The link address for connecting to the EB site is provided to the user side 50 (x).

The inquiry display section 150 provides the user side 50 (x) with contact means for accepting an inquiry from the user side 50 (x) to the administrator side 30 regarding the entire electronic publication distribution system 10. Specifically, for example, the inquiry display unit 150 displays the inquiry 50 on the user side 50 (x).
Display an email creation window on the user side 50 (x) screen in which the destination of delivery is set to the destination of a predetermined person in charge of inquiry on the administrator side 30 so that the email sent from the administrator side is delivered to the administrator side 30. To do.

The related link page connection unit 160 provides the user side 50 (x) with a link address for connecting to a WEB site having information related to the publication (for example, the homepage of the company that issues the publication). To do.

The functions of the administrator side 30 in the electronic publication distribution system 10 are as described above,
(1) For customers who have not completed registration for the subscription (purchase) procedure, and (2) For customers who have completed the application procedure for publications and have been officially distributed as publications as registered subscribers. The functions provided from the administrator side 30 to the user side 50 (x) are different.

(1) Functions provided to the customer before the registration for the subscription (purchase) procedure is completed Since the customer before the completion of the subscription procedure is not the regular subscriber of the publication, the sample number list display section 103 Although the specific back number can be browsed for free by the administrator, the administrator side 30 does not permit to browse all the published back numbers. That is, the administrator side 30 sends the sample number list display unit 10 to the customer before the registration for the subscription procedure is completed.
The function of No. 3 is provided, but the functions of the already-issued issue list display unit 101 and the table of contents list display unit for each issue 102 are not provided.

For customers who are not regular subscribers and who have not completed the subscription procedure, the subscriber page connection unit 14
When 0, the link address for connecting to the WEB site dedicated to registered subscribers is not provided to the user side 50 (x). This is because the subscriber page connection unit 140 is prepared as a function set for registered regular subscribers.

(2) Functions provided to customers who have completed registration for the subscription (purchase) procedure

For customers who have already registered for subscription, the administrator side 3
0 to application input section 130 and price estimation calculation section 120
Is not provided. This is because the subscribed customer has already completed the subscription application, so once the user is registered as a regular subscription customer on the administrator side 30, the function of the application input unit 130 which is a necessary function at the time of subscription application is This is because it is unnecessary, and the customer side has already grasped the subscription price, so that it is not necessary to calculate the price estimate again by the price estimate calculating unit 120.

Further, in order to be able to provide the back numbers of all the published issues to the customers who have already registered for the subscription, the functions of the published issue list display section 101 and the index display section 102 for each issue from the manager side 30. Is provided, and the sample number list display unit 103 for displaying the sample number which is a part of the back number is not provided. This is because the function of the sample issue list display unit 103 is included in the already-issued issue list display unit 101 and the table-of-contents display unit 102 for each issue, and any sample issue can be displayed by the already-issued issue list display unit 101. is there.

If the latest issue of the publication is issued by the publisher, it is necessary to provide the information to the customers who have already registered for the subscription. For this reason, the manager side 30 for the customers who have already subscribed to the subscription includes, as the display unit 100, the latest issue display unit 106 for delivering the information of the latest issue publication.
The above-mentioned publication information of the latest issue, if a new publication of the latest issue is published, the already published back number database 2
The publication information is stored in 1.

Since the customer before the completion of the subscription procedure can only view the specified sample number from the back numbers, the customer side 50 (x) before the completion of the subscription procedure can be seen. For example, the function of the latest issue display unit 106 for delivering the latest issue of the publication is not provided.

Further, as described above, the subscription-registered customer has a page connection unit for the subscriber for displaying the link address for connecting to the WEB site dedicated to the registered subscriber on the user side 50 (x). 140 functions are provided.

<Operation of Electronic Publication Distribution System 10> Next, an operation example of the electronic publication distribution system 10 will be specifically described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic publication delivery system 10 until the administrator side 30 delivers a publication to a customer.

The operation of the electronic publication delivery system 10 until the administrator side 30 delivers the publication is roughly divided into the following three operations. (1) Sales promotion of publications to the user side 50 (x) by the administrator side 30 (2) Subscription application by the user side 50 (x) (3) Publishing from the administrator side 30 to the user side 50 (x) Delivery of goods

(1) User side 50 by administrator side 30
Sales promotion step S200 and step S201 for (x): administrator side 30
Is a customer who can expect to subscribe by any means (potential customer)
Get information about. For example, if the administrator side 30 participates in a conference or a venue where information on publications is held,
Since business cards and the like can be obtained from participants of the conference as a means of exchanging information, the administrator side 30 delivers a sales promotion mail of the publication to the customer's e-mail address written on the business card or the like.

The sales promotion mail here describes the contents of the introduction of the publication and the purchase method thereof, and the user side 50 (x) receiving the sales promotion mail refers to the introduction of the publication. If you wish to purchase the publication, apply for a subscription in accordance with the purchase instructions contained in the promotional email.

Further, among the customers who have expected to be prospective subscribers on the administrator side 30 and have delivered the sales promotion mail, there are actually customers who are not interested in the information of the publication at all. For customers who are not interested in the information in such publications,
When the sales promotion mail as described above is delivered by the administrator side 30, the sales promotion mail becomes a so-called junk mail. Therefore, in order to prevent the delivery of unsolicited emails to the user side 50 (x), the subject (title) of the email delivered to the prospective customer by the administrator side 30 is, for example, "advertisement".
Set the subject including characters such as.

As described above, the prospective customer who receives the sales promotion mail from the manager side 30 refers to the subject of the mail described by including the letters "advertisement", so that the electronic mail is an advertisement mail. You can easily judge that. In addition, the user side 5 who does not wish to receive the same sales promotion email from the administrator side 30 in the future.
0 (x) can inform the manager side 30 of the intention to refuse delivery of the sales promotion mail, as will be described later.

Step S202: The administrator side 30 provides a contact means from the user side 50 (x) to the administrator side 30. This means that, as described above, a customer who does not wish to obtain the sales promotion mail distributed to the user side 50 (x) by the administrator side 30 can indicate to the administrator side 30 the intention to refuse delivery. To do so.

As a contact means for refusing the delivery of the sales promotion mail, for example, information which can contact the manager side 30 is described in the sales promotion mail, and the user side 50 (x) accesses the contact information. To configure. Specifically, for example, in the sales promotion email, "If you do not want to receive the invitation email from us in the future, please access to the following URL. Http: //www.○○○.co
m / ΔΔΔ ... ”and the like.

In this case, the customer who wishes to display the intention of delivery refusal returns to the administrator side 30 by accessing the URL and requesting not to deliver the guide mail in the future.

Step S203: When the administrator side 30 receives the delivery refusal mail from the user side 50 (x), the customer who sent the refusal mail is excluded from the target of the publication prospective customer and the prospective subscription is made. Register as a missing customer and don't deliver promotional emails thereafter.

Step S204: When the administrator side 30 does not receive the delivery refusal mail from the user side 50 (x) who has delivered the sales promotion mail, this user side 50
(X) is registered in the customer database 20 as a target customer of a publication subscription. The administrator side 30 does not return the delivery refusal mail to the administrator side 30 and the user side 50 (x)
Is registered in the customer database 20 to continuously deliver the sales promotion mail.

On the side of the administrator 30, the user 30 does not continuously deliver the sales promotion mail to the user 50 (x) who does not return the delivery refusal mail.
This is because even if the user does not apply for the subscription due to the sales promotion mail distributed to (x), a user who does not return the distribution refusal mail to the administrator side 30 may make a subscription application in the future.

(2) Subscription application by user side 50 (x) Step S205: From user side 50 (x) to administrator side 3
0 to subscribe to publications to user
(X) performs the application procedure according to the content of the method of purchasing the publication described in the sales promotion mail distributed from the manager side 30 in step S201.

Specifically, for example, the above-mentioned manager side 30
The application input unit 130 of the information (for example, a subscription period, the number of users who want to subscribe, user ID as a user information, password, company name, department name, address,
The user side 50 (x) displays an input form for inputting a telephone number, a fax number, a subscription contract person in charge, an e-mail address of the contract person, etc.) in a predetermined format. Therefore, the user side 50 (x) inputs the subscription period, the desired number of users for subscription, user information and the like according to the input form presented by the application input unit 130.

The application input unit 130 uses, as the above-mentioned input information, in addition to the number of users desiring to subscribe to an electronic publication,
User side 50 who also wants to publish the conventional paper publication
In consideration of (x), it is also configured to include a form for inputting the desired number of booklets of a paper medium, distribution destination information for distributing a publication booklet of a paper medium, and the like.

Step S206: In step S205, when the user side 50 (x) desires to subscribe to the publication and makes an application for subscription to the administrator side 30, the administrator side 30 makes the user applying for the subscription. The side 50 (x) is a regular subscription member, and the user side 5 is added to the customer database 20.
Information of 0 (x) is registered. Here, the user side 50
The information of (x) means the user side 50 in step S205.
Application information (x) entered using the application input unit 130 (for example, a subscription period, the number of users wishing to subscribe, and a user ID, password, company name, department name, address, telephone number, FAX number as user information). , The name of the person in charge of the contract and the e-mail address of the person in charge of the contract).

(3) Manager side 30 to user side 50
Distributing the Publication to (x) Step S207: The administrator side 30 compares the user side 50 (x) with the user side 50 registered as the regular subscription member.
The publication information of the number which is desired to be distributed from (x) is distributed via the communication network 80. The publication information distributed by the administrator side 30 is the back issue publication information and the latest publication information stored in the previously published database 20.

Step S208: When the latest issue of the publication has been issued, the administrator side 30 delivers a guide mail indicating that the latest issue has been issued to the user side 50 (x) registered as a regular subscription member. To do. By the delivery of this guide mail,
The user side 50 (x) retrieves the latest issue of the publication and obtains the content of the latest issue.

<Operation of User Side 50 (x)> In the electronic publication distribution system 10, the operation of the user side 50 (x) that receives the sales promotion mail from the manager side 30 will be described. FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the user side 50 (x).
6 to 15 are application input units 130 shown in FIG.
Is an example of an input and output screen presented to the user side 50 (x).

As shown in FIG. 5, an arbitrary user side 50
(X) receives an email for sales promotion of the publication from the administrator side 30 (step S250). Figure 6
It is an example of a sales promotion mail distributed by the administrator side 30 to prospective customers. As shown in FIG.
URL of publication and connection WEB site 1
After 90, the URL 191 for returning the mail delivery refusal intention to the administrator side 30 on the user side 50 (x) is displayed.

For example, when the user side 50 (x) who has received a sales promotion mail as shown in FIG. 6 is not interested in the publication and does not desire to purchase the publication at all, the user side 50 (x). ) Returns a sales promotion mail rejection mail to the manager side 30 (step S2 shown in FIG. 5).
70).

When returning the refusal mail to the manager side 30, the user side 50 (x) clicks the delivery refusal URL 191 of the sales promotion mail shown in FIG.
After the window (not shown) for the return mail to be delivered to the user is opened, the user's own user information (for example, name, e-mail address, etc.), a message indicating that he / she does not want to deliver the email, etc. are described and sent.

Further, the user side 50 (x) who has read the guide of the publication described in the sales promotion mail shown in FIG. 6 and has an interest in the publication is the WEB described in the above mail.
It connects to the URL 190 of the site and tries the electronic publication distribution system 10 that is freely available on the WEB site (step S260 shown in FIG. 5).

The electronic publication distribution system 10 that is freely available on this WEB site is the electronic publication distribution system 10 when it is provided to a customer before the registration for the above-mentioned subscription procedure is completed.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the user side 50 (x) who is interested in the publication is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x) when the URL 190 shown in FIG. 6 is clicked. It is a thing. Here, the screen information shown in FIG. 7 is the user side 50 before the registration for the subscription procedure is completed.
(X) is a free electronic publication distribution system 10
It is an initial selection screen (top menu) when using.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic publication distribution system 10 provides an arbitrary sample number 306 of the back issues to the user side 50 (x) before the registration for the subscription procedure is completed. ing. Therefore, the user side 50
When the user wishes to experientially browse the sample number at (x), the user side 50 (x) clicks the back number of the sample number 306.

Further, when the user side 50 (x) clicks the full-text search button 307 shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to extract a back number having a page in which a search keyword described later is described.

The trial version button 3 in the table of contents shown in FIG. 7 is used.
Even when 03 is clicked by the user side 50 (x), the initial selection screen (top menu) of FIG. 7 is displayed.

Further, for the user side 50 (x) who is interested in the publication by referring to the sales promotion mail, it is generated by receiving the subscription distribution service from the administrator side 30 before the actual subscription procedure. You may want to get a rough estimate of the subscription fees you make. Therefore, the user side 50
In (x), for example, information such as a planned subscription period and the number of users who desire to subscribe is input in a predetermined input form, and an estimate of the subscription fee calculated by the price estimation calculation unit 120 is grasped.

Specifically, when the user side 50 (x) grasps the estimation of the subscription fee, for example, the service / price list 301 in the table of contents shown in FIG. 7 is clicked. In this case, the price estimation calculation unit 120 displays, for example, the approximate screen of the subscription fee shown in FIG. 9 on the screen of the user side 50 (x). The user side 50 (x) has a subscription period 320 and an electronic version subscription site desired user number 3 according to the input form of FIG.
21 and, in the case of subscribing to a paper medium publication as well, the necessary period or the number of subscriptions is input and specified for the paper medium version desired booklet number 322.

Further, on the screen of the user side 50 (x),
Brief description 3 of the input fields 320 to 322 described above
Since 24 is displayed by the price estimation calculation unit 120, the user side 50 (x) inputs desired numerical values in the input fields 320 to 322 while referring to the information in this brief description 324.

Here, although the present embodiment is the electronic publication distribution system 10, as shown in FIG. 9, an input field for the desired paper medium version booklet copy number 322 is provided, and the user side 50 (x). Is configured to specify a subscription request for a paper publication. This is due to the fact that there are users who wish to use documents as traditional paper media, and that paper media documents (publications) are required for browsing by an unspecified large number of people in libraries and the like. It was done.

The user side 50 (x) makes the subscription period 32
The numerical value desired by the user side 50 (x) for 0 etc. is shown in FIG.
When inputting into the input fields 320 to 322 shown in, the price estimation calculation unit 120 estimates the price by referring to the price estimation database 22 based on the value input and set by the user side 50 (x). An example of the subscription fee database in the fee estimate database 22 is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the price estimation calculator 1
The charge estimate by 20 is calculated, for example, by a table including information on the subscription period 330, the electronic version subscription site user number 332, and the booklet number 331, and the calculated charge is displayed in the total column 323 shown in FIG. .

Further, FIG. 10 shows an example of the table structure of the subscription fee database for estimating the fee for the electronic version of the publication, but the electronic version of the fee estimate for the publication of the paper medium is also shown. It has a subscription fee database with a table structure similar to that of publications.

The subscription fee database has a subscription period of 1
The subscription fee may be set to change according to 70.

User side 50 for grasping the estimation of the subscription fee
(X) changes the input values such as the subscription period 320 and the number of users of the electronic version subscription site 321, when the price estimate displayed in the total column 323 is significantly different from the price within the budget range of the user. Re-enter. Therefore, the user side 50
(X) can determine the contract conditions (subscription period, etc.) for the subscription application while grasping the estimation of the subscription fee.

Further, the user side 50 (x) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Even when the estimate button 311 shown in is clicked, the input form for estimating the subscription fee shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x). Also, the user side 5
When 0 (x) is clicked on, for example, the charge system table button 312 shown in FIG. 8, the subscription charge system table shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x), and the user side 50
(X) grasps what kind of subscription charge basis the price estimate calculation unit 120 of the administrator side 30 calculates the price estimate.

The user side 50 who has tried the electronic publication distribution system 10 that is freely available on the WEB site described above.
If (x) wants to know information on back numbers other than the sample number 306 shown in FIG. 7 and publication information on the latest issue, a regular subscription application is made to the administrator side 30 (FIG. 5).
Step S290). In this case, the user side 50
(X) is, for example, a subscription application button 302 in the table of contents shown in FIG. 7, or a subscription application button 30 shown in FIG.
Click 2,313.

When the user side 50 (x) clicks the subscription application button 302, 313 shown in FIG. 7 or 8, the input form for subscription application shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x). Is displayed in. Therefore, the user side 50 (x) who desires to start the subscription, according to the input form shown in FIG. 11, has a subscription period 340, an electronic version subscription site desired user number 341, and a paper medium version desired booklet number 34.
2, customer ID 343, password 344, company name, etc. 3
45, department name 346, postal code 347, address 348, telephone number 349, fax number 350, contractor person in charge name 3
51, the contractor person in charge E-mail address 352, etc. are input.

The user side 50 (x) clicks the button 360 to the next page shown in FIG. 11 when all the above-mentioned input designations for subscription application are completed. in this case,
For example, when there is an error in the input information (such as when the customer ID has not been input), a message prompting re-input is displayed on the user side 50 (x). Also, the user side 50 (x)
When all are correctly input in accordance with the input form, a content confirmation message screen (not shown) of the input information is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x).

When the user side 50 (x) clicks a button indicating the completion of registration, for example, a registration button (not shown) on the content confirmation message screen of the above input information,
The user side 50 (x) completes its own subscription application procedure to the administrator side 30. In this case, in order to inform the user side 50 (x) that the application has been completed correctly, a confirmation screen of application completion as shown in FIG. 12, for example, is displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x).

The authorized subscriber side 50 (x) who has completed the subscription application clicks the URL 372 shown in FIG. 12 when delivering the publication using the electronic publication delivery system 10. Alternatively, the subscriber login button 305 in the table of contents shown in FIG. 7 or 8 may be clicked.

In this case, since the user side 50 (x) is required to enter the customer ID and password for authenticating that the customer is a registered customer, the user side 50 (x) has the customer ID 370 and the password shown in FIG. Enter the password 371. As a result, the user side 50 (x) can obtain the information of the desired back number.

Further, referring to the sales promotion mail, a question to the electronic publication distribution system 10 (for example, the manager side 3
The user side 50 (x) who has a question about the content of the publication distributed from 0 and the distribution method thereof can make an inquiry to the manager side 30 (step S2 shown in FIG. 5).
80), in this case, the user side 50 (x) clicks the inquiry address 373 shown in FIG. 12 or the inquiry button 304 of the table of contents shown in FIG. 7 or 8.

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, in the electronic publication delivery system 10 (including the trial version electronic publication delivery system 10) of FIG. 1, the user side 50 is used.
(X) retrieves information on the desired back number from the already published back number database 21.

<About Back Number Search> The user side 50 (x) clicks the subscriber login button 305 in the table of contents shown in FIG. 8 and confirms the customer ID 37 shown in FIG.
If you enter 0 and password 371, the administrator side 30
You can refer to the back numbers of the publications provided in. FIG. 13 shows an example of displaying a list of back numbers.

When the user side 50 (x) searches for a desired back number from the already-published back number database 21, the number of the back numbers as shown in FIG. I do not know exactly what is being done. Therefore, as described above, the electronic publication delivery system 10 includes the search unit 110 that allows the user side 50 (x) to easily extract the information described in the back number.

User side 50 (x) using search unit 110
However, FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen for retrieving information on a desired back number from the already published back number database 21. The user side 50 (x) searches for a desired back number by inputting a search keyword in the search formula 380 shown in FIG. 14, for example.

The search keyword for the user side 50 (x) to specify in the search expression 380 shown in FIG. 14 is not limited to the search for a single word in which the word used for the search is specified by one word. You can search for back numbers that include all words.

In this case, as an input designation of the search keyword to the search expression 380, for example, "CAD CAM CA
Specify multiple words separated by blanks, such as "E". When the user side 50 (x) inputs a search keyword into the search expression 380 and further clicks a button that shows a signal to execute the search, for example, the Search button 381, the search unit 110 is stored in the previously published back number database 21. Among the back number publications,
Extract back numbers that include all three words CAD, CAM, and CAE.

When the search unit 110 searches for back numbers, it is determined whether or not a word that matches the search keyword specified in the search expression 380 is present in the document information of the publication. Search across pages (full-text search). Therefore, the back number information searched by the search unit 110 includes not only information on the number of back numbers including the search keyword but also information on the number of pages in which the search keyword exists in the document.

Therefore, on the screen of the user side 50 (x), for example, in the case of a monthly magazine, the issue number and the page number in which the search keyword exists are presented as the search result. .

Further, the search unit 110 is provided on the user side 50.
Provide an online manual of search method for (x). The user side 50 (x) can know the input method of the search keyword by referring to this online manual. For example, if the user 50 (x) clicks the search method 382 on the screen shown in FIG. 14, the search unit 1
10 displays a search keyword input method 386 as shown in FIG.

The display number 83 shown in FIG. 14 is the maximum number of backside numbers searched by the searching unit 110 from the already published backnumber database 21 for the user side 50.
This is the part specified by (x). As shown in FIG. 14, for example, a maximum of 20, 50, or 100 back numbers are displayed.

Further, the sort 384 designates by what kind of criteria the back numbers searched by the search section 110 are sorted and displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x). As shown in FIG. 14, back numbers are rearranged and displayed, for example, in score order, date order, or the like.

Here, the scores in score order are, for example,
Based on how many words that match the search keyword are detected by the search unit 110 for each document page of the publication, or whether the document page includes a rare search keyword that rarely appears in all documents, The search unit 110 indicates a value obtained by scoring each page. When the user side 50 (x) designates scores in the sort 384, the back numbers searched by the search unit 110 are rearranged in the descending order of the scores.

As described above, the back number information searched and extracted by the search unit 110 includes the number of the back number and its page number. Therefore, the search unit 1
Search unit result display unit 105 for displaying the search result by 10
The page numbers of back numbers including the search keyword are rearranged in the order designated by the sort 384, and are sequentially displayed on the user side 50 (x) screen.

The summary display 385 determines whether or not the outline of the page of the back number searched by the search unit 110 is simply displayed on the screen of the user side 50 (x). If "existence" is designated in the summary display 385, the search unit result display unit 105 displays an outline of the corresponding page.

In FIG. 15, the user side 50 (x) inputs a search keyword into the search formula button 380 shown in FIG. 14, designates the summary display 385 as “present”, and searches.
It is a figure showing an example of a search result when a button 381 is clicked.

The search result shown in FIG. 15 shows an example in which two back numbers are searched. As shown in FIG. 15, the publication year and publication month (issue number) of the document including the search keyword specified in the search formula 380, and the number of pages including the search keyword are extracted. The number of issues and the number of pages include a score 39 that indicates the frequency of appearance of the search keyword.
0 and 391 are displayed by the search unit result display unit 105. Further, since “present” is specified in the summary display 85, the outlines 92 and 93 of each page are displayed as shown in FIG.

When the search unit 110 searches the already-issued back number database 21 for a back number including a search keyword for each page of a document, and the user side 50 (x) selects an arbitrary page among them, the search unit The page is displayed on the user side 50 (x) screen by the result display unit 105.

[0114] As an example of the method for the search unit result display unit 105 as described above to present the relevant page to the user side 50 (x), for example, the already published back number database 2
The information of the publication is shown in PDF (Portable Doc).
There is a method in which the PDF file is converted into text data when the search processing is performed by the search unit 110.

When the publication is converted into text data in the search processing, the page information is added to the text data. As a result, the search unit result display unit 1
When 05 displays arbitrary page information on the screen of the user side 50 (x), the search unit result display unit 105 can directly display the corresponding page by referring to the page information.

[Third Embodiment] In the present embodiment, not only the electronic publication distribution system 10 of FIG. 1 described above is applied to a publication in a specific publication, but also to a publication in an arbitrary publisher. Also applies.

In recent years, ASP (Appl) is a service provider that provides or lends applications such as business software via a network such as the Internet in units of periods.
(ication Service Provider)
Has appeared.

When the customer user uses the application software by using the ASP, the customer user can use the application software at low cost by accessing the network with a PC terminal or the like.
Therefore, the electronic information distribution service by the electronic publication distribution system 10 described above is an application service provided by ASP.

A publisher requesting ASP to distribute electronic information relating to its own publication independently constructs and operates the electronic information distribution system as described above, or maintains and manages the distribution system. Without this, information on the publication can be easily delivered to the customer user.

For information peculiar to the publication of each publisher, specifically, for example, information such as a subscription fee, the corresponding database information such as the rate estimation database 22 is changed to make the electronic publication distribution system 10 Can be applied to publications of any publisher.

The electronic publication delivery system 10 described above is used.
(Including application services provided by ASP)
In the above, the information to be distributed is not limited to publications targeting an unspecified majority. For example, the present invention can be applied to the case where information described in a limited publication such as a newsletter issued only to a specific member or a secret publication is distributed. The publication is not limited to what is called a so-called book published by a publisher. For example, in the case of page-based information, it can be applied in the same manner as the distribution of the publication as described above.

Another object of the present invention is to supply a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the information terminals of the first to third embodiments, and to supply the system or apparatus with the storage medium. It is needless to say that it is also achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the device reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the first to third embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code realize the present invention. Will be configured. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
A DR, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, or the like can be used.

By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the first to third embodiments are realized, but also the computer operates according to the instructions of the program code. Operating system
It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above processes perform a part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the first to third embodiments are realized by the processing.

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, by converting the information content of a paper medium into electronic information, electronic information can be distributed to a user via a communication network. As a result, compared with information distribution on paper medium, for example, the plate making or printing process can be omitted, or the mailing fee for distribution can be saved, and the cost can be reduced. .

The user who is the target of the distribution of the electronic information is required to complete the distribution application procedure with the distribution source and to be registered as a regular user. In order to increase the number of registered users, we will introduce the contents of electronic information and purchase method to customers who can expect to be registered as regular users (potential customers), and free some electronic information. By providing the device or system that can be browsed, highly efficient sales promotion at the distribution source becomes possible.

Further, the electronic information distributor can efficiently manage the user information by configuring the user information to be acquired by the user for the distribution application procedure according to a predetermined input form. You can

On the other hand, by configuring the user to connect a terminal device such as a PC to a communication network (whether wired or wireless), all the information owned by the distributor of electronic information is held regardless of time and place. Information can be browsed by the terminal device. In addition, electronic information, such as PDF
By being configured to be stored in the format, the user can browse without depending on the environment of the software and hardware that are the basis of the system.

Further, the device or system for distributing the electronic information provided by the distribution source is configured to have a search function for searching all the electronic information issued so far, so that the user can obtain it. The electronic information in which the information is described can be extracted quickly and easily.

Further, in the case of electronic information distribution, the information storage place on the user side can be greatly reduced, so that the user can save space as compared with the information distributed in paper medium. Become.

If the user can specify an arbitrary number of electronic information distribution applications, a plurality of users can view the electronic information at the same time with the same distribution application.

[0132]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can provide information (provided by electronic mail or the like) for purchasing predetermined electronic information (information obtained by digitizing paper),
Since the electronic information that the user wishes to purchase is distributed (sold) based on the user information returned from the user, for example, it is possible to reduce the publication cost at the publisher of the publication and to achieve high efficiency. It is possible to realize sales promotion and save space in the storage area for publications on the customer side.

Further, in order to distribute the electronic information provided by the distribution source to the user, the user is required to have a search function for searching all the electronic information generated and managed so far. It is possible to quickly and easily extract electronic information containing various information.

[0134]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of an information output device or an information output system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer that reads a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of a terminal device or a system on the administrator side or a user side from a computer-readable storage medium and executes the program.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of a terminal device for an administrator.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation flow on the administrator side with respect to the user side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation flow on the user side with respect to the administrator side.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a sales promotion mail distributed from the administrator side to the user side.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an initial selection screen when the user side 50 (x) uses the electronic publication distribution system 10 before the registration for the subscription procedure is completed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when a subscription application button is clicked on the initial selection screen shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an input form presented to the user side when calculating an approximate subscription fee.

FIG. 10 is a table configuration diagram of a price estimation database referred to by a price estimation calculation unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an application input form form when a user makes a subscription application.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for confirming that the user has completed the subscription application procedure and has been registered as a regular subscriber.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a list of back numbers of electronic publications that an administrator browses to a user.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a search input form presented by the search unit to the user side.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a search result of back numbers by the search unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Information output device or information output system 20 Customer database 21 Previously published back number database 22 Price estimation database 30 Terminal device on the administrator side 50 User terminal device 80 communication network 100 display 101 Previous issue list display section 103 Sample issue list display 104 Publication information display section 105 Search result display area 110 Search Department 120 Price estimation calculator 130 Input section for application 140 Subscriber page connection 150 inquiry display 160 Related Link Page Connection Section

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masanori Kuraishi             1-27-25 Kakinokizaka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Taini             Orbit Limited Company

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for delivering predetermined electronic information to an arbitrary user via a communication network, comprising: managing means for managing a plurality of the predetermined electronic information; and electronic information in the managing means. Based on the user information obtained by the providing means for providing the user with information regarding the purchase of the information, the information obtaining means for obtaining the user information from the user for the purchase information,
An information processing apparatus comprising: an information distribution unit that distributes corresponding electronic information in the management unit to the user. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined electronic information includes information obtained by digitizing a paper medium. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution unit distributes the electronic information to the user after completing the purchase procedure of the predetermined electronic information. 4. The user information includes search keyword information for searching for any information included in the electronic information, and the information distribution means is based on the search keyword, and the corresponding electronic information in the management means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is retrieved and distributed. 5. An information processing system in which at least a distribution side for distributing predetermined electronic information to a user and the user side are connected via a communication network, wherein the distribution side transmits the predetermined electronic information. Management means for managing a plurality of items, providing means for providing the user with information regarding purchase of electronic information in the management means, information acquisition means for acquiring user information from the user for the purchase information, and the information acquisition means Based on the user information obtained by
An information processing system comprising: an information distribution unit that distributes corresponding electronic information in the management unit to the user. 6. An information processing method for delivering predetermined electronic information to an arbitrary user via a communication network, comprising: a management step for managing a plurality of the predetermined electronic information; and electronic information in the management means. Based on the user information obtained by the information providing step for providing the user with information regarding the purchase of the information, the information obtaining step for obtaining the user information for the purchase information from the user, An information processing method for delivering electronic information to the user. 7. A program for causing a computer to function as predetermined means, wherein the predetermined means includes management means for managing a plurality of predetermined electronic information, and information regarding purchase of electronic information in the management means. Based on the providing means provided to the user, the information obtaining means for obtaining the user information from the user for the purchase information, and the user information obtained by the information obtaining means,
A program comprising: an information distribution unit that distributes corresponding electronic information in the management unit to the user. 8. A computer-readable storage medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.