JP2003337893A - Device, method, and program for distributing information, and computer readable recording medium in which information distribution program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide merchandise according to points acquired by browsing desired advertisement among a plurality of pieces of advertisement. <P>SOLUTION: A server 100 provided with a user information data base 125 that stores a user ID and acquired points by associating them with each other, a content data base 121 that stores a content ID and value points by associating them with each other, and an advertisement data base 122 that stores a plurality of advertisement contents and advertisement points by associating them with each other, outputs the advertisement contents according to specification by a user and updates the acquired points by adding advertisement points stored corresponding to the advertisement contents to the acquired points stored by being associated with the user ID of the user. In addition, when the merchandise is specified by the user, the server 100 decides whether or not the acquired points stored by being associated with the user ID are equal to or more than the value points stored corresponding to the specified merchandise. <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 distribution device, an information distribution method, an information distribution program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the information distribution program, and more particularly to application software for a personal computer via a data communication path. The present invention relates to an information distribution device for distributing contents such as music data, image data and electronic books, an information distribution method, an information distribution program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the information distribution program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Services in which data such as application software and electronic books can be downloaded using a personal computer or information terminal have become widespread. New or superior content is often offered for a fee.

In principle, electronic books are provided for a fee, except for old works whose copyrights have expired. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-306919 discloses that
As a method for providing a paid electronic book which is such a copyrighted work, an information providing method is described in which information content is divided and advertising information is mixed and provided for free.

It is also described that a questionnaire is carried out in addition to the distribution of the advertisement between the contents. Depending on the answers to the questionnaire, by providing the following content, it is devised to enhance the effectiveness of advertising. This Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-306919 discloses a system that can receive information provision without having the user feel annoyed or anxious about paying a fee for providing a service.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-85785 discloses an information processing method for reducing the charge amount for the main information, and when the advertisement information related to the main information is output to the user. Has been done.

[0006]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In 001-306919, since the contents are divided, it is suitable for distributing contents that are browsed in an ordered manner such as an electronic book, but there are many branches such as application software of a personal computer and the execution order is fixed. It is not suitable for content that does not exist, or for content that is entertained when music software is interrupted. Further, since the advertisement information provided to the user is not arbitrarily selectable by the user and is provided unilaterally to the user, there is a problem in that the user has to browse advertisement information that is completely uninterested.

[0007] It is also possible to select and provide advertisement information that matches the taste of the user by conducting a questionnaire to the user, but this does not always completely match the taste of the user. Also in terms of this point, the user has to look at advertisement information that is not of interest, and it has not been possible to efficiently provide the advertisement information to the user.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-85785, since the distribution data is determined by the user's search, advertisement information of high interest is distributed, but what should the user do when obtaining the main information? There was a problem that it was difficult to know if the discount could be obtained.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of the present invention is to provide a product corresponding to points obtained by browsing a desired advertisement from a plurality of advertisements. Information distribution device capable of
An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution method, an information distribution program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the information distribution program.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object, an information distribution device has an acquisition point for storing a user identification symbol for identifying a user and an acquisition point in association with each other. Storage means, product data storage means for storing a product identification symbol for identifying each of a plurality of products and value points in association with each other, and advertisement data storage means for storing each of the plurality of advertisement data and advertisement points in association with each other , In response to any user specifying any advertisement data from multiple advertisement data,
Corresponding to the advertisement data output means for outputting the designated advertisement data, and the advertisement data outputted to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the designated user according to the output of the advertisement data. Update means for adding up the stored advertising points and updating the earned points, and when an arbitrary product is specified from a plurality of products by an arbitrary user, the product is associated with the identification symbol of the specified user. Determination means for determining whether or not the acquired acquisition points stored as above are greater than or equal to the value points stored corresponding to the product identification symbol of the specified product.

According to the present invention, the designated advertisement data is output in response to the designation of the arbitrary advertisement data from the plurality of advertisement data by the arbitrary user, and according to the output of the advertisement data. The advertisement point stored corresponding to the advertisement data output to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the designated user of the advertisement data is added. When an arbitrary product is designated from a plurality of products by an arbitrary user, the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the product correspond to the product identification symbol of the designated product. It is determined whether or not the value points are equal to or more than the stored value points. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information distribution device capable of providing a product corresponding to the points acquired by browsing a desired advertisement from among a plurality of advertisements.

Preferably, the password storing means for storing the user identification symbol and the password in association with each other, the password receiving means for receiving the user identification symbol and the password, and the received user identification symbol and password are stored in the password. Further provided is a permitting unit for permitting designation of advertisement data and designation of a product on condition that the user identification symbol and the password stored in the unit match.

According to the present invention, the designation of the advertisement data and the designation of the product are permitted on condition that the received user identification symbol and password match the stored user identification symbol and password. . Therefore, only the user who has registered the user identification symbol and the password can browse the advertisement and specify the product.

Preferably, the product is electronic data,
The merchandise data storage means further includes merchandise output means for storing electronic data corresponding to the merchandise identification symbol and outputting the designated merchandise on condition that the judgment means judges that the value points are not less than the value points.

According to the present invention, it is determined that the acquired points stored in association with the user's identification symbol are equal to or more than the value points stored in association with the designated product identification symbol. The specified product is output.
For this reason, the product can be acquired by browsing the advertisement until the acquisition points are equal to or more than the value points of the product.

Preferably, the merchandise is encrypted electronic data, and the merchandise data storage means further stores key data for decrypting the electronic data corresponding to the merchandise identification symbol, and the value is determined by the judging means. Further provided is key data output means for outputting the key data stored corresponding to the product identification symbol of the specified product on condition that it is determined that the points are equal to or more than the points.

According to the present invention, it is determined that the acquired points stored in association with the user's identification symbol are equal to or more than the value points stored in association with the designated product identification symbol of the designated product. The key data for decrypting the specified product is output. Therefore, by browsing the advertisement until the number of acquisition points is equal to or more than the value points of the product, the key data for decrypting the product can be acquired.

[0018] Preferably, the advertisement data storage means further stores questionnaire information and questionnaire points corresponding to the advertisement data, and the advertisement data output means stores the questionnaire information stored in association with the designated advertisement data. Further, the updating means further comprises an answer receiving means for receiving the answer to the questionnaire from the user who specified the advertisement data, and on the condition that the answer to the questionnaire is received,
The acquired points are updated by further adding the questionnaire points stored corresponding to the specified advertisement data to the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the specified user of the advertisement data.

According to the present invention, the questionnaire information stored in association with the designated advertisement data is output,
On the condition that the response to the questionnaire is received, the questionnaire points stored corresponding to the advertisement data specified in the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who specified the advertisement data are further added. It Therefore, by answering the questionnaire, more points will be added. As a result, the user can efficiently acquire the acquisition points and can provide the information distribution device capable of receiving the information from the user.

Preferably, the advertisement data storage means further stores a network address and an information point corresponding to the advertisement data, and the advertisement data output means stores the network address stored in association with the designated advertisement data. Further, the updating means detects whether the user who specified the advertisement data has accessed the output network address, and that the access means detects the access to the output network address. Under the condition, the acquisition point is updated by further adding the information point stored corresponding to the network address accessed to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the advertisement data.

According to the invention, on the condition that the access to the output network address is detected, the network accessed to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the advertisement data. The information points stored corresponding to the address are further added. Therefore, by gaining access to the network address, additional points can be added. As a result, the user can efficiently acquire the acquisition points and can provide the user with more detailed advertisement information.

Preferably, according to the designation of the advertisement data,
The system further includes an updating unit that updates the number of times of distribution of the designated advertisement data, and an advertisement fee calculation unit that calculates an advertisement fee according to the number of times of distribution of the advertisement data.

According to the present invention, the number of times of delivery of the designated advertisement data is updated according to the designation of the advertisement data, and the advertisement fee is calculated according to the number of delivery of the advertisement data. Therefore, the advertisement fee can be determined according to the number of times the advertisement is viewed.

[0024] Preferably, there is further provided update means for updating the number of distributions of the product in accordance with the designation of the product, and product price calculation means for calculating the price of the product according to the number of distributions of the product.

According to the invention, according to the designation of the product,
The number of distributions of the product is updated, and the price of the product is calculated according to the number of distributions of the product. Therefore, the usage fee of the product can be determined according to the number of times the product is designated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an information distribution method includes an acquisition point storage unit for storing a user identification symbol for identifying a user and an acquisition point in association with each other, and product identification for identifying each of a plurality of products. An information distribution method executed by an information distribution apparatus including a product data storage unit that stores a symbol and a value point in association with each other, and an advertisement data storage unit that stores each of a plurality of advertisement data and an advertisement point in association with each other. In addition, the step of outputting the designated advertisement data in response to the arbitrary advertisement data being designated from the plurality of advertisement data by the arbitrary user, and the advertisement data being output in accordance with the output of the advertisement data Add the advertisement points stored corresponding to the advertisement data output to the acquisition points stored in association with the specified user identification symbol , A step of updating the earned points, and when an arbitrary user designates an arbitrary commodity from among a plurality of commodities, the commodity for which the earned point stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the commodity is designated Determining whether the value point is equal to or more than the stored value points corresponding to the product identification symbol of.

According to the present invention, the designated advertisement data is output in response to the designation of the arbitrary advertisement data from the plurality of advertisement data by the arbitrary user, and according to the output of the advertisement data. The advertisement point stored corresponding to the advertisement data output to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the designated user of the advertisement data is added. When an arbitrary product is designated from a plurality of products by an arbitrary user, the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the product correspond to the product identification symbol of the designated product. It is determined whether or not the value points are equal to or more than the stored value points. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information distribution method capable of providing a product corresponding to the points obtained by browsing a desired advertisement from a plurality of advertisements.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an information distribution program includes an earned point storage means for storing a user identification symbol for identifying a user and an earned point in association with each other, and a product for identifying each of a plurality of products. Information distribution executed by an information distribution device including a product data storage unit that stores an identification symbol and a value point in association with each other, and an advertisement data storage unit that stores each of a plurality of advertisement data and an advertisement point in association with each other. The program is a step of outputting the designated advertisement data in response to the arbitrary advertisement data being designated from a plurality of advertisement data by the arbitrary user, and the advertisement data being output in accordance with the output of the advertisement data. Is stored in association with the advertising data output to the acquisition points stored in association with the identification symbol of the designated user. The step of updating points by adding points, and when any user specifies an arbitrary product from a plurality of products, the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who specified the product Is determined to be greater than or equal to the value points stored corresponding to the product identification symbol of the specified product.

According to the present invention, the designated advertisement data is output in response to the designation of the arbitrary advertisement data from the plurality of advertisement data by the arbitrary user, and according to the output of the advertisement data. The advertisement point stored corresponding to the advertisement data output to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the designated user of the advertisement data is added. When an arbitrary product is designated from a plurality of products by an arbitrary user, the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the product correspond to the product identification symbol of the designated product. It is determined whether or not the value points are equal to or more than the stored value points. Therefore, an information distribution program capable of providing a product corresponding to the points obtained by browsing a desired advertisement from among a plurality of advertisements and a computer-readable recording medium recording the information distribution program are provided. be able to.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an information distribution system in one of the embodiments of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the information distribution system 1 includes a server device 100, terminal devices 200, 210, 220, and a data communication path 300 connecting the server device 100 and the terminal devices 200, 210, 220. There is.

The server device 100 is composed of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "personal computer") or the like.

The terminal device 200 is a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The terminal 200 is connected to the data communication path 300 via the mobile base station and can communicate with the server device 100.

The terminal device 210 is a personal computer, a home game machine or a set top box (STB). The terminal device 210 is connected to the data communication path 300 and can communicate with the server device 100.

The terminal device 220 is a portable game machine. The portable game device 220 is connected to the data communication path 300 and can communicate with the server device 100. Also,
Like the terminal device 200, the terminal device 220 may be configured to connect to the data communication path 300 via a mobile base station and communicate with the server device 100.

The data communication path 300 is, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a telephone line, or a communication line for mobile communication.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the server device 100 in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, server device 100 includes a control unit 110 that controls the entire server device 100, and a storage unit 120.

The control unit 110 includes a central processing unit 112,
A read only memory (ROM) 114 for storing a program executed by the central processing unit 112, a communication path connection device 113 for connecting the server apparatus 100 to the data communication path 300, and a ROM 1 for the central processing unit 112.
The temporary storage unit 111 is used as a work area when the program stored in 14 is executed and temporarily stores data.

The communication path connecting device 113 is the server device 10
0 is connected to the data communication path 300, and the terminal devices 200, 2
It enables bidirectional communication with the 10, 220.

Further, the server device 100 includes the recording medium 12
9 stores the information distribution program stored in the temporary storage unit 111.
It can also be read in and executed by the central processing unit 112. The recording medium 129 may be a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk device, etc.) or an optical disk (CD-
ROM / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini
Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), card systems such as IC cards (including memory cards) and optical cards, or mask ROM, EPROM, EEPRO
It is a medium such as M, a semiconductor memory such as a flash ROM, or the like that carries a program fixedly.

The storage unit 120 stores a content database 121 for storing contents such as computer software and music, and an advertisement database 122 for storing advertisement data and a questionnaire regarding the advertisement.
And a billing database 123 for storing billing data billed according to browsing of advertisement data, a content usage fee database 124 for storing a usage fee of the content recorded as sales of the content, and information about the user. And a user information database 125 for storing

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing detailed contents of the content database 121 stored in the storage unit 120 of the server device 100 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the content database 121 has a content ID.
And, data including contents and items of value points are stored.

The content ID is an identification number assigned to each data. The content is the content itself and is data such as an electronic book representing a book as electronic data, computer software, image data, or data representing music as electronic data. Note that the product name or product identification number for identifying the product may be used instead of the content itself. When the content is encrypted and recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed, key data for decrypting the encrypted content is stored instead of the content.

The value point is a point required when outputting the content, and the value of the content is determined by the value point. Therefore, the higher the value point, the more valuable the content.

FIG. 4 is an advertisement database 1 stored in the storage unit 120 of the server device 100 according to this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the detailed content of 22. Referring to FIG. 4, the advertisement database 122 includes an advertisement ID, advertisement content, advertisement points, questionnaire content, questionnaire points, URL (Uniform Resource Locators), and URL.
Store data consisting of items such as browsing points.

The data stored in the advertisement database is
This is the data supplied by the advertiser. The advertisement ID is a code for identifying the advertisement content stored in the advertisement database. The advertisement content is the terminal device 200, 210, 22.
0 is read in response to a request from the terminal device 200, 21
This is the advertisement information transmitted to 0,220. The advertising point is a point given to the user of the terminal device 200, 210, 220 that has requested the transmission of the advertisement content in response to the transmission of the advertisement content.

The questionnaire content is a questionnaire related to the advertisement content and is read out in response to a request from the terminal device 200, 210, 220, and the terminal device 200, 210, 2 is read.
Sent to 20. The questionnaire points are points given to the user of the terminal device 200, 210, 220 that has requested the transmission of the questionnaire content in response to the transmission of the questionnaire content.

The URL indicates the address on the network of the information related to the advertisement content, and the terminal device 200, 21
0, 220 is read in response to a request from the terminal device 20.
0, 210, 220. The URL browsing point is the terminal device 200, 21 that requested the transmission of the URL in response to the browsing of the URL by the terminal device 200, 210, 220.
Points given to 0,220 users.

FIG. 5 shows a charging database 1 stored in the storage unit 120 of the server device 100 according to this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the detailed content of 23. Referring to FIG. 5, billing database 123 stores data including items of advertisement ID, number of downloads, and billing charge. The advertisement ID is an advertisement ID stored in the advertisement database. The number of downloads is the number of times the advertisement content identified by the advertisement ID is transmitted (downloaded) to the terminal devices 200, 210, 220. The charging fee is an advertisement fee paid by the advertiser according to the number of times the advertisement specified by the advertisement ID has been downloaded. The advertisement fee according to the number of downloads is predetermined in accordance with the size of the advertisement point of each advertisement, for example, 80 yen per download. The advertisement fee for the number of downloads can be different for each advertisement data. In addition, an advertisement fee of 2.4 million yen can be set every time the advertisement is downloaded 30,000 times. The billing charge of the billing data of the billing database 123 corresponds to the amount charged as the advertisement fee to the advertiser in the processing of the closing day such as the end of the month.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the detailed contents of the content usage fee database 124 stored in the storage unit 120 of the server device 100 according to the present embodiment. The data stored in the content usage fee database 124 is the data supplied from the content provider.
Referring to FIG. 6, content usage fee database 12
4 stores data including items of a content ID, the number of times of content download, and a content usage fee. The content ID is the content database 12
1 corresponds to the content ID stored in 1. The content download count is the number of times the content content identified by the content ID is transmitted (downloaded) to the terminal devices 200, 210, 220.

The content usage fee is the amount paid to the content provider according to the number of times the content identified by the content ID has been downloaded.
The content usage fee according to the number of downloads is predetermined, for example, 1000 yen per download according to the value of each content. Content usage fee for this number of downloads is
It can be different for each content usage fee data. Further, it is possible to charge a content usage fee of 2 million yen every time the content is downloaded 2,000 times. The content usage fee of the content usage fee data in the content usage fee database is used to pay the content providing fee to the content provider in the processing of the closing day such as the end of the month.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the detailed contents of the user information database 125 stored in the storage unit 120 of the server device 100 according to this embodiment. The data stored in the user information database 125 is information about the registrant registered as a user of the information distribution system.

Referring to FIG. 7, user information database 125 stores data including items of user ID, personal identification number, acquisition point, advertisement browsing history, questionnaire response history, and point use history. . User I
D is a code for identifying a person who has registered as a user of the information distribution system. The personal identification number is provided corresponding to the user ID, and is used to authenticate the server device 100 as a true user. The points earned are
It is the number of points accumulated by the user specified by the user ID browsing the advertisement data. The advertisement browsing history indicates a history of advertisement content browsed by the user identified by the user ID. In the advertisement browsing history, the browsing history is recorded for each advertisement ID. The questionnaire response history indicates the history of the questionnaire content answered by the user identified by the user ID. In the questionnaire response history, a browsing history is recorded for each questionnaire content. As the point use history, a content ID corresponding to the downloaded content of each user ID is recorded.

Next, the terminal devices 200, 210 and 220 will be described. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20
Since the functions of 0, 210 and 220 are the same, the terminal device 210 will be described here as an example.

FIG. 8 shows a terminal device 2 according to this embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows the function of 10. Referring to FIG.
The terminal device 210 includes a control unit 203 for controlling the entire terminal device 210, a communication path connection device 201, a memory device 202, a display unit 204, and an operation unit 205.

The communication path connection device 201 is a terminal device 210.
Is connected to the data communication path 300, and the terminal device 210 is connected to the server device 100 via the data communication path 300 to enable bidirectional communication.

The memory device 202 stores the data transferred from the server device 100. For example, the contents and advertisement data transferred from the server device 100 via the data communication path 300 are stored.

The control unit 203 is a ROM for storing a central processing unit and a program executed by the central processing unit.
And a RAM used as a work area when the program is executed by the central processing unit. The control unit 203
Communication path connection device 201, memory device 202, display unit 20
4. The operation unit 205 is connected via a bus. For example, the control unit 203 controls the display unit 204 to display the content stored in the memory device 202. Further, when the content is music, control is performed so that the content is output from a speaker provided in addition to the display unit.

Next, the information distribution processing in the information distribution system of this embodiment will be described. The service provider (administrator of the server device) has a plurality of advertisement information and a plurality of information contents and provides them to the user (user of the terminal device). The user (user of the terminal device) can select and input desired ones from the list of advertisement information and information contents, and can see the advertisement information distributed according to it.
You can browse information content. However, in order to browse the information content, the points acquired by looking at the advertising information must exceed the separately defined value.

Furthermore, instead of downloading the information contents all at once, it is possible to distribute the information contents on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in advance and give the key information for opening the contents when the points exceed a separately determined value. To be If the information content has a large capacity and the communication speed is not fast, a better system can be provided. Moreover, it can be expected that the indiscriminate distribution of the CD-ROM will cultivate potential users.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of information distribution processing executed by the information distribution system in this embodiment. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 respectively show processes executed by the terminal device 210 and the server device 100.

Referring to FIG. 9, after starting, the terminal device 210 connects to the server device 100 (step S01).
When the server device 100 receives the access request from the terminal device 210, the terminal device 210 that has made the access request.
A web page (Web page) prompting the user to input the user ID and the personal identification number is transmitted to the terminal device 210 (step S21). If the user of the terminal device 210 has a user ID
When the password is input, the user ID and the password are transmitted to the server device (step S02). Server device 1
In 00, when the user ID and the personal identification number are received, the user authentication process is performed (step S22). The user authentication process is determined by whether or not the user ID and the secret code that match the user ID and the secret code received from the terminal device 210 are stored in the user information database 125. If the user is authenticated, the process proceeds to step S23. If the user is not authenticated, a new registration process of the user ID and the personal identification number is executed. The person who is skilled in the art will be aware of the new registration process, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

In step S23, the Web page including the point acquisition status, the advertisement list, and the content list information is transmitted to the terminal device 210. The transmitted Web page is received by the terminal device 210 and output to the display unit 204 (step S03).

FIG. 12 shows the display unit 204 in step S03.
It is a figure which shows an example of the screen output to FIG. Referring to FIG. 12, the display unit displays the acquisition point “128” that the user has acquired so far, a list display of advertisement data, and a list display of contents. The acquired points are data read from the acquired points of the user information database 125. In the list of advertisement data, the headline and the advertisement point of the advertisement content of the advertisement data stored in the advertisement database 122 are displayed side by side. In the list of contents, the content headings and the value points of the contents stored in the content database 121 are displayed side by side.

At this point, the user of the terminal device 210 is
By looking at the screen displayed on the display unit, it is possible to confirm whether or not the content one wants to browse can be obtained based on the number of points acquired by oneself. In FIG. 12, the acquisition point is “128”, and the value points of the three contents displayed are “200”, “180”, and “2”, respectively.
In 20 ”, it is understood that the content is not available at this stage because the points are large and good.

Returning to FIG. 9, in step S04, it is determined whether the advertisement data is selected to browse the advertisement data. If the advertisement data is selected, the process proceeds to step S05, and if not, step S14.
Proceed to (FIG. 11).

In step S05, the advertisement ID indicating the selected advertisement data is transmitted to the server device 100. Upon receiving the advertisement ID, the server device 100 executes the following two processes (step S24).

First, of the billing data stored in the billing database 123, the number of downloads of billing data having the received advertisement ID is updated by adding "1". The charge for the charge data in the charge database is
It is used for processing billed as an advertising fee to the advertiser in the processing of the closing date such as the end of the month. Therefore, the advertiser may pay the advertisement fee according to the number of downloads of the advertisement. Secondly, the advertisement data of the received advertisement ID is read by searching the advertisement database 122, and the advertisement point of the read advertisement data is added to the acquisition point of the user data authenticated in step S22 to obtain the user data. Update points earned on.

Then, the advertisement content of the advertisement data of the received advertisement ID is transmitted to the terminal device 210 (step S2).
5).

The terminal device 210 receives the advertisement content from the server device 100 and outputs it to the display unit 204. As a result, the user of the terminal device 210 will browse the advertisement content. In this way, the user of the terminal device 210 can arbitrarily select and browse favorite advertisements, and can also earn points according to browsing of the advertisements.

It is determined whether the advertisement content received in step S06 includes a questionnaire (step S06).
07), if the questionnaire is included, step S
08, otherwise proceed to step S10. The advertisement content received in step S06 includes information indicating the presence or absence of a questionnaire.

In step S08, it is determined whether to answer the questionnaire. This judgment is made by the terminal device 210.
Is performed based on input from the user. When the instruction to answer the questionnaire is input, the process proceeds to step S09, the Web page including the questionnaire content is received from the server device 100, and the answer is transmitted to the server device 100 (step S09).

The server device 100 receives the questionnaire response (step S26), and stores the received questionnaire response in a predetermined area of the storage unit 120. Then, the advertisement database 122 is searched, the advertisement data of the advertisement ID received in step S24 is read, and the questionnaire points of the read advertisement data are added to the acquisition points of the user data authenticated by the user in step S22. Update data acquisition points (step S2)
7).

Therefore, the user of the terminal device 210 can obtain more points by answering the questionnaire. On the other hand, since the advertiser can receive the answers to the questionnaire from the user of the terminal device 210, the advertiser can collect information about the user of the terminal device 210.

In the advertisement content received in step S06, U
It is determined whether or not the RL is included (step S1
0), if the URL is included, the process proceeds to step S11, and if not, the process proceeds to step S17. The advertisement content received in step S06 includes information indicating the presence / absence of a URL.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the URL is browsed. This determination is made based on the input from the user of the terminal device 210. If the instruction to browse the URL (URL click) is given, the process proceeds to step S12, and if not, step S17.
Proceed to.

In step S12, the transmission of the Web page designated by the URL is requested. When the server device 100 receives the URL of the web page, the received UR
The Web page specified by L is transmitted (step S3
1). The transmitted Web page is received by the terminal device 210 and output (step S13). This Web page is a page in which advertisement information determined by the advertisement database 122 from the advertisement ID received in step S24 is described.

If the Web page specified by the URL is stored in another server device different from the server device 100, information indicating that the Web page has been transmitted to the terminal device 210 is provided to another server device. By receiving from the terminal device 210, it is detected that the web page is browsed by the terminal device 210.

Then, in the server device 100, the advertisement database 122 is searched to read the advertisement data of the advertisement ID received in step S24, and the URL browsing point of the read advertisement data is the user data authenticated in step S22. The acquisition point of the user data is updated by adding to the acquisition point of (step S32).

On the other hand, in the terminal device 210, the server device 1
The Web page specified by the URL is received from 00 and is output to the display unit 204. As a result, the user of the terminal device 210 will browse the Web page. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 210 can acquire more detailed information regarding the advertisement and further can acquire points. Meanwhile, the advertiser can provide the user of the terminal device 210 with more detailed information in addition to the advertisement.

After that, the user of the terminal device 210 determines whether or not to carry out the termination process (step S17).

On the other hand, when the number of acquired points of the user is sufficient for the point requested by the content, the user can select the content he / she wants to browse. In step S14, it is determined whether the user of the terminal device 210 has selected the content. If the user selects the content, the process proceeds to step S15, and if not, the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S15, the content ID of the selected content is transmitted to the server device 100.
When the server device 100 receives the content ID,
The content database 121 is searched and the content data corresponding to the received content ID is extracted. Then, the value points of the extracted content data are read out, and it is determined whether or not the acquired points are equal to or more than the value points (step S40). If the acquired points are greater than or equal to the value points, the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the value points are subtracted from the points acquired in the user data authenticated in step S22 to update the points acquired in the user data. Then, the content of the extracted content data is transmitted to the terminal device 210 (step S42). If the acquired points are not more than the value points (NO in step S40), the value points are not subtracted from the acquired points, and the extracted content is not transmitted.

When the server device 100 receives the content ID, the content usage fee database 1
Of the content use charge data stored in 24, the content download count of the content use charge data having the received content ID is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”. The content usage fee of the content usage fee data of the content usage fee database 124 is used for the processing of paying the content providing fee to the content provider in the processing of the closing day such as the end of the month. Therefore, the content provider can collect the content usage fee according to the number of downloads of the content.

If key data for decrypting the encrypted content is stored in the content database 121 of the storage unit 120 instead of the content, in step S42, the key is used instead of the transmission of the content. The data will be sent. Furthermore, in the case where a product identification number for identifying a product is stored in the content database 121 instead of the content,
In step S42, the content is not transmitted, and the process for delivering the product specified by the product identification number is executed. Since this delivery process is obvious to those skilled in the art, it will not be described here.

The transmitted contents are stored in the terminal device 210.
And is output to the display unit 204 (step S1).
6). If the content is music, it is output from the speaker.

The user of the terminal device 210 can decide whether or not to end the process (step S17), and if the end of the process is selected, step S1.
If not, go to step S03.

In step S18, after the connection with the server 100 is cut off, the process is terminated.

As described above, in the information distribution system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to browse the content according to the points accumulated according to the distribution amount of the advertisement. Therefore, the users of this information distribution system
By browsing advertisements, information contents such as electronic books, PC programs, and music software can be obtained and browsed free of charge. Further, it is possible to select and browse an advertisement that suits one's preference, instead of an advertisement provided unilaterally. Also,
It can be used without changing existing tools such as personal computers and PDAs. Further, since the information content is provided without being divided, the trouble of being interrupted during the browsing of the information content is eliminated. In addition, since points are added every time an advertisement is viewed, a sense of accomplishment and game play can be obtained.

Also, an advertisement provider who provides advertisements to the information distribution system can distribute advertisements that match the user's wishes, and can enhance the effectiveness of advertisements. In addition, it is possible to strongly appeal to the user by giving a high point to an advertisement which is desired to be distributed.

Further, since the person who provides the content information can collect the consideration from the advertisement provider and can provide the content to the user free of charge, many users can be acquired. In addition, since it is not necessary to divide the information content, not only the electronic book that can be divided and provided, but also the information content that is unsuitable for division and distribution can be distributed. Further, it is possible to provide a product instead of the content of electronic data. Further, since the fee can be collected from the advertiser via the service provider, the fee can be collected easily.

Further, the service provider who manages the information distribution device according to the present embodiment is expected to increase the profit by activating the flow of information, expanding the business. Since there is no need to collect charges from an unspecified number of people, the procedure is simplified and the risk of collecting charges is reduced. Furthermore, the popularity of information content and advertisements can be known based on the data of user's advertisement browsing and content acquisition,
It becomes possible to select the information to be distributed. Furthermore, in order to raise the interest of users, in addition to the usual services, it is possible to introduce the methods currently used for improving Internet access, such as quizzes, presents, discount coupons, questionnaires, etc. Can be realized without changing the system configuration of this system. Further, by combining the user registration and the point earning method, the continuous use of the user is expected.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an information distribution system in one of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of a server device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing detailed contents of a content database stored in a storage unit of the server device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing detailed contents of an advertisement database stored in a storage unit of the server device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing detailed contents of a charging database stored in a storage unit of the server device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing detailed contents of a content usage fee database stored in a storage unit of the server device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing detailed contents of a user information database stored in a storage unit of the server device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of the terminal device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a first flowchart showing a flow of information distribution processing executed in the information distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing a flow of information distribution processing executed by the information distribution system in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a third flowchart showing the flow of information distribution processing executed by the information distribution system in the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen output to the display unit of the terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 information distribution system, 100 server device, 110
Control unit, 111 temporary storage unit, 112 central processing unit,
113, 201 communication path connection device, 114 ROM, 1
20 storage unit, 121 content database, 12
2 advertising database, 123 billing database, 1
24 content usage fee database, 125 user information database, 129 recording medium, 202 memory device, 203 control unit, 204 display unit, 205 operation unit, 300 data communication path, 200, 210, 220
Terminal device.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G10K 15/02 ZEC G10K 15/02 ZEC // G06F 15/00 330 G06F 15/00 330B

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. Acquiring point storage means for storing a user identification symbol for identifying a user and an acquired point in association with each other, and product data for storing a product identification symbol for identifying each of a plurality of products and a value point in association with each other. A storage unit, an advertisement data storage unit that stores each of a plurality of advertisement data and advertisement points in association with each other, in response to an arbitrary advertisement data being designated from the plurality of advertisement data by an arbitrary user, Advertisement data output means for outputting the designated advertisement data; and, according to the output of the advertisement data, the outputted advertisement at the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who designated the advertisement data. Updating means for updating the earned points by adding the advertising points stored corresponding to the data, and the duplication by the arbitrary user. If any product is specified from among the products, the earned points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who specified the product are the value points stored in association with the product identification symbol of the designated product. An information distribution apparatus, comprising: a determining unit that determines whether or not the above. 2. A password storage unit that stores the user identification symbol and the password in association with each other, a password receiving unit that receives the user identification symbol and the password, and the received user identification symbol and the password. The information according to claim 1, further comprising a permission unit that permits designation of the advertisement data and designation of the product on condition that the user identification symbol and the password stored in the password storage unit match. Delivery device. 3. The merchandise is electronic data, and the merchandise data storage means stores electronic data corresponding to the merchandise identification symbol, provided that the determination means determines that the value points are equal to or higher than the value points. The information distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising: a product output unit that outputs the specified product. 4. The product is encrypted electronic data, and the product data storage means further stores key data for decrypting the electronic data corresponding to the product identification symbol, and the determination is made. The key data output means for outputting the key data stored corresponding to the product identification symbol of the specified product, provided that the means determines that the value points are equal to or higher than the value points. Information distribution device. 5. The advertisement data storage means further stores questionnaire information and questionnaire points corresponding to the advertisement data, and the advertisement data output means is stored in association with the designated advertisement data. Further outputting questionnaire information, the updating means further comprises an answer receiving means for receiving an answer to the questionnaire from the user who specified the advertising data, and the advertising data is provided on condition that the answer to the questionnaire is received. The acquisition point is updated by further adding the questionnaire points stored corresponding to the specified advertisement data to the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the specified user. Information distribution device. 6. The advertisement data storage means further stores a network address and an information point corresponding to the advertisement data, and the advertisement data output means is stored in association with the designated advertisement data. A network address is further output, and the updating means detects whether the user who has designated the advertisement data has accessed the output network address, and the detecting means adds the output to the output network address. If the access is detected, the information points stored in association with the accessed network address are further added to the acquisition points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who specified the advertisement data. The information distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the acquired points are updated. 7. An update means for updating the number of times of distribution of the designated advertisement data according to the specification of the advertisement data, and an advertisement fee calculation means for calculating an advertisement fee according to the number of distribution of the advertisement data. The information distribution device according to claim 1. 8. The apparatus further comprises update means for updating the number of times of distribution of the product according to the designation of the product, and product price calculation means for calculating the price of the product according to the number of distribution of the product. 1. The information distribution device described in 1. 9. An acquisition point storage unit for storing a user identification symbol for identifying a user and an acquisition point in association with each other, and product data for storing a product identification symbol for identifying each of a plurality of products and a value point in association with each other. What is claimed is: 1. An information distribution method executed by an information distribution device, comprising: a storage unit; and an advertisement data storage unit that stores a plurality of advertisement data items and advertisement points in association with each other. A step of outputting the designated advertisement data in response to the designation of arbitrary advertisement data from among, and associating with the identification symbol of the user who designated the advertisement data according to the output of the advertisement data. Update the acquired points by adding the stored advertising points to the stored advertising points corresponding to the output advertising data. When any product is specified from the plurality of products by any user, the acquisition point stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who specified the product is the product identification of the specified product. Determining whether the value point is equal to or greater than the stored value points corresponding to the symbol. 10. Acquired point storage means for storing a user identification symbol for identifying a user and an acquired point in association with each other, and product data for storing a product identification symbol for identifying each of a plurality of products and a value point in association with each other. An information distribution program executed by an information distribution device, comprising: a storage unit; and an advertisement data storage unit that stores a plurality of advertisement data items and advertisement points in association with each other. A step of outputting the designated advertisement data in response to the designation of arbitrary advertisement data from among, and associating with the identification symbol of the user who designated the advertisement data according to the output of the advertisement data. The advertising points stored corresponding to the output advertising data are added to the acquired points stored as Updating any of the plurality of products by any user, the acquired points stored in association with the identification symbol of the user who specified the product An information distribution program that causes an information distribution device to execute a step of determining whether or not a value point stored in association with a product identification symbol is equal to or more. 11. A computer-readable recording medium in which the information distribution program according to claim 10 is recorded.