JP2004355570A - Subscription service provision system and subscription service provision method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a subscriber to subscribe only to a magazine or the like the subscriber desires; and to improve convenience for the subscriber. <P>SOLUTION: A control computer 4 provides, for a subscriber computer 1, services such as reception of an application to subscription, settlement thereof and designation of a magazine or the like of the subscription by using a Web page. An e-mail server 3 transmits preliminary notice e-mail annunciating planned contents of the next issue of the magazine under subscription or the like to the subscriber. On the subscriber side, when the preliminary notice e-mail is received by the subscriber computer 1, the planned contents of the next issue described in the preliminary notice e-mail is confirmed, and the subscription request for the next issue is transmitted. The control computer 4 receives the subscription request for the magazine or the like described in a preliminary notice sentence, and directs the delivery of the magazine or the like based on the subscription request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a subscription service providing system and a subscription service providing method for receiving a subscription application via a server on a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is a method of selling magazines and the like called subscription. This means that an arbitrary magazine or the like is subscribed for a certain period of time, and the contracted magazine or the like is sent during the contract period without going to a bookstore. Conventionally, a subscription contract is made at a counter of a bookstore, for example, by filling in a postcard or application form for applying for a subscription attached to a desired magazine, etc. In recent years, with the development of computers and the spread of the Internet, it has become possible to apply on the Internet, for example, by facsimile or the like. For example, it is possible to access a Web server on the Internet and make a contract online. Has been done by
[0003]
In addition, with the spread of subscriptions, brokerage services that mediate between readers and publishers are also being performed. This intermediary business refers to, for example, receiving an application for a subscription contract, delivering a magazine or the like desired by a subscriber who has subscribed to the subscription, performing payment, and the like.
[0004]
However, the subscription had a problem that the number of contracts did not easily increase. This is because, in the current form of subscription, regardless of the wishes of the reader, during the contract period, the contracted magazine or the like must be subscribed. In other words, the current subscription service is a very convenient service in the case where the content published in the magazine or the like may be any content in each issue. However, readers who subscribe to the magazine etc. almost every issue, but sometimes do not subscribe depending on the content published, will have to subscribe to issues they do not want to subscribe to, so until the subscription contract You can't take it. As a result, the number of subscriptions was stagnant.
[0005]
Here, Patent Literature 1 discloses a subscription service providing system capable of canceling an issue that the user does not want to read or subscribing to a substitute. In other words, the system for providing a subscription service disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to cancel an issue for which you do not want to subscribe, out of each issue of a magazine or the like contracted as a subscription, and subscribes the canceled fee to a substitute. This is a subscription service providing system that can be used for fees. However, the subscription service providing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
[0006]
In other words, the system for providing a subscription service disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to know the contents of a magazine or the like that the user wants to consider for subscription. In other words, the system for providing a subscription service disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a problem in that even if an attempt is made to consider a subscription, it is necessary to take some action in order to know the contents of the magazine or the like to be examined. Had. For example, a subscriber who decides that the next issue is not needed based on the notice of the next issue described in this month's issue takes the procedure to cancel the next issue and subscribes for a substitute. And when the issue of the next issue is nearing the release date, even if you want to consider subscribing to the issue of the next issue, In order to know the contents, it is necessary to go to a bookstore or take some action such as searching on the Internet. Usually, in magazines and the like that are regularly published, a notice of the issue to be published next to a certain issue is often posted at the end of the issue. Therefore, since the subscription application that canceled the next issue does not own the next issue, it naturally does not own the notice of the next issue published next to the next issue published at the end of the next issue. Therefore, if you are considering subscribing to the issue that will be published next to the next issue you have canceled, you will have to take action such as going to a bookstore yourself to see the notice of the issue that will be published next to the next issue Would. This is very troublesome for the subscriber, contrary to the advantage that the subscription has, such as "you can get the book you want to read without going to the bookstore." Therefore, there has been a demand for a form of a subscription service that allows a user to subscribe only to a magazine or the like for which the user wishes to subscribe, and that is easy to use for a subscriber.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-319157 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the subject of the present invention is that it is possible to subscribe only to a magazine or the like that one wishes to subscribe to, and furthermore, it is not possible for a subscriber to use it. It is an object to present an easy-to-use subscription service providing system and a subscription service providing method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, claim 1 of the present invention provides a notice service for providing a service to a subscriber in a notice service in which a notice message in which contents of a magazine or the like are described is created; A notice distribution means for distributing the notice created by the notice creation means to the subscriber, a subscription request receiving means for receiving a subscription request for a magazine or the like described in the notice, and a subscription request receiving means for receiving the subscription request. And a delivery instruction means for issuing a delivery instruction for a magazine or the like.
[0010]
A second aspect of the present invention is the subscription service providing system according to the first aspect, wherein the notice text creating unit creates the notice text by rearranging the contents of the notice based on the priority information. It is.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the notice text creating means creates the notice text by changing the amount of information of the contents of publication based on priority information. Is a subscription service providing system.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a subscription service providing method for providing a service to a subscriber, in which a notice containing the contents of a magazine or the like is created, and the notice is distributed to the subscriber. A subscription service providing method for receiving a subscription request for a magazine or the like described in the notice, and delivering the magazine or the like based on the subscription request.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A. Embodiment
A-1. Configuration of the embodiment
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a subscription system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a subscriber computer 1 is a personal computer, a portable personal computer such as a mobile phone or a PDA, and has a communication function capable of receiving an e-mail. In addition, the subscription service providing system 2 is a notice server that distributes an e-mail in which a notice is written, a mail server 3 that is a subscription request receiving unit that receives an e-mail in which a subscription request is described, and a supervising computer. 4. The storage device 5 is configured as an external storage device (for example, a disk drive device) for the general computer, and is directly connected by a cable in the present embodiment. As will be described later, the storage device 5 includes a subscriber information storage unit 6, a magazine or other information storage unit 7, a market research information storage unit 8, a survey data storage unit 9, and a delivery instruction information storage unit 10. I do. The server 3 is connected to a supervisory computer via a network (for example, a LAN). The publisher's computer 11 is a publisher's computer that performs distribution procedures for magazines and the like, and is connected to the supervisory computer 4 via a public communication line. Of course, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is shown as an embodiment, and the installation locations of the computers and the mutual connection method can be changed as appropriate. Also, the specifications of each computer can be changed as appropriate. For example, the server 3 may be a mail server and may be a WWW server that holds contents of the Internet. For example, the publisher computer 11 may function as a remote terminal device for the supervising computer 4. Any computer that comes out may be used, and may be a general personal computer or a portable personal computer such as a mobile phone or a PDA. Also, for example, the subscriber computer 1 and the publisher computer have a communication function capable of connecting to the Internet, and also have a browsing function (browser) for browsing a Web page provided by a WWW server on the Internet. Is also good. Similarly, the publisher computer 11 may have a communication function for connecting to the Internet and a browsing function (browser) for browsing a Web page provided by a WWW server on the Internet.
[0014]
The subscriber information storage unit 6 existing in the storage device 5 stores personal information of a person who has made a subscription contract, that is, a subscriber. Here, the personal information is a name (surname), a name (first name), an address, a telephone number, an e-mail address, a contract content of a subscription, a settlement method, a preference, a magazine which has been or has not been subscribed so far. And information about the individual subscriber. Here, the term of the subscription contract refers to a magazine or the like to be subscribed, a period of the subscription, and the like. For example, if the content of the contract is a regular subscription in which a certain number of times within a certain period is selected and subscribed, the period, the number of contracts, the number of times currently remaining, and the like are stored. Further, for example, if the contract content is a regular subscription in a form of subscribing within a certain amount of money within a certain period, the period, the amount at the time of the contract, the amount currently remaining, and the like are stored. Will be. The settlement method refers to a method of paying a fee for a regular subscription, such as a transfer or a credit card settlement. If the subscriber pays by credit card, the type of credit card, credit card number, expiration date of the credit card, and the like are also stored as personal information. The preference is a preference of the subscriber, and is information on what the subscriber is most interested in or wants to know.
FIG. 2 shows an example of the preference, and shows a state where the first to third requests are stored. It is preferable that the type of the preference be associated with a category name such as an article or a special feature stored in the information storage unit 7 such as a magazine, which will be described later, because it is easy to rearrange the contents of the notice in the order of preference. In the present embodiment, the preference corresponds to a category name stored in the information storage unit 7 such as a magazine. Note that the preference may be obtained by a questionnaire or the like at the time of contracting for a subscription, or when information about magazines to be subscribed / unsubscribed is accumulated to some extent, it is obtained by estimating from magazines or the like not subscribed / subscribed. It is also possible. In addition, in the present invention, since there is a subscription request receiving means for receiving a subscription request of a subscriber, it is possible to count what kind of magazine or the like the subscriber has subscribed to, for example, Special features and articles that appear frequently in magazines that are not subscribed can be inferred that the subscriber is not interested, and conversely, they are frequently published in magazines that subscribe. It is possible to guess that a special feature or article is something that the subscriber is interested in.
[0015]
The information storage unit 7 for magazines and the like existing in the storage device 5 stores sentences and images about contents of the magazines and the like described in the notice. In the present embodiment, the notice text has the same content as a notice posted at the end of a magazine or the like actually sold at a bookstore, and therefore, substantially the same content as this notice is stored for each magazine or the like. FIG. 3 conceptually shows a storage example stored in the information storage unit 7 such as a magazine. This example is a storage example of characters and images used to create a notice of a certain issue of a certain magazine. In this storage example, the special features and articles of the issue are classified and stored. Then, items such as category name, description text, description image, number of pages, number of exhibitions, and remarks are prepared for one special feature or article. For example, in the special issue of shoes which is the biggest special feature of this issue, the category name is “shoes” and the description text is “More autumn power accessories first special issue” “Autumn shoes” latest hit check 176 ” Image: "A", number of pages: "8", number of exhibitions: "176", remarks: data of "the biggest special feature of this issue" are prepared. Similar data will be prepared for several minutes of articles and special features to be described in the notice.
[0016]
The market research information storage unit 8 existing in the storage device 5 stores information necessary for analyzing the market. Specifically, for each magazine or the like, a list of names and ID numbers of subscribers who have subscribed and subscribers who have not subscribed, and a notice sent to each subscriber at that time are stored. In the invention of the present application, since there is a means for receiving a subscription request of a subscriber, it is possible to count the subscription requests of the subscriber, and it is possible to obtain information on who subscribed and who did not subscribe. Will be possible. Then, by collating and checking these subscription requests with the distributed notices, it is possible to conduct a market research on what articles, special features, and the like the market seeks. Specifically, by examining the notice sent to the subscribed subscribers, it is possible to guess the reason for subscribing, and to examine the notice delivered to the subscriber who did not subscribe Allows you to guess why you did not subscribe. For example, suppose that a notice sentence contains a content that introduces a special feature of the next issue, and as a result, there are many requests to subscribe, "I do not want to subscribe." , Which means that it is liked and not read, and it becomes possible to obtain survey data indicating that it is a special feature that has caused subscribers not to subscribe. Also, for example, the special issue of the next issue of a magazine is a special issue of shoes, and it shows only a notice text that says "The next special issue is shoes" and the character "Only the next issue is shoes" and a part of the special issue When the notice with the image is sent separately to multiple people, if there is no difference in the subscription request between the notice with the text only and the notice with the image and text, Whatever the method of presentation, a shoe feature is a feature that has a certain demand. "
[0017]
In addition, the survey data storage unit 9 existing in the storage device 5 stores the survey data obtained by the market survey as described above. FIG. 4 conceptually shows a storage example of certain survey data stored in the survey data storage unit 9. This example is a survey result of investigating what kind of action a subscriber has taken as a result of distributing a notice created from the information storage unit 7 such as a magazine shown in FIG. Specifically, we investigated how the features and articles described in the notices affected the subscribers, and noticed the notices distributed to each subscriber and the subscription requests submitted by the subscribers. And was checked against. In the present embodiment, the survey data is stored for each issue of a magazine or the like, and for each content described in the notice, that is, for each feature or article, the response of the subscriber is represented by a symbol, and Each article or special feature summarizes the number of listings, pages, and subscriptions. In the present embodiment, the special features and articles described in the notice are autumn shoes, brand new bags, hairstyles-Bob, beautiful leg jeans, wearing dresses for two weeks: models "Aika", "Asami", travel-" Taiwan ", and indicates the response of the subscriber by a symbol for each article. Specifically, the notice sent to subscribers changes for each subscriber, as described later, so it is necessary to specify what kind of reaction was given to the notices describing which articles and special features etc. This is a survey of regular readers and statistics. Double bullets are articles and special features that have been requested to be subscribed to by 2/3 subscribers upon delivery of notices containing the articles and special features, and circles represent more than half of the subscribers. Are articles or special features that have requested to subscribe, and the triangle indicates less than half the number of subscribes. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the number of exhibits and the number of pages are examined for each special feature and article. These survey data are passed on to stores and advertising agencies that advertise to publishers and magazines, and are used when considering future articles and special features, etc. Is done. As a result, it becomes possible to edit and create magazines and the like and advertisements that can increase the number of copies sold. Note that it is not necessary to limit the present invention to the analysis method and the notation method of the survey data and the present embodiment, and it is possible to adopt a known analysis method and any notation method.
[0018]
In addition, a delivery instruction information storage unit 10 existing in the storage device 5 stores delivery instruction information for performing delivery based on a subscription request. The delivery instruction information is information necessary for delivering a desired magazine or the like to a subscriber who has sent a subscription request to subscribe, and in this embodiment, for each magazine or the like, to which subscriber, It is information on how many books, where, and by what time. Note that it is preferable to create this information in the form of a list because the delivery instruction information can be more easily viewed. When a magazine or the like is actually delivered, the magazine or the like is delivered to the subscriber based on the delivery instruction information stored in the delivery instruction information storage.
[0019]
Note that, in the present embodiment, the form of storage of information stored in each storage unit is shown as an example, and how information is stored in each storage unit can be changed as appropriate. It is. For example, in the present embodiment, the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 stores, for each magazine, etc., how to deliver to which subscriber, but it is not necessary to limit to this, and A subscription list may be created.
[0020]
In addition, the supervising computer 4 has a function of supervising and managing the entire system, and also has a function of creating a notice, instructing delivery based on a subscription request, and analyzing data for conducting a market research. The notice text is created by characters and images stored in the information storage unit 7 such as a magazine in the storage device 5. FIG. 5 shows an example of a notice text, in which an e-mail (hereinafter, referred to as “notice mail”) in which the notice message is described is delivered to a mobile phone which is a subscriber computer, and the notice mail is transmitted. It shows an open state. The notice text shown in FIG. 5 is created from the information of the magazines and the like shown in FIG. 3, and is a description of the text written in the item “description text”, which is an item in FIG. 3, in order from the top. is there. FIG. 6 shows another example of a notice text, which is distributed to a mobile phone which is a notice mail subscriber computer, and shows a state in which the e-mail is opened. In the notice text shown in FIG. 6, the notice text shown in FIG. 5 is rearranged based on the preference stored in the subscriber information storage unit 6, which is the priority information. To explain FIG. 6 more specifically, since the notice of FIG. 6 is transmitted to the mobile phone, the description corresponding to the category name “shoes” having the highest preference is “★ MORE autumn ... latest check 16”. At the top. Then, when the notice mail is opened, the description about "shoes" can be read first. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, since the e-mail is read by scrolling from the top, it corresponds to the category name "clothes-bottom" having the second highest preference under the special feature of "shoes". The description, specifically, "● the shape is beautiful ... the latest version of jeans" is described, and under the description of "bottom", which is the second most popular, the description of "cosmetics", which is the third most popular Are being performed sequentially. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the fifth and subsequent preferences are sorted in descending order of the number of pages, although not shown.
[0021]
FIG. 7 shows another example of a notice text, in which a notice mail is delivered to a mobile phone which is a subscriber computer, and the notice mail is opened. In the example of FIG. 7, the contents of the listing are rearranged based on the preference information, that is, the preferences stored in the subscriber information storage unit 6, and the information content is increased as the priority is higher. It is. More specifically, the order of the description contents is the same as that of FIG. 6, but the description contents “★ MORE autumn ... latest check 167” corresponding to “Shoes” having the highest preference are subscribed. No characters are reduced to maximize the amount of information presented to the user. The description of the “bottom” having the second highest preference is described such that the number of characters is reduced and the amount of information presented to the subscriber is smaller than the description of “shoes” having the highest preference. Specifically, the sentence "The shape is beautiful and the color is interesting" has been removed, and only "The latest version of beautiful leg jeans" has been described. Furthermore, the description regarding “make” having the third highest preference is only “eyebrows & foundation book”, and the amount of information is reduced. In addition, when reducing the amount of information, as a result of reducing the amount of information too much, if the contents described in the notice notice do not understand the contents of the next issue, the notice notice functions as the notice notice When the amount of information is reduced, it is preferable to reduce the amount so that the contents can be understood. For example, in the third "eyebrows & foundation book" of the present embodiment, it is also possible to convey with a wider concept such as "cosmetics book". By making "brow and foundation" a broader concept of "cosmetics", subscribers will not be able to give detailed explanations, but what kind of BOOK will be posted? That can be communicated to subscribers. In other words, although the amount of information given to the subscriber decreases, the content to be posted can be communicated to the subscriber, so this is a preferred embodiment. Of course, it is not necessary to limit to this, and an arbitrary form can be adopted. It is needless to say that, in order to reduce the amount of information, what is conveyed in a broad concept is a content having a low priority.
[0022]
Also, information may be added as the priority is higher. To add information, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, "... latest check 176" and the number of listed products may be described. 6. Although not shown in FIG. 7, if there is a plan such as the number of published pages or a present, the fact may be notified. In addition, in order to differentiate between readers who subscribe directly at bookstores and subscribers, it is also preferable that the notice sent to the subscribers should inform the reader who subscribes at the bookstore the contents that are not available It is a form. By including in the notice notice that the notice is not included in the notice posted at the end of magazines sold at bookstores, etc., it is possible to cause the user to be concerned about the continuation, and as a result Thus, the probability that the subscriber subscribes to the magazine or the like can be increased.
[0023]
Also, when creating a notice, how to write the notice in the notice, such as how many characters the notice can be, or whether images can be attached, is optional. It is possible to decide. Of course, when subscribing to the subscription, the subscriber may be made to select. In the case of distributing to the computer 1 of the subscriber as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to determine in consideration of the display capability of the computer 1 of the subscriber, that is, the number of characters that can be displayed on the display unit. For example, in the case of a mobile phone, if an image is used in a notice message, it may not be possible to receive the image, so that the image is not described, or the number of characters is limited, so that it is preferable that the number of characters be within the determined number of characters. In addition, when delivering to a personal computer, there is no need to limit the number of characters compared to when delivering to a mobile phone. However, if an image or the like is attached, it takes a long time to receive it, which is unpleasant for the subscriber. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt an image with coarse pixels or not to send an image or the like. Of course, for example, in the case of distributing using a facsimile, it is preferable to create it in consideration of the number of sheets, the visibility when receiving, and the like. In addition, since it takes a great deal of effort to create a notice separately for a distribution destination such as for a mobile phone or a personal computer, a notice edit means is further provided in the notice creation means. It is preferable that the notice editing means be used to edit a notice sentence to be delivered to each destination such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, because the notice can be efficiently created. That is, a basic notice is prepared in advance and edited by a notice editing means such as a program for executing, for example, deleting an image and a line feed when the transmission destination is a mobile phone. This makes it possible to efficiently create the notice text, which is preferable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notice text may be separately created such as for a mobile phone or a facsimile.
[0024]
Further, in the present embodiment, the created notice is stored in the market research information storage unit 8 and is delivered to the subscriber by e-mail using the e-mail as a medium.
[0025]
The notice mail distributed from the mail server 3 as the notice distribution means is received by the subscriber computer and read by the subscriber. Then, the subscriber who has received the notice mail confirms the contents of the next issue based on the notice text described in the notice mail and determines whether or not to subscribe to the next issue. It is not necessary to transmit all the contents of the notice by one notice, and the contents of the notice may be transmitted by a plurality of notices, and detailed information may be browsed on the WWW server via the Internet. You may make it do. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the notice sent to the subscriber, only those with a high preference of the subscriber are described. The described notice mail may be delivered, or the WWW server may be accessed via the Internet, and the continuation may be confirmed on the content on the WWW server. The notice may be hierarchically arranged. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, by clicking "* 2 See more details", the notice described in the first notice can be described in more detail. It is also possible to distribute sentences. In addition, in a notice sent to a subscriber, information desired to be transmitted to the subscriber can be described in addition to a notice of a magazine to be introduced. For example, although not shown, the remaining subscription period, the current number and fee, the presence or absence of the previous payment, the payment deadline when subscribing this time, etc. can be described together with the notice and distributed. is there. In this way, if there is information that you want to convey to the subscriber together with the notice, if it is more prominent than the notice, it will deviate from the original purpose of transmitting the notice, and it will be less noticeable than the notice It is preferable to describe.
[0026]
If the subscriber who has read the notice notice wants to subscribe to the magazine or the like described in the notice notice, it is necessary to send a subscription request of “subscribe” to the supervisory computer 4. In the present embodiment, when subscribing, the user clicks “* 1 Purchase” in the notice mail to access the WWW server via the Internet and perform the subscription procedure. More specifically, when “* 1 Purchase” of the notice mail is clicked, the subscriber computer 1 accesses the general computer 4. Then, when there is access from the subscriber computer 1, the supervising computer 4 transmits a subscription service top screen which is a screen for inputting an ID and a password for performing a subscription procedure. On the other hand, the subscriber computer 1 performs the subscription procedure by inputting the ID and password issued when applying for the subscription. When the subscribing procedure is completed, the supervising computer 4 determines to subscribe, creates delivery instruction information for delivering a magazine or the like, and stores the delivery instruction information in the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 in the storage device 5. In the present embodiment, “* 1 Purchase” is clicked to access the WWW server via the Internet to perform the subscription procedure, but “subscribe”. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any method can be adopted. For example, when subscribing, click "* 1 Buy" in the notice to automatically reply to the e-mail stating that you are subscribing, and consider it as "subscribe". It is also possible. Alternatively, a subscription may be made by telephone, facsimile, or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the intention to “not subscribe” is regarded as not subscribing because no action is taken. However, it is not necessary to limit to this and any method can be adopted. It is. For example, the procedure of “do not subscribe” may be performed on a WWW server via the Internet, a mail may be returned, or a procedure such as telephone or facsimile may be performed.
[0027]
When the mail server 3 receives the subscription request, the subscription request is stored in the subscriber information storage unit 6 as history information of the subscriber who sent the subscription request, and is also stored in the market research information storage unit 9. . The supervising computer 4 checks and compares the notice sentence stored in the market research information storage unit 9 with the subscription request issued by the subscriber who has read the notice, and finds what kind of article or special feature is preferable. Investigate what kind of articles or special features are not preferred. This survey may be performed for each subscriber or for each magazine or the like. If it is performed for each subscriber, it is possible to grasp the preferences of each individual, and it is possible to create a notice that can be more interesting. In addition, if performed for each magazine, etc., it becomes possible to understand the preferences of the readers who subscribe to the magazine, etc., and it is possible to create a magazine, etc., which can increase the number of copies sold. . The market research according to the present invention can be performed at any time. For example, it may be performed when a subscription request for a magazine or the like described in a distributed notice is received, or after a magazine or the like is actually sold at a bookstore or the like and the sales of that issue are grasped. You may. The survey data obtained as a result of the survey is stored in the survey data storage unit 9 and, if the survey data is information such as personal preference of the subscriber, is stored in the subscriber information storage unit 6.
[0028]
The publisher computer 11 is connected to the general computer 4 via a public communication line. The person in charge on the publisher side accesses the supervising computer through authentication using an ID, a password, and the like, obtains the delivery instruction information stored in the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 in the storage device 5, and obtains the delivery instruction information. , A procedure for delivering a magazine or the like desired by each subscriber is taken. In addition, the survey data stored in the survey data storage unit 9 is obtained and used as a reference when creating a magazine or the like in the future, or as a reference when creating a new magazine or the like. In the present embodiment, a magazine or the like is delivered from the publisher. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printing company may access the general computer 4 and obtain the delivery instruction information. Good. If the printing company accesses the supervising computer 4 and obtains the delivery instruction information and delivers the magazines and the like directly to the subscribers from the printing factory, the number of intermediaries will be reduced and the subscription service will be provided at lower cost. Becomes possible. Further, in the present embodiment, the publisher computer 11 is connected to the supervisory computer 4 via a public communication line, but is not limited to this. For example, the information may be transferred by storing the data in a configurable storage unit such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or MO and sending the data without connecting the publisher computer 11 and the supervising computer 4.
[0029]
In addition, the survey data obtained by collating and checking the notice and the subscription request can be passed to a store or an advertising agency that provides advertisements for magazines and the like. By passing survey data to a store or an advertising agency that provides advertisements to magazines and the like, it becomes possible to place advertisements that can increase sales. Magazines, etc. are generally read by a certain group that forms a certain group, unlike TV and newspapers, and stores and advertising agencies that advertise on that magazine, etc., also anticipate demand by a certain group. In. If you place an ad that isn't what you want, you won't be able to increase sales. However, in most cases, which product to advertise in a limited space depends on the ability of the person who creates the advertisement. In such a case, by using the survey data obtained by the present invention, it becomes possible to place an advertisement according to the reader's request, and it is possible to increase sales.
[0030]
A-2. Operation of the embodiment
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail.
[0031]
A-2-1. Subscription application
The subscriber accesses the supervising computer 4 using the subscriber computer 1 and registers as a member. In the member registration, the name of the subscription magazine, the subscription period (start, end), the number of times, the use (for home, etc.), the address, name, telephone, fax, e-mail address (E-mail) of the subscriber, Register the destination, payment method, etc. In addition, at the time of the above-mentioned member registration, a preference survey of the subscribers is carried out by questionnaire survey, and as shown in FIG. ing. In the illustrated example, the first request is registered as the fifth “shoes”, the second request is registered as the third “clothes-bottom”, and the third request is registered as the eighth “cosmetics”. The preference information of the subscriber is stored in the subscriber information storage unit 6 as personal information. In addition, a predetermined price is paid in advance.
[0032]
A-2-2. Send notice email and cancel subscription
Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a subscription application is made via a Web page to a delivered notice mail in the subscription system according to the present embodiment. In the subscription service providing system 2, the mail server 3 publishes the scheduled contents of the next issue of a magazine or the like collected for the subscriber according to the preference information of the subscriber obtained by the questionnaire at the time of the subscription. The notice mail is distributed (S140).
[0033]
In the notice mail, the table of contents information of the next issue is described as scheduled contents as shown in FIGS. Which of the described forms should be selected by the subscriber at the time of subscription application. Further, the amount of the scheduled contents of the next issue of the magazine or the like in the notice mail is changed in consideration of the display capability of the subscriber computer 1, that is, the number of characters that can be displayed on the display unit. For example, in the case of a terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA having a display unit with a limited number of characters to be displayed, the total publication amount is reduced, and in the case of a personal computer or the like, the publication amount is increased. The type of the subscriber computer 1 may be registered when applying for the subscription.
[0034]
On receiving the notice mail from the subscriber computer 1 (S142), the subscriber confirms the contents of the next issue of the magazine or the like described in the notice mail and determines whether or not to subscribe to the magazine or the like. A determination is made (S144). In addition, when clicking "* 2 see more" of the notice mail in FIG. 6, the continuation of the notice mail is displayed, and when clicking "* 2 See more details" of the notice mail in FIG. 7, detailed information is displayed. Information will be displayed. If the user does not subscribe to the previously announced magazine or the like, the process ends without doing anything. If there is no response from the subscriber even after a certain period of time, the supervising computer 4 considers that the user has not subscribed and enters the unsubscribed subscriber list stored in the market research storage unit 8 into the list of the unsubscribed subscribers. Add the name of the subscriber and memorize the notice sent to the subscriber. In this embodiment, the unsubscribed subscriber list and the subscribed subscriber list stored in the market research storage unit 8 are stored for each magazine or the like. Of course, the notice sent to each subscriber is also stored for each magazine or the like.
[0035]
On the other hand, looking at the notice mail, if the user is interested in the contents of the published magazine or the like and wants to subscribe, he or she clicks “* 1 Purchase” in the notice mail shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. When "* 1 Purchase" of the notice mail is clicked, the subscriber computer 1 accesses the supervising computer 4 (S146). When there is access from the subscriber computer 1, the supervisory computer 4 transmits a subscription service top screen (S148). On the other hand, the subscriber computer 1 inputs the ID and password issued when applying for the subscription (S150).
[0036]
After performing personal authentication according to the ID and the password, the supervising computer 4 refers to the personal information in the subscriber information storage unit 6 and determines whether or not the subscriber has a balance (S152). Then, if there is no balance, the subscription screen is transmitted to the subscriber computer 1 (S154). The subscriber computer 1 selects a desired amount from the subscription screen and clicks a send button (S156). When the above amount is selected, the supervising computer 4 performs a settlement process to the credit card company (158).
[0037]
Next, the supervising computer 4 transmits a subscription magazine selection / order screen to the subscriber computer 1 (S160). The subscriber computer 1 selects a magazine or the like to be subscribed from the subscription magazine selection / order screen, and performs a subscription procedure (S162). When the subscribing procedure is performed, the supervising computer 4 adds the name of the subscriber to the subscribed subscriber list stored in the market research storage unit 8 and notifies the subscribed subscriber of the notice. Remember the sentence. Further, the subscriber is added to a subscriber list stored in the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 and in which delivery instruction information is described in a table for each magazine or the like (S164). Then, it is determined whether the delivery time limit of the magazine or the like has come (S166). If the delivery time limit has not been reached, the process returns to step S148, and waits for access from another subscriber. On the other hand, when the delivery time limit has been reached, a delivery procedure for the next issue of a magazine or the like is performed to the publisher computer 11 according to the subscriber list stored in the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 (S168). In the above-described operation, a reminder mail may be delivered at a predetermined timing to a subscriber who has not subscribed until the delivery deadline is reached after the notice mail is transmitted.
[0038]
A-2-3. Modification of the embodiment
In the operation of the above-described embodiment, in response to the notice mail, the supervisory computer 4 is accessed, and on the Web page of the supervisory computer 4, a subscription to the announced magazine or the like is applied. Clicking “* 1 Purchase” may automatically reply to the subscription service providing system 2 with a reply e-mail in which a subscription request to subscribe to a previously announced magazine or the like is described.
[0039]
Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a subscription application is made by automatically sending a reply mail to the notice mail distribution in a modification of the embodiment. In the subscription service providing system 2, the mail server 3 distributes a notice mail describing the notice contents of a magazine or the like to the above-mentioned subscriber (S170). As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the notice mail describes the notice of a magazine or the like to be introduced to the subscriber in the form registered by the subscriber at the time of applying for the subscription. .
[0040]
When the subscriber computer 1 receives the notice mail from the subscriber computer 1 (S172), the subscriber computer 1 checks the contents of the magazine and the like described in the notice mail and determines whether to subscribe to the magazine and the like (S172). S174). If the user does not subscribe to the magazine or the like, the process ends without doing anything. If there is no response from the subscriber even after a certain period of time, the supervising computer 4 considers that the user has not subscribed and enters the unsubscribed subscriber list stored in the market research storage unit 8 into the list of the unsubscribed subscriber. Add the name of the subscriber and memorize the notice sent to the subscriber. In this embodiment, the unsubscribed subscriber list and the subscribed subscriber list stored in the market research storage unit 8 are stored for each magazine or the like. Of course, the notice sent to each subscriber is also stored for each magazine or the like.
[0041]
On the other hand, if you look at the notice mail and are interested in the magazines etc. described in the notice mail and want to subscribe, click “* 1 Purchase” in the notice mail shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. I do. When "* 1 Purchase" of the notice mail is clicked, the subscriber computer 1 automatically sends a reply e-mail in which a subscription request to subscribe to the noticed magazine or the like is written to the subscription service providing system 2. (S176).
[0042]
In the subscription service providing system 2, the mail server 3 determines whether or not there is a reply to the notice mail (S178). If there is no reply, it is determined whether or not the notice of the magazine or the like is within the shipping deadline. (S182). If it is within the shipping deadline, the process returns to step S178, and waits for reception of a reply mail. Then, when there is a reply from the subscriber computer 1 within the shipping deadline, the name of the subscriber is added to the list of subscribed subscribers stored in the market research storage unit 8, and the subscription is added. The notice sent to the user is stored. Further, the subscriber is added to a subscriber list stored in the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 and in which delivery instruction information is described in a table for each magazine or the like (S180). Then, when the shipping deadline has been reached, a delivery procedure for the next issue of a magazine or the like is performed to the publisher in accordance with the subscriber list in the delivery instruction information storage unit 10 (S184). In the above-described operation, a reminder mail may be delivered at a predetermined timing to a subscriber who has not subscribed until the delivery deadline is reached after the notice mail is transmitted.
[0043]
In the embodiment described above, or a modification of the embodiment, by distributing a notice mail in which the contents of a magazine or the like are posted, it is possible to consider whether to subscribe to the magazine or the like from the notice mail. It is possible to select a contracted magazine or the like according to the intention of the subscriber, and it is possible to reduce an obstacle that the user has to subscribe to the magazine or the like regardless of the intention of the subscriber during the contract period. Furthermore, for example, a notice mail is delivered to a subscriber who has not subscribed to a periodically issued magazine or the like, so that the subscriber does not need to check the content of the next issue by browsing this month's issue by doing It has the effect of being good.
[0044]
Further, in the above-described embodiment or the modified example of the embodiment, it is set in advance that a magazine or the like for a certain fee can be subscribed, and within the fee, it is possible to subscribe to a favorite magazine or the like at any time. An example has been shown in which a subscription that can be made is made by receiving a notice mail and receiving a subscription request by a subscriber computer, but the form of subscription that can be provided by the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, it is also possible to provide a subscription form in which a desired magazine can be subscribed for the number of contracts within the contract period. In the above-described embodiment or the modification of the embodiment, it is set in advance that a magazine or the like for a certain fee can be subscribed, and within the fee, it is possible to subscribe to a favorite magazine or the like at any time. It is possible to provide a regular subscription that you can do, for example, subscribe to at least one of magazines A and B and so on, but if you are not interested, do not subscribe to both. Provide a new subscription form that allows readers who have a subscription to be able to subscribe to 3000 yen magazines, etc., and if they do not exceed 3000 yen, they can subscribe to A or B magazines at any time. It makes it possible to provide subscription services that are more accessible to readers. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to guess the content of the article that the subscriber wants to take up in a magazine or the like by collating and examining the content of the notice text and the subscription request from the subscriber.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, the contents of the next issue described in the notice mail or the order of the contents of the planned contents of the magazines or the like to be published or the amount of information to be published are changed according to the result of the questionnaire survey at the time of applying for the subscription. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The history information held in the subscriber information storage unit 6, that is, the issue in which the special feature A is published is subscribed, but the issue in which the special feature B is published is subscribed. For example, the posting order and the amount of posted information may be changed in accordance with the past subscription history, such as not being performed. As a result, even if the preference of the subscriber changes, it is possible to provide appropriate information following the change.
[0046]
Also, compared to TV and newspapers, magazines are advertised in magazines because specific subscribers (PC lovers, women in their 20s, middle-aged men, etc.) subscribe to magazines. By doing so, it is possible to place advertisements targeting specific subscribers. Therefore, by increasing the number of circulations of magazines, it becomes easier for companies that want to publish advertisements to gather, so that publishers can increase the income of advertisement fees.
[0047]
Note that, in the present embodiment, the notice text creating means is the general computer 4, but it is not necessary to be limited to this. Any means can be adopted as the notice text creating means as long as the notice text can be created. For example, a person may create it by handwriting. In addition, the notification message distribution means and the subscription request receiving means are the mail server 3, but need not be limited to these. Any means can be adopted as the notice text distribution means as long as the notice text can be distributed to the subscribers. For example, FAX or direct mail may be used. As the subscription request receiving means, any means can be adopted as long as the subscription request can be submitted to the system. For example, a telephone, a facsimile, a letter, a postcard, etc. may be used. Further, the notice distribution means and the subscription request receiving means need not be combined by one means as in the present embodiment, and any means can be adopted. For example, the notice may be distributed by facsimile and the subscription request may be registered by accessing a WWW server, or the notice may be distributed by e-mail and the subscription request communicated by telephone. In order to save labor in conducting market research, data exchange is preferable, such as electronic mail. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a desired magazine or the like is subscribed by displaying an intention of “subscribing” to the advance notice mail. It is also possible not to subscribe to a magazine or the like described in the e-mail.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a notice text creating means for creating a notice text describing the contents of a magazine or the like, and a notice text for distributing the notice text created by the notice text creation means to a subscriber. A subscription request is provided because it includes a distribution unit, a subscription request receiving unit that receives a subscription request for a magazine or the like described in the notice, and a delivery instruction unit that issues a delivery instruction for a magazine or the like based on the subscription request. It is possible to subscribe only to magazines and the like, and it is possible to provide a subscription service that is easy to use for subscribers.
[0049]
That is, in claim 1 of the present invention, a subscription request receiving means for receiving a subscription request for a magazine or the like, and a delivery support means for instructing a regular subscriber to deliver a magazine or the like based on the subscription request received by the subscription request receiving means. If you receive a subscription request that you do not want to subscribe, a delivery instruction not to deliver the magazine etc. will be issued to the subscriber, it will be possible to assume that you did not subscribe, It becomes possible for the subscriber to subscribe only to magazines and the like desired by the subscriber. Here, the subscription request is a request of “I want to subscribe” or “I do not want to subscribe”. Then, when a subscription request of "I want to subscribe" is received, the delivery instruction means issues an instruction of "delivery". In addition, when receiving a subscription request of "I do not want to subscribe", the delivery instruction means issues an instruction of "do not deliver". Note that some subscribers may not submit a subscription request even after a certain period of time has passed. In such a case, since the subscription request has not been received, it is difficult to know how to issue the delivery instruction. Therefore, in order to avoid losing sight of how to issue a delivery instruction, it is necessary to specify in advance how to issue a delivery instruction if a subscription request has not been received after a certain period of time. It is also possible to decide. Generally, the fact that a request to subscribe or not to subscribe is not received by the subscription request receiving means after a certain period of time indicates that the magazine has no interest in it. be able to.
Therefore, for example, if the subscription request has not been received after the release date of the magazine etc. described in the notice, it is possible to determine that the subscription is not desired and issue a delivery instruction not to deliver It is. It is needless to say that it is preferable to notify the subscriber in advance what kind of delivery instruction is to be issued when the subscription request has not been received.
[0050]
Further, according to claim 1 of the present invention, a notice text creating means for creating a notice text describing the contents of a magazine or the like, and a notice text for distributing the notice text created by the notice text creation means to a subscriber. Since the distribution means is provided, even if the user does not know the contents of the magazine or the like whose subscription is to be considered, the user can easily know the contents by looking at the notice. That is, since the delivered notice contains the contents of the magazine or the like for which subscription is to be considered, it is possible to easily know the contents by viewing the notice. For example, a subscriber who subscribes to a magazine or the like published in a certain month applies to the subscription request reception unit for a subscription request of "I do not want to subscribe to this month's issue" and does not subscribe to this month's issue For this reason, even if you can not see the notice of the next month's issue published at the end of this month's issue, the notice sent with the contents of the next month's issue will be delivered, It is possible to know the contents of a magazine or the like to be considered for subscription without going to a bookstore or searching on the Internet or the like.
[0051]
In other words, in claim 1 of the present invention, an advance notice that introduces the contents of a magazine or the like to be subscribed is created by an advance notice creating means that creates an advance notice in which the contents of the magazine or the like are described, and the advance notice is distributed. Since the information is distributed to the subscribers by the means, the subscribers can easily know the contents of the magazine or the like to be considered for the subscription. And if you want to subscribe to the magazines etc. described in the distributed notice, you can subscribe by applying for a subscription request of "I want to subscribe", and "Subscribe to magazines etc. you do not want to subscribe to. You can refuse a subscription by applying for `` I do not want to '' or if you do not accept anything and if you decide that you do not want to subscribe if you do not want to subscribe. Because of this, it becomes possible to subscribe only to magazines and the like that one wants to subscribe to.
[0052]
Also, in claim 1 of the present invention, since it is possible to subscribe only to magazines or the like desired by the subscriber, for example, if the form of the subscription restricts the period and the number of subscriptions, or if within the contract period, It is possible to adopt a form other than the conventional form of subscription, such as a form of subscription that can be freely subscribed. In other words, in the conventional subscription, the application period was limited to the form in which the applied magazines always arrived.However, it is possible to subscribe only to the magazines etc. that the subscriber wants. It becomes possible to implement a new form of subscription that was difficult to do.
For example, a new embodiment of a subscription that was difficult to implement in the past, that is, a subscription in which the user can subscribe to a desired magazine for the number of contracts within the contract period, or a predetermined fee It is possible to provide a subscription so that a user can subscribe to a favorite magazine or the like at any time if the fee is set within the fee. The reason that the number of subscriptions for subscription is stagnant is that, during the contract period, regardless of whether or not to read, it is necessary to subscribe to the contracted magazine or the like. For example, some readers have formed a subscription pattern in which they subscribe to a magazine or the like almost every issue, but do not subscribe if they are not interested. Since such readers subscribe to the magazines and other issues almost every issue, they may decide to subscribe to the magazines etc. without going to bookstores, but subscribe to issues that they do not want to subscribe to with conventional subscriptions It is assumed that the user will not be able to subscribe to the subscription. Therefore, it is possible to provide such readers with a new form of subscription, for example, that they can select only the issues they want to subscribe to, such as magazines, six times a year. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use subscription service. Further, for example, some people form a subscription pattern in which at least one of a magazine A and a magazine B is subscribed to every issue, but if the content is not interesting, neither is subscribed. Although such readers subscribe to magazines A or B almost every issue, they cannot go to the bookstore this month because the conventional method cannot pass the request to not subscribe to A this month. It is assumed that there is only a method. Therefore, such a reader is set to be able to subscribe to, for example, a magazine or the like for 3000 yen, and if it does not exceed 3000 yen, it is possible to subscribe to a magazine or the like of A or B at any time. It is possible to provide forms and provide a subscription service that is more accessible to readers.
[0053]
That is, according to claim 1 of the present invention, various subscription patterns formed by each reader can be realized by a subscription service. Here, the term “subscription” refers to a purchase method that allows a user to subscribe without going to a store such as a bookstore, and that can predict the purchase behavior of each customer. That is, as a purchasing method that can be subscribed without going to a store such as a bookstore, for example, there is a purchasing method such as mail order sales and door-to-door sales. However, in mail-order sales and door-to-door sales, it is difficult to predict when and what product each customer will subscribe to. On the other hand, a subscription is the same as a mail-order sale and a door-to-door sale in that it is possible to subscribe without going to a store such as a bookstore. It is a sales method that can predict what kind of product to subscribe to. In other words, in a subscription, a customer purchases at an arbitrary number of times, at an arbitrary number of times, at a certain price, at a seller / manufacturer such as a publisher, and at a product type such as a magazine. However, it becomes possible to predict, and it becomes possible to determine the number of production schedules that is almost the same as the actual number sold after sale. In other words, a subscription means that users who use the subscription can get the products they want without going to a store such as a bookstore, and for a sales / manufacturer who provides a subscription, It is a sales method or a purchasing method that makes it possible to predetermine the number of production schedules close to the number sold, or more specifically, determines the quantity and amount to be subscribed in advance by contract and within the scope of the contract Subscription is a subscription method in any form as long as it is a purchasing method or a selling method of subscribing. For example, the period and the number of times that the user can subscribe is determined in advance by a contract, and in that period, the number of contracts, the purchasing method or the selling method that can be subscribed is also a form of regular subscription. A purchasing method or a selling method, in which a fee is determined by a contract and a subscription is possible within the contracted fee range during that period, is also a form of regular subscription. The subscription service is a service for providing such a subscription. Specific examples include subsidizing subscriptions, subscribing contracts, delivering contracted magazines, etc., and closing accounts for those who want to start subscribing. In addition, the subscription service providing system of the invention of the present application is used to distribute a notice, receive a subscription request, and deliver a magazine or the like to which a subscription request is made to a subscriber who has subscribed to the subscription. This is a subscription service providing system used.
[0054]
Further, since the subscription service providing system of the present invention has a subscription request receiving means, it is possible to count the purchase behavior of the subscribers to subscribe or not to subscribe, and as a result, the actual purchase behavior , It is possible to conduct more specific market research. In other words, since the subscription request received by the subscription request receiving means is determined based on the delivered notice, it is necessary to check the subscription request sent to the subscription request receiving means with the delivered notice. Thus, it is possible to investigate how the contents described in the notice have affected the subscription request of the subscriber, and it is possible to investigate the demand of the subscriber. For example, suppose that a notice sentence contains a content that introduces a special feature of the next issue, and as a result, there are many requests to subscribe, "I want to subscribe." , Which means that it is liked and read, and it becomes possible to obtain survey data that indicates that the feature is a feature that triggered a subscriber to subscribe.
[0055]
Conventionally, in order to grasp the demand of readers who subscribe to the magazine or the like, a questionnaire method is used in which the reader is asked which feature or article is the most interesting. For example, postcards for questionnaires and fax-only papers are attached to magazines, etc., addresses of websites created for questionnaires are described with articles, etc., and sweepstakes held in a special feature of magazines, etc. By applying a questionnaire in order to apply for (in this way, by asking the reader to answer the questionnaire which feature or article was most interesting, The survey method was called "questionnaire method.") The readers who subscribed to the magazine, etc., wanted to know what articles and special features were popular. However, in this questionnaire method, the answer to the questionnaire itself is influenced by the intention of the reader. In other words, it is undeniable that the answer to the questionnaire was intentionally created by the respondent, and the survey data obtained by the questionnaire method must be said to be of low reliability. .
[0056]
Furthermore, it cannot be denied that the survey data obtained by the questionnaire method is for a limited limited population. In other words, in order to answer a questionnaire, you must subscribe to magazines, etc., so the survey data obtained by the questionnaire method is limited to a limited population of people who subscribed to the magazine, etc. and answered the questionnaire It cannot be denied that the data is obtained in.
[0057]
Of course, in the subscription service providing system of the present invention, the subscription requests that can be collected by the subscription request receiving means are subscription requests of those who have applied for the subscription, and can be said to be a limited population. . However, the population obtained by the subscription request receiving means of the present invention is at least a subscriber who subscribes to the magazine or the like, and may subscribe depending on the contents of the magazine or the like. A population formed by readers. Further, there are a population that does not exist in the conventional questionnaire method and that does not answer the questionnaire and a population that does not subscribe to this issue. In other words, in the subscription service providing system of the present invention, it is possible to obtain market research data, which could not be obtained by the conventional questionnaire method, why the user did not subscribe to this issue.
[0058]
In the conventional questionnaire method, since it is impossible to answer a questionnaire without subscribing to a magazine, the population is necessarily composed only of readers who have subscribed to a magazine or the like. As a result, it was possible to obtain survey data such as which features and articles were interesting, but it was not possible to obtain survey data as to why the magazine or the like was not subscribed. However, in order to further increase sales of magazines, etc., it is important to keep the interest of readers who are currently subscribed, but it is also important to attract the interest of readers who are not currently subscribed. is there. One of the most reliable ways to increase sales is to encourage readers who have a purchasing pattern to subscribe to the magazine etc. almost every issue but not depending on the content of the publication, to always subscribe. That is. In the subscription service providing system of the present invention, among the subscription requests that can be collected by the subscription request receiving means, there is, of course, a subscription request of “not subscribe this time”. By collating and checking such a subscription request with the distributed notice, it is possible to collect data on why the user did not subscribe, such as why he did not subscribe to this issue. For example, suppose that a notice sentence contains a content that introduces a special feature of the next issue, and as a result, there are many requests to subscribe, "I do not want to subscribe." Means that it is preferred and not read, and it is possible to obtain survey data indicating that this is a special feature that has caused subscribers not to subscribe. By examining the reasons for not subscribing in this way, it is possible to encourage readers who have a purchasing pattern that subscribes to the magazine etc. almost every issue but does not subscribe depending on the content of the publication, to always subscribe , And it is possible to increase sales of magazines and the like.
[0059]
Of course, the subscription requests collected by the subscription request receiving means in the subscription service providing system of the present invention include a population that does not exist in the conventional questionnaire system and does not answer the questionnaire. Therefore, it goes without saying that market research in the population that does not answer the questionnaire becomes possible. When examining future magazines and the like, it is more widespread to use both the survey data obtained from the subscription service providing system of the present invention and the survey data obtained by the questionnaire method. Needless to say, it is preferable because the study can be performed on a population.
[0060]
Here, a magazine or the like is a product in which a sales method or a purchasing method that can be subscribed within the scope of the contract is determined in advance by deciding the quantity and amount to subscribe, etc. Also applies. For example, there is a magazine, calendar, or other printed matter. The magazine may be any one that is published regardless of periodical or irregular.Examples of periodicals include newspapers, weekly, monthly, quarterly, academic journals, catalogs, and the like. And the irregular publications include special issues, commemorative magazines, and the like. In addition, the book may be any book, irrespective of a paperback book or a book, as long as it is a copyrighted work. The calendar may be any paper as long as the calendar can be printed, such as a daily calendar and a desk calendar. Other printed materials include pictures such as paintings and calligraphy, and stationery such as notebooks and albums. These printed materials, for example, when selling a picture or stationery with a different design every month, you can subscribe to a picture or stationery of your favorite design six times a year, or the purchase method Since it can be implemented, it corresponds to a magazine or the like. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these, and it is possible to determine in advance the quantity and amount to be subscribed by a contract and to implement a sales method or a purchasing method that can be subscribed within the contract. All products are magazines. The term “subscriber” refers to a person who has made a contract for a subscription by the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
[0061]
In addition, the notice is a sentence created in order to inform the subscriber of the contents of a magazine or the like that the subscriber who is subscribing is considering to subscribe or to introduce the subscriber to the subscriber in advance. It is composed of images and the like. The letters and images described in the notice may be the same as those in the notice at the end of a magazine or the like, or may be further described in detail. By adding a more detailed description than a notice posted at the end of a magazine or the like, it is possible to give preferential treatment to subscribers, and it is possible to increase the number of contracts for subscription. For example, at the end of a magazine, the only issue is "The next issue is a special feature on shoes." The number of shoes to be introduced is 50. "and give more detailed information than the notice at the end of the magazine, so that the regular subscribers go to bookstores and prefer to regular subscribers It will be possible to increase the number of subscription contracts. The medium in which the notice is described can be any medium as long as the notice can be distributed to the subscribers. For example, the notice may be printed on paper and distributed to the subscriber by direct mail, facsimile, or the like, or the notice may be described in an e-mail and distributed to the subscriber by e-mail. In addition, for example, the transmission destination of the e-mail may be a portable computer such as a mobile phone or a PDA. By sending the e-mail to a portable computer such as a mobile phone or PDA, it is possible to view the advertisement text anytime and anywhere, and provide information in a form that is more user-friendly. It becomes possible. In the case where the notice is transmitted by e-mail, if the notice containing the image is transmitted, for example, a problem that a considerable amount of time is required for reception may occur, or a mobile phone or a PDA may be used. In portable terminals such as, there are restrictions on the characters received and the like. For example, there is a possibility of transmitting a notice message that has been cut off halfway, and therefore, care must be taken when creating a notice message. However, creating a notice for each subscriber in consideration of the above-mentioned problems would require a huge amount of time and effort. Is newly provided, and is changed according to the method of distributing the notice text, thereby making it possible to reduce the trouble of creating the notice text. For example, if only one preliminary notice is created and the method of distributing the preliminary notice is e-mail, by providing control means such as removing images from the underlying notice, It is possible to reduce the time and effort required to create a notice.
[0062]
In addition, the contents of a magazine or the like described in the notice can be the contents of a magazine or the like. For example, an advertisement that introduces a magazine or the like that has become a topic at that time may be described, an advertisement for a newly issued new guide may be described, and furthermore, the subscriber may read the advertisement. An advertisement that introduces a magazine or the like that is expected to be written may be described. People who read similar magazines, etc. often have similar preferences, so a certain subscriber can be given a magazine that another subscriber who has subscribed to the same magazine, etc. It is thought that by introducing such a magazine, it is possible to introduce a magazine or the like that is more suited to the preference of the subscriber, and it can be linked to sales promotion of the magazine or the like. In the subscription service providing system of the present invention, it goes without saying that the notice is distributed only to the subscribers who have subscribed to the subscription.
[0063]
In addition, the contents of publication of magazines and the like described in the preview notice can be the contents of publication of an arbitrary number of magazines and the like. For example, if the contents of one magazine or the like are described in one notice, the contents of the publication can be described in more detail. Conversely, the contents of at least two magazines or the like can be described in one notice. , It is possible to introduce a number of magazines and the like in one notice. Here, the publication content is the content in the magazine or the like, and is, for example, an explanation of an article or a special feature, a concept, a cover, an explanation of a feature, or the like. In addition, the timing of distributing the notice to the subscriber can be set at any time. For example, it may be distributed periodically, such as at the same time as the release date of the issue for which you do not want to subscribe to a magazine or the like to which you have applied for a subscription, or one week before the release date of the next issue. Then, when contracting for the subscription, the subscriber may be caused to specify the distribution date. Furthermore, the number of times of distribution of the notice text to the subscriber can be set to an arbitrary number. For example, after delivering to all members at the same time as the release date of the issue you do not want to subscribe to, the second distribution will be made to subscribers who have not applied for a subscription request one week before the release date of the next issue For example, you can check to see if you really want to subscribe. When the notice is distributed at least twice, it is needless to say that it is possible to have the subscriber select the number of distributions.
[0064]
In addition, when the notice is distributed at least twice, the notice may be distributed with the contents of the notice changed each time. For example, it is also possible to distribute a notice text in which the content of the issue following the issue for which the user does not wish to subscribe is changed every week. This makes it possible to introduce the contents from various angles. Further, by distributing the notice at least twice and changing the contents of the notice each time, it is possible to conduct a more detailed investigation in conducting the above-mentioned market research. That is, by dividing the notice text into two parts, it is possible to divide the contents that can be conveyed in one delivery. As a result, it is possible to investigate a more detailed part that cannot be examined by one delivery. For example, let us consider a case where a notice is going to include both notices of a special feature A and a special feature B in a certain magazine or the like. As a result of delivering both the special feature A and special feature B notices in one delivery, if the subscription request “I want to subscribe” is received, the subscriber will be interested in either special feature A or special feature B. It's unclear if you're attracted and want to subscribe. For example, it may be that only feature A is interested or that both are interesting. However, as a result of distributing special feature A and special feature B, after receiving special feature A, we did not receive any subscription request, but after distributing special feature B, we received a subscription request of "I want to subscribe" In some cases, the subscriber may be at least interested in feature B and may have decided to subscribe to feature B. In this manner, a more detailed investigation can be performed by dividing the notice text and distributing it in several times. It is preferable that the subscription request received by the subscription request receiving unit be sent by e-mail in order to eliminate the need to input data again when conducting market research.
[0065]
Further, in the subscription service providing system of the present invention, when applying for a subscription request such as "I want to subscribe" or "I do not want to subscribe" to the subscription request receiving means, it is possible to apply by any method. For example, you can apply by fax or postal mail, stating "What month's issue do you want to subscribe to?", Or apply by sending an e-mail stating that you wish to subscribe. Is also possible. Further, for example, an application form may be distributed together with the notice text, and the application form may be used when making an application. Further, when the notice is distributed by e-mail, it may be determined that the user wishes to subscribe simply by replying to the e-mail. In addition, if the distribution of the notice and the acceptance of the subscription request are performed by e-mail, not only the use of paper, but also the distribution of the notice and the acceptance of the subscription request can be performed without cost, Since distribution and reception can be performed on the network, distribution and reception can be performed more quickly. As described above, if there is no application for a subscription request and there is a rule such as "I do not want to subscribe", I may apply for "I do not want to subscribe" by taking no action It is possible.
[0066]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the notice text creating means rearranges the contents of the magazine or the like based on the priority information to create the notice text, so that the notice text giving more impact to the subscriber can be obtained. It can be created. That is, the notice text is made up of characters and images as described above. And depending on how to write the notice, it will not be possible to attract the interest of the subscribers, dissatisfaction with the subscription service, and also adversely affect the sales of magazines etc. described in the notice There is a problem that. For example, in a case where a plurality of pieces of information are described, for example, in a single notice, each feature or article of a plurality of magazines or the like is described, a notice in which a sentence describing the special feature and an image are lined up without a hitch. Not only makes it difficult to read the notice, but if you do not look carefully at every corner, you may overlook that the article or feature that you are interested in is described, or you may be interested in the notice itself. It is conceivable that such drawbacks may occur that the sales of magazines and the like may be adversely affected because they are not drawn. Further, it is considered that the above-described adverse effects are more likely to occur when the number of characters described in the notice is larger than that in the image. For example, when distributing a notice by e-mail, if an image is described, the capacity of the notice will increase, and it will take time and fee to receive it, so the notice must be written only in text It is conceivable. As a result, the notice will be distributed in complete letters, and it will not be possible to attract the interest of the subscriber because it is only letters, which will adversely affect the sales of magazines etc. May occur. However, if the amount of information included in the notice is reduced to eliminate such adverse effects, there is a risk that necessary information may be leaked.
[0067]
According to claim 2 of the present invention, the notice text creating means creates a notice text that gives a greater impact to the subscriber, because the content of the magazine or the like is rearranged based on the priority information to create the notice text. And the above-mentioned problems can be solved. In other words, the contents of magazines etc. are rearranged based on priority information to create a notice, so that the amount of information introduced in one notice is not changed, giving more impact to subscribers and increasing interest. It is possible to create notices that can be drawn, it will not be possible to attract subscribers' interest, dissatisfaction with the subscription service, sales of magazines etc. that the notices are described in It is possible to solve a problem such as causing an adverse effect.
[0068]
Here, the priority information is information used when deciding the order of rearranging the publication contents. That is, when the contents of the listing are rearranged, the sorting is performed based on the priority information. As the priority information, any information can be adopted as long as the contents of the publication can be rearranged. For example, if the priority information is the number of pages on which each article is published, and the contents of the publication are sorted in descending order of the number of pages, it is possible to arrange in the order of the editors and authors who created the magazine etc. become. Generally, it is considered that an article that an editor, an author, or the like wants to convey or introduce more has a larger number of pages. Therefore, by setting the priority information as the number of pages for each article or special feature and sorting the pages in descending order of the number of pages, it is possible to sort the contents in the order according to the editors and authors who created the magazine etc. become. As a result, it is possible to create a notice that can give an impact to the subscriber and draw the interest of the subscriber. Also, for example, if the priority information is the order of articles and special features that the subscriber likes, and if the contents are arranged in descending order of the preference of the subscriber, it can be sorted in the order that the subscriber wants to know more Will be possible. As a result, it is possible to create a notice that can give an impact to the subscriber and draw the interest of the subscriber. The preference information of the subscriber, which is the priority information, can be obtained by receiving a questionnaire or the like in advance, and if the number of subscriptions has increased to some extent, it is published in a magazine or the like to which the user has subscribed. It is also possible to consider the appearance frequency of special features and articles as the order of preference. For example, if a subscriber always subscribes to a magazine or the like in which a special feature of a shoe or an article of a shoe is published, the subscriber is considered to be very interested in the shoe. Therefore, if the frequency of appearances of special features and articles published in magazines and the like to which the user has subscribed so far is counted, the frequency of appearance of shoes is considered to be high. Therefore, by estimating that the higher the appearance frequency is, the higher the preference is, it is possible to estimate the preference without having to answer the questionnaire. Conversely, the frequency of appearances of special features and articles published in magazines and the like that have not been subscribed so far can be regarded as an order that is not preferred. For example, if a subscriber has not always subscribed to a magazine or the like in which a special feature of a shoe or an article of a shoe is published, it is considered that the subscriber has no interest in the shoe at all. Therefore, if the frequency of appearances of special features and articles published in magazines and the like that have not been subscribed so far is counted, it is considered that the frequency of appearance of shoes increases. Therefore, by estimating that the higher the appearance frequency is, the lower the preference is, it is possible to guess what is not preferred without having to answer the questionnaire. Furthermore, when counting the frequency of appearance from magazines, etc. that have been subscribed to or not subscribed to, the appearance of articles and special features published in all magazines, etc. that have been subscribed or not subscribed so far. Rather than counting the frequency, for example, magazines that have subscribed or not subscribed to in the past that are relatively distant, such as within the past year, more preferably within the past 6 months, or within the past 3 months By summing up the frequency of appearances of special features and articles published in, it is possible to infer recent preferences. In addition, when asked to answer what you like or dislike by a questionnaire, it takes a lot of effort to answer all the contents of the publication. For example, it is up to 5th, more preferably 3rd It is advisable to decide in advance the number of people who will be asked to answer, for example,
[0069]
Also, as a result of rearranging based on the priority information, the publication contents that must be given the highest priority (hereinafter, the publication contents that must be given the highest priority must be referred to as “first publication contents”, and the second priority must be given below) It is optional to place the contents of the notice in the “second publication contents”,..., The contents of the publication that must be prioritized at the Nth position as “Nth publication contents” in the notice position. Although it is possible to decide at a glance, it is preferable to describe the notice notice in the most noticeable position at a glance at the first glance because it makes it possible for the subscriber to give an impact . Here, an eye-catching position means, for example, that a person generally starts reading from the beginning, so that by writing the first posted content at the beginning, it is possible to create a noticeable sentence with a higher impact . Of course, it is not necessary to limit to the beginning. For example, in the case of circular paper, the center or the like is also considered to be an eye-catching position. Examples of the eye-catching form include, for example, changing the typeface, increasing the size, and changing the color for characters, and increasing the size for images, And changing the angle. Of course, it is not necessary to limit to these, and any form can be adopted as long as it can be made easier to see or can make an impact. In addition, the low-priority content, such as the second content under the first content, and the third content under the second content, Needless to say, it is better to write below the high-ranking content so that it is less noticeable than the high-ranking content. Further, it is possible to arbitrarily determine which of the listed contents sorted by the priority information is described in an eye-catching form. For example, only the first posted content may be described in an eye-catching form, or the first posted content to the third posted content may be described in an eye-catching manner. Furthermore, it is also possible to make the description form the same regardless of the priority information, and to simply describe the information in a rearranged manner.
In addition, the rearrangement can be performed based on one piece of priority information, or can be performed based on two or more pieces of priority information. That is, it can be performed based on at least one piece of priority information. For example, it is also possible to rearrange the contents of publication by using information for each publication page, which is priority information, and information of preference of a subscriber, which is priority information. In this case, the first and second contents may be determined based on the information of the subscriber's preference, and the third and subsequent contents may be determined based on the information of each page.
[0070]
Also, in claim 2 of the present invention, since the notice is created by rearranging the notice based on the priority information, the subscriber can request the subscription of the magazine or the like described in the notice without reading the entire notice. Decisions can be made, and more accessible subscription services can be provided. For example, a subscriber who subscribes to a magazine or the like, if the subscription pattern is to decide whether to subscribe to the issue based on the contents of the special feature published in the issue, By distributing the notices sorted in descending order of the number of pages featured in the special feature, it is possible to determine whether to subscribe or not to subscribe without reading the entire notice, and to make the notice notice easy for subscribers to read It can be created.
[0071]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the notice creating means changes the information content of the contents of the magazine or the like based on the priority information to create the notice, so that the notice has a greater impact on the subscriber. Not only can it be possible to create a notice that gives, but also it is possible to create a notice that does not get tired. That is, the notice similar to the problem described in claim 2 is solved because the notice notice creating means creates the notice notice by changing the information content of the contents of the magazine or the like based on the priority information. Becomes possible.
[0072]
Here, changing the information content of the content means changing how much each content is presented in one notice text for each description content. That is, the amount of information to be presented is changed for each publication content among the publication contents of a magazine or the like. For example, among the contents of magazines and the like described in a notice, a description of the content of A is described only as a heading, a content of B is described as a heading and a detailed description, and a description of C is described as C. This means that the amount of information to be presented for each publication content is changed, such as describing a headline, a detailed description, and an image.
In addition, the detailed description is a detailed description other than finding the special feature or article, etc., for example, the number of exhibitors, the number of pages published, the name of the model, a description of a part of the article or special feature, etc. Point to.
[0073]
Further, like the priority information described in claim 2, the priority information is information used for determining how much each content is to be presented. In other words, when deciding how much each content is to be presented, it is performed based on the priority information. As the priority information, any information can be adopted in order to determine how much each publication content is presented. For example, the priority information may be the number of pages on which each article is published, or may be the order of articles or special features preferred by the subscriber.
[0074]
In addition, as a result of the priority information, the content that must be given the highest priority (hereinafter, the content that must be given the highest priority will be referred to as “first content”, and the content that must be given the second priority will be given as “ 2), the publication content that must be prioritized at the Nth position is referred to as “Nth publication content.”) Can be arbitrarily determined. In addition, by combining with the invention described in claim 2 of the present invention, it is possible to create a notice that can give further impact.
[0075]
Further, in the subscription service providing system according to claim 3 of the present invention, as described above, in the market research conducted by collating and checking the subscription request with the delivered notice by the subscription request receiving means, It will be possible to investigate subscriber demand in more detail. In other words, in the subscription service providing system according to claim 3 of the present invention, the notice is created by changing the amount of information of the contents of the publication based on the priority information. By comparison, it becomes possible to examine how the presentation of the special feature has resulted in a large number of requests for subscription. For example, the special issue of the next issue of a magazine is a special issue of shoes, a notice text that only says “the next special issue is shoes”, and an image that shows “the next special issue is shoes” and a part of the special issue Was sent separately to a plurality of people.If there was no difference in the subscription request between the notice sentence written only in text and the notice sentence written in images and letters, `` Shoes Is a special feature that has a certain demand no matter how it is presented. " Also, for example, one notice is written in text only and the next special issue is described as "brand shoes special feature", and another notice is written as "the next issue special is brand shoes special feature 30 points". When the sentence was sent to multiple people separately, the person who stated that "the next issue is the special feature of the brand's shoes" is 30. If the subscription request is low, "30 points are not enough when creating the special feature of the brand. No ", and further, it is possible to obtain the survey data" It is better not to describe the number of exhibitors in order to have more subscribers. " Therefore, in the system for providing a subscription service according to claim 3 of the present invention, in addition to survey data on what articles and special features that readers who read the magazines and the like like, and how the articles and special features are presented. By doing so, it becomes possible to obtain survey data on the presentation method of what the subscription request has become, and survey data on the amount of articles and special features such as the number of exhibits and the number of pages published.
[0076]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a preference of a subscriber in the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information for creating a notice sentence stored in an information storage unit such as a magazine in the storage device 5 in the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of survey data obtained as a result of conducting a market survey in the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which a notice is distributed to a subscriber in the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a notice is distributed to a subscriber in the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a notice is distributed to a subscriber in the subscription service providing system of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining an operation when a subscription application is made via a Web page for notice mail distribution in the subscription system of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a subscription is made by transmitting a reply mail to the notice mail distribution in a modified example of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Subscriber computer
2 Subscription service providing system
3 mail server (notice text creation means, notice text distribution means)
4. Supervising computer (subscription request receiving means, subscription request receiving means, delivery instruction means)
5 Storage device
6 Subscriber information storage
7. Information storage for magazines, etc.
8 Market research information storage
9 Survey data storage
10 Delivery instruction information storage unit
11 Publisher Computer

Claims (4)

In a subscription service providing system that provides services to subscribers,
A notice creating means for creating a notice describing the contents of a magazine or the like;
A notice distribution means for distributing the notice created by the notice creation to the subscribers;
Subscription request receiving means for receiving a subscription request for a magazine or the like described in the preview notice,
A delivery instruction means for issuing a delivery instruction for a magazine or the like based on the subscription request. 2. The subscription service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the notice message creating means creates the notice message by rearranging the contents of the notice message based on the priority information. The subscription service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the notice message creating unit creates the notice message by changing the amount of information of the content of the notice based on the priority information. In a subscription service providing method for providing a service to a subscriber,
Create a notice that describes the contents of the magazine etc.,
Deliver the notice to subscribers,
Upon receiving a subscription request for the magazine etc. described in the notice,
A method for providing a subscription service, wherein a magazine or the like is delivered based on the subscription request.

Images