JP2005267238A - Information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing device for increasing the transmitting effects of information by preventing access for the purpose of the acquisition of point information such as the number of points to be applied when information is received. <P>SOLUTION: This information providing device 100 for distributing transmitting information to a member is configured to, when a member performs access to a Web site by a prescribed link pattern constituted of two stages, apply points corresponding to reception costs required for receiving information by the link pattern to the member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing device for distributing information such as advertisement information to a terminal device such as a mobile phone.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the spread of terminal devices such as mobile phones and personal computers that can be connected to the Internet, advertisement information providing devices that can receive advertisement information with these terminal devices have been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this advertisement information providing device, an information providing service company provides a website for posting advertisement information provided by an information provider (store, company, etc.), and members (consumers, users, etc.) use terminal devices. When the website is accessed, the advertisement information posted on the website is distributed to the terminal device. Thereby, the member can receive (browse) desired advertisement information. In this specification, a group of Web pages is referred to as a “Web site”. This website can be composed of one or more web pages.
Also, a website that publishes advertising information by delivering a mail containing the website address (usually, the address of the home page that is the first page of the website) to the email address of each member's terminal device. The method of guiding is also used.
JP 2002-150118 A

  By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional advertisement information providing device, a user accesses a website using a terminal device, and receives the advertisement information posted on the website, points are given. And the user can receive the service according to the number of accumulated points. As a result, the user can freely access the website on which the advertisement information is posted without worrying too much about communication costs. Therefore, the number of times the user accesses the website, that is, the number of times the advertisement information posted on the website is transmitted increases, and the advertising effect of the advertising method for placing the advertisement information on the website is improved.

By the way, in order to access a Web site using a terminal device, it is necessary to make a contract with a communication carrier. In this case, a pay-per-use system (a system that pays a reception fee according to the number of times of accessing the website or the amount of data received from the website) or a flat-rate system (a number of times of accessing the website or receiving from the website) In many cases, the system pays a certain amount of money every fixed period regardless of the amount of information. Normally, a pay-per-use system is used when accessing a website using a mobile phone, and a pay-per-use system or a flat-rate charge system is selected when accessing a website using a personal computer. be able to.
For example, when a user who accesses a website using a personal computer has a contract for a flat fee system, the user can access the website without worrying about the number of times the website is accessed or the amount of information received from the website. You can access the site. For this reason, the user who accesses the website on which the advertisement information is posted is not intended to receive (browse) the advertisement information posted on the website but to acquire the number of points. May increase.
In this case, the number of accesses to the website on which the advertisement information is posted, that is, the number of times the advertisement information is transmitted from the website increases, but the substantial advertisement effect due to the transmission of the advertisement information has not improved so much. Furthermore, the cost required for the service for the number of points awarded also increases.
Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus that can prevent access for the purpose of acquiring point information such as the number of points given by receiving information and can enhance the information transmission effect It is to be.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in each claim is configured. In the present invention, in the information providing apparatus configured to distribute information such as advertisement information to information transmission / reception means such as a mobile phone, the link route followed by the member accesses the Web site (Web page). This is a technique for preventing the access for the purpose of acquiring point information such as the number of points given by receiving information and enhancing the information transmission effect by setting points based on the combination of information and the order of acquisition.

(First invention of the present invention)
A first invention of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is an information providing apparatus as described in claim 1.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1 includes at least storage means, transmission information processing means, point information processing means, and information transmission / reception means.
The storage device includes a member information database that stores point information in association with member identification information, a transmission information database that stores transmission information in association with transmission information identification information, and transmission time information of transmission information. A transmission history information database is provided for storing transmission history information corresponding to the above. The member information database and the transmission history information database can be configured by separate databases, or can be configured by one database.
When the transmission information processing means receives the member identification information and the transmission information identification information transmitted from the information transmission / reception means, the transmission information processing means reads the transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information from the transmission information database of the storage means and stores the transmission information. Processing for transmitting to the information transmitting / receiving means and processing for storing transmission time information of transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information as transmission history information in the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the received member identification information Is configured to do.
The point information processing unit includes a transmission time interval calculation unit, a determination unit, and a point addition unit. The transmission time interval calculation means calculates a transmission time interval of transmission times indicated by two temporally continuous transmission time information stored in the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the member identification information. The determining means compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculating means with the set time to determine whether or not the state where the transmission time interval is within the set time has continued at least twice. When the determining means determines that the state in which the transmission time interval is within the set time has continued at least twice, the point adding means adds the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database of the storage means. Predetermined point information is added.
The information transmitting / receiving unit includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a display unit. The transmission means transmits member identification information and transmission information identification information to the transmission information processing means. The receiving unit receives the transmission information transmitted from the transmission information processing unit. The display means displays the transmission information received by the receiving means.

As the “information transmitting / receiving means” in the present invention, a terminal device such as a mobile phone or a personal computer can be used.
In addition, the “point information” in the present invention is intended to widely include not only numerical information such as the number of points but also various information indicating profits equivalent to points given to members.
In addition, as the “member identification information” in the present invention, a member address, a member ID, a member password, a terminal device identification number, and the like can be used.
Further, “transmission information” in the present invention is intended to widely include various types of transmission information transmitted (distributed) to information transmitting / receiving means (members), such as advertisement information related to advertisements for stores, products, etc. Link information or the like linked to is a typical example of transmission information in the present invention. In addition, various kinds of information other than advertisement information and link information that can be transmitted (distributed) to the information transmitting / receiving means (member) are also included in the category of “transmission information” of the present invention.
In addition, as the “transmission information identification information” in the present invention, the information ID of the information that the information provider intends to provide to the information transmitting / receiving means (member), the title of the information, the address where the information is posted, and the like are used. it can.
The “transmission time information” in the present invention is information relating to the transmission time when the transmission information processing means actually transmits the transmission information to the information transmission / reception means (member), and typically, predetermined information is transmitted. Time (time, time zone) corresponds to transmission time information. In the present invention, “transmission history information” is configured by associating member identification information with this “transmission time information”. Normally, the transmission time when the transmission information is actually transmitted to the information transmission / reception means (member) and the reception time when the information transmission / reception means (member) actually receives the transmission information generally match. It can be replaced with “transmission history information” in the invention.
Further, “predetermined point information” in the present invention includes, for example, point information that is variable based on reception costs and the like, and point information that is set uniformly (constant) regardless of reception costs and the like.

(Second invention of the present invention)
The second invention of the present invention is an information providing apparatus as described in claim 2.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information providing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein in the configuration according to the first aspect, the storage unit stores the point information corresponding to the combination pattern of the transmission information identification information of at least three, that is, three or more transmission information. A point information database to be stored is provided.
Further, in the configuration according to claim 1, the transmission information processing means stores the received transmission information identification information and the transmission time information of the transmission information corresponding to the transmission information identification information in association with the received member identification information. The transmission history information is stored in the transmission history information database of the means as transmission history information.
In the configuration according to claim 1, the determination unit of the point information processing unit compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation unit with the set time, and the transmission time interval is within the set time Is further extracted at least two times, a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information continuous in time satisfying the condition regarding the time interval is further extracted, and the extracted combination pattern and a point information database Is compared with the combination pattern of the transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information stored in the table to determine whether or not the combination pattern matches.
In addition, in the configuration according to claim 1, the point addition means of the point information processing means corresponds to the member identification information from the point information database when the determination means determines that the combination pattern matches, and the point information corresponding to the combination pattern corresponds to the member identification information. The information is read and added as predetermined point information to the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database.

(Third invention of the present invention)
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus as defined in claim 3.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the information providing apparatus transmits the reception cost information for calculating the reception cost necessary for receiving the transmission information by the information transmitting / receiving unit to the storage unit. A reception cost information database that stores information corresponding to identification information and a point information database that stores point information corresponding to reception cost information are provided.
In the configuration according to claim 1, the point addition means of the point information processing means compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation means with the set time, and the transmission time interval is within the set time. When the determining means determines that the state has continued at least twice, the reception cost information corresponding to the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information that are temporally continuous satisfying the condition regarding the time interval is read from the reception cost information database. At the same time, point information corresponding to the read reception cost information is read from the point information database and added to the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database.
The “reception cost information” in claim 3 and other claims means the reception cost required when the information transmitting / receiving means receives various information transmitted (distributed) to the information transmitting / receiving means (member). Typically, the cost paid to the communication carrier for the information received by the member corresponds to the reception cost information.

(Fourth invention of the present invention)
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus as defined in claim 4.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus comprising at least storage means, transmission information processing means, point information processing means, and information transmission / reception means.
The storage means includes a member information database that stores point information corresponding to member identification information, a transmission information database that stores transmission information corresponding to transmission information identification information, and transmission time information and transmission information identification information as members. A transmission history information database stored as transmission history information corresponding to the identification information and a point information database storing point information corresponding to the combination pattern of the transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information are provided.
When the transmission information processing means receives the member identification information and the transmission information identification information transmitted from the information transmission / reception means, the transmission information processing means reads the transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information from the transmission information database of the storage means and stores the transmission information. The process of transmitting to the information transmitting / receiving means and the received transmission information identification information and the transmission time information of the transmission information corresponding to the transmission information identification information are transmitted to the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the received member identification information. It is configured to perform processing to be stored as history information.
The point information processing unit includes a determination unit and a point addition unit. The discriminating means extracts a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information temporally continuous from transmission history information stored in correspondence with member identification information in the transmission history information database of the storage means, and extracts The combination pattern is compared with the combination pattern of the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information stored in the point information database to determine whether or not the combination pattern matches. When the determining means determines that the combination patterns match, the point adding means reads the point information corresponding to the combination pattern from the point information database and corresponds to the member identification information stored in the member information database of the storage means. Add to point information.
The information transmitting / receiving unit includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a display unit. The transmission means transmits member identification information and transmission information identification information to the transmission information processing means. The receiving unit receives the transmission information transmitted from the transmission information processing unit. The display means displays the transmission information received by the receiving means.

(Fifth invention of the present invention)
The fifth invention of the present invention is an information providing apparatus as described in claim 5.
An information providing apparatus according to a fifth aspect includes at least a storage unit, a transmission information processing unit, a point information processing unit, and an information transmission / reception unit.
The storage means includes a member information database that stores point information corresponding to member identification information, a transmission information database that stores transmission information corresponding to transmission information identification information, and transmission time information and transmission information identification information as members. A transmission history information database for storing transmission history information corresponding to the identification information, and reception cost information for calculating reception costs necessary for receiving the transmission information by the information transmitting / receiving means are associated with the transmission information identification information. A reception cost information database to be stored, a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information, and a point information database to store point information corresponding to the reception cost information are provided.
When the transmission information processing means receives the member identification information and the transmission information identification information transmitted from the information transmission / reception means, the transmission information processing means reads the transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information from the transmission information database of the storage means and stores the transmission information. The process of transmitting to the information transmitting / receiving means and the received transmission information identification information and the transmission time information of the transmission information corresponding to the transmission information identification information are transmitted to the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the received member identification information. It is configured to perform processing to be stored as history information.
The point information processing unit includes a determination unit and a point addition unit. The discriminating means extracts a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information temporally continuous from transmission history information stored in correspondence with member identification information in the transmission history information database of the storage means, and extracts The combination pattern is compared with the combination pattern of the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information stored in the point information database to determine whether or not the combination pattern matches. When the determining unit determines that the combination patterns match, the point addition unit reads out the reception cost information corresponding to the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information continuous in time from the reception cost database, and reads the received reception cost. Point information corresponding to the information is read from the point information database and added to the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database.
The information transmitting / receiving unit includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a display unit. The transmission means transmits member identification information and transmission information identification information to the transmission information processing means. The receiving unit receives the transmission information transmitted from the transmission information processing unit. The display means displays the transmission information received by the receiving means.

According to the information providing apparatus of claim 1, when a state in which the transmission time interval between two continuous transmission information is within the set time continues at least twice, the member is linked via the information transmission / reception means. It is determined that the information has been accessed, and predetermined point information is given to the member. This predetermined point information may be different for each link, or may be uniform (constant).
According to the information providing apparatus of claim 2, when it is determined that the member has accessed the linked information through the information transmitting / receiving means, the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information that are temporally continuous The point information corresponding to the combination pattern is given to the member.
According to the information providing apparatus of claim 3, when it is determined that the member has accessed the linked information via the information transmitting / receiving means, the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information that are temporally continuous The point information corresponding to the reception cost information corresponding to is given to the member.
Further, according to the information providing apparatus of claim 4, when a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information that are temporally continuous is determined, and the combination pattern is a preset combination pattern The point information corresponding to the combination pattern is given to the member.
In this information providing apparatus, the “combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information that are continuous in time” only needs to be continuous over time. In addition to a mode in which a predetermined combination pattern is continuously formed, a mode in which a predetermined combination pattern is continuously formed in a state where a predetermined time or number of days is separated is widely included. In addition, as a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of transmission information, a mode of sequentially linking from upstream link information to downstream link information, a mode of sequentially linking downstream link information to upstream link information, or once upstream After linking from link information to downstream link information, there is a mode of linking from downstream link information to upstream link information.
Further, according to the information providing apparatus of claim 5, when a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information continuous in time is determined, and the combination pattern is a preset combination pattern In addition, point information corresponding to the reception cost information corresponding to the transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information continuous in time is given to the member.
Therefore, if the information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is used, the member is determined based on the combination of information and the order in which the member has accessed the Web site (Web page) by following the route. Since points are given, it is possible to give points accurately to those who really want to acquire information. Thereby, it is possible to prevent access to a website (web page) for the purpose of acquiring points by receiving information. Moreover, the advertising effect by transmission of transmission information, such as advertisement information, can be improved.
In addition, since the information provider can be set to give points when the member accesses the website by following the intended specific link route, it is useless for the information provider to set and give points. Can be omitted and is reasonable.
Further, by calculating the point information based on the reception cost information necessary for receiving the transmission information such as the advertisement information, the point information can be accurately calculated according to the reception cost information. Accordingly, since the member can easily receive the transmission information without worrying about the reception cost, it is possible to enhance the transmission effect of the transmission information for the member.

  Hereinafter, an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a technique for constructing an information providing apparatus that provides information to a mobile phone or a personal computer terminal will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 100 includes an information management apparatus 10, a storage device 11, communication management apparatuses 21a to 21d, terminal apparatuses 20a to 20d, and the like. The information management device 10 and the communication management devices 21a to 21d are connected by a communication line 40 such as the Internet. This information providing apparatus 100 corresponds to the “information providing apparatus” in the present invention. Further, as will be described later, the terminal devices 20a to 20d include a transmission unit that transmits the advertisement information identification information and the member identification information to the information management device 10, and a reception unit that receives the transmission information transmitted from the information management device 10. And means for displaying transmission information received by the receiving means, and corresponds to the “information transmitting / receiving means” in the present invention.

Terminal devices 20a to 20c shown in FIG. 1 are mobile phones whose communication is managed by communication carriers A to C, respectively. Communication between the terminal devices 20a to 20c and the information management device 10 is performed by the communication line (Internet) 40 and the communication management devices 21a to 21c of the communication carriers A to C that manage the communication of the terminal devices 20a to 20c. 21c and the base stations 22a to 22c. The terminal device 20d is a personal computer whose communication is managed by the communication carrier D. Communication between the terminal device 20d and the information management device 10 is performed via a communication line (Internet) 40 and a communication management device 21d of a communication carrier D that manages communication of the terminal device 20d.
Communication between the terminal devices 20a to 20d and the communication management devices 21a to 21d can be executed via various communication paths other than the communication paths shown in FIG.
In FIG. 1, the storage device 11 is connected to the information management device 10. However, the storage device 11 only needs to be configured to be accessible by the information management device 10 and is connected to a communication line (Internet) 40. It may be.

The information management apparatus 10 includes a mail processing unit 10a, an advertisement information processing unit 10b, a point information processing unit 10c, and the like. Note that the information management apparatus 10 may be configured with one processing apparatus (CPU) or a plurality of processing apparatuses (CPU). Further, when the information management device 10 is constituted by a plurality of processing devices (CPUs), these plurality of processing devices (CPUs) may be arranged at one place or may be arranged in a distributed manner.
The mail processing unit 10a is a unit having a function of executing processing for distributing mail to the terminal devices 20a to 20d.
The advertisement information processing means 10b is a means having a function of executing an advertisement information distribution process for distributing advertisement information in response to a request for advertisement information from the terminal devices 20a to 20d.
The point information processing means 10c calculates the point information (number of points) to be given to the user who has received the advertisement information, and billing information for sending the advertisement information to the terminal devices 20a to 20d (billing information for the advertisement information provider). The transmission time interval calculation means 10d, the determination means 10e, and the point addition means 10f are further provided.
It should be noted that a plurality of means among the mail processing means 10a, the advertisement information processing means 10b, and the point information processing means 10c can be appropriately combined as necessary. The mail processing unit 10a, the advertisement information processing unit 10b, and the point information processing unit 10c may be configured by one or a plurality of software or may be configured by one or a plurality of hardware.

  The storage device 11 includes a member information database 11a, an advertisement information database 11b, a billing information database 11c, and a point information database 11d. The member information database 11a, the advertisement information database 11b, the billing information database 11c, and the point information database 11d can be accessed by the mail processing means 10a, the advertisement information processing means 10b, the point information processing means 10c, and the like of the information management apparatus 10. ing. The member information database 11a, the advertisement information database 11b, the billing information database 11c, the point information database 11d, etc. may be provided in a common storage device or in separate storage devices. This storage device 11 corresponds to “storage means” in the present invention.

  Here, the member information database 11a, the advertisement information database 11b, the billing information database 11c, and the point information database 11d provided in the storage device 11 will be described. This member information database 11a constitutes a “member information database” and a “transmission history information database” in the present invention. The advertisement information database 11b corresponds to the “transmission information database” in the present invention, and the point information database 11d corresponds to the “point information database” and the “reception cost information database” in the present invention.

First, the configuration of the member information database 11a of the storage device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. An example of the member information database 11a is shown in FIG.
In the member information database 11a shown in FIG. 2, various member information of members who wish to receive advertisement information provided from the information management apparatus 10 is stored in association with the member ID (s1) of each member. This member ID (s1) corresponds to “member identification information” in the present invention.
In the member information database 11a shown in FIG. 2, as a member information of a member, a communication business that can identify a mail carrier (s2) indicating a mail delivery destination and a communication carrier that manages communication of a terminal device that receives the mail. Identification information (terminal device type identification information) (s3), cumulative point information (s5) indicating the cumulative number of points as point information, reception history information (s4) indicating the history of receiving advertisement information from the information management device, name (S6), gender (s7), address (s8), date of birth (s9), mail delivery time (s10) indicating the delivery time the member wishes to deliver mail, occupation (s11), transmission history information (s12) Information such as ˜s14) is used. Other member information includes information indicating the interests and hobbies of the members.

  For example, in the member information database 11a in FIG. 2, the member with the member ID [1001] has an e-mail address of [1001 @ aaa. ne. jp], the carrier of the terminal device that receives the mail is [Company A], the cumulative number of points is [205 points], the name is [XXX], the gender is [Male], and the date of birth is [1982 / 02/17], the mail transmission time is [9: 00-12: 00], the occupation is [student], and the transmission history information including the transmission time information is the first transmission history information [2003/08/01, 10 : 21:00, http: // www. p001], the second transmission history information is [2003/08/01, 10:21:30, http: // www. p001 / q001], the third transmission history information is [2003/08/01, 10:22:10, http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001] and the like are stored.

  As described above, the member information database 11a according to the present embodiment stores at least the accumulated point information (s5) as point information in association with the member ID (s1) as member identification information (member information in the present invention). A database (transmission history information database in the present invention) that stores transmission history information (s12 to s14) including at least transmission time information in association with a member ID (s1) as member identification information. To do. The member information database 11a includes a database that stores at least accumulated point information (s5) as point information in association with a member ID (s1) as member identification information, and transmission history information including at least transmission time information ( s12 to s14) can be divided into a database stored in association with the member ID (s1) as the member identification information.

The member information is also used as a distribution destination selection condition for the information provider to select a member who wants to distribute information. Therefore, it is preferable to store various member information so as to cope with various distribution destination selection conditions.
The member identification information is not limited to the member ID (s1) in the member information database 11a in FIG. 2, and an e-mail address, a name, or the like can also be used.

Next, the configuration of the advertisement information database 11b in the storage device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. An example of the advertisement information database 11b is shown in FIG.
In the advertisement information database 11b shown in FIG. 3, advertisement information provided by the information providing apparatus 100 and related information related to the advertisement information are stored in association with an information ID (t1) as advertisement information identification information.
In the advertisement information database 11b shown in FIG. 3, as the advertisement information related information, the title of the advertisement information (for example, the title of the website on which the advertisement information is posted (viewable)) (t2) and the advertisement information are posted. Address (for example, the address of the homepage of the website posting the advertisement information) (t3), the link address linked to the address (t3), the information provider ID (t4) indicating the information provider, and the information provider Code (t5), distribution destination selection condition (t6) for selecting a distribution destination (member) of the advertisement information, information provider distribution date and time (t7) desired by the information provider regarding the distribution of the mail related to the advertisement information, advertisement information The guide information (t8) indicating the guide of the advertisement information attached to the mail when the mail related to the mail is distributed to the member is used. Further, detailed information (t9) (advertisement information) indicating details of the advertisement information is stored in the advertisement information database 11b. The title (t2) and the address (t3) of the advertisement information are information that can identify the advertisement information and correspond to “information identification information” in the present invention.
For example, in the advertisement information database 11b in FIG. 3, the advertisement information with the information ID [P001] is the website address [http: // www. p001], information provider ID [K0001], information provider code [X001], information provider delivery date [2003/07/31], etc. are stored.

  As described above, the advertisement information database 11b according to the present embodiment stores at least advertisement information as transmission information in association with a title (t2) and an address (t3) as transmission information identification information (transmission in the present invention). Information database).

When the guide information and detailed information of advertisement information are stored in the Web page format (usually HTML format), the place where the guide information and detailed information in the Web page format is stored in the column of the guide information and detailed information. Information to be stored is stored.
The information provider ID is used for management, and the information provider code is used for display on the terminal device. Of course, the same information can be used as the information provider ID and the information provider code.
As the delivery destination selection condition, member information stored in the member information database 11a can be used.
The information ID and the information provider code are preferably set so that the type of information (for example, information related to eating and drinking, book sales, food sales, etc.) can be discriminated.
The advertisement information identification information is not limited to the information ID, and a title, an address, etc. can be used.

Next, the configuration of the billing information database 11c of the storage device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. An example of the accounting information database 11c is shown in FIG.
The accounting information database 11c shown in FIG. 4 includes a reception cost information database, a member-specific reception cost information database, a transmission cost information database, and an information provider-specific transmission cost database.
In the reception cost information database in the charging information database 11c shown in FIG. 4, the reception cost information necessary when the terminal devices 20a to 20d receive the advertisement information from the information management device 10 is stored for each advertisement information and for each communication carrier (terminal device). For each type). In this reception cost information database, information ID as advertisement information identification information of advertisement information, data amount of advertisement information, and advertisement information are required when the communication carriers A to D receive the terminal device that manages communication. Received cost is stored. For example, the advertisement information with the information ID [P001] has a data amount of [1134 bytes] and is received by the terminal devices 20a to 20c managed by the communication carriers A to C at each time [5 yen. ], [8 yen], and [4 yen] are necessary, and it is stored that the communication carrier D can receive an unlimited amount with a predetermined amount when it is received by the terminal device 20d managed by the communication. As the reception cost, a reception cost can be set according to the amount of information received by the terminal device. For example, it is possible to set a reception fee of a predetermined fee for every predetermined number of bytes.
The advertisement information identification information is not limited to the information ID, and the title of a website on which advertisement information is posted and the address of a website can also be used.

The member-specific reception cost information database in the billing information database 11c shown in FIG. 4 stores a member ID of each member and reception history information indicating a reception history of information received by each member at the terminal device. As the reception history information, for example, advertisement information identification information indicating information received by the terminal device, terminal device type identification information indicating the terminal device type of the terminal device receiving the information, member identification information indicating the member, reception date and time, etc. Remember.
The receiving cost of each member is calculated based on the receiving history information stored in the receiving cost information database for each member and the receiving cost stored in the receiving cost information database, and the point information is calculated based on the calculated receiving cost. calculate.
In addition, when storing reception history information in the member-specific reception cost information database, the reception history information (s4) of the member information database shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted.

  In the transmission cost information database in the charging information database 11c shown in FIG. 4, the transmission cost information necessary for the information management apparatus 10 to transmit the advertisement information provided by the information provider to the terminal devices 20a to 20d is stored for each advertisement information. It is remembered. This transmission cost information database stores information IDs that are advertisement information identification information of advertisement information, and transmission costs necessary for transmitting advertisement information to the terminal devices 20a to 20d. For example, it is stored that the advertisement information with the information ID [P001] needs [5 yen] every time it is transmitted to the terminal devices 20a to 20c.

The information provider-specific transmission cost information database shown in FIG. 4 includes the information provider ID of each information provider, the information ID that is the advertisement information identification information of the advertisement information provided by each information provider, and the information management device 10. Transmission history information indicating the transmission history of each advertisement information transmitted to the terminal devices 20a to 20d is stored. As the transmission history information, for example, advertisement information identification information indicating the advertisement information transmitted from the information management apparatus 10, transmission date and time, and the like are stored. When the transmission cost varies depending on the terminal device type of the terminal device, terminal device type identification information indicating the terminal device type of the terminal device that has transmitted the advertisement information is stored as transmission history information.
The advertisement information identification information is not limited to the information ID, and the title of a website on which advertisement information is posted and the address of a website can also be used.

Next, the configuration of the point information database 11d of the storage device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. An example of the point information database 11d is shown in FIG. Although FIG. 5 describes the point information database related to the communication carrier A, the point information database related to other communication carriers is also created in the same format.
When the terminal devices 20a to 20d receive the advertisement information from the information management apparatus 10, the point information database 11d shown in FIG. 5 traces the link displayed in the advertisement information and accesses the website to access a predetermined link. The receiving cost when receiving information, the total receiving cost, the number of points given to members, etc. are stored for each link route. That is, in the point information database 11d, among various link route patterns traced when a member accesses a website, a predetermined pattern that gives a member points, a reception cost corresponding to the pattern, points Numbers and the like are preset and stored.

  In the point information database 11d shown in FIG. 5, the information ID (t1) as the advertisement information identification information, the address (t3) where the advertisement information is posted, the information of the reception cost generated in the reception, the first link address ( t3 (1st)) and reception cost information generated at the reception thereof, second link address (t3 (2nd)) and reception cost information generated at the reception, total reception cost information (t10), reception cost The number of points (t11) based on the total is used.

  For example, when receiving the advertisement information from the terminal device 20a managed by the communication carrier A, the address [http: // www. It is stored that the communication cost for [p001] (t3) is required [5 yen] every time. In addition, the first link address [http: // www. When the information of p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) is received, it is stored that the receiving cost is [8 yen] every time. The first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) and the second link address [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)) information is received, it is described that the receiving cost is [12 yen] each time. In addition, [http: // www. p001] (t3), the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) to the second link address [http: // www. When the link is traced to p001 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)), the total communication cost is [25 yen] (= [5 yen] + [8 yen] + [12 yen]). It is stored that the number of points given to the member is [20 points].

  Thus, the point information database 11d of the present embodiment is a database (point information database in the present invention) that stores the number of points (t11) as point information in association with the combination pattern of the three pieces of advertisement information identification information. A database (receiving cost information database in the present invention) that stores at least the total receiving cost (t10) as receiving cost information is configured. The point information database 11d stores at least a point count (t11) as point information in association with at least a combination pattern of advertisement information identification information, and at least a total reception cost (t10) as reception cost information. It can also be divided into databases.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a member traces a link (link path configured in two stages) described in the point information database 11d shown in FIG. 5 among the links that can access the website (web page). Only the number of points according to the receiving cost is given. The number of points is set based on the total communication cost. When the total communication cost is high, the number of points is large, and when the total communication cost is low, the number of points is small. Details of the calculation of the number of points will be described later.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
A user who wishes to distribute advertisement information from the information management device 10 performs membership registration by accessing the address of a Web page for joining the information providing service and inputting predetermined member information, for example. Thereby, information about the user is stored as member information in the member information database 11 a of the storage device 11.
On the other hand, the information provider inputs advertisement information desired to be distributed to members. The inputted advertisement information is stored in the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11 through the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10. As a method of inputting advertisement information, a method in which an information provider inputs information using a personal computer, a method in which a person in charge of an information providing service company inputs using an input means provided in the information management apparatus 10, or the like is used. Can do. And when delivering the mail regarding the advertising information input by the information provider to a predetermined member, the advertising information identification information indicating the advertising information is read from the advertising information database 11b of the storage device 11, The information is distributed (transmitted) to the members by the mail processing means 10a of the information management apparatus 10.

  In the present embodiment, when the mail processing means 10a of the information management apparatus 10 delivers (sends) an email to a member, the advertisement information identification information (for example, the address of the home page of the website on which the advertisement information is posted) In addition, when attaching guide information (information indicating an outline guide of advertisement information), the information provider also inputs the guide information together with the advertisement information, and stores it in the advertisement information database 11 b of the storage device 11. In addition, when selecting a member to deliver mail, the information provider inputs a delivery destination selection condition.

For example, in the member information database 11a in FIG. 2, the information provider stores the address of a predetermined area in the address (s8), stores the date of birth in a predetermined range in the date of birth (s9), and stores the gender (s7 ) Is input a delivery destination selection condition for selecting a member in which a man is stored. This distribution destination selection condition is stored in the distribution destination selection condition (t6) of the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11. When the information provider designates the date and time for delivering a predetermined mail, the delivery designation date and time is input. This delivery designation date and time is stored in the information provider delivery date and time (t7) in the advertisement information database 11b in FIG. In addition, the information provider inputs the title and address of the home page of the website on which the advertisement information is posted. The title and address of this homepage are stored in the title (t2) and address (t3) in the advertisement information database 11b in FIG. Thus, advertisement information and advertisement related information related to the advertisement information are stored in the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11.
Further, when the advertisement information is stored in the advertisement information database 11b, the reception cost information and the transmission cost information related to the stored advertisement information are stored in the reception cost information database and the transmission cost information in the charging information database 11c shown in FIG. Store it in the database.

  In this state, when the transmission condition of the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11 is satisfied (for example, the mail processing means 10a of the information management apparatus 10 accesses the advertisement information database 11b, and the advertisement When it is determined that the delivery date / time set in the information provider delivery date / time (t7) of the information database 11b has been reached), the advertisement information satisfying the delivery conditions is read from the advertisement information database 11b by the mail processing means 10a, A mail corresponding to the advertisement information is distributed (transmitted) to the members read from the member information database 11a. This email includes at least advertisement information identification information that can identify the advertisement information.

  In the present embodiment, as the advertisement information identification information, the address of the home page of the website on which the advertisement information satisfying the distribution condition (transmission condition) is posted is used. Here, when the delivery destination selection condition (t6) is set for the advertisement information satisfying the delivery conditions, the mail address corresponding to the member having the member information satisfying the delivery destination selection condition (t6) is set. The e-mail attached with the advertisement information read from the advertisement information database 11b is distributed (transmitted). When the delivery destination selection condition is not set, a mail attached with the advertisement information read from the advertisement information database 11b is delivered (transmitted) to the mail address corresponding to each member. Note that the mail distribution time (s10) is set for the member having the member information satisfying the distribution destination selection condition, and the mail processing means 10a accesses the member information database 11a and the advertisement information database 11b as a result of the advertisement. When the mail processing means 10a determines that the time set in the information provider delivery date (t7) of the information database 11b does not match the time set in the mail delivery time (s10) of the member information database 11a. The mail processing means 10a gives priority to the time set in the mail delivery time (s10) and delivers (sends) a mail with the advertisement information read from the advertisement information database 11b at that time.

In the present embodiment, the mail processing means 10a accesses the advertisement information database 11b and, along with the website address (t3), the website title (t2), the information provider code (t5), and the guidance information. (T8) is also delivered (transmitted) attached to the mail.
Further, the mail processing means 10a accesses the member information database 11a, reads the member identification information (member ID (s1)) corresponding to the mail address for delivering (transmitting) the mail, and reads the member identification information (member ID). (S1)) is also distributed (transmitted) attached to the mail. Note that the information distributed (transmitted) by e-mail is not limited to this embodiment, and various information can be selected.
As a specific example, the mail processing unit 10a has a member's mail address [1001 @ aaa. ne. jp] is delivered. At this time, the mail includes the title of the website, the address of the website [http: // www. p001], information provider code [X001], guidance information, member ID [1001], and the like.
The above mail distribution (transmission) processing is executed by the mail processing means 10a of the information management apparatus 10.

The mail distributed from the information management device 10 is distributed to the terminal devices 20a to 20d via the communication line (Internet) 40 and the communication management devices 21a to 21d. Now, email address [1001 @ aaa. ne. It is assumed that the terminal device 20a in which jp] is set receives the mail.
When the terminal device 20a receives the mail distributed from the information management device 10, the terminal device 20a displays a mail reception screen on the display means. Here, an example of the mail reception screen is shown in FIG.
The mail reception screen shown in FIG. 6 is the address (t3) of the Web site where the advertisement information is posted, which is included in the mail [http: // www. p001] and [http: // www. p002], title (for example, store name or company name) (t2), information provider code (for example, store code or company code) (t5) [X001] and [X002], guidance information regarding advertisement information guidance (T8), the actual information reception cost ([1] yen in FIG. 6) and the like are displayed. The mail reception screen can be scrolled back and forth (up and down in FIG. 6).
In the mail reception screen shown in FIG. 6, the member identification information distributed by mail is not displayed.

The member confirms the information on which the mail reception screen is displayed on the display means of the terminal device 20a, and then the predetermined advertisement information identification information, the address of the website where the advertisement information is posted in this embodiment (t3) The address of a predetermined Web site is selected using the input key. For example, the member can access the website address [http: // www. p001] is selected.
As a result, the terminal device 20a displays the address of the selected Web site [http: // www. p001] and the member identification information (for example, member ID (s1)) received by mail is transmitted to the communication management device 21a of the communication carrier A that manages the communication of the terminal device 20a.
The communication management device 21a sends the address [http: // www. p001] and member identification information (for example, member ID (s1)) are transmitted to the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 via the communication line (Internet) 40. In addition, the communication management device 21 a transmits communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier A of the terminal device 20 a to the advertisement information processing means 10 b of the information management device 10 via the communication line (Internet) 40.

The advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 includes the address [http://www.website address] transmitted from the terminal apparatus 20a via the communication management apparatus 21a. p001] is received (distributed). That is, when the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10 receives the member identification information and the advertisement information identification information from the terminal device 20a, the received website address [http: // www. p001] is read from the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11 and transmitted to the communication management device 21a. The communication management device 21a distributes the advertisement information transmitted from the information management device 10 to the terminal device 20a. In addition, the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 has an address [http: // www. p001], the time information about the time when the advertisement information posted in the terminal device 20a is distributed and the address [http: // www. p001] is stored in the member information database 11a in association with the member ID. Specifically, in the member information database 11a shown in FIG. 2, [2003/08/01, 10:21:00]) and [http: // www. p001]) is stored in association with the member ID (for example, [1001]).
When the terminal device 20a receives the mail related to the advertisement information distributed from the communication management device 21a, the terminal device 20a displays the advertisement information reception screen on the display unit.

  An example of the advertisement information reception screen is shown in FIG. The advertisement information reception screen (store introduction screen) shown in FIG. 7 is the address (t3) of the Web site where the advertisement information is posted [http: // www. p001] (t3), title (t2), [X000] which is the information provider code (t5) of the advertisement information, detailed information regarding the details of the advertisement information, and in FIG. 7, detailed information (t9) consisting of explanatory text and a map It is displayed. In FIG. 7, the advertisement information regarding the store information of restaurants is shown as an example.

  Furthermore, the advertisement information reception screen displays link identification information to related web pages (information indicating related link destinations) and link identification information to other web pages (information indicating other link destinations). The link to the link destination is possible. In the advertisement information reception screen shown in FIG. 7, link destination information such as “• to menu introduction”, “• sister shop information”, “• Q & A”, “• inquiry” is displayed as link identification information. The member selects one and clicks the input key to link to a desired link destination and receive the link destination information. Further, “Return” is displayed on the advertisement information reception screen shown in FIG. 7, and the screen can be returned to the mail reception screen shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, “• to menu introduction”, “• sister store information”, “• Q & A”, and “• inquiry” as link identification information are respectively the first link address ( t3 (1st)), [http: // www. p001 / q001], [http: // www. p001 / q002], [http: // www. p001 / q003], [http: // www. p001 / q004].

The member is interested in the menu of the store, for example, and selects “To the menu introduction” (first link address [http: //www.p001/q001]) on the advertisement information reception screen shown in FIG. And
As a result, the terminal device 20a uses the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] and the member identification information received by mail are transmitted to the communication management device 21a of the communication carrier A that manages the communication of the terminal device 20a.
The communication management device 21a transmits the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] and the member identification information are transmitted to the information management apparatus 10 via the communication line (Internet) 40. In addition, the communication management device 21 a transmits communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier A of the terminal device 20 a to the information management device 10 via the communication line (Internet) 40.

  The advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10 receives the first link address [http://www.net.com] transmitted from the terminal device 20a via the communication management device 21a. p0011 / q001] is received and link information is distributed. That is, the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 receives the received first link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001] is read from the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11 and transmitted to the communication management device 21a. The communication management device 21a distributes the link information transmitted from the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10 to the terminal device 20a. Further, the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 uses the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001], the time information about the time when the link information (Web page) distributed to the terminal device 20a and the address [http: // www. transmission history information including “p001 / q001]” is stored in the member information database 11a in association with the member ID. Specifically, in the member information database 11a shown in FIG. 2, [2003/08/01, 10:21:30]) and [http: // www. second transmission history information (s13) including p001 / q001]) is stored in association with the member ID (for example, [1001]).

The transmission time interval calculation means 10d constituting the point information processing means 10c of the information management device 10 is based on the first transmission history (s12) and the second transmission history (s13) of the member information database 11a. The member can access the website address [http: // www. p001] (t3) and then the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) The time interval until access is calculated.
For example, in FIG. 2, the member with the member ID [1001] has an address [http: // www. p001] is [2003/08/01, 10:21:00] from the first transmission history (s12), and the address [http: //www.p001] is accessed. The time for accessing p001 / q001] is [2003/08/01, 10:21:30] from the second transmission history (s13), so the transmission time interval calculation means 10d of the information management apparatus 10 The interval is calculated to be 30 [sec].
This transmission time interval calculation means 10d corresponds to the “transmission time interval calculation means” in the present invention.

Further, the determination unit 10e constituting the point information processing unit 10c of the information management apparatus 10 compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation unit 10d with a preset set time to determine the transmission time interval. It is determined whether or not it is within the set time. If the transmission time interval is within the set time, the member with the member ID [1001] has the address [http: // www. p001] (t3) to the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) is determined to be accessed. On the other hand, when the transmission time interval exceeds the set time, the member with the member ID [1001] has the address [http: // www. p001] (t3), the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) is determined to have been directly accessed.
For example, when the set time is set to 60 [sec] in advance, since the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation unit 10d is 30 [sec], the determination unit 10e of the information management apparatus 10 It is determined that the transmission time interval is within the set time. As a result, the member with the member ID [1001] is sent to the address [http: // www. p001] (t3) to the first link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001] (t3 (1st)) is determined to be accessed.
This discriminating means 10e corresponds to the “discriminating means” in the present invention.
When the terminal device 20a receives the link information distributed from the communication management device 21a by the receiving unit, the terminal device 20a displays a link information reception screen on the display unit.

  An example of the link information reception screen is shown in FIG. In the link information reception screen (menu introduction screen) shown in FIG. 8, the first link address (t3 (1st)) [http: // www. p001 / q001], “Menu introduction” as a title, [X001] as an information provider code (t5) of advertisement information, link identification information as a further link destination display, “• recommended”, “•” in FIG. Link destinations such as “Morning”, “Lunch”, “Desert”, “Drink” are displayed. A member selects one of these link destination displays (link identification information) and clicks an input key to link to a desired link destination and receive link information (Web page) of the link destination. Become. Further, “Return” is displayed on the link information reception screen shown in FIG. 8, and the screen can be returned to the advertisement information reception screen (store introduction screen) shown in FIG. 7.

  In the present embodiment, “• recommended”, “• morning”, “• lunch”, “• dessert”, and “• drink” as the link display (link identification information) are shown in FIG. 2 link addresses (t3 (2nd)), [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001], [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r002], [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r003], [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r004], [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r005].

For example, the member is interested in the recommended menu among the menus of the store. On the link information reception screen shown in FIG. 8, “• recommended” (second link address [http: //www.p001/q001/r001]) Is selected and the input key is clicked.
As a result, the terminal device 20a uses the second link address [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001] and the member identification information received by mail are transmitted to the communication management device 21a of the communication carrier A that manages the communication of the terminal device 20a.
The communication management device 21a uses the second link address [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001] and member identification information are transmitted to the information management apparatus 10 via the communication line (Internet) 40. In addition, the communication management device 21a transmits communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier A of the terminal device 20a to the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10 via the communication line (Internet) 40.

  The advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10 receives the second link address transmitted from the terminal device 20a via the communication management device 21a [http: // www. In response to reception of p001 / q001 / r001], link information is distributed to the terminal device 20a. That is, the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 receives the received second link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001 / r001] is read from the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11 and transmitted to the communication management device 21a. The communication management device 21a distributes the link information transmitted from the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management device 10 to the terminal device 20a. In addition, the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 receives the second link address [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001] time information regarding the time when the link information (Web page) distributed to the terminal device 20a and the address [http: // www. transmission history information including “p001 / q001 / r001]” is stored in the member information database 11a in association with the member ID. Specifically, in the member information database 11a shown in FIG. 2, [2003/08/01, 10:22:10]) and [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001]) is stored in association with the member ID (for example, [1001]).

Further, the transmission time interval calculation means 10d constituting the point information processing means 10c of the information management device 10 is based on the second transmission history (s12) and the third transmission history (s14) of the member information database 11a. The member has a first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) and then the second link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)) is calculated as a time interval until access.
For example, in FIG. 2, the member with the member ID [1001] has an address [http: // www. p001 / q001] is accessed from [2003/08/01, 10:21:30] from the second transmission history (s13), and the address [http: // www. Since the time when p001 / q001 · / r001 is accessed is [2003/08/01, 10:22:10] from the third transmission history (s14), the transmission time interval calculation means 10d of the information management apparatus 10 Calculates that the time interval is 40 [sec].

Further, the determination unit 10e constituting the point information processing unit 10c of the information management apparatus 10 compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation unit 10d with a preset set time to determine the transmission time interval. It is determined whether or not it is within the set time. If the transmission time interval is within the set time, the member with the member ID [1001] has the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) to the second link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)) is determined to be accessed. On the other hand, if the transmission time interval exceeds the set time, the member with the member ID [1001] has the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) without passing through the second link address [http: // www. It is determined that p001 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)) is directly accessed.
For example, when the set time is set to 60 [sec] in advance, since the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation unit 10d is 40 [sec], the determination unit 10e of the information management apparatus 10 It is determined that the transmission time interval is within the set time. As a result, the member with the member ID [1001] is connected to the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) to the second link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)) is determined to be accessed.
As described above, the member with the member ID [1001] has the address [http: // www. p001] (t3) to the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)), if it is already determined that the access has already been made, as a result, the member with the member ID [1001] has the address [http: // www. p001] (t3) to the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] (t3 (1st)) and the second link address [http: // www. p0011 / q001 / r001] (t3 (2nd)) is determined to be accessed. Such a discriminating aspect corresponds to “a state in which the transmission time interval is within the set time has continued at least twice” for two continuous transmission information in the present invention.
When the terminal device 20a receives the link information distributed from the communication management device 21a by the receiving unit, the terminal device 20a displays a link information reception screen on the display unit.

An example of the link information reception screen is shown in FIG. In the link information reception screen (menu introduction screen (recommended)) shown in FIG. 9, the second link address (t3 (2nd)) [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001], title “Menu introduction (recommended)”, advertisement information provider code (t5) [X001], detailed information on recommended menu, “recommended menu [1]” in FIG. And the photo of “Recommended Menu [2]” is displayed along with the price. Further, “Return” is displayed on the link information reception screen shown in FIG. 9, and the screen can be returned to the link information reception screen shown in FIG.
The above advertisement information and link information transmission processing is executed by the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10.
The advertisement information displayed on the advertisement information reception screen shown in FIG. 7 and the link information displayed on the link information reception screen shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 correspond to “transmission information” in the present invention. .

  As described above, the advertisement information processing means 10b of the information management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment “receives the member identification information (member ID (s1)) and the advertisement information identification information (information ID (t1)) from the terminal device 20a. Then, the transmission information (advertisement information, link information) corresponding to the received advertisement information identification information (information ID (t1)) is read from the advertisement information database 11b of the storage device 11 and distributed (transmitted) to the terminal device 20a. The transmission time information of the transmission information (advertisement information, link information) corresponding to the received advertisement information identification information (information ID (t1)) is made to correspond to the received member identification information (member ID (s1)). Means for performing processing to be stored in the transmission history information (s12 to s14) in the member information database 11a of the storage device 11, "the transmission information processing in the present invention. It corresponds to the means. "

As described above, when information is transmitted in the order of the advertisement information reception screen shown in FIG. 7) → (the link information reception screen shown in FIG. 8) → (the link information reception screen shown in FIG. 9), the determination means 10e The member links the first address (for example, [http: //www.p001]) to the second address (for example, [http: //www.p001/q001]) by a series of input operations, and further 3 (for example, [http: //www.p001/q001/r001]) is determined to be linked and accessed.
When the determination by the determination unit 10e is made, the point addition unit 10f constituting the point information processing unit 10c of the information management device 10 is a link where the link pattern (link address combination pattern) gives a point. It is determined whether it corresponds to a pattern. The point addition means 10f extracts a temporally continuous address combination pattern of the transmission history information (s12 to s14) stored in the member information database 11a in FIG. 2, and extracts the combination pattern and the combination pattern in FIG. When the combination patterns of the addresses stored in the point information database 11d are compared and these combination patterns match, the point corresponding to the combination pattern is read from the point information database 11d, and the member information database 11a Is added to the cumulative number of points (s5).

The point addition means 10f is configured to send the address [http://www.website address] of the Web site transmitted from the terminal device 20a via the communication management device 21a. p001], [http: // www. p001 / q001], [http: // www. p001 / q001 / r001] and member identification information, and point information is calculated based on the communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier A of the terminal device 20a transmitted from the communication management device 21a. This point addition means 10f corresponds to the “point addition means” in the present invention.
Specifically, since the information ID is stored in the reception cost information database of the charging information database 11c shown in FIG. 4, the advertisement information database 11b shown in FIG. www. The information ID [P001] corresponding to p001] is determined. Then, it corresponds to the determined information ID [P001] and the communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier A transmitted from the communication management device 21a from the reception cost information database of the charging information database 11c shown in FIG. Receive cost [5 yen / once] is determined. Further, from the point information database 11d shown in FIG. 5, the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] is determined, and the second link address [http://www.data ID [P001] is identified. The receiving cost [12 yen / 1 time] corresponding to p001 / q001 / r001] is determined, and the total receiving cost [25 yen] obtained by adding three receiving costs is determined. Further, the number of points (point information) is calculated based on the determined total received cost [25 yen]. For example, [25 yen × 80% = 20] points are calculated.
Then, the calculated point number is added to the accumulated point number (accumulated point information) corresponding to the member identification information transmitted from the terminal device 20a via the communication management device 21a in the member information database 11a of the storage device 11. In FIG. 2, for example, when the accumulated point number of the member with the member ID [1001] is 205, the accumulated point number of the member is 225 by adding the point number calculated by the point adding means 10f to this point number. (= 205 + 20). As described above, in the present embodiment, a configuration is used in which a member gives points to the member by accessing the link information with a predetermined link pattern, and the point is made variable based on communication costs required for receiving the information. ing. The said structure respond | corresponds to the structure of Claim 3 in this invention.
The point information calculation process and the addition process are executed by the point addition means 10f.

Further, the information management apparatus 10 has billing information processing means (not shown), and the billing information processing means is configured to display the website address [http: // www. p001], the first link address [http: // www. p001 / q001] and the second link address [http: // www. The link information of p001 / q001 / r001] is transmitted to the terminal device 20a, thereby calculating charging information for the information provider.
Specifically, the transmission cost [5 yen / once] required for transmission is determined from the transmission cost information database of the charging information database 11c in FIG. 4, and the information provider by the charging information database 11c in FIG. This is added to the billing information corresponding to the information provider ID that provided the information ID [P001] in the transmission cost information database.

As described above, if the information providing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is used, the member is determined based on the combination of information about the link route that the member has accessed to the Web site (Web page) and the acquisition order. Points can be awarded. Specifically, when the link information corresponds to a predetermined link pattern (link address combination pattern) configured in two stages described in the point information database 11d, the point corresponding to the reception cost for receiving information with the link pattern is Granted to members. Therefore, it is possible to give points accurately to a person who really wants to acquire information. Thereby, it is possible to prevent access to a website (web page) for the purpose of acquiring points by receiving information. Moreover, the advertising effect by transmission of advertising information can be improved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the information provider can be set to give points when the member accesses the website by following the intended specific link route. It is reasonable to avoid wasting point setting and granting.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the point information is calculated based on the reception cost corresponding to the information received by the terminal device and the communication carrier that manages the communication of the terminal device, for each information and each communication carrier Even if the reception cost differs, the point information can be calculated accurately according to the reception cost. Thereby, since it is possible to easily receive the advertisement information without worrying about the reception cost, the transmission effect of the advertisement information can be enhanced.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment, and various changes, additions, and deletions are possible.

  In the above embodiment, points are given to members when a predetermined link pattern is configured in two stages from upstream link information (first link address) to downstream link information (second link address). Although the case of giving is described, the number of steps of the link pattern is not limited to two, and various numbers of steps of two or more can be selected. At this time, the number of transmission history information stored in the member information database 11a increases as the number of link pattern stages increases.

  In the above embodiment, the case where points are given when a member accesses with a preset link pattern has been described. However, regardless of whether or not the member corresponds to a preset link pattern, Points may be given on the condition that the link information is accessed a plurality of times (two or more times). In this case, only the time information may be stored as the transmission history information without including the website address. At this time, in the above embodiment, the point information corresponding to the combination pattern of the three pieces of advertisement information identification information is stored in the point information database 11d. However, in the present invention, a combination of three or more pieces of advertisement information identification information is used. A point information database in which point information corresponding to the pattern is stored can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the first address (for example, [http: //www.p001]) to the second address (for example, [http: // www) of a series of input operations (click operations) of the members. .P001 / q001]) and the time interval when further linking to a third address (eg, [http: //www.p001/q001/r001]) is relatively Although a case has been described in which a point is given to a member assuming that a predetermined link pattern has been established within a short set time (60 [sec] in the present embodiment), a fixed time or Points may be awarded when a predetermined combination pattern is established across the number of days. Such an embodiment corresponds to the configuration described in claims 4 and 5 of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the terminal device 20a displays the link identification information corresponding to the first link address (for example, “To menu introduction”) on the advertisement information reception screen shown in FIG. Although the case where link identification information (for example, “.recommendation”) corresponding to the second link address is displayed on the link information reception screen shown in FIG. 7, the first link address, The link identification information corresponding to the second link address and the subsequent link addresses can also be displayed collectively. In such a case, it is possible to directly access the downstream link address without going through the upstream link address like the first link address.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where a point was provided when it linked in two steps from upstream link information (1st link address) to downstream link information (2nd link address) was described. However, since points are given, various link routes can be set as required. For example, when you link sequentially from downstream link information to upstream link information, or when you link from upstream link information to downstream link information and then link from downstream link information to upstream link information. May be given.

  In the above embodiment, a case is described in which a member is given points by accessing the link information with a predetermined link pattern, and the points are variable based on communication costs required for receiving the information. However, when the member accesses the link information with a predetermined link pattern (aspect 1), or when the member accesses the link information with a predetermined link pattern It is also possible to use a mode (mode 2) in which points given to members are set according to the link pattern regardless of communication costs. The aspect 1 corresponds to the configuration described in claim 1 of the present invention, and the aspect 2 corresponds to the configuration described in claim 2 of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the point information is calculated every time the advertisement information is transmitted to the terminal device. However, the reception history information may be stored and the point information may be calculated at a predetermined time. In this case, as reception history information, information necessary for calculating the reception cost, for example, information identification information indicating advertisement information transmitted to the terminal device, communication indicating a communication carrier of the terminal device that has received the advertisement information Stores company identification information and member identification information. Then, at a predetermined time, the point information of each member is calculated based on the reception history information and the reception cost information stored in the reception cost information database.
In this way, by storing reception history information and calculating point information at a predetermined time, it is not necessary to perform advertisement information transmission processing and point information calculation processing at the same time, thereby reducing the processing burden on the information management device. be able to.
The accounting information for the information provider can also be configured to store the transmission history information and calculate the accounting information at a predetermined time. As the transmission history information, for example, information identification information indicating the advertisement information transmitted to the terminal device and member identification information are stored, and if necessary, communication carrier type information of the terminal device that transmitted the advertisement information is stored. Then, billing information of each information provider is calculated based on transmission history information and transmission cost information stored in the transmission cost information database at a predetermined time.

Further, in the above embodiment, in order for the information management device 10 to determine the communication carrier of the terminal device, the communication carrier identification indicating the communication carriers A to D of the terminal devices 20a to 20d from the communication management devices 21a to 21d. Information sent. When this method is used, it is possible to determine the communication carrier of the terminal device that has received the advertisement information every time the advertisement information is transmitted. Therefore, even when the terminal device of a different carrier is used, the member's Point information can be calculated accurately.
As a method for determining the communication carrier identification information corresponding to the terminal device, a method of storing the communication carrier identification information in the member information database can be used. That is, communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier of the terminal device from which the member receives mail is stored in the member information database. Then, the communication carrier identification information corresponding to the member identification information transmitted from the terminal devices 20a to 20d via the communication management devices 21a to 21d is determined from the member information database.
In addition, the method of transmitting communication carrier identification information from the terminal devices 20a to 20d can also be used.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where this invention was applied to the communication apparatus using the communication management apparatuses 21a-21d which manage communication of the terminal devices 20a-20d, this invention is communication management apparatus 21a ~. The present invention can also be applied to a communication device in which 21d is not provided.

  In addition, although the reception cost for each information and each communication carrier is set, the reception cost for each information can be set. For example, when the terminal device is a mobile phone, a uniform reception cost can be set for each piece of information regardless of the communication carrier.

  Further, although the communication carrier identification information indicating the communication carrier of the terminal device is used as the terminal device type identification information indicating the type of the terminal device, the terminal device type identification information is not limited to the communication carrier identification information, It is only necessary that the receiving cost necessary for receiving the advertisement information can be determined by the terminal device.

  In addition, the reception cost and point information calculation method when receiving advertisement information at the terminal device, and the accounting information calculation method when advertising information is transmitted from the information management device to the terminal device are limited to the methods described in the embodiment. Instead, various calculation methods can be used.

  Further, the configurations of the member information database, the advertisement information database, the billing information database, and the point information database are not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments, and various configurations can be used.

Moreover, although the case where advertisement information was transmitted was demonstrated in the said embodiment, this invention is applicable when transmitting various information other than advertisement information.
Further, as a service method for the point information, various methods other than communication fee discount and refund can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the member ID is used as the member identification information has been described. However, the member password, the identification number of the terminal device (for example, the IP address of a mobile phone or a personal computer), etc. may be used as necessary. it can. When a member accesses a website, a member ID or a member password (member identification information) may be input from the terminal device. By using the terminal device identification number (IP address) as the member identification information, the member ID or It becomes possible to omit the input of the member password.

  In the above embodiment, the terminal device 20a which is a mobile phone is described in detail. However, the present invention is applied to the case where other terminal devices 20b and 20c which are mobile phones and a terminal device 20d which is a personal computer are used. You can also.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information provision apparatus of one embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the member information database in a storage device. It is a figure which shows an example of the advertisement information database in a memory | storage device. It is a figure which shows an example of the accounting information database in a memory | storage device. It is a figure which shows an example of the point information database in a memory | storage device. It is a figure which shows an example of the mail reception screen in a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the advertisement information reception screen in a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the link information reception screen in a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the link information reception screen in a terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information management apparatus 10a Mail processing means 10b Advertisement information processing means 10c Point information processing means 10d Transmission time interval calculation means 10e Determination means 10f Point addition means 11 Storage device 11a Member information database 11b Information database 11c Charge information database 11d Point information database 20a -20d Terminal devices 21a-21d Communication management devices 22a-22c Base station 40 Communication line (Internet)
100 Information providing device

Claims (5)

Member information database that stores point information in association with member identification information, transmission information database that stores transmission information in correspondence with transmission information identification information, and transmission in which transmission time information of transmission information is associated with member identification information Storage means having a transmission history information database for storing history information;
When the member identification information and the transmission information identification information transmitted from the information transmission / reception means are received, the transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information is read from the transmission information database of the storage means and the transmission information is transmitted to the information transmission / reception means. Transmission information processing means for performing processing and storing transmission time information of transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information as transmission history information in the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the received member identification information When,
A transmission time interval calculating means for calculating a transmission time interval of transmission times indicated by two time-sequential transmission time information stored in correspondence with member identification information in the transmission history information database of the storage means; and a transmission time A determination unit that compares the transmission time interval calculated by the interval calculation unit with the set time to determine whether or not the state in which the transmission time interval is within the set time has continued at least twice; and the transmission time interval is within the set time And a point addition means for adding predetermined point information to the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database of the storage means. Having point information processing means;
A transmission means for transmitting member identification information and transmission information identification information to the transmission information processing means; a reception means for receiving transmission information transmitted from the transmission information processing means; and a display means for displaying transmission information received by the reception means; An information transmitting / receiving means comprising:
Having
Information providing device. The information providing device according to claim 1,
The storage means is provided with a point information database for storing point information corresponding to a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information,
The transmission information processing means associates the received transmission information identification information and the transmission time information of the transmission information corresponding to the transmission information identification information with the received member identification information as transmission history information in the transmission history information database of the storage means. Remember,
The determination means of the point information processing means compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation means with the set time and determines that the state where the transmission time interval is within the set time has continued at least twice. Furthermore, a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information that are temporally continuous satisfying the condition regarding the time interval is extracted, and the extracted combination pattern and at least three pieces of transmission information stored in the point information database are extracted. Compare with the combination pattern of the transmission information identification information to determine whether the combination pattern matches,
The point addition means of the point information processing means reads the point information corresponding to the combination pattern from the point information database corresponding to the member identification information and stores it in the member information database when the determination means determines that the combination patterns match. Is added as predetermined point information to the point information corresponding to the member identification information.
Information providing device. The information providing device according to claim 1,
The storage means includes a reception cost information database for storing the reception cost information for calculating the reception cost necessary for receiving the transmission information by the information transmission / reception means in correspondence with the transmission information identification information, and the point information as the reception cost. A point information database that stores information corresponding to the information is provided.
The point addition means of the point information processing means compares the transmission time interval calculated by the transmission time interval calculation means with the set time and determines that the state where the transmission time interval is within the set time has continued at least twice Is determined, the reception cost information corresponding to the transmission information identification information of at least three time-sequential transmission information satisfying the condition regarding the time interval is read from the reception cost information database, and the point corresponding to the read reception cost information Information is read from the point information database and added to the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database.
Information providing device. Member information database for storing point information corresponding to member identification information, transmission information database for storing transmission information corresponding to transmission information identification information, and member identification information for transmission time information and transmission information identification information of transmission information Storage means having a transmission history information database stored as transmission history information corresponding to the transmission history information, and a point information database storing point information corresponding to a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information;
When the member identification information and the transmission information identification information transmitted from the information transmission / reception means are received, the transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information is read from the transmission information database of the storage means and the transmission information is transmitted to the information transmission / reception means. Processing and processing for storing the received transmission information identification information and the transmission time information of the transmission information corresponding to the transmission information identification information as transmission history information in the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the received member identification information Transmission information processing means for performing
Extracting a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information temporally continuous from transmission history information stored in correspondence with member identification information in the transmission history information database of the storage means; Determining means for comparing the combination patterns of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information stored in the point information database to determine whether the combination patterns match; If it is determined, the point information having point addition means for reading the point information corresponding to the combination pattern from the point information database and adding it to the point information corresponding to the member identification information stored in the member information database of the storage means Processing means;
A transmission means for transmitting member identification information and transmission information identification information to the transmission information processing means; a reception means for receiving transmission information transmitted from the transmission information processing means; and a display means for displaying transmission information received by the reception means; An information transmitting / receiving means comprising:
Having
Information providing device. Member information database for storing point information corresponding to member identification information, transmission information database for storing transmission information corresponding to transmission information identification information, and member identification information for transmission time information and transmission information identification information of transmission information A transmission history information database for storing transmission history information corresponding to the transmission information, and reception cost information for calculating a reception cost necessary for receiving the transmission information by the information transmitting / receiving means are stored in association with the transmission information identification information. A storage means having a reception cost information database, and a point information database for storing point information corresponding to a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information and reception cost information;
When the member identification information and the transmission information identification information transmitted from the information transmission / reception means are received, the transmission information corresponding to the received transmission information identification information is read from the transmission information database of the storage means and the transmission information is transmitted to the information transmission / reception means. Processing and processing for storing the received transmission information identification information and the transmission time information of the transmission information corresponding to the transmission information identification information as transmission history information in the transmission history information database of the storage means in association with the received member identification information Transmission information processing means for performing
Extracting a combination pattern of transmission information identification information of at least three transmission information temporally continuous from transmission history information stored in correspondence with member identification information in the transmission history information database of the storage means; Determining means for comparing the combination patterns of transmission information identification information of at least three pieces of transmission information stored in the point information database to determine whether the combination patterns match; If it discriminate | determines, while reading the receiving cost information corresponding to the transmission information identification information of the said 3 time continuous transmission information from the receiving cost database, the point information corresponding to the read receiving cost information is read from the point information database. , Member information database And point information processing means and a point addition means for adding the point information corresponding to the member identification information being 憶,
A transmission means for transmitting member identification information and transmission information identification information to the transmission information processing means; a reception means for receiving transmission information transmitted from the transmission information processing means; and a display means for displaying transmission information received by the reception means; An information transmitting / receiving means comprising:
Having
Information providing device.

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