JP2008052673A - Information distribution system, and processor and terminal for information distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute information more appropriately to an individual who has reproduced a content. <P>SOLUTION: The system is equipped with: a member information recording means for recording information which shows a distributed party for a member of the information; a history recording means for recording reproduction of the content at a member's terminal; a determining means for determining distribution information to be distributed to the member on the basis of the history content; and a distribution means for distributing the distribution information determined by the determination means to a distributed party of a member specified by the member information recording means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system for distributing content information, a processing device of the information distribution system, and a terminal.

  Conventionally, in facilities such as rental shops and department stores, information is distributed to registered members using direct mail or electronic mail. In such an information distribution system for distributing information to each member, various pieces of information for members are distributed to a member's registered mail address and address. In addition, the information distribution system as described above provides various information such as event information, new product information, new service information, or service information that can be used only by members at facilities such as rental shops and department stores. It is distributed as information.

However, the conventional information distribution system for members as described above has the following problems.
First, the conventional information distribution system often distributes the same information to each member at once. Therefore, since many pieces of information that are not of interest to each member are distributed, there is a problem in that such information is often not stored or ignored. Further, since a lot of unnecessary information is distributed to each member, there is a problem that the operator side who distributes information wastes time and cost for the operation.

  Secondly, as described above, in the conventional information distribution system, there is a lot of information that is not of interest to each member, and it is difficult to memorize the information, so when you actually visit the facility, forget the contents of the information etc. There is a problem that it is often closed.

With respect to these problems, Patent Document 1 proposes that the content of an advertisement (recommended product) is changed by product information purchased by an individual. Patent Document 1 discloses a general information acquisition method in which information is acquired from a store terminal at the time of purchase. However, in the case of a product purchased for a present, since the person who presents does not reproduce the content, the above problems usually occur. For example, if a single person purchases an infant DVD for a relative's child, and then a single person receives a content introduction email for the infant, it is almost annoying. In other words, there is a problem that accurate information distribution is not performed to the individual who reproduced the content.
JP 2005-222154 A

  The present invention solves the problems as described above, and provides an information distribution system, a processing device of the information distribution system, and a terminal capable of distributing information more accurately to an individual who has reproduced the content. Objective.

  The information distribution system according to the present invention includes a member information recording unit that records information indicating a distribution destination of information to a member, a history recording unit that records reproduction of content on the member's terminal, and the member based on the history content. And a distribution unit that distributes the distribution information determined by the determination unit to the distribution destination of the member specified by the member information recording unit. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information distribution system, a processing device of the information distribution system, and a terminal that can distribute information more accurately to an individual who has reproduced the content.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, for example, an information distribution system that distributes various types of information to each user in a terminal manufacturer that provides a service to a user who owns a terminal that reproduces content will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution system 1 includes a processing unit 12, a member database 13, a history database 14, a distribution information database 15, a member registration device 17, a cash register terminal 18, and the like, which are the configuration contents of the processing device 10 indicated by broken lines. have. In addition, it is assumed that a person (member) who uses this information distribution system 1 has a terminal (content reproduction terminal) 20 that can receive distribution information from the information distribution system 1.

  The processing unit 12 controls the entire information distribution system. The processing unit 12 is configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like, and has a function of executing various processes such as a data analysis process based on a control program registered in a storage device (not shown). For example, the processing unit 12 corresponds from the distribution information database 15 based on the function (determination means) for determining the distribution information to be distributed to each member or the type of information to be distributed to each member, and the type of information. And a function (search means) for searching for the type of distribution information to be performed.

  The processing unit 12 has a network interface (not shown), and has a function (acquisition means) for transmitting and receiving data to and from each unit of the information distribution system 1 through the network interface. Further, the processing unit 12 has an external interface (not shown), and has a function (distribution means) for transmitting information to the terminal 20 via the Internet or the like using the external interface.

  The member database 13 functions as member information recording means, and is a database in which information related to members registered in advance is recorded. The member database 13 records at least information for identifying each member and information indicating a distribution destination of information distributed to the member.

  The history database 14 functions as history information recording means and stores content reproduction information for each member. As other history data recorded in the history database 14, for example, a rental history is recorded in a rental shop, and a purchase history of goods, services, etc. is recorded in a department store or the like.

  The distribution information database 15 functions as a distribution information recording unit and stores information distributed to members. Information stored in the distribution information database 15 stores all distribution information that can be distributed to members. Further, these pieces of distribution information are classified for each type (for example, genre, time, and age) that can be searched by the processing unit 12 and stored in the distribution information database 15.

The member registration device 17 is a device that performs member registration. The member registration device 17 is composed of a PC or the like and has an input device 17b such as a keyboard.
The cash register terminal 18 is a terminal device that performs a sales process or a lending process when selling or renting goods or services, and also has a function of inputting member information. For example, when a member rents an article in a rental shop, the cashier terminal 18 acquires information about the article to be rented and information about the member and registers them in the history database 14. When a member purchases a product or service at a department store or a store, the cash register terminal 18 acquires information about the product or service to be sold and information about the member, and registers them in the history database 14.

  The terminal 20 is configured by an electronic device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player owned by a member who uses the information distribution system 1. The terminal 20 may be configured by an HD (High Definition) DVD player. Further, it may be a PC, a television device (hereinafter referred to as TV), or a mobile phone. The terminal 20 has a function of receiving at least information distributed from the information distribution system 1, and has a display unit 20a for displaying the received information. The terminal 20 has a function of transmitting and receiving information by e-mail via the Internet, for example, as receiving means for receiving information distributed from the information distribution system 1. As input means, there are, for example, the following three methods.

1) Display the key layout on the screen and let the user select with the up / down / left / right keys on the remote control.
2) Assign letters to numeric keys on TVs.
3) Connect the keyboard to the USB port.
Next, the configuration of the member database 13, the history database 14, the distribution information database 15 and the like will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the member database 13.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, information about all members is recorded in the member database 13, and a member number, name, e-mail address, address, and the like are recorded as information on each member. As the membership number, the membership number given to each member at the time of registration is recorded. The name of each member is recorded as the name. As the e-mail address, the e-mail address of each member's terminal is recorded. The address is for delivering a direct mail (hereinafter referred to as DM) to each member using a means (not shown) that performs printing, sealing, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the history database 14.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the history database 14 records the content reproduction history for each member, and the rental history or purchase history as necessary. The history includes date / time, product name, genre, title ID, and the like. It is recorded. As the date and time, the date and time when the member performed content reproduction, rental or purchase is recorded. As the product name, information indicating an article, a product, a service, or the like that the member has reproduced, rented, or purchased is recorded. As the genre, information indicating a genre (item) such as an article, a product, or a service that the member has reproduced, rented, or purchased is recorded. In FIG. 3, the content reproduction history of the DVD-ROM is shown as an example of the history database 14.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a link to secondary information related to a title ID. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the content of the title name “UFO Secret” with the title ID 001-02 in FIG. 3 is cited. As the link to the secondary information, for example, a link to content including the word UFO is described.

  As items, primary information such as titles, performers, directors, theme songs, singers who sing theme songs, products that users of this content are likely to like, and the like are prepared in advance using the content ID as a key. Also, with the primary information as a key, a link to secondary information is pasted, such as a song that would be heard by those who listen to the theme song.

  The content corresponding to the secondary information can be similarly configured with a link to the secondary information related to the title ID, and this link becomes a link to the tertiary information related to the previous title ID. A link to related information is formed as a whole in the formula based on the above.

It is sufficient that a service provider or the like who forms this link in advance decides what order information is distributed as related information.
In FIG. 4, items such as the performer name and the theme song name are illustrated in addition to the title name, but information having attributes different from those items is shown last. This is a debit account for the content seller and the seller for billing.

  There are two methods for embedding the title ID of DVD media. One is a method of having an ID for each title as data different from an image file, which has been implemented so far, and can have a 2-digit ID. The other is a method of embedding an “electronic watermark” in an image file and embedding an ID for each title in the “digital watermark”, and specifications are being developed as a so-called content ID. In any case, the list of items such as the title ID is configured in the distribution unit 12 in advance.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the distribution information database 15.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, all distribution information that can be distributed is recorded in the distribution information database 15, and the genre, date, and distribution information are recorded for each distribution information. As the genre, the genre of the distribution information is recorded. As the date and time, the date and time of the distribution information is recorded. As the distribution information, the contents of the distribution information to be distributed in practice are recorded.

Next, a processing procedure of the information distribution system 1 will be described. First, a member registration process in the information distribution system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the information distribution system 1, member registration processing is performed by the member registration device 17. The member registration device 17 performs processing for acquiring data necessary for member registration and registering it in the member database 13.

  In the information distribution system 1, at least member email address or address data is required for member registration. Information such as the e-mail address of the person registered as a member can be input by the input device 17b.

  User registration of a user who uses a terminal for playing back content is performed by mail or mail from the user (step S10a). At that time, information collection of the user's action history and confirmation of use permission are performed (step S10b). In the case of permission (step S10c), membership registration for user identification is performed (step S10d). When the whole is confirmed (step S10e) and the user approves, the member registration process is completed. These processes are relayed by the processing unit 12 in the case of mail, and the operator directly performs the member registration apparatus 17 in the case of mail.

  When the data necessary for member registration as described above is acquired, the member registration device 17 assigns a member number to the person and registers the acquired data together with the member number in the member database 13. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the member number, name, e-mail address, and address of the member are registered in the member database 13 as information about the member.

Next, history processing in the information distribution system 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of history processing in the information distribution system 1.
When the user reproduces the content (step S11a), the title ID corresponding to the content is extracted by the terminal (step S11b), and when the member is registered (step S11c), the title ID is sent to the processing unit 12. The processing unit 12 registers in the history database 14 (step S11d). If the title has not ended (step S11e), the process is repeated for the next playback title.

  Next, information distribution processing in the information distribution system 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of information distribution processing in the information distribution system 1.

  When there is a movement that the user may purchase content such as browsing the website of the terminal manufacturer (step S12a), information is distributed from the processing unit 12 in the form of display on the terminal of the recommended product (step S12a). S12b) In the case of content for which introduction fee charging is set as shown in FIG. 4 (step S12c), charging is performed in the form of account transfer (step S12d). If the information distribution product has not ended (step S12e), the process is repeated for the next product.

  For example, here, it is assumed that a member's favorite genre is estimated (determined) as the type of information to be distributed to the member. In this case, an example of a method for estimating a favorite genre of a member includes a method of estimating a genre having the largest genre of goods, products, and services rented or purchased by the member as a favorite genre. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the favorite genre is determined to be “SF (science fiction)” and “sports” because there are two histories for the member with the member number 1.

  When the type of information to be distributed to the member (the member's favorite genre) is determined, the processing unit 12 determines the type of information determined from the distribution information recorded in the distribution information database 15 (the member's preference). Search for distribution information belonging to the genre). If distribution information of a type to be distributed to the member is present in the distribution information database 15 by this search, the processing unit 12 acquires the distribution information from the distribution information database 15.

  For example, when it is estimated that favorite genres as types of information to be distributed to members are “SF” and “sports”, the genre is distributed as distribution information from the distribution information database 15 as shown in FIG. Distribution information that belongs to “SF” “2004/1/10,“ the day when UFO comes ”is received” and “sports” “2004/1/10 17: 00, professional baseball player autograph session” Is obtained.

  When the distribution information to be distributed to the member is acquired from the distribution information database 15, the processing unit 12 creates an e-mail addressed to the member from the acquired distribution information, and the member registered in the member database 13 Send to e-mail address.

  When such distribution information is transmitted, the member's terminal 20 receives the distribution information from the information distribution system 1 by electronic mail. The terminal 20 that has received such an e-mail displays the distribution information distributed from the information distribution system 1 as an e-mail on the display unit 20a. Thereby, the member can browse the information displayed on the display unit of the terminal 20, and can use the information.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, information on a genre to be distributed to the member is estimated from history information, and distribution information on the estimated genre is transmitted to the terminal of the member.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. When a member responds to the information distributed to the terminal 20 (for example, a reply mail), it is possible to perform an operation of providing a service according to the member's response. For example, when an arrival guide for a product is delivered to a member, the product is secured (reserved) according to a request from the member, a purchase reservation for the product is accepted, or detailed information on the product Can be delivered to the member again.

  As an example of an operation mode for realizing such operation in the information distribution system, information on arrival guidance for a certain product is distributed, and the product is installed at a cashier counter (a cash register terminal 18 according to a request from a member). In the following, a description will be given of an implementation mode of the operation mode that is kept in the counter).

  First, it is assumed that if there is a request along with the arrival guidance for a certain product, the information distribution system 1 is distributed as distribution information indicating that the product can be kept in a designated place (for example, in a cash register counter) for a certain period of time. . When the member wishes to keep the product for such distribution information, a reply mail or the like is sent from the terminal 20 as a response to the request that the product is kept. A reply mail to the effect that the terminal 20 requests to keep the product is received by the processing unit 12 to perform a receiving process for the product.

  As the acceptance process, the processing unit 12 determines the cashier terminal 18 handling the product, and sends information indicating that the merchandise is to be reserved and the member information to the cashier terminal 18. The cash register terminal 18 that has received the information indicating that the product is to be retained from the processing unit 12 notifies the attendant by displaying that the product is to be retained on a display unit (not shown).

  When it is displayed on the display unit of the cash register terminal 18 that the product is to be reserved, the cashier terminal 18 stores the product in the cash register counter and waits for the member to visit. If the member does not appear at the checkout counter within a certain time, the product reserve may be invalidated. Thereafter, when the member visits the checkout counter, the attendant confirms the member and presents the reserved product to the member.

  According to such an operation mode, there is a merit that the member can surely purchase or rent the product received as distribution information, and the operator side has information that is highly effective for advertising to the member. Can be delivered, and there is an advantage that the service for members can be improved. Thus, when it leads to a member's action, operation which raises the amount of the above-mentioned charge as a success fee is also possible. It may be devised to display a specific store preferentially or exclusively.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIG. Description of the parts common to the first embodiment is omitted.
Information distribution processing in the information distribution system 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of information distribution processing in the information distribution system 1.
When there is a movement that the user may purchase related content, such as playing content (step S13a), information is sent from the processing unit 12 in the form of sending a recommended product direct mail to the address shown in FIG. In the case of content that is distributed (step S13b) and for which introduction fee charging is set as shown in FIG. 4 (step S13c), charging is performed in the form of account transfer (step S13d). If all the products for information distribution are not included in one DM (step S13e), the process is repeated for the next product.

  Whether the information is distributed on the terminal as in the first embodiment or DM as in the second embodiment may be selected by the user by e-mail or postal mail at the time of member registration or thereafter.

The present invention is characterized by the content reproduction history, but it does not exclude the use of information such as other history, and may be used positively.
For example, when determining that the member is a member, the processing unit 12 comprehensively determines the type of information to be distributed to the member based on the rental history or purchase history recorded in the member's history database 14. I do. In this determination process, the type of information to be distributed to the member is determined based on the favorite genre of the member or the age of the member. In addition to the information acquired from the content, it also takes into account the purchase history in online sales, online search history, online browsing history, email text such as opinions sent by users, etc. However, a method of displaying a recommendation may be used. As a method for comprehensive determination, for example, it is possible to determine and add points per case for each type of history and the like, and determine the total points.

In the present invention, information for recommending products (not necessarily contents) that have been generally managed for each store in the past has become comprehensive, and more accurate recommendations can be made.
Conventionally, the analysis is based on the acquired information, and the acquired information is further linked and is not analyzed from the linked information. In the present invention, analysis is possible from linked secondary and tertiary information, and recommended information is provided to the user.

  For example, information such as the title and performers is obtained as the primary information from the title ID. Until now, the product purchased by another customer who purchased the title is preferentially displayed. Using as a key, links are made such as a title purchased by a customer who purchased another title in which the performer appeared.

In summary:
Conventional:
1) Previously, it was not possible to recommend comprehensively to collect user information for each store.
2) Previously, products were only analyzed based on primary information about products, and products were recommended.
3) There were no recommended functions such as online search.
The present invention:
1) Since products purchased at other stores can be obtained as recommended information, it is possible to provide recommended information that better matches the needs of users. It is possible to make a comprehensive recommendation by analyzing the content playback history.

2) More recommended information can be provided by linking primary information to secondary information. It is possible to provide more recommended information by linking the primary information to the related secondary information and having a network structure (regardless of the order of analysis).

3) Recommendation information can be provided more comprehensively and accurately by including information such as online search.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements according to different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The figure which shows the structural example of the whole information delivery system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structural example of a member database. The figure which shows the structural example of a history database. The figure which shows the structural example of the link to the secondary information regarding title ID. The figure which shows the structural example of a delivery information database. The flowchart for demonstrating the example of the registration process procedure of the member in an information delivery system. The flowchart for demonstrating the example of the process sequence of the log | history process in an information delivery system. The flowchart for demonstrating the example of the process sequence of the information delivery process in an information delivery system. The flowchart for demonstrating the example of the process sequence of the information delivery process in the information delivery system in other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information delivery system, 10 ... Processing apparatus, 12 ... Processing part, 13 ... Member database, 14 ... History database, 15 ... Delivery information database, 17 ... Member registration apparatus, 17b ... Input device, 18 ... Cash register terminal, 20 ... Mobile terminal, 20a ... display unit.

Claims (7)

Member information recording means for recording information indicating a distribution destination of information to members;
A history recording means for recording the reproduction of content on the member's terminal;
Determining means for determining distribution information to be distributed to the member based on the history content;
An information distribution system comprising: distribution means for distributing the distribution information determined by the determination means to the distribution destination of the member specified by the member information recording means.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines distribution information based on content related information.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the history recording unit further records a purchase history, a net search history, a net browsing history, and a mail text of the member in the net sales.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit charges the sales person of the related content of the distribution information with distribution of the distribution information. In a processing apparatus used in an information distribution system having member information recording means for recording information indicating a distribution destination of information to members,
A history recording means for recording the reproduction of content on the member's terminal;
Determining means for determining distribution information to be distributed to the member based on the history content;
A processing apparatus of an information distribution system comprising: distribution means for distributing distribution information determined by the determination means to a distribution destination of a member specified by the member information record. Member information recording means for recording information indicating the distribution destination of information to members, history recording means for recording reproduction of contents on the member's terminal, and distribution information to be distributed to the members based on the history contents And a distribution unit that distributes the distribution information determined by the determination unit to the distribution destination of the member specified by the member information record. A device owned by a member whose information is recorded,
A terminal having receiving means for receiving distribution information addressed to a member distributed to a distribution destination recorded in the member information recording means from the information distribution system. Member information recording means for recording information indicating a distribution destination of information to members;
History recording means for recording purchase history, online search history, online browsing history, mail text of members,
Determining means for determining distribution information to be distributed to the member based on the history content;
An information distribution system comprising: distribution means for distributing the distribution information determined by the determination means to the distribution destination of the member specified by the member information recording means.

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