JP2011023039A - Information distribution device and information distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately grasp the need of each user for information distribution. <P>SOLUTION: An information distribution device includes a reader information management means which stores identifiers of readers and a plurality of mail addresses for each reader; a distribution information management means which stores distribution information, including the identifier of an e-mail, the identifier of the reader, and the mail address of a distribution place for each distributed e-mail; a history recording means which receives a notice, including the identifier of the e-mail transmitted from the reader terminal, when the e-mail is opened or a link in the e-mail is clicked, and records the time, when the notice is received and the identifier of the e-mail in a history management means; a determination means which determines distribution timing, based on the time recorded in the history management means for the identifiers of the e-mails included in each of the distribution information for each identifier of the reader or each e-mail address, which are stored in the distribution information management means; and a distribution means which distributes the e-mails based on a determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method, and more particularly to an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method for distributing an electronic mail to a pre-registered mail address.

  As one form of information distribution using network technology, there is opt-in targeting mail (generally called mail magazine or mail magazine, hereinafter referred to as “information mail”). The distributor of the information mail sends the contents of the information mail to the subscriber in advance (for example, categories such as politics, economy, sports or entertainment), the data format of the information mail (text format or HTML format), Alternatively, the distribution frequency (daily, biweekly, once a week, etc.) is set on the homepage or the like so as to distribute information that matches the subscriber's preference as much as possible (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-150147 A

  However, it seems that subscribers of information mail are not necessarily satisfied with the service content. For example, the following results have been obtained for a questionnaire regarding improvement requests for opt-in targeting emails.

  1. There is a problem with points and presents.

  2. There is a problem with the mail design or volume.

  3. Unnecessary information arrives / does not match the desired information.

  4). There is a system problem such as a release method.

  5. There is a problem with the sending frequency.

  From this questionnaire result, the subscriber can know that he / she feels dissatisfaction with the contents (category) of mail, the delivery amount, the delivery frequency, and the like. These dissatisfaction causes a decrease in the open rate of information emails and an increase in the number of cancellations, and it is a problem for email distributors who are profitable from the number of emails delivered and the number of advertisement clicks. .

  The following are presumed to be the main reasons why subscribers are dissatisfied despite the fact that information mail is delivered according to the subscriber's settings.

  One cause is that, although the information is desired by the subscriber, an undesired mail is delivered to an undesired terminal in an undesired time zone. For example, subscribers wish to check the weather forecast on a mobile phone in the morning and to check economic news on a PC at work in the day, but in the morning the weather on the PC at work. Forecasts are distributed, and economic news is distributed to mobile phones in the daytime.

  The information mail becomes effective information for the subscriber only when it is delivered to the terminal at the optimum time zone, sentence amount, and terminal. However, in the conventional system, since the control limited to the distribution time, the distribution amount, the distribution destination, and the like has not been performed, an email with a time zone, a sentence amount, etc. that deviates from the subscriber's request is distributed. .

  Another reason is that the delivery time zone, the amount of text, the delivery frequency, etc. desired by the subscribers change from day to day. Even if there is a change in the subscriber's needs, it is distributed based on the setting contents at the time of starting the subscription, so that the mail with contents that are less interesting to the subscriber is distributed.

  Another cause is that it is buried in another mail. A subscriber who subscribes to a plurality of information mails receives a plurality of information mails, private mails, etc. at a time when the mailer is activated. Even if an information mail is initially registered for registration, it may be deleted without being opened if it is buried in another mail.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method capable of appropriately grasping each user's needs for information distribution.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the information distribution device is an information distribution device that distributes an electronic mail to a pre-registered mail address, and each subscriber of the electronic mail has an identifier and a plurality of subscribers. Subscriber information management means for storing the e-mail address, and for each e-mail distributed to the e-mail address, distribution information including the e-mail identifier, the subscriber identifier, and the e-mail address of the distribution destination is stored. A distribution information management means, and a notification including an identifier of the e-mail transmitted from the subscriber terminal when the e-mail is opened at the subscriber terminal or a link in the e-mail is clicked. History recording means for recording the received time and the identifier of the e-mail in the history management means, and stored in the distribution information management means For each subscriber identifier and email address, based on the time recorded in the history management means for the subscriber identifier and the email identifier contained in the distribution information for the email address. And determining means for determining the delivery time, and distributing means for distributing the electronic mail based on the determination result by the determining means.

  In such an information delivery apparatus, an effective delivery time can be determined based on a user's past opening time. The delivery time is determined for each mail address. Therefore, even when the user registers a plurality of mail addresses, it is possible to grasp an appropriate delivery time for each mail address.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, this invention is good also as an information delivery method in the said information delivery apparatus.

  It is possible to provide an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method capable of appropriately grasping each user's needs for information distribution.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information mail delivery system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a manuscript information management table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an advertisement information management table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a subscriber information management table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an opening log | history management table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a click log | history management table. It is a conceptual diagram of the time table of X day of a subscriber A's. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a delivery information management table. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the information mail delivery server in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the subscriber registration process by a user management part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a subscriber registration page. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a default time table management table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the acquisition process of opening information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the acquisition process of click information. It is a figure which shows the example of the text of an information mail. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an opening rate and click rate time table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a delivery amount time table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a delivery interval time table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a time table preparation process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the creation process of an opening rate and click rate time table. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of an openable period. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the opening period and the period after opening. It is a figure which shows the example of calculation of an opening point, an openable point, a total opening point, and a total opening possible point. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of a click period and a non-click period. It is a figure which shows the example of calculation of a click point, a clickable point, a total click point, and a total clickable point. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production process of a delivery amount time table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production | generation process of a delivery interval time table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a delivery information registration process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the selection process of the delivery object genre based on the opening rate and click rate in an opening rate and click rate timetable. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production | generation process of one information mail.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information mail delivery system in an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an information mail distribution system 1 includes an information mail distribution server 10 and a subscriber terminal connected to each other via a network (whether wired or wireless) such as the Internet, an intranet, or a LAN (Local Area Network). 20 and an administrator terminal 30 or the like.

  The subscriber terminal 20 is a terminal used by subscribers of electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as “information mail”) distributed by the information mail distribution server 10 to receive and subscribe to information mail. Software such as mailer 22 is implemented. The web browser 21 and the mailer 22 are not limited to predetermined ones, and may be a general web browser or mailer. The subscriber terminal 20 is not limited to one for each subscriber. For example, for a subscriber, each of the subscriber's home PC (Personal Computer), workplace PC (Personal Computer), and mobile phone can be the subscriber terminal 20.

  In the administrator terminal 30, the administrator of the information mail distribution system 1 registers information related to a manuscript or advertisement (hereinafter referred to as “manuscript information” or “advertisement information”) to be posted in the information mail in the information mail distribution server 10. For this purpose, a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) is used, and software such as a Web browser 31 is installed. For example, the administrator inputs manuscript information and advertisement information via a web page displayed on the web browser 31. The web browser 31 is not limited to a predetermined one, and may be a general web browser.

  The information mail distribution server 10 is a computer that distributes information mail on which predetermined information is posted to the subscriber terminal 20, and includes a user management unit 11, a history information acquisition unit 12, a document registration unit 13, and an advertisement document registration unit. 14, time table creation unit 15, distribution information registration unit 16, information mail distribution unit 17, subscriber information management table 51, opening history management table 52, click history management table 53, manuscript information management table 54, advertisement information management table 55 , A default time table management table 56, a distribution information management table 57, and the like.

  The document registration unit 13 receives the document information of the information mail from the administrator terminal 30 and registers it in the document information management table 54.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the document information management table. In FIG. 2, a document information management table 54 is a table for managing document information relating to one document by one record. Each record includes items such as document ID, document type, registration date, document content, and document line number. Consists of

  The document ID is an item that holds an ID for identifying each document information. The document type is an item in which the genre of the document (for example, news, entertainment information, sports information, or the like) is held. The registration date / time is an item that holds the date / time when the document information was registered. The document content is an item in which the content of one document (text information or the like) is held. The number of original lines is an item for holding the number of original lines.

  In the present embodiment, the information mail and the original do not necessarily correspond one-on-one. That is, one information mail can include a plurality of documents.

  The advertisement manuscript registration unit 14 (FIG. 1) receives the advertisement information of the information mail from the administrator terminal 30 and registers it in the advertisement information management table 55.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the advertisement information management table. In FIG. 3, the advertisement information management table 55 is a table for managing advertisement information related to one advertisement with one record. Each record includes an advertisement ID, an advertisement type, a registration date, a given point, an advertisement content, and the number of advertisement lines. , Link destination address, and transition destination address.

  The advertisement ID is an item that holds an ID for identifying each advertisement information. The advertisement type is an item that holds the genre of the advertisement. The registration date / time is an item that holds the date / time when the advertisement information was registered. The grant point is an item in which points granted to the subscriber when the link of the advertisement is accessed are held. The points are used, for example, as an index for giving a privilege to a subscriber.

  The advertisement content is an item in which the content (text information or the like) for one advertisement is held. The number of advertisement lines is an item in which the number of advertisement lines is held. The link destination address is an item that holds a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that is posted in an information mail as link information for allowing access to information targeted for advertisement. The URL for the information mail delivery server 10 is registered as the link destination address. The transition destination address is an item that holds the URL of the transition destination when the link destination address is accessed. That is, the transition destination address is a true URL for the information targeted for advertisement. How to use the link destination address and the transition destination address will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of advertisements can be included in one information mail, as in the case of a document.

  The user management unit 11 (FIG. 1) executes processing related to user management such as subscriber registration and cancellation. For example, at the time of registration, the user registration unit 11 receives subscriber information from the subscriber terminal 20 and registers the received subscriber information in the subscriber information management table 51.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the subscriber information management table. In FIG. 4, a subscriber information management table 51 is a table for managing one subscriber information with one record. Each record has a subscriber ID, a subscriber name, a home address, a mobile address, a work address, a gender. , Age group, occupation classification, number of points, and time table.

  The subscriber ID is an item that holds an ID for identifying each subscriber. The subscriber name is an item in which the nickname of the subscriber is held. The home address is an item in which the mail address (hereinafter referred to as “home address”) of the subscriber terminal 20 at the subscriber's home is held. The mobile address is an item in which the mail address (hereinafter referred to as “mobile address”) of the mobile phone of the subscriber as the subscriber terminal 20 is held. The work address is an item in which the mail address (hereinafter referred to as “work address”) of the subscriber terminal 20 in the subscriber's work is held.

  The gender is an item in which the gender of the subscriber is retained. The age group is an item in which the subscriber's age group is held. The occupation classification is an item in which the occupation classification of the subscriber is maintained. The number of points is an item in which the current number of points given to the subscriber is held. The time table is an item that holds binary data of the time table. The time table will be described later.

  The history information acquisition unit 12 (FIG. 1) acquires the reading status of the information mail by the subscriber by exchanging with the mailer 22 of the subscriber terminal 20, and the acquired reading status is managed by the opening history management table 52 and the click history management. Record in table 53.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the unsealing history management table. In FIG. 5, an unsealing history management table 52 is a table for managing information related to one opening of an information mail (hereinafter referred to as “opening information”) with one record, and each record includes an information mail ID and a subscriber ID. , Opening date and time, opening date type, and the like.

  The information mail ID is an item in which the information mail ID of the opened information mail is recorded. The information mail ID is assigned to each information mail in the distribution information table 57 described later in order to identify each information mail. The subscriber ID is an item in which the subscriber ID of the subscriber who opened the information mail is recorded. The date and time of opening is an item in which the date and time when the information mail is opened is recorded. The opening date type is an item in which the “day type” of the opening date is recorded. Here, “day type” means a day of the week or a holiday.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the click history management table. In FIG. 6, the click history management table 53 is a table for managing information related to one click (hereinafter referred to as “click information”) for the link destination address of the advertisement described in the information mail in one record. The record includes items such as an information mail ID, a subscriber ID, an advertisement ID, a click date and time, a click date type, and a click row number.

  The information mail ID is an item in which the information mail ID of the information mail in which the advertisement link destination address is clicked is recorded. The subscriber ID is an item in which the subscriber ID of the subscriber who clicked the link address of the advertisement is recorded. The advertisement ID is an item in which the advertisement ID of the advertisement whose link destination address is clicked is recorded. The click date / time is an item in which the date / time when the link destination address is clicked is recorded. The click date type is an item in which the date type of the day when the link destination address is clicked is recorded. The click line number is an item in which a line number (which line is described) is recorded as position information indicating a description position where the advertisement in which the link destination address is clicked is described. Note that the position information indicating the description position is not necessarily a line number, and may be expressed by, for example, the number of bytes from the top.

  The time table creation unit 15 (FIG. 1) uses a delivery time suitable for each subscriber based on the history of opening information and the history of click information registered in the opening history management table 52 or the click history management table 53. A delivery amount, a delivery frequency, a delivery destination, and the like are determined, and a time table is created based on the determination result. In the present embodiment, the time table refers to information indicating an information mail reading schedule for each subscriber. In more detail, the timetable shows that when a subscriber is "when", "how much", "how often", "with which email address (terminal)", "what kind of information" by information mail Information that indicates whether you are reading. The time table is created for each subscriber for each day type and for each e-mail address (by home address, mobile address, or work address). The created time table is registered in the subscriber information management table 51.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a time table for subscriber A's X day of the week. The time table 150 in FIG. 7 shows reading patterns for the home address, the mobile address, and the work address for the subscriber A on the X day. In the time table 150, a solid arrow indicates a time zone in which the information mail is estimated to be read (that is, the mailer is activated). On the other hand, a white arrow indicates a time zone in which it is estimated that the mailer is not activated.

  According to the time table 150, Mr. A on the X day reads news and weather forecasts with a mobile phone address slightly frequently after 8 o'clock in the morning. Read the news a little at a work address less frequently after 9am. When it is past noon, it is determined that economic information and IT information are read a little with a mobile phone address at a low frequency, and economic information and IT information are read with a medium amount at a moderate frequency after 13:00. obtain. Therefore, if the information mail is distributed based on the time table 150, the information can be effectively distributed to Mr. A. For example, if an information mail is delivered during the time indicated by the filled arrow, the information mail is received while Mr. A is running the mailer, so the probability of being read is expected to increase. .

  The distribution information registration unit 16 (FIG. 1) generates an information mail for each subscriber based on the document information and the advertisement information stored in the document information management table 54 and the advertisement information management table 55, and the generated information mail. Information related to information mail distribution (hereinafter referred to as “distribution information”) is registered in the distribution information management table 57. When generating the information mail, the distribution information registration unit 16 generates the information mail and the distribution information thereof so that the distribution date and time, the distribution amount, the distribution frequency, the distribution destination, and the like are appropriate for each subscriber based on the time table.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distribution information management table. In FIG. 8, a distribution information management table 57 is a table for managing distribution information relating to one information mail in one record. Each record includes an information mail ID, a subscriber ID, an information mail type, a grant point, and an information mail. It consists of contents, delivery destination address type, scheduled delivery date, delivery date, delivery date type, document ID, advertisement ID, and the like.

  The information mail ID is an item that holds an ID for identifying each information mail. The subscriber ID is an item in which the subscriber ID of the distribution destination subscriber is held. The information mail type is an item in which the genre type of the content of the information mail is held. The grant point is an item in which a point given to the subscriber when the information mail is opened is held. The information mail content is an item that holds the content (text) of the information mail. The text includes the manuscript content of the manuscript information and the advertising content of the advertisement information alternately combined.

  The distribution destination address type is an item in which the type of address to which the information mail is distributed (a home address, a mobile address, or a work address) is held. The scheduled delivery date and time is an item that holds the scheduled delivery date and time of information mail. The delivery date / time is an item in which the date / time is recorded when the information mail is actually delivered. The distribution date type is an item that holds the date type of the actual distribution date. The document ID is an item in which the document ID of the document posted in the information mail is held. The advertisement ID is an item that holds the advertisement ID of the advertisement that is posted in the information mail. Since one information mail can include a plurality of documents and a plurality of advertisements, a plurality of document IDs and advertisement IDs can be held.

  The information mail distribution unit 17 (FIG. 1) distributes information mail based on the distribution information in the distribution information management table 57.

  Note that the processing by the time table creation unit 15, the distribution information registration unit 16, and the information mail distribution unit 17 is executed periodically (for example, once a day) by, for example, batch processing.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information mail delivery server in the embodiment of the present invention. The information mail delivery server 10 of FIG. 9 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, an arithmetic processing device 104, and an interface device 105, which are mutually connected by a bus B. Composed.

  A program for realizing processing in the information mail distribution server 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 on which the program is recorded is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100.

  The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data. The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The arithmetic processing unit 104 realizes each function related to the information mail distribution server 10 described in FIG. 1 according to a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  The processing procedure of the information mail delivery server 10 in FIG. 1 will be described below. First, the subscriber registration process will be described. In order to receive information mail distribution, the user needs to be registered as a subscriber.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining subscriber registration processing by the user management unit.

  For example, it is assumed that a home page (not shown) of the information mail delivery server 10 is displayed on the web browser 21 of the subscriber terminal 20. When the user clicks the user registration button on the homepage to subscribe to the information mail (S11), the user management unit 11 uses a Web page for subscriber registration (hereinafter referred to as “subscriber registration page”) as the Web. It is displayed on the browser 21 (S12).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a subscriber registration page. In FIG. 11, a subscriber registration page 111 includes a name input area 1111, a home address input area 1112, a mobile address input area 1113, a work address input area 1114, a gender selection button 1115, an age group selection box 1116, an occupation selection box 1117, and A registration button 1118 and the like are included.

  In the subscriber registration page 111, the user has a nickname (1111), home address (1112), mobile address (1113), work address (1114), gender (1115), age group (1116), occupation (1117), and the like. When the subscriber information is entered (S13) and the registration button 1118 is clicked (S14), the user management unit 11 receives the subscriber information from the Web browser 21, and the received subscriber information is stored in the subscriber information management table. 51 (FIG. 4) is registered (S15).

  Subsequently, the user management unit 11 acquires a default time table suitable for the current user from the default time table management table 56, and registers the acquired default time table in the record of the current user in the subscriber information management table 51. (S16).

  Here, the default time table refers to a (default) time table created in advance according to the subscriber's attributes. The subscriber does not store the opening information and the click information history (that is, at least first after registration). It is used as a criterion for determining the needs of subscribers who distribute information mails.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a default time table management table. In FIG. 12, a default time table 56 is a table for managing information related to one default time table (hereinafter referred to as “default time table information”) in one record, and each record includes gender, age group, occupation classification, It consists of items such as day type, destination address type, and time table.

  The gender is an item that holds the gender to which the time table of the default time table information is applied. The age group is an item that holds the age group to which the time table of the default time table information is applied. The occupation category is an item that holds the occupation category to which the time table of the default time table information is applied. The day type is an item that holds the day type to which the time table of the default time table information is applied. The distribution destination address type is an item in which the distribution destination address type applied to the time table of the default time table information is held. The time table is an item that holds binary data of the time table of the default time information.

  That is, as described above, the time table is created based on the history of opening information and the history of click information. However, these histories are not accumulated for subscribers who have just been registered as subscribers. Therefore, an average timetable (default timetable) of subscribers belonging to the category is created in advance for each gender, age group, occupation classification, etc., for newly registered subscribers By using the default time table for the category of the subscriber as a criterion, the information mail is distributed from the beginning in a form closer to the needs of the subscriber.

  Next, opening information acquisition processing and click information acquisition processing by the history information acquisition unit 12 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the opening information acquisition process. Here, it is assumed that the information mail is already distributed to the subscriber.

  When the subscriber opens the information mail in the mailer 22 (S21), the mailer 22 transmits an access request to the image data stored in the information mail distribution server 10 to the information mail distribution server 10 based on the information mail. (S22). That is, a command for accessing the image data is embedded in the information mail, and the mailer 22 interprets the command and transmits an access request to the image data. In the command for accessing the image data, the information mail ID of the opened information mail and the subscriber ID of the distribution destination subscriber are set as parameters. Accordingly, the mailer 22 transmits an access request including the information mail ID and the subscriber ID.

  Based on the access request to the image data from the mailer 22, the history information acquisition unit 12 detects that the information mail related to the information mail ID has been opened by the subscriber related to the subscriber ID (S23). Subsequently, the history information acquisition unit 12 registers the opening information in the opening history management table 52 with the date and time when the access request is received as the opening date and time (S24). Further, the history information acquisition unit 12 determines whether or not the opened information mail is the first time opening by referring to the opening history management table 52, and if the current opening is the first time, the opening of the opened information mail Points are acquired from the distribution information management table 57 (FIG. 8), and the acquired grant points are added to the number of points of the subscriber who opened the package (FIG. 4) (S25).

  Next, click information acquisition processing will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining click information acquisition processing.

  When the subscriber who is reading the information mail by the mail 22 clicks the URL to the link address of the advertisement described in the information mail, the Web browser 21 is activated on the subscriber terminal 20 (S31). The Web browser 21 transmits an access request (HTTP request) to the link destination address to the information mail distribution server 10.

  The history information acquisition unit 12 acquires the information mail ID, the subscriber ID, the advertisement ID, and the clicked line number (clicked line number) from the access request to the link destination address (S32).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the text of the information mail. In FIG. 15, the information mail 500 includes a manuscript 510 and an advertisement 511. In the advertisement 511, a URL 511l to the link destination address is described. The URL 511l includes arguments 511l-1, 511l-2, 511l-3, and 511l-4.

  The argument 5111-1 includes the information mail ID of the information mail 500 in the form of “mailid = <information mail ID>”. The argument 5111-2 includes the subscriber ID of the subscriber of the information mail 500 in the format of “userid = <subscriber ID>”. The argument 511l-3 includes the advertisement ID of the advertisement 511 in the format of “linkid = <advertisement ID>”. The argument 511l-4 includes the line number in which the advertisement 511 is described in the information mail 500 in the format of “line = <line number>”. The domain 511-5 in the URL 511l is for the information mail delivery server 10.

  Therefore, when the URL 511l is clicked, an access request to the link destination address is transmitted to the information mail delivery server 10 together with an argument, and the history information acquisition unit 12 receives the information mail ID, subscriber ID, advertisement from the access request. Click information such as an ID and a click line number (advertisement line number) can be acquired. Each argument information is desirably encrypted from the viewpoint of security.

  Subsequently, the history information acquisition unit 12 registers information obtained by adding the current date and time type to the acquired information as click information in the click history management table 53 (FIG. 6) (S33).

  Subsequently, the history information acquisition unit 12 determines whether or not the clicked advertisement is the first click by referring to the click history management table 53, and if the current click is the first click, the clicked advertisement. Are added from the advertisement information management table 55 (FIG. 3) and added to the number of points of the subscriber who clicked the acquired grant point (FIG. 4) (S34).

  Subsequently, the history information acquisition unit 12 acquires a transition destination address of the clicked advertisement from the advertisement information management table 55 (FIG. 3), and a Web page on which a script for loading the acquired transition destination address is described. Is transmitted to the Web browser 22 (S35). The web browser 22 displays a web page on which information targeted for advertisement is posted based on the received web page.

  The process of FIG. 13 is executed every time the information mail is opened, and the process of FIG. 14 is executed every time the advertisement is clicked. Therefore, the opening history management table 52 (FIG. 5) and the click history management table 53 (FIG. 6) accumulate opening history or click information history.

  Next, time table creation processing by the time table creation unit 15 will be described. In this embodiment, the time table whose conceptual diagram is shown in FIG. 7 is implemented by three tables: an unsealing rate / click rate time table 151, a delivery amount time table 152, and a delivery interval time table 153.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an opening rate / click rate time table. In FIG. 16, the opening rate / click rate time table 151 is a total opening point, a total opening possible point, an opening rate, a total click point, and a total click for each genre of information mail (news, entertainment information, etc.) for each time zone. It is a table for managing possible points, click rates, and the like. The unsealing rate is an index for estimating the high probability of being opened in that time zone (high probability that the mailer 22 is activated), and by dividing the total unsealing point by the total unopenable point That value is obtained. The click rate is an index for estimating the high probability that an advertisement is clicked when the information mail is opened, and the value is obtained from the total click points. For example, in FIG. 16, an information mail related to news has the highest probability of being opened in the time zone from 8:30 to 9:00, and from 8:30 to 9:00 and from 10:00 to 10:30. It is assumed that the probability that the advertisement is clicked is the same. Other details regarding the opening rate / click rate time table 151 will be described later.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distribution amount time table. In FIG. 17, a delivery amount time table 152 is a table for managing the total number of click lines, the total number of clicks, the average number of lines, etc. for each genre of information mail for each time zone. Here we focus on the average number of rows. The average number of rows is an index indicating the number of rows estimated to be read by the subscriber per information mail, and can be obtained by dividing the total number of clicks by the total number of clicks. In FIG. 17, it is estimated that the information mail regarding news is read about 52 lines in the time zone from 8:30 to 9:00 and about 70 lines in the time zone from 10:00 to 10:30. It is shown. Other details regarding the delivery amount time table 152 will be described later.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distribution interval time table. In FIG. 18, a delivery interval time table 153 is a table for managing the total number of opened messages, the total number of delivered messages, the opened rate, and the like for each genre of information mail for each interval at which information mail is distributed. Here, focus on the open rate. The unsealing rate is an index indicating the probability that the information mail delivered at the interval will be unsealed, and the value can be obtained by dividing the total number of unsealing by the total number of deliveries. In FIG. 18, it is shown that the probability of being opened most is high when the information mail regarding news is delivered every other day. Other details regarding the delivery interval time table 153 will be described later.

  In the following description, the term “time table” means information composed of the above three tables.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the time table creation processing.

  First, the time table creation unit 15 acquires a list of subscriber information of all subscribers from the subscriber information management table 51 (FIG. 4) (S41). Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 acquires subscriber information for one person from the list of subscriber information (S42). The subscriber information acquired here is hereinafter referred to as “current subscriber information”, and the subscriber related to the current subscriber information is referred to as “current subscriber”.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 initializes the time table of the current subscriber (S43). Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 opens the opening rate / click rate time based on the opening history management table 52 (FIG. 5), the click history management table 53 (FIG. 6), the distribution information management table 57 (FIG. 8), and the like. A table 151 is created (S44).

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 creates a delivery amount time table 152 based on the opening history management table 52 (FIG. 5), the click history management table 53 (FIG. 6), and the like (S45). Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 creates a delivery interval time table 153 based on the opening history management table 52 (FIG. 5) and the delivery information management table 57 (FIG. 8).

  Subsequently, the time table creating unit 15 uses the binary data of the created opening rate / click rate time table 151, delivery amount time table 152, and delivery interval time table 153 as a time table of current subscriber information to manage subscriber information. It is registered in the table 51 (FIG. 4) (S47).

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 determines whether or not all subscribers in the list of subscriber information have been processed (S48). If there are subscribers that have not been processed yet, those subscriptions are present. The process from step S42 to S47 is repeated for the person.

  When the time table for all the subscribers is created (YES in S48), the time table creating unit 15 executes a counting process for each attribute of the subscriber based on the created time table (S49). The result is registered as a default time table in the default time table management table 58 (FIG. 12) (S50). That is, the default time table is also updated daily.

  Next, the process of creating the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (FIG. 16) in step S44 will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the creation process of the opening rate / click rate time table. Note that the processing in FIG. 20 is executed for each day type and each destination address type.

  First, the time table creation unit 15 acquires a predetermined number of distribution information related to the current subscriber (for example, the past month or the like within a predetermined period from the present) from the distribution information management table 57 (FIG. 8) ( S44a). Note that here, distribution information related to the day type and the distribution destination address to be processed is acquired. Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 extracts one piece of distribution information as a processing target from the acquired distribution information (S44b). The distribution information extracted here is hereinafter referred to as “current distribution information”.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 displays the opening information and the click information of the information mail (hereinafter referred to as “current mail”) related to the current distribution information as the opening history management table 52 (FIG. 5) or the click history management table 53 ( (S44c).

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 specifies the delivery date, opening date, and click date of the current mail based on the delivery information, opening information, and click information, and determines the openable period of the current email based on those dates. (S44d). Here, the openable period refers to a period in which it is estimated that the current mail can be opened or the mailer 22 has been activated.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a calculation method of the openable period. The time table creation unit 15 determines the openable period of the current mail based on the following three rules.

  As rule 1, the time zone immediately before the time zone including the first opening date and time from the time zone including the delivery date and time of the current mail (in this case, in units of 30 minutes) is set as the openable period. This is because it can be assumed that after the information mail is delivered, it can be opened. However, when both time zones are the same, rule 3 to be described later is applied.

  As rule 2, if the period from delivery to opening exceeds a certain period A, or if the delivered mail is not opened, rule 1 does not apply and delivery from the time zone including the delivery date and time A period up to a time zone including a time including a certain time A in the day and time is defined as an openable period. Here, the fixed period A means the maximum period that affects the calculation of the unsealing rate when the mail is not unsealed, and is set in advance by the administrator, for example. Rule 2 is for avoiding a decrease in the validity of the unsealing rate by unreasonably calculating the openable period when it is opened after several days or when it is not opened at all. It is a rule.

  As rule 3, when opening or clicking is repeatedly performed without a fixed period B, they are set as a series of periods, and the fixed period C is added to the final time from the time zone to which the start time of the series of periods belongs. The period up to the time zone to which the time belongs is the openable period. In addition, when opening or clicking is performed only once within a certain period B, the period from the time zone to which the opening or clicking time of one time belongs to the time period to which the time obtained by adding the certain period C to the time belongs Is the openable period. Here, the fixed period B means a period for determining how long it can be regarded as a single reading operation when opening and clicking are continuously performed, for example, management Preset by the user. Further, the fixed period C means a period during which it is estimated that the mailer 22 has been activated after the last click or opening, and is set in advance by an administrator, for example. That is, the fixed period C is a parameter based on the assumption that the mailer 22 will be activated for a while after opening or clicking on an advertisement.

  Based on the above, reference is made to FIG. In the figure, (A) shows that the current mail is delivered after 9 o'clock (d1), opened between 10 o'clock and 10:30 (o11), and clicks on the advertisement twice between 10:30 and 11:00 The example is shown (c11, c12), opened again from 13:00 to 13:30 (o12), and clicked on the advertisement before 14:00 (c13). In this case, from 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock (P1), according to rule 1, from 10 o'clock to 12:30 (P2) according to rule 3, and from 13 o'clock to 14:30 (P3) according to rule 3, It is determined that there was.

  As another example, in (B) in the figure, the current mail is delivered after 9 o'clock (d2) and opened before 14 o'clock after a certain period of A (2 hours here) or more. (O21) An example is shown. In this case, from 9 o'clock to 11:30 (P4), it is determined according to the rule 2 and from 13:30 to 14:30 (P5) is the openable time from the rule 3 writing.

  Subsequently (FIG. 20), the time table creation unit 15 determines the opening period and the post-opening period of the current mail based on the opening date and time and the clicking date and time (S44e). Here, the opening period is a period during which the mailer 22 is estimated to have been activated. Further, the period after opening refers to a period during which it is estimated that the mailer 22 has been activated after opening the current mail.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining the opening period and the period after opening. In FIG. 22, the same portions as those in FIG. 21A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The example of FIG. 22 is different from FIG. 21A in that the current mail is further opened after 14:00 (o13).

  The time table creation unit 15 determines the open period and the post-open period of the current mail based on the following three rules.

  As rule 1, if opening or clicking is repeatedly performed without a certain period B, they are set as a series of periods, and the period from the time zone to which the start time of the series period belongs to the time zone to which the final time belongs Is the opening period. In addition, when opening or clicking is performed only once within a certain period B, the time zone to which the time of the one opening or clicking belongs is set as the opening period.

  As rule 2, the time obtained by adding a fixed period C to the last time of the series of periods or the time of the single opening or click belongs from the time zone to which the last time of the series of periods or the time of opening or clicking once belongs. The period up to the time zone is the period after opening. However, if the period after opening and the opening period overlap, this period is not the period after opening.

  Based on the above, reference is made to FIG. In this case, from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock (O1) and from 13 o'clock to 14:30 (O2) are determined by the rule 1 as opening periods. Further, from 11 o'clock to 11:30 (A1) is determined as the period after opening. Note that from 10:30 to 11:00 (A2) and from 14:00 to 14:30 (A3) can be the period after opening, but since it overlaps with the opening period, it is not set as the period after opening.

  Subsequently (FIG. 20), the time table creation unit 15 calculates the opening point and the openable point of the current mail for each time zone, and calculates the respective values as the total opening point and the total opening point of the opening rate / click rate time table 151. Add to the openable point (S44f).

  Here, the opening point refers to a point given to a time zone belonging to the opening period or the period after opening, “1” when belonging to the opening period, and “0.5” when belonging to the period after opening. Is given. An openable point refers to a point given to a time zone belonging to an openable period, and “1” is given when it belongs to an openable period. The difference in points between the opening period and the period after opening depends on the high possibility that the mailer 22 is activated. That is, the possibility that the mailer 22 is activated in the period after opening is estimated, but it is considered that the possibility is low compared with the opening period.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a calculation example of an opening point, an openable point, a total opening point, and a total openingable point.

  FIG. 23A shows an example in which the current mail is delivered after 9 o'clock (d3), opened after 10 o'clock (o31), and an advertisement is clicked before 10:30. In this case, from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock (P4) is determined to be an openable period. Further, from 10 o'clock to 10:30 (O3) is determined as the opening period. Further, from 10:30 to 11:00 (A4) is determined to be the period after opening.

  Therefore, the opening point and the opening possible point given in each time zone are as shown in FIG. That is, “1” is given as an opening point from 10:00 to 10.30. Further, “0.5” is given as an opening point from 10:30 to 11:00. Further, an openable point “1” is given in each time zone from 9:00 to 11:00. For other points, all points are set to “0”.

  Here, if the information mail type of the current mail is “news”, the calculated opening point and the opening possible point are the total opening point in the news of the opening rate / click rate time table 151 in FIG. It is added to each total openable point. In the figure, (C), the opening rate / click rate time table 151 omits the opening rate column for convenience.

  Subsequently (FIG. 20), the time table creation unit 15 opens the total opening points for each time zone related to the information mail type of the current mail in the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (FIG. 23C or FIG. 16). By dividing by the possible points, the opening rate of each time zone is calculated, and the calculated opening rate is written in the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (S44g).

  Subsequently, a click rate calculation process is performed. First, the time table creation unit 15 determines the click period and non-click period of the current mail based on the current mail delivery date, opening date, click date, and the like (S44h).

  FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining the click period and the non-click period. The time table creation unit 15 determines that the clicked advertisement among the advertisements posted in the current mail is the click period of the time zone to which the click date / time belongs.

  On the other hand, for an advertisement that has not been clicked even though the current mail has been opened, the time zone to which the opening date of the current mail belongs is determined as a non-click period. However, the determination of the non-click period is performed only for the first opening, and for the second and subsequent opening of the same mail, the time zone to which the opening date belongs is not determined as the non-click period.

  In FIG. 24, the information mail A on which three advertisement types “news”, “entertainment”, and “sports” are posted is delivered after 9 o'clock (d4) and opened after 10 o'clock ( o41) An example is shown in which a news advertisement is clicked before 10:30 (c41) and an entertainment advertisement is clicked after 10:30 (c42).

  In addition, the information mail B on which two advertisements of “news” and “entertainment” are respectively posted is delivered after 12:30 (d5) and opened after 13:00 (o51). Has been. Note that none of the advertisements in the information mail B are clicked.

  In the example of FIG. 24, when the current mail corresponds to the information mail A, it is determined that the news advertisement is from 10 o'clock to 10:30 (C1) as the click period. Further, for entertainment advertisements, (C2) from 10:30 to 11:00 is determined as the click period. Since sports advertisements are not clicked, (C3) from 10 o'clock to 10:30 is determined as the non-click period.

  On the other hand, when the current mail corresponds to the information mail B, the non-click period is determined from 13:00 to 13:30 (C4, C5) for both news and entertainment advertisements.

  Subsequently (FIG. 20), the time table creation unit 15 calculates the click point and clickable point of the current mail for each time period, and the total click points and total points of the click rate / click rate time table 151 for each value. Add to the clickable point (S44i).

  Here, the click point refers to a point given to a time zone belonging to the click period, and “1” is given when belonging to the click period. The clickable point is a point given to a time zone belonging to either the click period or the clickable period, and “1” is given when belonging to the period.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a calculation example of the click point, the clickable point, the total click point, and the total clickable point.

  In FIG. 25 (A), the current mail on which two advertisements of the advertisement types “news” and “entertainment” are posted is delivered after 9 o'clock (d6), and is opened after 9:30 (o61). An example is shown in which an entertainment advertisement is clicked after 10 o'clock (c61), opened again after 10:30 (o62), and an entertainment advertisement is clicked before 11 o'clock (c62).

  In this case, from 9:30 to 10:00 (C6), it is determined that the news advertisement is a non-click period. Further, from 10 o'clock to 10:30 (C7) and from 10:30 to 11 o'clock (C8) are determined to be click periods for entertainment advertisements.

  Therefore, the click points and clickable points given in each time zone are as shown in FIG. That is, for news advertisements, the click point is “0” for all time zones. The clickable point is given “1” in the time zone from 9:30 to 10:00. On the other hand, for entertainment advertisements, “1” is given as a click point and a clickable point in the time zone from 10:00 to 10:30 and from 10:30 to 11:00.

  The calculated click point and clickable point are added to the total click point and the total clickable point for each advertisement type in the news in the click rate / click rate time table 151 in FIG. In the click rate / click rate time table 151 in (C) in the figure, the column of the click rate is omitted for convenience.

  Subsequently (FIG. 20), the time table creation unit 15 uses the total click points updated this time for each advertisement type in the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (FIG. 25C or FIG. 16) as total clickable points. By dividing, the click rate of each time zone is calculated, and the calculated click rate is written in the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (S44j).

  When the processing from step S44b to step S44j is performed for all distribution information (YES in S44k), the creation processing of the unsealing rate / click rate time table 151 ends.

  Accordingly, the processing shown in FIG. 20 is executed for each day type and each destination address type, so that the opening rate / click for each of the home address, mobile address, and work address based on the past delivery information of the current subscriber. The rate time table 151 is created for each day type.

  Next, the process of creating the delivery amount time table 152 (FIG. 17) in step S45 will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining a process of creating a delivery amount time table. Note that the processing in FIG. 26 is executed for each day type and each destination address type.

  First, the time table creation unit 15 acquires a predetermined number of pieces of click information relating to the current subscriber from the latest one from the click history management table 53 (FIG. 6) (S45a). However, when there are a plurality of click information belonging to the same information mail (that is, having the same information mail ID), the one with the largest line number is acquired. Note that here, the click information related to the day type and the delivery destination address to be processed is acquired.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 extracts one piece of click information from the acquired click information as a processing target (S45b). The click information extracted here is hereinafter referred to as “current click information”.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 acquires the advertisement type of the advertisement corresponding to the current click information from the advertisement information management table 55 (FIG. 3) based on the advertisement ID of the current click information (S45c). The advertisement type acquired here is hereinafter referred to as “current advertisement type”.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 updates the delivery amount time table 152 (FIG. 17) based on the current click information (S45d). That is, the line number of the current click information is added to the total number of click lines in the delivery amount time table 152, and 1 is added to the value of the total number of clicks corresponding to the added total click line number. At this time, in the column of the advertisement type corresponding to the current advertisement type, the total number of click lines in the time zone to which the click date and time of the current click information belongs is added. Further, the time table creation unit 15 updates the average number of rows by dividing the total number of click rows to be added by the total number of clicks.

  When the processing from step S45b to step S44d is performed for all the click information acquired in step S45a (YES in S44e), the creation processing of the delivery amount time table 152 ends.

  Therefore, the processing of FIG. 26 is executed for each day type and each delivery destination address type, so that the delivery amount time table for each of the home address, mobile address, and work address based on the past click information of the current subscriber. 152 is created for each day type.

  Here, the meaning of the total number of clicked rows, the total number of clicks, and the average number of rows in the delivery amount time table 152 will be described. In this embodiment, when an advertisement is clicked, it is presumed that information up to the line of the advertisement has been read. Then, the total number of clicked lines means the total number of lines estimated to have been read in each time period of a certain past period. The total number of clicks corresponds to the number of information emails that have been clicked on the advertisement. Therefore, the average number of lines means the number of lines estimated to have been read in each time zone for each information mail.

  Next, the process of creating the delivery interval time table 153 (FIG. 18) in step S46 will be described.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a process of creating a delivery interval time table. The process of FIG. 27 is executed for each distribution destination address type.

  First, the time table creation unit 15 acquires a predetermined number of pieces of distribution information relating to the current subscriber from the latest one from the distribution information management table 57 (FIG. 8) (S46a). Here, the distribution information related to the distribution destination address that is the target of processing is acquired. Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 extracts one piece of distribution information as a processing target from the acquired distribution information (S46b). The distribution information extracted here is hereinafter referred to as “current distribution information”.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 acquires distribution information having the same information mail type (genre) and distribution destination address type from the distribution information whose distribution date is before the distribution date of the current distribution information. (S46c). The distribution information acquired here is hereinafter referred to as “previous distribution information”.

  Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 obtains the difference between the delivery date and time of the previous delivery information and the delivery date and time of the current delivery information, and sets the difference as the current delivery interval (S46d). Subsequently, the time table creation unit 15 determines whether or not the current distribution information has been opened by referring to the opening history management table 52 (FIG. 5) (S46e).

  When the current distribution information has been opened (YES in S46f), the time table creation unit 15 performs total opening of the current distribution interval in the column corresponding to the information mail type of the current distribution information in the distribution interval time table 153 (FIG. 18). 1 is added to each of the number and the total delivery number, and the opening rate is updated by a value calculated by dividing the updated total opening number by the total delivery number (S46g).

  On the other hand, when the current distribution information is not opened (NO in S46f), the time table creation unit 15 only includes the total number of distributions in the current distribution interval in the column corresponding to the information mail type of the current distribution information in the distribution interval time table 153. 1 is added, and the opening rate is updated based on the updated total number of distributions (S46h).

  When the processing from step S46b to step S46g or S46h is performed for all the distribution information (YES in S46i), the generation processing of the distribution interval time table 153 ends.

  Therefore, by executing the processing of FIG. 27 for each delivery destination address type, a delivery interval time table 153 for each of the home address, mobile address, and work address is created based on past delivery information for the current subscriber. Will be.

  Next, the distribution information registration process by the distribution information registration unit 16 will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the distribution information registration process. The process of FIG. 28 is executed for each subscriber registered in the subscriber information management table 51 (FIG. 4) and for each delivery destination address type of each subscriber. Hereinafter, a subscriber who is a processing target is referred to as a “current subscriber”, and a delivery destination address type that is a processing target for the current subscriber is referred to as a “current delivery destination address type”.

  First, the distribution information registration unit 16 obtains the current subscriber time table (opening rate / click rate time table 151 (FIG. 16), distribution amount time table 152 (FIG. 17), distribution interval time table 153 (FIG. 18)). Acquired from the subscriber information management table 51 (FIG. 4), and in the acquired time table, those related to the current distribution destination address type are set as processing targets (S51). Here, the time table to be processed is hereinafter referred to as “current time table”.

  Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 determines whether or not the processing has been completed for all the time zones in the current time table (S52). If the processing is not completed, one time zone is set as a processing target (current time zone), and the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the distribution information registration unit 16 selects a genre having a high opening rate and click rate in the current time zone of the open rate / click rate time table 151 in the current time table (S53). Here, not only the one with the highest opening rate but also a plurality of genres can be selected. Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 selects one genre (hereinafter referred to as “current genre”) from the selected genres (S54).

  Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 determines whether or not the distribution frequency is appropriate when mail of the current genre is distributed this time based on the distribution interval table 153 in the current time table (S55). That is, the difference between the previous delivery date (or scheduled delivery date) and the current delivery date is calculated from the delivery information (FIG. 8) having the same information mail type as the current genre. Furthermore, in the delivery interval time table 153, it is determined whether or not the opening rate of the difference (interval) calculated for the current genre exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the unsealing rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, the distribution frequency is determined to be appropriate, and when it is not exceeded, the determination frequency is determined to be inappropriate.

  When it is determined that the distribution frequency is appropriate (Yes in S55), the distribution information registration unit 16 generates the content of one information mail to be distributed in the current time zone (S56). Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 registers other distribution information such as the contents of the information mail, the distribution destination address, and the scheduled distribution date and time in the distribution information management table 57 (FIG. 8) (S57).

  By repeating the processing from step S54 to S55 or S56 for all genres (S58), the distribution information to be distributed in the current time zone for the current transmission destination address type of the current subscriber is the distribution information management table 57 ( 8).

  Furthermore, the processing from step S53 to step S58 is repeated for all time zones (S52), so that the delivery information to be delivered in each time zone for the current transmission destination address type of the current subscriber is the delivery information management table. 57 (FIG. 8).

  28 is performed for each distribution destination address type of all subscribers, distribution information to be distributed in each time zone to each distribution destination address of all subscribers is distributed in the distribution information management table 57. (FIG. 8).

  Next, the process of selecting a genre to be distributed based on the opening rate and click rate in the opening rate / click rate time table 151 in step S53 (FIG. 28) will be described.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining a process of selecting a distribution target genre based on the opening rate and the click rate in the opening rate / click rate time table.

  First, the distribution information registration unit 16 acquires the opening rate and click rate of each genre in the current time zone from the current opening rate / click rate time table 151 (S53a). Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 calculates points for each genre based on the opening rate and the click rate. Here, the point is obtained by the following equation, for example.

Point = (2- (opening rate × coefficient A + click rate × coefficient B)) × (random number greater than 0 and 1 or less)
Here, the coefficient A is a weight for the unsealing rate, and takes a value greater than 0 and 1 or less. The coefficient B is a weight for the click rate and takes a value greater than 0 and 1 or less. The reason for multiplying by a random number is to avoid a situation in which a genre with a high unsealing rate or click rate is always targeted for distribution and other genres are not distributed at all.

  Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 selects a genre whose points are equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (S53c). Here, the predetermined threshold is a value greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1. When at least one genre is selected (Yes in S53d), the distribution information registration unit 16 selects the selected genre as a distribution target (S53e).

  On the other hand, when there is no selected genre, the distribution information registration unit 16 executes the same processing as S53a and S53b based on the opening rate / click rate time table 151 in the default time table of the current subscriber. Thus, a point is calculated for each genre (S53f, S53g), and the genre having the lowest point is selected as a distribution target (S53h).

  Here, the use of the default time table has the following significance. That is, the fact that there is no genre whose point is equal to or less than the threshold in step S53c is unlikely to be read by the subscriber even if the information mail is distributed based on the past history. On the other hand, the default timetable is not based on the history of the current subscriber, so if you select a genre based on the default timetable, you may be able to distribute genre information that has not been distributed to the current subscriber. Can be increased. In other words, it is intended to search for new needs or preferences of subscribers by distributing different information.

  In the above, the coefficient A, the coefficient B, and the predetermined threshold value in step S53c may be determined in advance by an administrator, for example.

  Next, the information mail generation process in step S56 (FIG. 28) will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining a process of generating one information mail. One information mail to be processed here is hereinafter referred to as “current mail”.

  First, the distribution information registration unit 16 acquires the average number of rows related to the current time zone of the current genre from the distribution amount time table 152 (FIG. 17) (S56a). Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 sets a value obtained by multiplying the acquired average number of lines by a predetermined value A as the maximum number of transmission lines (S56b). However, when the calculated maximum transmission line number is equal to or less than the predetermined value B, the predetermined value B is set as the maximum transmission line number. Here, the predetermined value A is a value that defines how many times the number of lines estimated to be read by the user is transmitted. The predetermined value B is a value that defines the minimum number of lines of information mail. Any value may be determined in advance by an administrator or the like.

  Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 acquires a list of document information whose document type corresponds to the current genre from the document information management table 54 (FIG. 2) and has not been distributed to the current subscriber (S56c). Whether or not each document is undelivered to the current subscriber may be determined based on the document ID of the distribution information (FIG. 8) for the current subscriber.

  Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 extracts one piece of document information from the list of acquired document information in the order of registration date and time (S56d). The document information extracted here is hereinafter referred to as “current document information”.

  Subsequently, the distribution information registration unit 16 determines one advertisement to be posted in the current mail based on the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (FIG. 16) (S56e). That is, first, a list of click rates for each genre is acquired from the opening rate / click rate time table 151. Subsequently, points for each genre are calculated from the following values.

Point = (click rate + predetermined value) x (random number greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1)
Here, by adjusting the size of the predetermined value, the size of the influence of the click rate when determining the advertisement to be distributed can be adjusted. This predetermined value may be determined in advance by an administrator, for example. The reason for multiplying the random number is to avoid a situation in which an advertisement of a genre with a high click rate is always targeted for distribution and other advertisements are not distributed at all. Subsequently, one piece of advertisement information whose advertisement type is the genre having the largest point value is randomly acquired from the advertisement information management table 55 (FIG. 3). The advertisement information acquired here is hereinafter referred to as “current advertisement information”.

  Proceeding to step S56f following step S56e, the distribution information registration unit 16 determines that the sum of the number of document lines of the current document information, the number of advertisement lines of the current advertisement information, and the current number of lines of the current mail indicates the maximum number of transmission lines. It is determined whether or not it exceeds. When the maximum number of transmission lines is not exceeded (No in S56f), the distribution information registration unit 16 adds the document content of the current document information and the advertisement content of the current advertisement information to the content of the current mail (S56g). At this time, the number of lines in which the advertisement related to the current advertisement information is written in the current mail is calculated, and the number of lines is combined with the information mail ID of the current mail, the subscriber ID of the current subscriber, and the advertisement ID of the current advertisement information. It is described as an argument of the link to the advertisement (FIG. 15). However, it is not always necessary to describe the number of lines. For example, the number of rows may be stored in association with the advertisement ID in the distribution information. This is because when the link is clicked, the line number of the advertisement can be known from the advertisement ID included in the argument.

  On the other hand, when the maximum number of transmission lines is exceeded (Yes in S56f), addition to the current mail is not performed.

  When the processing from step S56d to S56f or S56g has been performed for all document information included in the list (S56h), creation of one information mail is completed.

  The information mail created in this way is transmitted by the information mail distribution unit 17 on the scheduled distribution date and time related to the distribution information.

  As described above, according to the information mail distribution server 10 in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to create a time table based on the opening history and click history, and to create and distribute information mail based on the time table, The user can distribute information on “contents to read” to “when you want to read”, “amount to read”, “frequency to read”, and “terminal to read”. As a result, the rate of opening information mails is expected to increase, and the number of churners can be expected to decrease.

  The time table is automatically generated. That is, it is not necessary to make the user perform complicated settings. Therefore, the user's needs can be grasped and information suitable for the needs can be distributed without increasing the user's workload at the time of user registration.

  In addition, since the time table is updated daily, information mail can be distributed in response to changes in subscriber needs. Therefore, even if the user's interest changes, it is not necessary for the user to reset various information.

  In addition, since the activation time of the subscriber's mailer is estimated and the information mail is distributed at that time, the possibility that the information mail is buried in another mail and deleted without being opened can be reduced. That is, the delivery of the information mail is determined with reference to the opening rate of the opening rate / click rate time table 151 (FIG. 16), and the opening rate is an index indicating a high possibility that the mailer is activated. It is. Therefore, if the information mail is distributed during a time period when the unsealing rate is high, it can be expected that the information mail is received during the time period when the mailer is activated. In general, it is considered that the mail transmitted while the mailer is activated is more likely to be read than the mail transmitted before the mailer is activated. When the mailer starts up, it is highly likely that multiple emails are received at one time and deleted without being read. While the mailer is starting up, the user recognizes that a new email has been received and opened it. This is because it is considered that there is a higher possibility of being done.

  Also, since points are given to subscribers by opening information emails or clicking on advertisements, for example, by providing services that give subscribers benefits by accumulating points, opening or clicking information emails Motivation for can be increased.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information mail delivery system 10 Information mail delivery server 11 User management part 12 History information acquisition part 13 Manuscript registration part 14 Advertisement manuscript registration part 15 Timetable preparation part 16 Distribution information registration part 17 Information mail delivery part 20 Subscriber terminal 21 Web browser 22 Mailer 30 Administrator terminal 31 Web browser 51 Subscriber information management table 52 Unsealing history management table 53 Click history management table 54 Document information management table 55 Advertising information management table 56 Default time table management table 57 Delivery information management table 100 Drive device 101 Recording medium 102 Auxiliary storage device 103 Memory device 104 Arithmetic processing device 105 Interface device B Bus

Claims (2)

An information distribution device that distributes an e-mail to a pre-registered mail address,
Subscriber information management means for storing, for each e-mail subscriber, an identifier of the subscriber and a plurality of e-mail addresses;
Distribution information management means for storing distribution information including the identifier of the e-mail, the identifier of the subscriber, and the e-mail address of the distribution destination for each e-mail distributed to the e-mail address;
Receiving the notification including the identifier of the email transmitted from the subscriber terminal when the email is opened at the subscriber terminal or a link in the email is clicked, and the time when the notification is received; History recording means for recording the identifier of the e-mail in the history management means;
For each of the subscriber identifier and the email address stored in the delivery information management means, the history management for the identifier of the subscriber and the identifier of the e-mail included in each delivery information related to the email address Determining means for determining the delivery time based on the time recorded in the means;
An information distribution apparatus comprising: distribution means for distributing the electronic mail based on a determination result by the determination means. An information delivery method for delivering an e-mail to a pre-registered mail address,
For each subscriber of the email, the subscriber identifier and a plurality of email addresses are stored in the subscriber information management means,
For each email delivered to the email address, delivery information including the email identifier, subscriber identifier, and delivery destination email address is stored in the delivery information management means,
Receiving the notification including the identifier of the email transmitted from the subscriber terminal when the email is opened at the subscriber terminal or a link in the email is clicked, and the time when the notification is received; A history recording procedure for recording the identifier of the e-mail in the history management means;
For each of the subscriber identifier and the email address stored in the delivery information management means, the history management for the identifier of the subscriber and the identifier of the e-mail included in each delivery information related to the email address A determination procedure for determining the delivery time based on the time recorded in the means;
An information distribution method, wherein the computer executes a distribution procedure for distributing the electronic mail based on a determination result in the determination procedure.

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