JP4469061B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication system, in particular, a server computer, a plurality of first computers capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network, and at least one second computer capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network. It is related with the communication system provided with.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various advertising systems using the Internet such as banner advertisements and mail magazine advertisements have been proposed. Banner advertisement is an advertising system that displays a banner for advertising on a web page, and that the advertiser's web page is displayed when the banner is clicked. .
[0003]
In an e-mail magazine advertisement, several lines of advertisements are placed in the e-mail magazine, and the advertiser's web page is displayed by clicking on a predetermined text in the ad. Advertising system that collects advertising fees.
[0004]
By adopting such an advertisement system, it is possible to realize a so-called interactive advertisement in which an advertisement is posted on a web page and an advertiser's web page can be accessed at the user's will.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional advertising system has the following problems. In any of these advertising systems, since the advertising area is small, it is not possible to sufficiently convey the advertising content to the user.
[0006]
In order to solve such a problem, there is a method in which an electronic mail (e-mail) is directly transmitted to the user. By using this method, the content of the advertisement can be sufficiently communicated to the user, and when the predetermined text in the e-mail is clicked, the advertiser's web page is displayed so that the interactive advertisement is displayed. Can be realized.
[0007]
However, in the conventional advertising system using e-mail, when selecting an e-mail transmission target, the selection criteria are communicated to the advertising agency, and the advertising agency searches the database and informs the advertiser of the result. There were many cases that adopted the method. For this reason, it took a considerable time from the advertisement request to the sending of the e-mail.
[0008]
In addition, if the search result is unsatisfactory, the same procedure must be performed again, so it takes more time. Therefore, in order not to miss a business opportunity, it has often been necessary to send an e-mail while the target of transmission is not sufficiently narrowed down.
[0009]
The present invention solves the problems of such a conventional advertising system, and quickly transmits desired information such as advertisements to a desired target user via a communication network capable of connecting a large number of computers such as the Internet. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of
[0010]
Operation and effect of the invention
The communication system of claim 1. Stores a user attribute of the first computer in a user database in association with a communication address in the user communication network, and sends a search command including designation of the user attribute from the second computer via the communication network. In response to the search command, the user database is searched and a user corresponding to the search command is extracted interactively with the second computer. The advertisement specified from the computer is transmitted through a communication network.
[0011]
In other words, the server computer and the second computer receive a search command including designation of user attributes, search a user database according to the search command, and extract a user corresponding to the search command. I try to do it.
[0012]
Therefore, when requesting distribution of information, the client can search the user database via the second computer. For this reason, a desired search result can be quickly obtained as compared with the case where the user database is searched on the administrator side of the server computer.
[0013]
Further, since information is transmitted to the user's communication address via the communication network, a large amount of information can be transmitted to the user.
[0014]
That is, desired information such as advertisements can be quickly transmitted to a desired target user via a communication network that can connect a large number of computers such as the Internet.
[0015]
Claim 1 In the communication system, the search means does not give the second computer information that can identify the user extracted according to the search command. Total number of extracted users Is displayed on the display device of the second computer.
[0016]
Thus, a person trying to distribute information using a second computer, without knowing who the user of the first computer is, Total number of extracted users Can know. For this reason, it is possible to allow the information delivery client to search freely while protecting the user's privacy.
[0017]
Claim 1 In the communication system, the search means displays the search command on the display device of the second computer via the communication network so as to input the search command, and waits for the input of the search command from the input device of the second computer. And a search input fetch process for fetching a search command input from the input device of the second computer via the communication network in accordance with the search input trap process, and a user database according to the search command obtained by the search input fetch process. User extraction process that searches and extracts users corresponding to the search command, and user extraction process Total number of extracted users Obtained by statistical processing and statistical processing Total number of extracted users And an extraction result display process for displaying on the display device of the second computer via the communication network.
[0018]
Therefore, simply by inputting a search command from the input device of the second computer according to the instruction displayed on the display device of the second computer, the search is automatically performed. Total number of extracted users Is displayed on the display device of the second computer.
[0019]
For this reason, even if there is almost no knowledge about a database and a search, it can search easily via a 2nd computer.
[0020]
Claim 1 In the communication system, the search means further includes: Total number of extracted users Is displayed on the display device of the second computer via the communication network, and then again displayed on the display device of the second computer via the communication network so as to input the search command. It is characterized by performing a re-search input input process waiting for an input of a search command from.
[0021]
Therefore, if it is determined that the search result is not valid, the search can be easily repeated as many times as possible until a valid search result is obtained. For this reason, it is possible to quickly and appropriately narrow down the users who distribute information.
[0022]
Claim 2 In the communication system, the search means can set the upper limit of the number of users corresponding to the search command. When the upper limit is set, the number of users corresponding to the attribute specified in the search command is set. When the upper limit is exceeded, the number of users set to the upper limit is randomly extracted from the users corresponding to the specified attribute, and the extracted users are output as the search command.
[0023]
Therefore, even if the number of users corresponding to the attribute specified in the search command is considerably large, it is possible to prevent information from being distributed to more than the planned number of users by setting an upper limit. it can.
[0024]
Claim 3 In this communication system, the user database is configured so that a registered user can be substantially divided into a plurality of user groups unrelated to the attributes of the user, and the search means includes any divided user. It is characterized in that a search command can be executed by designating a group.
[0025]
Therefore, when a search is performed by specifying a certain user group and then a search is performed by specifying another user group, the same user is extracted in duplicate in the first search and the second search. There is nothing.
[0026]
For this reason, for example, first, a relatively small number of user groups are designated and a first search is performed, information is distributed to the extracted users, and the response is viewed to many remaining users. It can be decided whether or not to distribute information. In this way, information can be distributed efficiently.
[0027]
In addition, when describing the address (URL) of the client's web page in the information to be distributed, the purpose is to prevent a large number of accesses to the web page at a time due to the distributed information. As described above, the distribution date can be shifted for each user group.
[0028]
Claim 4 In the communication system, the user database is configured so that the user can be substantially divided into a plurality of user groups based on a user identification number irrelevant to the attribute of the user assigned to the registered user. It is characterized by.
[0029]
Therefore, for example, a user can be easily divided into a plurality of user groups simply by delimiting with a user identification number.
[0030]
Also, The communication system of claim 1. The information transmission means displays the distribution request command including the advertisement on the display device of the second computer via the communication network and waits for the input of the distribution request command from the input device of the second computer. A distribution request input input process, a distribution request input input process that receives a distribution request command input from the input device of the second computer in response to the distribution request input input process, and a distribution request input input process. Based on the obtained distribution request command, an information distribution process for transmitting an advertisement via a communication network to a user's communication address extracted by the search means is performed.
[0031]
Accordingly, in accordance with an instruction displayed on the display device of the second computer, only by inputting a distribution request command including information to be distributed from the input device of the second computer, a communication network addressed to the extracted user's communication address is transmitted. Predetermined information can be transmitted via.
[0032]
For this reason, desired information can be delivered to a desired target user more quickly and easily.
[0033]
Claim 5 In this communication system, the server computer obtains the user attribute from the first computer via the communication network, and registers the obtained user attribute in the user database in association with the communication address of the user in the communication network. It is characterized by having user attribute registration means.
[0034]
Therefore, the user's attributes can be obtained directly from the first computer. For this reason, it becomes possible to grasp a user's attribute correctly. In addition, when obtaining user attributes, it is possible to conclude a predetermined contract with the user. For this reason, it can be made clear that there is an obligation to receive information from the second computer with the user's consent. That is, highly accurate targeting is possible when distributing information.
[0035]
Claim 6 In the communication system, the user attribute registration means displays on the display device of the first computer via the communication network so as to input the user attribute and the communication address of the user in the communication network. Attribute input process for waiting for input of the attribute and communication address from the computer, and attribute input for fetching the user attribute and communication address input from the input device of the first computer via the communication network according to the attribute input process It is characterized by performing a capture process and a user attribute registration process for registering a user attribute obtained by the attribute input capture process in a user database in association with the communication address of the user in the communication network.
[0036]
Therefore, according to the instruction displayed on the display device of the first computer, the user attribute and the communication address of the user in the communication network can be easily registered in the user database simply by inputting from the input device of the first computer. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to facilitate registration of users in the user database.
[0037]
The invention described in this specification can also be grasped as follows. A communication method using a server computer, a plurality of first computers capable of communicating with a server computer via a communication network, and at least one second computer capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network. A user database for storing the user attribute of the first computer in association with the communication address of the user in the communication network, and a second search command including designation of the user attribute is transmitted via the communication network to the second computer. The user database is searched in accordance with the search command, the user corresponding to the search command is extracted, and predetermined information designated by the second computer is sent to the communication address of the extracted user. The communication method characterized by transmitting via. That is, this A communication method prepares a user database that stores user attributes of a first computer in association with communication addresses in the user's communication network, and sends a search command including designation of user attributes to the second computer via the communication network. The user database is searched in accordance with the search command, the user corresponding to the search command is extracted, and predetermined information designated by the second computer is sent to the communication address of the extracted user. It is characterized by transmitting via.
[0038]
Therefore, when requesting distribution of information, a user database search command and predetermined information to be transmitted can be provided via the second computer. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and easily perform a series of procedures from narrowing down the users who should transmit information to transmitting information.
[0039]
Further, since information is transmitted to the user's communication address via the communication network, a large amount of information can be transmitted to the user.
[0040]
That is, desired information such as advertisements can be easily and quickly transmitted to a desired target user via a communication network that can connect a large number of computers such as the Internet.
[0041]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of an electronic mail delivery system 2 which is a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The e-mail delivery system 2 can communicate with the server computer 4, the personal computer 6 that is the first computer that can communicate with the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 that is a communication network, and the server computer 4 via the Internet 10. And a personal computer 8 as a second computer.
[0042]
The personal computer 6 includes a display device 6a and an input device 6b. The personal computer 8 also includes a display device 8a and an input device 8b. A plurality of personal computers 6 and personal computers 8 can be connected to the electronic mail delivery system 2 in FIG.
[0043]
The server computer 4 includes a user database 12, a user attribute registration unit 14, a search unit 16, and an information transmission unit 18.
[0044]
The user database 12 stores the attribute of the user of the personal computer 6 in association with the e-mail address (E-mail address) that is the communication address of the user on the Internet 10.
[0045]
The user attribute registration means 14 obtains the user attribute of the personal computer 6 from the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10 and associates the obtained user attribute with the user's e-mail address on the Internet 10 in the user database 12. The registration process is performed interactively with the personal computer 6.
[0046]
More specifically, the user attribute registration unit 14 performs an attribute input selection process, an attribute input import process, and a user attribute registration process.
[0047]
The attribute input process is displayed on the display device 6a of the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10 so as to input the user's attribute and the e-mail address of the user's Internet 10, and the attribute from the input device 6b of the personal computer 6 and This process waits for the input of an e-mail address.
[0048]
The attribute input capturing process is a process of capturing the user's attribute and e-mail address input from the input device 6b of the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10 according to the attribute input process.
[0049]
The user attribute registration process is a process of registering the user attribute obtained by the attribute input import process in the user database 12 in association with the electronic mail address of the user on the Internet 10.
[0050]
1 receives a search command including designation of user attributes from the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10, searches the user database 12 in accordance with the search command, and extracts users corresponding to the search command. Processing is performed interactively with the personal computer 8.
[0051]
In this embodiment, the search means 16 displays the statistical numerical value regarding the extracted user on the personal computer 8 without giving the personal computer 8 information that can identify the user extracted according to the search command. Display on the device 8a.
[0052]
More specifically, the search means 16 performs search input selection processing, search input fetch processing, user extraction processing, statistical processing, extraction result display processing, and re-search input input processing.
[0053]
The search input process is a process of displaying the search command on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 and waiting for the input of the search command from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8.
[0054]
The search input capturing process is a process of capturing a search command input from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 in accordance with the search input selection process.
[0055]
The user extraction process is a process of searching the user database 12 in accordance with a search command obtained by the search input capturing process and extracting users corresponding to the search command.
[0056]
The statistical processing is processing for obtaining a statistical numerical value regarding the user extracted by the user extraction processing.
[0057]
The extraction result display process is a process for displaying the statistical numerical value obtained by the statistical process on the display device 8 a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10.
[0058]
In the re-search input process, the above-described statistical numerical values are displayed on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10, and then the display device of the personal computer 8 is input via the Internet 10 to input a search command again. This is a process of displaying on 8 a and waiting for the input of a search command from the input device 8 b of the personal computer 8.
[0059]
Further, in this embodiment, the search means 16 can set the upper limit of the number of users corresponding to the search command. When the upper limit is set, the number of users corresponding to the attribute specified in the search command is set. When the number exceeds the set upper limit, the number of users set to the upper limit is randomly extracted from the users corresponding to the specified attribute, and the extracted users are output as the search command. Yes.
[0060]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user database 12 is configured to be able to substantially divide registered users into a plurality of user groups that are irrelevant to user attributes, and the search means 16 is divided. It is configured to execute a search command by designating an arbitrary user group.
[0061]
More specifically, the user database 12 substantially divides users into a plurality of user groups based on user identification numbers (user IDs) irrelevant to user attributes assigned to registered users. Configured to get.
[0062]
The information transmission means 18 of FIG. 1 transmits an electronic mail with the contents designated from the personal computer 8 to the electronic mail address of the user of the personal computer 6 extracted by the search means 16 via the Internet 10.
[0063]
More specifically, the information transmission unit 18 performs a distribution request input process, a distribution request input capturing process, and an information distribution process.
[0064]
The distribution request input process is performed on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 so as to input a distribution request command including the content (predetermined information) of the e-mail, and the corresponding request from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8 is displayed. This process waits for the input of a distribution request command.
[0065]
The distribution request input capture process is a process of capturing a distribution request command input from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 in accordance with the distribution request input process.
[0066]
The information distribution process is a content (predetermined information) designated via the Internet 10 to the user's e-mail address extracted by the search means 16 based on the distribution request command obtained by the distribution request input capturing process. This is a process of sending e-mail.
[0067]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server computer 4, the personal computer 6, and the personal computer 8 used in the electronic mail delivery system 2 shown in FIG.
[0068]
The server computer 4 is a storage device, a hard disk 50 that is a recording medium that records the program of this system, a CPU 42 that is a control device that executes the program recorded on the hard disk 50, a CRT 44 that is a display device, and a keyboard that is an input device. 46, a mouse 48, and a communication interface 52 for communicating with the personal computer 6 and the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10.
[0069]
The hard disk 50 of the server computer 4 stores data constituting the user database 12 in addition to the above programs. That is, the hard disk 50 corresponds to the user database 12 of FIG.
[0070]
The CPU 42 of the server computer 6 corresponds to the user attribute registration unit 14, the search unit 16, and the information transmission unit 18 shown in FIG.
[0071]
The personal computer 6 in FIG. 2 includes a CRT 64 that is a display device, a keyboard 66 and a mouse 68 that are input devices, a hard disk 70 that is a recording medium in which a browsing program for information communicated via the Internet 10 is recorded, and the hard disk 70. A CPU 62 for executing a recorded program and the like and a communication interface 72 for communicating with the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 are provided.
[0072]
The CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the display device 6a in FIG. A keyboard 66 and a mouse 68 of the personal computer 6 in FIG. 2 correspond to the input device 6b in FIG.
[0073]
The personal computer 8 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CRT 84 as a display device, a keyboard 86 and a mouse 88 as input devices, a hard disk 90 as a recording medium in which a browsing program for information communicated via the Internet 10, and the hard disk 90 are recorded. A CPU 82 for executing a recorded program and the like and a communication interface 92 for communicating with the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 are provided.
[0074]
A CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the display device 8a in FIG. A keyboard 86 and a mouse 88 of the personal computer 8 in FIG. 2 correspond to the input device 8b in FIG.
[0075]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing (user information registration processing) for registering the attributes of the user of the personal computer 6 in the electronic mail delivery system 2. FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 when registering user attributes. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the user database 12 registered in this way. The user information registration process will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0076]
When the server computer 4 receives an access requesting registration of user information from the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10, the server computer 4 displays a screen (user information input form) as shown in FIG. 6 via the Internet 10. 6 is displayed on the CRT 64 and waits for input (step S1 in FIG. 3).
[0077]
The user information input form displayed on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 includes the attributes of the user of the personal computer 6 such as the user's first and last name, gender, residence state, mail address (e-mail address), occupation, date of birth, and hobbies. Can be easily input.
[0078]
The user of the personal computer 6 enters these attributes in the form shown in FIG. 6 using the keyboard 66 and the mouse 68 and then clicks the “register” button 102 provided on the form using the mouse 68. .
[0079]
When the “register” button 102 is clicked, the server computer 4 captures the input user attributes into the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 3, step S2).
[0080]
The captured user attributes are registered in the user database 12 (see FIG. 1) provided in the hard disk 50 of the server computer 4.
[0081]
The data structure of the user database 12 is as shown in FIG. 10, for example. Each user is given a user ID (user identification number). The user ID is automatically given by the server computer 4 when registering user attributes. In this embodiment, user IDs are assigned in ascending order of 0, 1, 2,.
[0082]
As shown in FIG. 10, the user database 12 is configured to store user attributes in association with the user's email address. For example, the surname of a user with a user ID of “0” is “Taro Suzuki”, the gender is “male”, the prefecture of residence is “Shizuoka”, the occupation is “manager”, and the hobby is “classic”. Is stored in association with the user's e-mail address “taro @ momo ......”.
[0083]
Although not shown, the registration date of each user's attribute is also stored in association with the user's e-mail address. Further, the user database 12 is provided with a point column, which will be described later, and this point column is also stored in association with the email address of each user.
[0084]
In this embodiment, in order to encourage the registration of attributes by the user, a message indicating that a present is being prepared for the registered user is given to the user.
[0085]
That is, the server computer 4 displays the message on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10. For example, the message is displayed on the CRT 64 together with the user information input form shown in FIG.
[0086]
According to the message, for example, a lottery is performed every predetermined period, and the present is given to the registered user who has become the winner.
[0087]
In this embodiment, after user registration, consent is obtained from the user regarding a rule that electronic mail cannot be refused from an information sender, which will be described later. This is to prevent troubles related to delivery of e-mails from information senders by registering with the user's consent. The above rules are also displayed on the CRT 64 together with the user information input form shown in FIG.
[0088]
Next, a search / information transmission process performed when information such as advertisements is distributed using the above-described user database 12 will be described.
[0089]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing (search processing) for searching for a user using the personal computer 8 in the electronic mail delivery system 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of information transmission processing performed following the search processing. 7 to 8 are examples of display screens displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 during the search process. FIG. 9 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 during the information transmission process. The search / information transmission process will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 to 5, and FIGS. 7 to 10.
[0090]
In this embodiment, a person (client) who desires information distribution is required to register in advance and acquire an authentication number prior to the search / information transmission process. The client registration can be performed, for example, by accessing the server computer 4 from the client personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 and inputting a first and last name, a personal identification number, and the like.
[0091]
In order to confirm that the client actually exists, the system may be configured so that final client registration is performed after the operator of the server computer 4 contacts the client by telephone or the like.
[0092]
The registered client information is stored in a client database (not shown) provided on the hard disk of the server computer 4. The client can perform a search / information transmission process after inputting the personal identification number, the assigned authentication number, etc. from the personal computer 8 and receiving authentication based on the information stored in the client database of the server computer 4. .
[0093]
Note that in this embodiment, the operator of the server computer 4 responds to the number of delivered emails only when delivering emails to be described later without collecting expenses from the client during client registration. And collect fees from clients. Therefore, the client can perform various searches freely and free of charge until the electronic mail is actually distributed.
[0094]
After the client registration, when the server computer 4 receives access from the personal computer 8 for searching and distributing information via the Internet 10, a screen (search input form) as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 and waits for input (FIG. 4, step S11).
[0095]
The search input form displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 is configured so that user attributes to be targeted, such as the user's gender, age, residence state, occupation, and hobby, can be easily input.
[0096]
In this embodiment, the range of users to be searched can be defined by the user ID. FIG. 7 shows an input example in which a search target user is specified to be limited to the user IDs “0” to “300000”. In the example of FIG. 7, since the maximum value of the user ID is “3847021,” it can be seen that the search is performed for about 1/10 of all registered users.
[0097]
That is, registered users are grouped by user ID, and a group defined by user IDs “0” to “300000” is set as a search target. Since the user ID is merely a management number given in the order of registration, it is irrelevant to the attribute of the user. Therefore, by grouping in this way, all registered users can be grouped regardless of the user attributes.
[0098]
By performing a search under such conditions and delivering an e-mail for the purpose of advertisement to the extracted users and seeing the response, the response from all registered users can be predicted. If the distribution response to the group is good, the same electronic mail may be distributed to the remaining groups (groups with user ID “30,0001” or more).
[0099]
In addition, when the address (URL) of the client's web page is described in the electronic mail to be distributed, access to the web page is expected from the user who received the electronic mail. Therefore, in order to prevent a large amount of accesses from being concentrated in a short time, the above grouping can be used.
[0100]
That is, all registered users are divided into three groups using the user ID, for example, and each group is searched under the same conditions, and the distribution date may be shifted for each group. .
[0101]
If designation of the search range by the user ID is unnecessary, the item shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted. In this way, a search for all registered users is performed.
[0102]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the maximum value of users to be distributed can be defined. By defining the maximum value, even if there are a large number of users corresponding to the desired attribute, the number of delivered emails can be limited.
[0103]
In this embodiment, when the user corresponding to the desired attribute obtained by the search exceeds the maximum value, the server computer 4 randomly selects the number of users corresponding to the maximum value from the corresponding users. Is configured to extract.
[0104]
Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, in this embodiment, it is also possible to randomly extract the designated number of people from registered users regardless of the attributes of the user, and deliver a desired e-mail to the extracted users. It has become.
[0105]
Although not shown, it is also possible to specify a user registration time and distribute a desired electronic mail. For example, a desired electronic mail can be distributed to all users registered within the last month.
[0106]
Returning to FIG. 7, the client uses the keyboard 86 and the mouse 88 of the personal computer 8 to enter the attributes of the user to be targeted in the form shown in FIG. 7, and then clicks the “Search” button 112 provided on the form. Is clicked using the mouse 88.
[0107]
When the “Search” button 112 is clicked, the server computer 4 takes the entered search input into the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 4, step S12).
[0108]
The user database 12 is searched based on the retrieved search input, and the corresponding user is extracted (FIG. 4, step S13).
[0109]
That is, the retrieved search input is matched with the user database 12 (see FIG. 10), and the hit user is extracted.
[0110]
The server computer 4 counts the extracted users and obtains the total number of extracted users as a statistical value (FIG. 4, step S14).
[0111]
Next, the server computer 4 displays the extraction result as shown in FIG. 8 on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 4, step S15).
[0112]
As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the total number of users obtained in the previous step (“412 people” in FIG. 8), the input search condition is also displayed on the CRT 84. In this example, since the maximum number of users to be distributed is specified as “300”, the e-mail is actually distributed because the server computer 4 randomly selects “412” users. “300 people” to be extracted.
[0113]
In this embodiment, the extraction result displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 is only the total number of users obtained in step S14. However, statistical numerical values other than the total number of users, for example, information that shows the distribution by age, the number of men, the number of women, and the like may be displayed.
[0114]
Thus, by displaying only the above-mentioned statistical numerical values without displaying information that can identify the user on the personal computer 8 of the client, leakage of the user's privacy can be prevented.
[0115]
Depending on the circumstances in which this system is used, for example, if the system is used within a single company and an e-mail with communication items is delivered to employees who satisfy the prescribed conditions, the user may be Information that can be specified may be displayed on the personal computer 8.
[0116]
If the client is dissatisfied with the search result as seen from the display screen shown in FIG. 8, the “search condition correction” button 122, “search condition addition” button 124, and “search condition reset” on the display screen are displayed using the mouse 88. Click the button 126 or the “search end” button 130.
[0117]
When the “search condition correction” button 122, the “add search condition” button 124, or the “reset search condition” button 126 is clicked, the control of the server computer 4 returns to step S11 in FIG. Reference) is displayed (FIG. 4, step S16).
[0118]
Of these, when the “correct search condition” button 122 is clicked, a search input form in which the previous search condition is input (search input form in the state shown in FIG. 7) is displayed. Therefore, the client can make corrections based on the immediately preceding search condition.
[0119]
When the “add search condition” button 124 is clicked, the user who corresponds to either the user extracted according to the previous search condition or the user corresponding to the search condition to be added (OR condition) is sent by e-mail. It becomes a delivery target. Therefore, the client can select a wider range of distribution targets including the distribution target from the previous search.
[0120]
When the “reset search condition” button 126 is clicked, a search input form in which all the previous search conditions are reset is displayed. Therefore, the client can redo the search input from the beginning.
[0121]
As described above, when the search result is not satisfactory, the search can be performed again and again in real time.
[0122]
When the “search end” button 130 is clicked, the server computer 4 ends the search process and returns to the state before the search process (FIG. 4, step S16).
[0123]
When the search result is satisfactory and the re-search is unnecessary, the client clicks the “mail delivery” button 128 shown on the display screen of FIG. When the “mail delivery” button 128 is clicked, the server computer 4 shifts the control to step S21 shown in FIG. 5 (FIG. 4, step S16).
[0124]
That is, the server computer 4 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 9 on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10, and the date, e-mail title, and e-mail content for which e-mail delivery is desired. It waits for the input of (delivery sentence) (FIG. 5, step S21).
[0125]
After making the required input using the keyboard 86 of the personal computer 8, the client clicks the “mail delivery request” button 132 provided on the display screen of FIG. 9 using the mouse 88.
[0126]
When the “mail delivery request” button 132 is clicked, the server computer 4 takes in the delivered delivery text and the like into the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 5, step S22).
[0127]
The fetched distribution text and the like are registered in a distribution history database (not shown) provided on the hard disk 50 of the server computer 4.
[0128]
Further, in this embodiment, the search condition that has been retrieved and confirmed in step S12 is also stored in the distribution history database. The reason for storing the search conditions instead of storing the users themselves extracted as a result of the search is that storing the search conditions requires less data.
[0129]
Therefore, when the storage capacity of the hard disk 50 of the server computer 4 is sufficiently large, for example, the user IDs of all users extracted as a result of the search may be stored in the hard disk 50.
[0130]
Thereafter, when the desired delivery date fetched in step S22 is reached, the server computer 4 searches the user database 12 again based on the determined search condition stored in the delivery history database. To the extracted user's e-mail address, an e-mail with the title taken in the same step is delivered to the delivery text taken in step S22 (FIG. 5, step S23).
[0131]
At this time, as described above, if the number of users corresponding to the search condition exceeds the maximum number of users to be distributed (“300 people” in this example) captured in step S13, the actual number of users The mail is distributed to “300 people” that are randomly extracted by the server computer 4 from the users corresponding to the search condition.
[0132]
In this embodiment, after step S22 and before step S23, a check is made as to whether the content of the distribution text is contrary to public order and morals. The check may be performed by the server computer 4 or may be performed by an operator (human) of the server computer 4.
[0133]
In this embodiment, the point column is provided in the user database 12 as described above (see FIG. 10). Points are added when the user receives an e-mail from the client (for example, 1 point) or clicks a URL (see FIG. 9, URL 134) described in the received e-mail (for example, 100 points). It is comprised so that.
[0134]
By giving the user a privilege such as a present according to the accumulated points, the user wants to deliver the e-mail, and also reads the received e-mail or is described in the e-mail Since the frequency of clicking the URL increases, the effect of information distribution such as advertisement can be enhanced.
[0135]
As described above, in this embodiment, the server computer 4 and the personal computer 8 receive a search command including designation of the attributes of the user of the personal computer 6 and search the user database 12 according to the search command. The process of extracting users corresponding to the search command is performed interactively.
[0136]
Therefore, when requesting distribution of information by electronic mail, the client can search the user database 12 via the personal computer 8. For this reason, a desired search result can be obtained quickly compared with the case where the search of the user database 12 is performed on the administrator side of the server computer 4.
[0137]
In addition, since information is transmitted by e-mail to the user's e-mail address via the Internet 10, a large amount of information can be transmitted to the user.
[0138]
That is, desired information such as an advertisement can be quickly transmitted to a desired target user via the Internet 10.
[0139]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication system includes the user attribute registration unit has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where search / information distribution processing is performed using a user database created by another system or the like.
[0140]
In the above-described embodiment, as an example of dividing a user into a plurality of user groups based on the user identification number, a set specified as a set of user identification numbers between a lower limit number and an upper limit number is a single group. However, for example, a group in which the user identification number is an odd number is made into one group, or a group in which the last digit of the user identification number is the same is made into one group. You can also.
[0141]
Further, the method of dividing the user regardless of the user attribute is not limited to the method of dividing based on the user identification number. For example, the user registration time can be stored, and the users can be divided into a plurality of groups based on the user registration time.
[0142]
Further, the above-described block diagram, flowchart, table, and the like are given as examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described block diagram, flowchart, table, and the like.
[0143]
In the above-described embodiment, the server computer 4 stores the program and data of the present system, and the server computer 4 controls the personal computer 6 and the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10. The present invention is not limited to this.
[0144]
For example, the personal computer 6 or the personal computer 8 may have a part of the program and data of the system. Of course, a plurality of computers may be used as the server computer. When a plurality of computers are used as the server computer, the plurality of computers may be connected via a communication line (for example, the Internet).
[0145]
In the above-described embodiment, the Internet has been described as an example of the communication network. However, the communication network is not limited to the Internet. For example, the present invention may be implemented in a network in which a server computer and a terminal device such as a personal computer are connected via a LAN (local area network).
[0146]
In this embodiment, the system program installed in the hard disk is executed. However, the program holding form is not limited to these. For example, the system program may be recorded on a CD-ROM, floppy disk, magnetic tape, or the like.
[0147]
Furthermore, the system program may be distributed via a wired or wireless communication line. Alternatively, the system program may be installed in the main server computer, and the local server computer may execute the system program via a communication line such as the Internet.
[0148]
Further, the recording mode of the program and data is not particularly limited. Besides being recorded on the recording medium in a form that can be directly executed, it may be recorded on the recording medium in a compressed form so as to be decompressed and used, for example.
[0149]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where each function of FIG. 1 is realized by using a computer has been described as an example. However, a part of the function of FIG. 1 may be configured using hardware logic. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of an electronic mail distribution system 2 which is a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server computer 4, a personal computer 6, and a personal computer 8 used in the electronic mail delivery system 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow for registering a user attribute of a personal computer 6 in the electronic mail delivery system 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing for searching for a user using the personal computer 8 in the electronic mail delivery system 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of an information transmission process performed following a search process.
FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 when registering user attributes.
FIG. 7 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 during search processing.
FIG. 8 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 during search processing.
FIG. 9 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 during the information transmission process.
10 is a drawing schematically showing the data structure of a user database 12. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2. E-mail delivery system
4 .... Server computer
6,8 ... ・ ・ ・ Personal computer
10. The Internet
12. User database
14 ... User attribute registration means
16 ... Search means
18 ... Information transmission means

Claims (6)

A server computer;
A plurality of first computers capable of communicating with a server computer via a communication network;
At least one second computer capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network;
A communication system comprising:
The server computer
A user database storing user attributes of the first computer in association with communication addresses of the user in the communication network;
A process of receiving a search command including designation of user attributes from the second computer via the communication network, searching a user database according to the search command, and extracting users corresponding to the search command. Search means to interactively with
Information transmitting means for transmitting an advertisement designated by the second computer to the communication address of the user of the first computer extracted by the search means via the communication network;
With
The information transmitting means includes
The delivery request command including the advertisement and the delivery request date of the advertisement is displayed on the display device of the second computer via the communication network and the delivery request command from the input device of the second computer is input. Distribution request input waiting process for input,
A delivery request input fetch process for fetching a delivery request command input from the input device of the second computer via the communication network in accordance with a delivery request input input process;
An information distribution process for transmitting the advertisement via a communication network to a user's communication address extracted by the search unit based on a distribution request command obtained by the distribution request input capturing process;
And
The server computer further includes a distribution history database that stores the advertisement included in the distribution request instruction, a desired distribution date of the advertisement, and a search condition determined by the search instruction.
In the information distribution process, when the desired delivery date stored in the distribution history database is reached, the user database is searched again based on the determined search condition stored in the distribution history database, and the search result is extracted. The advertisement stored in the distribution history database is delivered to the communication address of the user
The search means displays the total number of extracted users on the display device of the second computer without giving the second computer information that can identify the users extracted according to the search command. ,
Characterized by
The search means includes
A search input process for displaying the search command on the display device of the second computer via the communication network and waiting for the input of the search command from the input device of the second computer;
A search input fetch process for fetching a search command input from the input device of the second computer via the communication network in accordance with the search input selection process;
A user extraction process for searching a user database according to a search instruction obtained by the search input capturing process and extracting a user corresponding to the search instruction;
Statistical processing to obtain the total number of users extracted by user extraction processing,
An extraction result display process for displaying the total number of extracted users obtained by the statistical process on the display device of the second computer via the communication network;
And
The search means further displays the total number of the extracted users on the display device of the second computer via the communication network, and then inputs the second search command via the communication network to input the search command again. Performing a re-search input input process for displaying on a display device of the computer and waiting for an input of a search command from the input device of the second computer;
A communication system characterized by the above. The communication system of claim 1 .
The search means can set the upper limit of the number of users corresponding to the search command, and when the upper limit is set, the number of users corresponding to the attribute specified in the search command exceeds the set upper limit. Sometimes, the number of users set to the upper limit is randomly selected from the users corresponding to the specified attribute, and the extracted users are output as the search command.
It is characterized by. The communication system of claim 1 .
The user database is configured to substantially divide registered users into a plurality of user groups unrelated to user attributes,
The search means is configured to be able to execute the search command by designating an arbitrary divided user group;
It is characterized by. The communication system of claim 3 ,
The user database is configured to substantially divide the user into a plurality of user groups based on a user identification number irrelevant to a user attribute assigned to a registered user;
It is characterized by. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The server computer
User attribute registration means for obtaining the user attribute from the first computer via the communication network and registering the obtained user attribute in the user database in association with the communication address of the user in the communication network. ,
It is characterized by. The communication system of claim 5 ,
The user attribute registration means includes:
The attribute of the user and the communication address of the user in the communication network are displayed on the display device of the first computer via the communication network, and the attribute and the communication address are input from the input device of the first computer. Attribute input process to wait for
An attribute input capturing process for capturing the user's attribute and communication address input from the input device of the first computer according to the attribute input input process via the communication network;
A user attribute registration process for registering the attribute of the user obtained by the attribute input capturing process in the user database in association with the communication address of the user in the communication network;
To do the
It is characterized by.

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