JP4806870B2 - Service providing apparatus, service providing method, service providing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus that provides a service, a service providing method, a service providing program for causing a computer to execute the function, and a computer-readable recording medium in which the service providing program is recorded. The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus that provides services having different contents, a service providing method, a service providing program for causing a computer to execute the function, and a computer-readable recording medium that records the service providing program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, contents such as music and video are generally provided using a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a video tape. However, due to the spread and development of public communication lines such as the Internet, in recent years, contents providing forms for distributing and providing these contents via public communication lines such as the Internet have been spreading.
[0003]
In this way, the content distributed using the public communication line is acquired by, for example, downloading the content from a predetermined content distribution site using a personal computer or the like possessed by the user. Payment of the purchase price for the content provided in this way is generally performed, for example, by electronic payment using a credit card at the time of downloading the content, and the content downloaded in this way is, for example, The content is stored in a hard disk or the like of a personal computer owned by the user, and the user views the content by reproducing the stored content.
[0004]
In addition, such a content purchase mode is not only a mode of purchasing the right to view the purchased content semi-permanently as in the case of purchasing a conventional CD or the like, but also a view of only a certain time or a certain number of times. There are a form of purchasing a right that can be downloaded, a form of purchasing a right to view only a part of the downloaded content, and the like. In addition, users who have purchased the right to view only a part of the downloaded content obtain a predetermined password by paying a predetermined additional fee, and enter the password to restrict viewing of the downloaded content. There is also a form that enables viewing of the part that has been performed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional method, it is not possible to adopt a service form in which the service content such as content distribution is changed according to the user's attribute such as being a user who owns a specific electronic device. There is a problem that the degree of freedom for is not sufficient.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a service providing apparatus capable of changing the content of a service provided such as content distribution according to a user attribute and improving the degree of freedom of a service providing form. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a service providing method capable of changing the content of a service provided such as content distribution in accordance with a user attribute and improving the degree of freedom of a service providing form. .
[0008]
Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a service providing program for causing a computer to execute a function of changing the contents of a provided service such as content distribution according to a user attribute and improving the degree of freedom of a service providing form. It is.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is a computer recording a service providing program for causing a computer to execute a function of changing the contents of a provided service such as content distribution according to a user attribute and improving the degree of freedom of a service providing form. It is to provide a readable recording medium.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a service providing apparatus that provides a service, a service provision condition expectation that is a condition necessary for a user to receive a service related to the use of content and that indicates the condition for one or more electronic devices held by the user Service provision condition information acquisition means for acquiring service provision condition information associated with provision service content indicating a content of service provided to the user whose value matches the service provision condition expected value; Information on one or more electronic devices is periodically received from the one or more electronic devices together with the identification information of the user, and user attribute information storage means is provided as user attribute information that is information on the attributes of the user. When the user attribute information collecting means for storing the user identification information and the user identification information are acquired, the user attribute information storage means is A user attribute information acquisition means for acquiring the user attribute information corresponding to the identification information, a service provision request including information for specifying the content from the service utilization device and the identification information of the user When receiving information, the service provision condition information acquired by the service provision condition information acquisition means, and the user attribute information acquired by sending the user identification information to the user attribute information acquisition means; , And provides the user with the provided service content associated with the expected value of service provision condition that matches the one or more electronic devices held by the user indicated in the user attribute information Provided service content specifying means for specifying the content of the service to be performed, and the content based on the specified provided service content The service providing information for output to the-bis utilization apparatus, and the service provision information transmitting means for transmitting to the service using apparatus, the service providing apparatus characterized by having provided.
[0014]
  The service providing apparatus of the present invention preferably further includes service providing condition information updating means for updating the contents of the service providing condition information.
[0015]
The service providing apparatus of the present invention preferably further includes provided service content specifying process information acquiring means for acquiring provided service content specifying process information which is information indicating a processing procedure performed in the provided service content specifying means. The provided service content specifying unit specifies the service content to be provided to the user in accordance with the processing procedure indicated in the provided service content specifying process information acquired by the provided service content specifying process information acquiring unit.
[0016]
The service providing apparatus of the present invention preferably further includes provided service content specifying process information updating means for updating the content of provided service content specifying process information.
[0017]
In the service providing apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquiring unit is used without allowing the user to recognize the expected value of the service providing condition included in the service providing condition information. It is information collected from the person.
[0019]
Further, in the service providing method of the service providing apparatus that provides the service, the condition necessary for the user to receive the service related to the use of the content and the condition for the one or more electronic devices held by the user Service provision condition for acquiring service provision condition information associated with provision service content indicating the content of the service provided to the user whose service provision condition expected value indicating the service matching condition expected value Information acquisition step, information on the one or more electronic devices is periodically received from the one or more electronic devices together with the identification information of the user, and as user attribute information which is information on the attributes of the user, A user attribute information collecting step to be stored in the user attribute information storage means; When receiving service provision request information including information for identifying a user and identification information of the user, the user attribute information corresponding to the identification information is acquired with reference to the user attribute information storage means The user attribute information acquisition step, the service provision condition information acquired in the service provision condition information acquisition step, and the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step are collated, and the user Providing the provided service content associated with the expected value of service provision condition suitable for the one or more electronic devices held by the user indicated in the attribute information as the content of the service provided to the user A service content specifying step, and the content is provided to the service using device based on the specified provided service content The service providing information for output, the service providing method characterized by having a service providing information transmitting step of transmitting to the service using apparatus is provided.
[0022]
  The service providing method of the present invention preferably further includes a service providing condition information updating step for updating the contents of the service providing condition information.
[0023]
The service providing method of the present invention preferably further includes a providing service content specifying process information acquiring step for acquiring providing service content specifying process information which is information indicating a processing procedure performed in the providing service content specifying step. In the provided service content specifying step, the service content provided to the user is specified in accordance with the processing procedure indicated in the provided service content specifying process information acquired in the provided service content specifying process information acquiring step.
[0024]
In addition, the service providing method of the present invention preferably further includes a provided service content specifying process information updating step for updating the content of the provided service content specifying process information.
[0025]
In the service providing method of the present invention, preferably, the user attribute information acquired in the user attribute information acquiring step is used without causing the user to recognize the service providing condition expected value possessed by the service providing condition information. It is information collected from the person.
[0027]
In addition, the service provision condition expected value indicating the condition for one or more electronic devices held by the user, which is a condition necessary for the user to receive the service related to the use of the content, is stored in the computer. A service provision condition information acquisition step of acquiring service provision condition information associated with provision service contents indicating the contents of the service provided to the user that matches the provision condition expectation value; and the one or more electronic devices A user who regularly receives information on the user together with the identification information of the user from the one or more electronic devices and stores it in the user attribute information storage means as user attribute information which is information on the attribute of the user An attribute information collecting step; information for identifying the content from the service using device; and identification information of the user When the service provision request information including the user attribute information is received, the user attribute information storage unit refers to the user attribute information storage means and acquires the user attribute information corresponding to the identification information; and the service provision condition information acquisition The service provision condition information acquired in the step and the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step are collated, and the one or more possessed by the user indicated in the user attribute information A provision service content identifying step that identifies the content of the provision service associated with the expected value of the service provision condition suitable for the electronic device as a content of the service to be provided to the user; and Service providing information for causing the service using device to output the content based on the service. Service providing program for executing a service providing information transmitting step of transmitting the utilization device, is provided.
[0028]
In addition, the service provision condition expected value indicating the condition for one or more electronic devices held by the user, which is a condition necessary for the user to receive the service related to the use of the content, is stored in the computer. A service provision condition information acquisition step of acquiring service provision condition information associated with provision service contents indicating the contents of the service provided to the user that matches the provision condition expectation value; and the one or more electronic devices A user who regularly receives information on the user together with the identification information of the user from the one or more electronic devices and stores it in the user attribute information storage means as user attribute information which is information on the attribute of the user An attribute information collecting step; information for identifying the content from the service using device; and identification information of the user When the service provision request information including the user attribute information is received, the user attribute information storage unit refers to the user attribute information storage means and acquires the user attribute information corresponding to the identification information; and the service provision condition information acquisition The service provision condition information acquired in the step and the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step are collated, and the one or more possessed by the user indicated in the user attribute information A provision service content identifying step that identifies the content of the provision service associated with the expected value of the service provision condition suitable for the electronic device as a content of the service to be provided to the user; and Service providing information for causing the service using device to output the content based on the service. A computer-readable recording medium a service providing program for executing a service providing information transmitting step of transmitting the utilization device, is provided.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, an overview of a service providing apparatus and a service providing method in this embodiment will be described, and then details thereof will be described.
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overview of a service providing apparatus 1 and a service providing method according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the service providing apparatus 1 allows a user who has a service provision condition expected value 2aa indicating a condition necessary for the user to receive the service to be matched with the service provision condition expected value 2aa. Service provision condition information acquisition means 2 for acquiring service provision condition information 2a associated with provision service contents 2ab indicating the contents of the service provided to the user, and obtains user attribute information 3a which is information relating to user attributes. The user attribute information acquisition means 3 and the service provision condition information 2a acquired by the service provision condition information acquisition means 2 are compared with the user attribute information 3a acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 3; Service provision conditions that match the user attributes indicated in the user attribute information 3a acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 3 Providing services 2ab associated with the waiting value 2aa, it has provided service content specifying means 4 for specifying the contents of the service provided to the user. For example, if the service here can be provided via communication means, there are no particular restrictions, such as distribution services for content such as music and video, provision of usage rights for specific sites, provision of discount tickets, etc. It can be anything. In addition, the information related to the user attribute includes, for example, information related to the user's property such as that the user is the owner of the specific electronic device, and the user has the right to use the specific content. This means information related to the rights held by the user such as being a network member of a specific Internet provider, information related to the service usage history of the user such as the user watching a specific content for a predetermined time or more, etc. .
[0031]
When the service providing apparatus 1 provides a service to a user, for example, first, the service providing apparatus 1 indicates conditions necessary for the user to receive the service in the service providing condition information acquisition unit 2. The service provision condition expected value 2aa acquires service provision condition information 2a associated with the provision service content 2ab indicating the contents of the service provided to the user who matches the service provision condition expected value 2aa, and the user The attribute information acquisition unit 3 acquires user attribute information 3a which is information related to the user's attributes.
[0032]
The service provision condition information 2a acquired by the service provision condition information acquisition unit 2 and the user attribute information 3a acquired by the user attribute information acquisition unit 3 are sent to the provided service content identification unit 4, for example. The provided service content specifying means 4 that has received the above information includes, for example, service providing condition information 2a acquired by the service providing condition information acquiring means 2, user attribute information 3a acquired by the user attribute information acquiring means 3, and , And the provided service content 2ab associated with the expected service providing condition value 2aa that matches the user attribute indicated by the user attribute information 3a acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 3 The content of the service to be provided (provided service content 4a).
[0033]
The information related to the provided service content 4a specified in this way is sent to, for example, a service providing server (described later) that provides the service, and the service providing server that has received this information selects the service with the content indicated in the information. This is provided to a service use device (described later) used by the user via the network.
[0034]
By doing in this way, a service provider such as a content distributor can change the content of a service provided for content distribution or the like according to a user attribute such as being a user who owns a specific electronic device. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service provision form.
[0035]
Next, details of the service providing apparatus and the service providing method in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the service providing system 10 in this embodiment.
[0036]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the service providing system 10 includes, for example, a service providing apparatus 30 that provides a service, and a service using apparatus 40 that is used when a user 20 uses a service provided from the service providing apparatus 30. The service providing apparatus 30 includes, for example, a service content specifying server 31 that specifies service content to be provided to the user 20, a user attribute information server 32 that stores information related to user attributes, and service content. A service providing server 33 that provides the service specified by the specific server 31 is provided.
[0037]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, the service content specifying server 31, the user attribute information server 32, the service providing server 33, and the service using device 40 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network 70. The network 70 includes an electronic device 50 (A company television 51, A company DVD 52, B company PC 53, C company component 54) owned by the user 20, and a vendor server that provides content distribution operations and Internet connection services. 60 (D company content distribution server 61 and provider E company server 62) are also connected so as to be communicable.
[0038]
Here, the service using device 40 means, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, a palmtop computer, or a mobile phone owned by the user 20, and the network means a public communication line such as the Internet or an intranet. , And means a private communication line such as LAN (Local Area Network).
[0039]
In FIG. 2, the service content specifying server 31, the user attribute information server 32, and the service providing server 33 are provided one by one. However, the service content specifying server 31, the user attribute information server 32, and the service providing are provided. Two or more servers 33 may be provided, or a server combining these functions may be provided.
[0040]
Further, in FIG. 2, only one service utilization device 40 is described for the sake of simplification, but in reality, a configuration in which a larger number of service utilization devices is provided may be employed. Moreover, it is good also as taking another structure also about the number and kind of the electronic device 50 and the trader server 60 which were described in FIG.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the service content identification server 31 in this embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the service content specifying server 31 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31a, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 31b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 31c, and a RAM (RAM). Random Access Memory) 31d, host bus 31e, bridge 31f, external bus 31g, input interface 31h, keyboard 31i, mouse 31j, video processing device 31k, CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display 31l, buffer 31m, audio playback device 31n and The communication interface 31o is provided, and is connected to be able to communicate with the network 70 via the communication interface 31o.
[0042]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the CPU 31a, the HDD 31b, the ROM 31c, and the RAM 31d are connected to the host bus 31e so that information can be exchanged between the host bus 31e and the external bus 31g via the bridge 31f. Connected so that information can be exchanged. The external bus 31g is connected to, for example, an input interface 31h, a video processing device 31k, a buffer 31m, and a communication interface 31o so that information can be exchanged between the keyboard 31i and the mouse 31j. A CRT display 31l is connected to the processing device 31k, and an audio playback device 31n is connected to the buffer 31m so as to be able to exchange information.
[0043]
The CPU 31a has, for example, a configuration centered on a processor, and in synchronization with a clock signal supplied from a transmitter (not shown), various types of operating systems, application programs, and the like stored in the ROM 31c or the RAM 31d. Run the program.
[0044]
The HDD 31b is, for example, a fixed storage device, the ROM 31c is a mask ROM, etc., and the RAM 31d is a dynamic RAM (DRAM: Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and is used to execute various programs such as an operating system and application programs, and programs. Stores various necessary data.
[0045]
The host bus 31e and the external bus 31g are information transmission paths composed of, for example, a microprocessor and a memory, and the bridge 31f relays data between the host bus 31e and the external bus 31g.
[0046]
For example, the input interface 31h relays input signals from the keyboard 31i and the mouse 31j to the external bus 31g.
For example, under the control of the CPU 31a, the video processing device 31k generates an analog signal corresponding to analog data or digital data of a video supplied from the external bus 31g, and supplies the generated analog signal to the CRT display 31l.
[0047]
The CRT display 31l is, for example, a cathode ray tube type display that displays an image by applying an electron beam to a fluorescent material on the screen surface. Based on an analog signal supplied from the image processing device 31k, the CRT display 31l displays a predetermined image. Display.
[0048]
For example, the sound reproducing device 31n includes a speaker, a sound data decoding circuit, and the like, acquires sound source information such as music via the buffer 31m, and performs decoding, reproduction, and sound output of the acquired sound source information.
[0049]
The communication interface 31o is, for example, an interface corresponding to a predetermined standard of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and connects the service content specifying server 31 so as to be able to communicate with the network 70.
[0050]
With the hardware configuration as described above, the processing function of the service content identification server 31 in this embodiment is realized.
Although only the hardware configuration of the service content specifying server 31 has been described here, the user attribute information server 32, the service providing server 33, and the service using device 40 have the same hardware as the service content specifying server 31. The structure shall be taken.
[0051]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the hardware and the service content specifying server 31, the user attribute information server 32, and the service providing server 33 having the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 by executing predetermined programs (software). It is the block diagram which illustrated the processing function of the service provision apparatus 30 constructed | assembled by the specific means which cooperated with software.
[0052]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the service providing apparatus 30 is collected by, for example, a user attribute information collecting unit 30 a and a user attribute information collecting unit 30 a that collect user attribute information that is information related to user attributes. User attribute information storage means 30b for storing user attribute information, content information storage means 30c for storing content information, which is information related to content, and information indicating that the service provided by the user 20 is desired. Service provision request information acquisition means 30d for acquiring service provision request information, for a user whose service provision condition expected value indicating a condition necessary for the user to receive the service is suitable for the service provision condition expected value Service provision condition information associated with the provided service content indicating the content of the provided service is collected. Service provision condition information acquisition means 30e, provision service content identification processing information acquisition means 30f for obtaining provision service content identification processing information, which is information indicating a processing procedure performed in the following provision service content identification means 30h, user attribute information The service provision condition information acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 30g and the service provision condition information acquisition means 30e, and the user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 30g are collated and used. The provided service content associated with the expected service provision condition value that matches the user attribute indicated in the user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 30g is specified as the content of the service provided to the user. Provided service content specifying means 30h, provided service content specifying means 30h Service providing information generating means 30i for generating service providing information that is information for providing the service indicated by the provided service content specified as the content of the service provided to the user, and a service using device used by the user 20 Service providing information transmitting means 30j for transmitting service providing information to 40, service providing condition information updating means 30k for updating the contents of service providing condition information, and provided service contents specifying process information for updating the contents of provided service contents specifying process information It has a processing function comprising the updating means 30l.
[0053]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, the user attribute information collection unit 30a provides information to the user attribute information storage unit 30b, and the user attribute information storage unit 30b provides information to the user attribute information acquisition unit 30g. Is configured to be possible. Further, for example, the provided service content specifying unit 30h can exchange information with the service providing condition information acquiring unit 30e, the provided service content specifying process information acquiring unit 30f, and the user attribute information acquiring unit 30g. Information is provided to the service providing information generating unit 30i. Further, for example, the content information storage means 30c can provide service provision condition information so that information can be exchanged with the service provision condition information update means 30k, the provision service content identification process information update means 30l, and the service provision information generation means 30i. Information is provided to the acquisition unit 30e and the provided service content specifying process information acquisition unit 30f. Further, for example, the service providing information generating unit 30i provides information to the service providing information transmitting unit 30j, and the service providing request information acquiring unit 30d provides information to the providing service content specifying unit 30h and the service providing information transmitting unit 30j. Configured as possible. Further, for example, the user attribute information collection unit 30a, the service provision request information acquisition unit 30d, and the service provision information transmission unit 30j are configured to be able to communicate with the network 70, respectively.
[0054]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of the content information storage unit 30c illustrated in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the content information storage unit 30 c stores content information 101 to 106 that are information related to content such as music and images. In FIG. 5, six pieces of content information 101 to 106 are illustrated, but the number of pieces of content information stored in the content information storage unit 30c may be larger or smaller.
[0055]
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of the content information 101 illustrated in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the content information 101 includes, for example, provided service content specifying process information 101 a which is information such as a program indicating a processing procedure performed in the provided service content specifying unit 30 h, and the user receives the service. Service provision condition information 101b in which the service provision condition expected value indicating the condition necessary for the service is associated with the provided service content indicating the content of the service provided to the user that matches the service provision condition expected value, voice Content material information 101c, which is information of content material such as information and image information, and information for processing the content material information 101c so as to conform to a predetermined reproduction processing form (for example, functions, data, etc. necessary for authoring processing) ) Content reproduction processing information 101d.
[0056]
For simplification of explanation, FIG. 6 illustrates the data configuration of only the content information 101. However, the other content information 102 to 106 and the like have the same data configuration as the content information 101. .
[0057]
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of the service provision condition information 101b illustrated in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the service provision condition information 101b includes, for example, a provision condition 101ba indicating a kind of condition necessary for the user to receive the service, and a necessary condition for the user to receive the service. The service provision condition expected value 101bb indicating the condition and the provided service content 101bc indicating the contents of the service provided to the user who matches the service provision condition expected value 101bb are associated with each other.
[0058]
In the case of the example in FIG. 7, the service provision condition information 101b includes information indicating “right retention” and “product retention” as the provision condition 101ba, and is associated with this “right retention”. Information indicating “having a permanent viewing right” and “a network member of company A” as service provision condition expected value 101bb is used as service provision condition expected value 101bb associated with “holding product”. "You must own at least 3 types of any company A products" "You must own company A's latest TV and DVD" "A company / B company / C company latest model It has information indicating that “5 or more products are owned” and “A company PC is owned”. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the service provision condition expected value 101 bb “having a permanent viewing right” indicates that the provided service content 101 bc “viewing is free for many times” is the service provision condition expected value 101 bb. For “being a network member of company A” and “having three or more types of products of any company A”, the provided service content 101 bc “one time viewing is free” is the service provision condition expected value 101 bb “Have the latest TV and DVD made by Company A” “Have 5 or more latest products made by Company A / B / C” and “Company A's PC” Is associated with the provided service content 101bc “viewing for 1 minute is free”.
[0059]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of another service provision condition information 102b.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the service provision condition information 102b also includes a provision condition 102ba, a service provision condition expected value 102bb, and a provision service content 102bc. The provision condition 102ba indicates “content usage time”. Have information. Further, information indicating that “any A company content is viewed for 20 hours or more”, “any A company content is viewed for 10 hours or more”, “does not meet any of the above conditions” as the service provision condition expected value 102bb These service provision condition expected values 102bb correspond to the provision service contents 102bc, "one time viewing is free", "one minute viewing is free", and "15 seconds viewing is free", respectively. It is attached.
[0060]
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of the user attribute information 110 stored in the user attribute information storage unit 30b illustrated in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the user attribute information 110, for example, a user ID 111 indicating each user and a user attribute 112 indicating each user attribute are associated with each other.
[0061]
In the case of the example in FIG. 9, the user attribute information 110 has “AI123456” and “BJ987654” as the user ID 111, and the user attribute 112 of the user indicated by the user ID 111 “AI123456”. “A company TV possession” “A company DVD possession” “B company PC possession” “C company compo possession” “D company content 13-hour viewing” “E company network member” use indicated by user ID 111 “BJ987654” The owner attribute 112 has “Company A DVD ownership”.
[0062]
FIG. 10 is constructed by specific means in which the hardware and software cooperate by causing the service using apparatus 40 having the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 to execute a predetermined program (software). 3 is a block diagram illustrating a processing function of a service using device 40. FIG.
[0063]
As illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, the service use device 40 includes a user attribute information input unit 41 that receives input of user attribute information by the user 20, and a user attribute input in the user attribute information input unit 41. User attribute information transmitting means 42 for transmitting information to the service providing apparatus 30 via the network 70, service provision request information inputting means 43 for accepting input of service provision request information by the user 20, and service provision request information inputting means 43 Service provision request information transmitting means 44 for transmitting the service provision request information input in step S2 to the service provision apparatus 30 via the network 70, and a service for acquiring the service provision information transmitted from the service provision apparatus 30 via the network 70 Provision information acquisition means 46 and service provision information acquisition hand And a service information output means 45 for outputting the service information such as contents shown in the obtained service providing information in 46.
[0064]
As illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, the user attribute information input unit 41 obtains service provision information from the user attribute information transmission unit 42 and the service provision request information input unit 43 obtains service provision information from the service provision request information transmission unit 44. The means 46 is configured to be able to provide information to the service information output means 45. The user attribute information transmission means 42, the service provision request information transmission means 44, and the service provision information acquisition means 46 are connected to the network 70. Each is configured to be able to communicate with.
[0065]
Next, the processing operation of the service providing system 10 in this embodiment will be described.
11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining the processing operation of the service providing system 10 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the processing operation of the service providing system 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the vertical axis indicates the flow of time, and the processing shown below in the drawings corresponds to the processing to be performed later.
[0066]
Step S1:
In this step, for example, in the service use device 40, input of user attribute information from the user 20 is accepted, the input user attribute information is transmitted to the user attribute information server 32, and the transmitted user attribute is transmitted. Information is stored in the user attribute information server 32. Here, the user attribute information server 32 to which the user attribute information is transmitted is specified in advance as a transmission destination of the user attribute information, for example, and information (address, etc.) on the location is given to the user 20. It may be a provided server or a server designated by the user 20. In addition, the processing in this step may be performed periodically after a certain period, and a specific timing such as when the user purchases a new electronic device 50 or enters a new contract with a provider. It is good also as being performed in.
[0067]
Hereinafter, the processing in this step will be described in terms of processing functions.
In this step, for example, first, the user attribute information input unit 41 of the service using apparatus 40 illustrated in FIG. 10 receives input of user attribute information from the user 20. The user attribute information input here means, for example, information related to the electronic device 50 possessed by the user 20, information related to the viewing rights of the content possessed by the user 20, etc. It will be the content that you have offered. Here, it is desirable that the input of the user attribute information here is performed without allowing the user 20 to recognize the service provision condition expected value described above. This is to prevent fraud such as entering false user attribute information in order for the user 20 who knows the service provision condition expected value to receive the desired service.
[0068]
The input user attribute information is sent to, for example, the user attribute information transmitting unit 42 illustrated in FIG. 10, and the user attribute information transmitting unit 42 transmits the transmitted user attribute information via the network 70. It transmits to the service providing device 30. In addition, it is desirable that, for example, a user ID for identifying each user is attached to the user attribute information transmitted to the service providing apparatus 30 in this way. The user ID is, for example, an ID given from the service providing apparatus 30 when a user who desires to use the system is used as a premise for using the system, and the service providing apparatus 30 uses the user ID. Use to manage each user.
[0069]
The user attribute information transmitted to the service providing apparatus 30 is received by, for example, the user attribute information collecting unit 30a illustrated in FIG. 4, and the user attribute information collecting unit 30a receiving the user attribute information User attribute information is stored in the user attribute information storage means 30b together with the user ID (FIG. 9). Here, the storage of the user attribute information in the user attribute information storage means 30b is performed by, for example, first confirming the validity of the user attribute information provided by the user and confirming the validity. This may be done only when By doing in this way, it can suppress that unauthorized user attribute information is registered.
[0070]
Step S2:
In this step, for example, the user attribute information is provided from the electronic device 50 or the supplier server 60 owned by the user 20, and the provided user attribute information is collected and stored in the user attribute information server 32. Here, the provision of the user attribute information to the user attribute information server 32 performed by the electronic device 50 or the vendor server 60 is, for example, the user attribute information server on the network 70 in the electronic device 50 or the vendor server 60. 32 addresses are specified, information on the manufacturer name, model, etc. of the electronic device 50, information on the type of service provided by the supplier server 60 to the user 20, service usage history, etc. are transmitted via the network 70. Is done by doing. In addition, the user attribute information server 32 to which the user attribute information is transmitted is designated in advance as a transmission destination of the user attribute information, for example. The server may be a server provided to the server 60, or may be a server designated by the user 20, the electronic device 50, or the supplier server 60. In addition, the processing in this step may be performed periodically after a certain period of time. When the user 20 purchases a new electronic device 50 and connects the electronic device 50 to the network 70, the provider It may be performed at a specific timing such as when a new contract is made.
[0071]
In terms of processing functions, for example, the user attribute information provided from the electronic device 50 and the supplier server 60 is received by the user attribute information collection unit 30a illustrated in FIG. The attribute information is stored in the user attribute information storage means 30b. Also in this step, the user attribute information is provided, for example, together with the user ID of the user, and the user attribute information is stored together with the user ID in the user attribute information storage unit 30b ( FIG. 9).
[0072]
Step S3:
In this step, for example, in the service utilization device 40, the service provision request information input by the user 20 is accepted, and the service provision request information input in this way is transmitted to the service content identification server 31. Here, the service provision request information is, for example, information indicating that a specific service provision is desired, and specifically means information indicating that a content such as a video clip is desired to be viewed. The service provision request information includes, for example, information for identifying a service that the user 20 desires to provide (for example, information for identifying content desired to be viewed) and information regarding the user ID of the user. Etc. are included.
[0073]
The transmitted service provision request information is received by the service content identification server 31, and the service content identification server 31 starts the content identification process of the provided service by receiving the service provision request information, for example.
[0074]
Hereinafter, the processing in this step will be described in terms of processing functions.
In this step, for example, first, the service provision request information input unit 43 of the service utilization apparatus 40 illustrated in FIG. 10 accepts input of service provision request information from the user 20. The service provision request information input in this way is sent to, for example, the service provision request information transmitting means 44, and the service provision request information transmitting means 44 to which the service provision request information is sent, for example, sends the service provision request information to the service provision request information. And transmitted to the service providing apparatus 30 via the network 70.
[0075]
For example, in the service provision request information acquisition unit 30d illustrated in FIG. 4, the service provision apparatus 30 receives the service provision request information and sends the received service provision request information to the provision service content specifying unit 30h.
[0076]
When this service provision request information is sent to the service provision apparatus 30, for example, the process of step S4 is performed next.
Step S4:
In this step, for example, the service content specifying server 31 acquires service provision condition information in which the service provision condition expected value is associated with the provided service content from the service provision server 33 (service provision condition information obtaining step). Further, provided service content specifying process information, which is information indicating a processing procedure performed in a provided service content specifying step (step S6) described later, is acquired from the service providing server 33 (provided service content specifying process information acquiring step).
[0077]
The service provision condition information and the service content specification processing information acquired here are, for example, the type of service (for example, the type of content) specified by the service provision request information received by the service content specification server 31 in step S3 described above. Service providing condition information and provided service content specifying process information corresponding to
[0078]
Hereinafter, the processing in this step will be described in terms of processing functions.
In this step, for example, first, in the provided service content specifying unit 30h illustrated in FIG. 4, information on the service content indicated in the service providing request information sent from the service providing request information acquiring unit 30d in the process of step S3 is The information is sent to the service providing condition information acquiring unit 30e and the provided service content specifying process information acquiring unit 30f. In the following, the provision of content is taken as an example of this service, and the content provided as information about the service details sent to the service provision condition information acquisition means 30e and the provision service content identification processing information acquisition means 30f here. The explanation will be made by taking information for identifying as an example.
[0079]
The service provision condition information acquisition unit 30e that has received the information for specifying the content extracts the content information of the content specified by the received information from, for example, the content information storage unit 30c. As illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the content information includes service provision condition information, and the service provision condition information acquisition unit 30 e extracts and extracts the service provision condition information included in the content information. The provided service provision condition information is sent to the provided service content specifying means 30h.
[0080]
In addition, the provided service content specifying process information acquisition unit 30f that has received the information for specifying the content extracts the content information of the content specified by the received information from, for example, the content information storage unit 30c. As illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the content information includes provided service content specifying process information, and the service providing condition information acquisition unit 30 e uses the provided service content specifying process information included in the content information. The extracted provided service content specifying process information is sent to the provided service content specifying means 30h.
[0081]
Step S5:
In this step, for example, the user attribute information is acquired from the user attribute information server 32 in the service content identification server 31 (user attribute information acquisition step). The user attribute information acquired here is, for example, user attribute information related to the user specified by the user ID indicated in the service provision request information sent from the service utilization device 40 in step S3. And
[0082]
In terms of processing function, for example, information related to the user ID indicated in the user attribute information is sent from the provided service content specifying unit 30h illustrated in FIG. The user attribute information acquisition unit 30g that has received the information extracts the user attribute information corresponding to the user ID from the user attribute information storage unit 30b. The user attribute information extracted in this way is sent to, for example, the provided service content specifying unit 30h and used for the following provided service specifying process (step S6).
[0083]
Step S6:
In this step, for example, in the service content identification server 31, the service provision condition information acquired in the service provision condition information acquisition step (step S4) and the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step (step S5). The provided service contents associated with the expected value of the service provision condition that matches the attribute of the user 20 indicated in the user attribute information acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step (step S5). The content of the service provided to the user 20 is specified (provided service content specifying step). Note that the processing in this step is performed according to the processing procedure indicated in the provided service content specifying process information acquired in the provided service content specifying process information acquisition step (step S4), for example.
[0084]
In terms of processing function, for example, in the provided service content specifying unit 30h illustrated in FIG. 4, the service providing condition information acquired in step S4 and the user attribute information acquired in step S5 are collated. The provided service content associated with the expected service provision condition value that matches the attribute of the user 20 indicated in the user attribute information acquired in S5 is specified as the content of the service provided to the user 20.
[0085]
Specifically, for example, when the user ID of the user 20 is “AI123456”, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the user attribute 112 of the user 20 indicated in the user attribute information 110 is: “A company TV possession” “A company DVD possession” “B company PC possession” “C company component possession” “D company content viewing for 13 hours” “E company network member”. Further, when the information shown in the service provision request information provided in step S3 is a request for providing the content shown in the content information 101 shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. The service provision condition expected value 101bb shown in the service provision condition information 101b is “having a permanent viewing right”, “being a network member of company A”, or “owning any one or more products of company A”. "Has the latest TV and DVD made by Company A" "Has 5 or more latest products from any of Company A / B / C" "A You have a company-made PC. " Therefore, the service provision condition expected value 101bb that matches the user attribute 112 (the attribute of the user 20 indicated in the user attribute information 110) is “owns the latest television and DVD manufactured by company A”. Become. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the provided service content 101 bc associated with the service provision condition expected value 101 bb “owns the latest television and DVD manufactured by company A” is “viewing for one minute” Is free. " Therefore, the provided service content 101 bc “viewing only for one minute is free” is specified as the content of the service provided to the user 20. In the case of this specific example, the content provided here is the content indicated in the content information 101, and the information for specifying this content is also the content of the service provided to the user 20, for example. Shall be included.
[0086]
When the content of the provided service is specified, for example, the process proceeds to step S7.
Step S7:
In this step, for example, the service content specifying server 31 transmits the specified service content information indicating the provided service content specified in the process of step S6 to the service providing server 33.
[0087]
In terms of processing function, for example, the specified service content information is sent from the provided service content specifying unit 30h illustrated in FIG. 4 to the service providing information generating unit 30i. When this specific provision service content information is sent to the service provision information generating means 30i, for example, the process then proceeds to step S8.
[0088]
Step S8:
In this step, for example, in the service providing server 33, the user 20 provides service providing information, which is information for providing the service indicated by the specific provided service content information transmitted from the service content specifying server 31 in step S7. It transmits to the service utilization apparatus 40 to utilize (service provision information transmission step). The service provision information is used, for example, to cause the service utilization device 40 used by the user 20 to output the content in accordance with the conditions specified by the provided service content specified as the content of the service provided to the user. Information.
[0089]
Hereinafter, the processing in this step will be described in terms of processing functions.
In this step, for example, first, in the service provision information generation unit 30i illustrated in FIG. 4, the content information storing the content indicated in the specific provision service content information acquired in step S7 is acquired from the content information storage unit 30c. To do.
[0090]
Next, for example, in the service provision information generation means 30i, the provision service indicated in the specific provision service content information acquired in step S7 using the content reproduction processing information included in the content information for the content material included in the acquired content information. Processing is performed according to the contents (for example, “viewing for one minute is free”), and the above-described service provision information is generated.
[0091]
The service providing information generated in this way is sent to, for example, the service providing information transmitting unit 30j, and the service providing information transmitting unit 30j transmits the service providing information to the service using device 40 via the network 70. The service provision information transmitted to the service utilization apparatus 40 is received by, for example, the service provision information acquisition unit 46 illustrated in FIG. 10, and the service provision information acquisition unit 46 receives the received service provision information as the service information output unit 45. Send to. When the service providing information is sent to the service using device 40, for example, the process proceeds to step S9.
[0092]
Step S9:
In this step, for example, in the service using device 40, the service information indicated in the service providing information sent from the service providing server 33 in step S8 is output.
[0093]
In terms of processing functions, for example, in the service information output unit 45 illustrated in FIG. 10, service information such as content indicated in the service provision information transmitted from the service provision information acquisition unit 46 is indicated in the service provision information. Output according to the conditions. Specifically, for example, if the content can be viewed free of charge for one minute, the content is output for that one minute unless a payment process is performed.
[0094]
By adopting the method as described above, it becomes possible for a service provider such as a content distributor to change the content of the service such as content distribution according to the attributes of the user. It becomes possible to improve.
[0095]
Further, for example, the content of the provided service content specifying process information and the content of the service providing condition information may be updated at any time by a content distributor or the like.
[0096]
For example, when updating the content of the provided service content specifying process information (service providing condition information updating step), the content distributor or the like uses the provided service content specifying process information updating unit 30l illustrated in FIG. Input update information for updating the contents of the specific process information. The provided service content specifying process information updating unit 301 receiving the update information updates the content of the provided service content specifying process information included in the content information stored in the content information storing unit 30c, for example, according to the update information.
[0097]
Further, for example, when updating the contents of the service provision condition information (provided service content identification process information update step), the content distributor or the like uses the service provision condition information update unit 30k illustrated in FIG. Enter update information to update the contents of. The service provision condition information update unit 30k to which the update information is input updates the content of the service provision condition information included in the content information stored in the content information storage unit 30c, for example, according to the update information.
[0098]
In this way, it is possible to dynamically change the judgment criteria and judgment method for specifying the service content provided to the user by configuring the content of the provided service content specifying process information and the service providing condition information. It becomes.
[0099]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in the service provision condition information acquisition unit 30e, the service provision condition expected value indicating the condition necessary for the user 20 to receive the service is matched with the service provision condition expected value. Service provision condition information associated with the provided service content indicating the content of the service provided to the user 20 is acquired, and the user attribute information which is information relating to the attribute of the user 20 is obtained by the user attribute information acquiring unit 30g. The acquired service content specifying unit 30h collates the service providing condition information acquired by the service providing condition information acquiring unit 30e and the user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquiring unit 30g, and uses them. Conforms to the attributes of the user 20 indicated in the user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means 30g Attribute of the user such as a user who owns a specific electronic device because the provided service content associated with the expected value of the service provision condition is specified as the content of the service provided to the user 20 Accordingly, it is possible to change the contents of the service provided such as content distribution, and as a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service providing form. Specifically, by using this method, for example, it becomes possible to provide a service with the content most suitable for the user's environment, and only for a user who purchased a specific electronic device It can also be used in a service form such as providing a content providing service.
[0100]
The service providing information transmitting means 30j provides service providing information that is information for providing the service indicated in the provided service contents specified as the contents of the service provided to the user 20 by the provided service contents specifying means 30h. By transmitting to the service utilization device 40 used by the user 20, it becomes possible to quickly provide a service whose provision content is changed according to the attribute of the user 20. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service provision form.
[0101]
Further, information for causing the service utilization apparatus 40 used by the user 20 to output the content according to the conditions specified by the provided service content specified as the content of the service provided to the user 20 By doing so, it is possible to quickly provide content whose provision content is changed according to the attribute of the user 20. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the content provision form.
[0102]
In addition, by updating the contents of the service provision condition information in the service provision condition information updating unit 30k, it is possible to dynamically change the determination criteria for specifying the service contents to be provided to the user. As a result, it is possible to freely change the criteria for specifying the service contents according to the passage of time, changes in the situation, and the like, and as a result, the degree of freedom of the content provision form can be improved. Specifically, for example, it is possible to adopt a service form in which the contents of the service provision condition information are changed only for a certain period and a service having a special added value is provided only during a specific period, or time It is also possible to adopt a service form in which the contents of the service provision condition information are gradually relaxed according to the progress.
[0103]
Furthermore, user attribute information storage means 30b for storing user attribute information is provided, and user attribute information acquisition means 30g is configured to acquire user attribute information from this user attribute information storage means 30b. As a result, it is possible to simplify the collection procedure of user attribute information, further reduce the amount of data distribution on the network 70, and reduce the load on the network 70.
[0104]
Further, provided service content specifying process information acquiring means 30f for acquiring provided service content specifying process information, which is information indicating a processing procedure performed in the provided service content specifying means 30h, is provided. By providing a configuration for specifying the service content to be provided to the user in accordance with the processing procedure indicated in the provided service content specifying process information acquired by the provided service content specifying process information acquisition means 30f, this provided service content specifying process information It is possible to dynamically change the determination method for specifying the service content provided to the user simply by changing the content of the service. As a result, it is possible to freely change the determination method for specifying the service content according to changes in the situation and the like, and as a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the content provision form. Specifically, for example, even if it is necessary to change the determination method due to some factor, it is possible to respond quickly by simply changing the content of the provided service content specifying process information. .
[0105]
Furthermore, in the provided service content specifying process information updating unit 30l, the determination method for specifying the service content to be provided to the user is dynamically changed by adopting a configuration for updating the content of the provided service content specifying process information. Is possible. As a result, it is possible to freely change the determination method for specifying the service content according to changes in the situation and the like, and as a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the content provision form.
[0106]
Further, the service providing apparatus 30 knows the service provision condition expected value by acquiring the user attribute information from the user 20 without causing the user 20 to recognize the service provision condition expected value of the service provision condition information. It is possible for the user 20 to suppress fraud such as providing false user attribute information in order to receive provision of the desired service.
[0107]
Furthermore, by configuring the user attribute information to have information on the rights held by the user, the service contents provided to the user can be changed according to the right to use the content held by the user, the right to use the network, etc. It can be changed. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service provision form.
[0108]
In addition, by configuring the user attribute information to include information related to the user's property, it is possible to change the contents of services provided to the user according to the type of electronic equipment held by the user. It becomes. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service provision form.
[0109]
Furthermore, by configuring the user attribute information to include information related to the user's service usage history, the service content provided to the user can be changed according to the user's service usage history such as content viewing time. Is possible. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service provision form.
[0110]
As described above, the above processing functions can be realized by a server computer and a client computer. In that case, a server program describing the processing contents of the functions that the service providing apparatus 30 should have and a client program describing the processing contents of the functions that the service using apparatus 40 should have are provided. By executing the server program on the server computer, the processing function of the service providing apparatus 30 is realized on the server computer. Further, by executing the client program on the client computer, the processing function of the service using device 40 is realized on the client computer.
[0111]
The server program and client program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the magnetic recording device include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape. Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM (Random Access Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWriteable). Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disk).
[0112]
When distributing server programs and client programs, for example, portable recording media such as DVDs and CD-ROMs on which the programs are recorded are sold. It is also possible to store the client program in a storage device of the server computer and transfer the client program from the server computer to the client computer via a network.
[0113]
The server computer that executes the server program stores, for example, the server program recorded on a portable recording medium in its own storage device. Then, the server computer reads the server program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the server program. The server computer can also read the server program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the server program.
[0114]
The client computer that executes the client program stores, for example, the client program recorded on the portable recording medium or the client program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the client computer reads the client program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the client program. The client computer can also read the client program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the client program. Further, each time the client program is transferred from the server computer, the client computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received client program.
[0115]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
For example, in this embodiment, the content information includes the provided service content specifying process information and the service providing condition information. However, at least one of the provided service content specifying process information and the service providing condition information is added to the content information. Alternatively, the content information may be provided with information on the location (address, etc.) of the provided service content specifying process information or the service providing condition information that the content information does not have. In this case, the service provision condition information acquisition unit 30e and the provision service content identification process information acquisition unit 30f acquire these information from the location where the provision service content identification process information or the service provision condition information attached to the content information exists. Will be.
[0116]
Further, in the present embodiment, provided service content specifying process information and service providing condition information are provided for each content information, but at least one of provided service content specifying process information and service providing condition information is The content may be shared. Furthermore, in this case, the common provided service content specifying process information and service providing condition information may be stored in a specific server, and information regarding the location of the server may be added to the content information. In this case, the service provision condition information acquisition unit 30e and the provision service content identification process information acquisition unit 30f acquire these information from the location where the provision service content identification process information or the service provision condition information attached to the content information exists. Will be.
[0117]
In addition, information related to the provided service content specifying process information or service providing condition information (provided service content specifying process information or service providing condition information itself, or information relating to their location) is stored in a location different from the content information. It is good also as taking a structure.
[0118]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user attribute information collected by the user attribute information collecting unit 30a is stored in the user attribute information storage unit 30b in advance, and the provided service content specifying unit 30h specifies the provided service content. The user attribute information stored in the user attribute information storage unit 30b is extracted. In particular, the user attribute information storage unit 30b is not provided, and the provided service content specifying unit 30h specifies the provided service content. The user attribute information may be collected via the network 70 every time.
[0119]
Further, the processing from step S3 to step S5 in this embodiment may be interchanged in order.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the provided service content specifying process information is defined as information indicating the processing procedure performed in the provided service content specifying step. However, not only the processing procedure performed in the provided service content specifying step but also the user attribute information The collection process, the service provision condition information, the provision service content specifying process information, and the content information collecting process are also included in the provided service content specifying process information, and each process in the service providing apparatus 30 is performed in such a provided service. It is good also as making it carry out according to content specific process information.
[0120]
In this embodiment, the user attribute information is input from the service using device 40 to the user 20 and the user attribute information is provided to the service providing device 30. It is good also as a structure which provides user attribute information to the service provision apparatus 30 only from the electronic device 50, the trader server 60, etc. without providing user attribute information.
[0121]
Further, user attribute information from the electronic device 50, the trader server 60, etc. to the service providing apparatus 30 is not performed, and only the user attribute information input by the user 20 using the service using apparatus 40 is used. It is good also as a structure which performs each process.
[0122]
The services provided by this system are not limited to content distribution services, such as the right to use specific sites on the Internet, the distribution of gift certificates and discount coupons, and discount services for online sales of tangibles such as books. Such a service may be used.
[0123]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the service providing apparatus of the present invention, in the service providing condition information acquisition unit, the service providing condition expected value indicating the condition necessary for the user to receive the service is adapted to the service providing condition expected value. Service provision condition information associated with the provided service content indicating the content of the service provided to the user, and the user attribute information which is information related to the user attribute in the user attribute information acquisition means In the provided service content specifying means, the service providing condition information acquired by the service providing condition information acquiring means and the user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquiring means are collated, and the user attribute Expected service provision conditions that match the user attributes indicated in the user attribute information acquired by the information acquisition means The content of the service provided to the user is specified as the content of the service provided to the user. Therefore, content distribution or the like is performed according to the user attribute such as the user who owns the specific electronic device. The content of the provided service can be changed, and as a result, the degree of freedom of the service providing form can be improved.
[0124]
Further, in the service providing method of the present invention, in the service providing condition information acquisition step, a user whose service providing condition expected value indicating a condition necessary for the user to receive the service is adapted to the service providing condition expected value. Service provision condition information associated with the provided service content indicating the content of the service provided to the user is acquired, and in the user attribute information acquisition step, user attribute information that is information related to the user attribute is acquired. In the provided service content identification step, the service provision condition information acquired in the service provision condition information acquisition step and the user attribute information acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step are collated, and the user attribute information acquisition step Service that conforms to user attributes indicated in user attribute information acquired in According to the attributes of the user, such as the user who owns a specific electronic device, because the provided service content associated with the expected value of the condition is specified as the content of the service provided to the user. It is possible to change the contents of the provided service such as content distribution, and as a result, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the service providing form.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a service providing apparatus and a service providing method.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a service providing system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a service content specifying server.
FIG. 4 shows the hardware and software by executing a predetermined program (software) in a service content identification server, a user attribute information server, and a service providing server having the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. It is the block diagram which illustrated the processing function of the service provision apparatus constructed | assembled by the specific means which cooperated.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of content information storage means illustrated in FIG. 4;
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of the content information illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of service provision condition information illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of service provision condition information.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data configuration of user attribute information stored in the user attribute information storage unit illustrated in FIG. 4;
10 is a service constructed by specific means in which hardware and software cooperate by executing a predetermined program (software) in a service utilization apparatus having a hardware configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3; It is the block diagram which illustrated the processing function of the utilization apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the processing operation of the service providing system.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the processing operation of the service providing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Service provision apparatus, 30a ... User attribute information collection means, 30b ... User attribute information storage means, 30c ... Content information storage means, 30e ... Service provision condition information acquisition means, 30f ... Provided service content specific process information acquisition means , 30g ... user attribute information acquisition means, 30h ... provided service content specifying means, 30j ... service providing information transmitting means, 30k ... service providing condition information updating means, 30l ... provided service content specifying process information updating means, 31 ... service contents Specific server, 32 ... user attribute information server, 33 ... service providing server, 40 ... service using device, 50 ... electronic device, 60 ... supplier server, 70 ... network

Claims (12)

In a service providing apparatus that provides a service,
A service provision condition expected value indicating a condition necessary for a user to receive a service related to the use of content and indicating the condition for one or more electronic devices owned by the user becomes the service provision condition expected value. Service provision condition information acquisition means for acquiring service provision condition information associated with the provision service content indicating the content of the service provided to the conforming user;
User attribute information is stored as user attribute information, which is information related to the user attribute, periodically received from the one or more electronic apparatus together with the user identification information. Means for collecting user attribute information stored in the means;
When acquiring the user identification information, referring to the user attribute information storage means, user attribute information acquisition means for acquiring the user attribute information corresponding to the identification information ,
When service provision request information including information for specifying the content and identification information of the user is received from a service utilization device, the service provision condition information acquired by the service provision condition information acquisition unit, and the user wherein the user attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquisition unit sends the identification information of the user, it collates, in the one or more electronic devices held by the user shown in the user attribute information Provided service content specifying means for specifying the provided service content associated with the expected value of the service providing condition to be matched as the content of the service provided to the user;
Service provision information transmitting means for transmitting, to the service utilization device, service provision information for causing the service utilization device to output the content based on the specified provision service content;
A service providing apparatus comprising: Service provision condition information updating means for updating the contents of the service provision condition information further includes
The service providing apparatus according to claim 1. Providing service content specifying process information acquiring means for acquiring provided service content specifying process information which is information indicating a processing procedure performed in the provided service content specifying means;
  The provided service content specifying means includes:
  In accordance with the processing procedure shown in the provided service content specifying process information acquired by the provided service content specifying process information acquisition means, the service content provided to the user is specified.
  The service providing apparatus according to claim 1. Providing service content specifying process information updating means for updating the content of the provided service content specifying process information;
  The service providing apparatus according to claim 3. The user attribute information acquired by the user attribute information acquisition means is:
  Information collected from the user without allowing the user to recognize the service provision condition expected value of the service provision condition information.
  The service providing apparatus according to claim 1. In a service providing method of a service providing apparatus that provides a service,
  A service provision condition expected value indicating a condition necessary for a user to receive a service related to the use of content and indicating the condition for one or more electronic devices owned by the user becomes the service provision condition expected value. A service provision condition information acquisition step of acquiring service provision condition information associated with the provision service content indicating the content of the service provided to the matching user;
  User attribute information is stored as user attribute information, which is information related to the user attribute, periodically received from the one or more electronic apparatus together with the user identification information. A user attribute information collecting step to be stored in the means;
  When service provision request information including information for specifying the content and identification information of the user is received from a service utilization device, the user corresponding to the identification information is referred to the user attribute information storage unit A user attribute information acquisition step for acquiring attribute information;
  The service provision condition information acquired in the service provision condition information acquisition step is compared with the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step, and the user indicated in the user attribute information A provided service content specifying step for specifying the provided service content associated with the expected value of service providing condition suitable for the one or more electronic devices held by the user as the content of the service provided to the user;
  A service providing information transmitting step for transmitting, to the service using device, service providing information for causing the service using device to output the content based on the specified provided service content;
  A service providing method characterized by comprising: A service provision condition information update step for updating the content of the service provision condition information;
  The service providing method according to claim 6. A providing service content specifying process information acquiring step for acquiring provided service content specifying process information that is information indicating a processing procedure performed in the providing service content specifying step;
  The provided service content specifying step includes:
  In accordance with the processing procedure shown in the provided service content specifying process information acquired in the provided service content specifying process information acquisition step, the service content provided to the user is specified.
  The service providing method according to claim 6. Providing service content specifying process information updating step for updating the content of the provided service content specifying process information;
  The service providing method according to claim 8. The user attribute information acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step is:
  Information collected from the user without allowing the user to recognize the service provision condition expected value of the service provision condition information.
  The service providing method according to claim 6. On the computer,
  A service provision condition expected value indicating a condition necessary for a user to receive a service related to the use of content and indicating the condition for one or more electronic devices owned by the user becomes the service provision condition expected value. A service provision condition information acquisition step of acquiring service provision condition information associated with the provision service content indicating the content of the service provided to the matching user;
  User attribute information is stored as user attribute information, which is information related to the user attribute, periodically received from the one or more electronic apparatus together with the user identification information. A user attribute information collecting step to be stored in the means;
  When service provision request information including information for specifying the content and identification information of the user is received from a service utilization device, the user corresponding to the identification information is referred to the user attribute information storage unit A user attribute information acquisition step for acquiring attribute information;
  The service provision condition information acquired in the service provision condition information acquisition step is compared with the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step, and the user indicated in the user attribute information A provided service content specifying step for specifying the provided service content associated with the expected value of service providing condition suitable for the one or more electronic devices held by the user as the content of the service provided to the user;
  A service providing information transmitting step for transmitting, to the service using device, service providing information for causing the service using device to output the content based on the specified provided service content;
  Service providing program to execute On the computer,
  A service provision condition expected value indicating a condition necessary for a user to receive a service related to the use of content and indicating the condition for one or more electronic devices owned by the user becomes the service provision condition expected value. A service provision condition information acquisition step of acquiring service provision condition information associated with the provision service content indicating the content of the service provided to the matching user;
  User attribute information is stored as user attribute information, which is information related to the user attribute, periodically received from the one or more electronic apparatus together with the user identification information. A user attribute information collecting step to be stored in the means;
  When service provision request information including information for specifying the content and identification information of the user is received from a service utilization device, the user corresponding to the identification information is referred to the user attribute information storage unit A user attribute information acquisition step for acquiring attribute information;
  The service provision condition information acquired in the service provision condition information acquisition step is compared with the user attribute acquired in the user attribute information acquisition step, and the user indicated in the user attribute information A provided service content specifying step for specifying the provided service content associated with the expected value of service providing condition suitable for the one or more electronic devices held by the user as the content of the service provided to the user;
  A service providing information transmitting step for transmitting, to the service using device, service providing information for causing the service using device to output the content based on the specified provided service content;
  The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the service provision program for performing this.

Images