JP6344610B2 - Information providing system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing system and an image forming apparatus.

  A certain POS system (first system) collects information such as requests and opinions about new products through a questionnaire (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In another system (second system), customer evaluations of products after shipment are collected and analyzed by e-mail, and the analysis result can be viewed in-house (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  In yet another system (third system), a survey e-mail is sent to a registered customer who wants to provide information, and based on the survey results, product information that matches the interest of the registered customer is provided. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).

  In yet another system (fourth system), a customer registers an advertiser who is permitted to distribute advertisements to the customer, and the advertiser provides an incentive to the customer (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 11-272957 A JP 2001-256338 A JP 2001-338112 A JP 2002-170032 A

  In the third and fourth systems described above, since information to be provided to the user is selected based on the action of a certain user, it is difficult to obtain information on a product other than the product of interest to the user. It is.

  In the first and second systems described above, information is collected for analysis, and information is collected for proposals of products and the like to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and recommends products that are likely to be of interest to registered users by providing recommended information to registered users based on the preferences of other registered users. An object is to obtain an information providing system and an image forming apparatus capable of providing information.

  An information providing system according to the present invention includes an information providing server connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to the network. The information providing server (a) acquires post information posted by a registered user via the network, (b) specifies the preference of the registered user in a predetermined product group based on the post information, (C) Based on registered user data managed in a predetermined database, for one registered user, one or a plurality of registered users who are allowed to provide recommended information based on the preference specified for the registered user (D) A registered user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus transmits recommended information based on the preferences of other registered users included in the disclosure target user to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus transmits (e) a request for transmitting the recommended information for a registered user who is logged in to the information providing server, (f) receives the recommended information as a response to the transmission request, and (g) receives At least one of printing the recommended information, displaying the received recommended information, and sending the received recommended information to a destination for the registered user. The registered user is registered as a customer of a predetermined point service or a predetermined chain store, the image forming apparatus is installed in a member store of the point service or the chain store, and the product group includes the product This includes products handled at point service member stores or products handled at the chain stores.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is installed in a member store or a predetermined chain store of a predetermined point service, and (a) a request for transmitting recommended information to a registered user who is logged in. To the information providing server connected to the network using the communication device, (b) receiving recommendation information as a response to the transmission request, and (c) printing the received recommendation information, A controller that performs at least one of displaying the received recommendation information and transmitting the received recommendation information to a destination for the registered user. Then, the registered users, the point service or have been registered as a customer of the chain store, before Symbol Recommendations, in the information providing server, with respect to the registered users are logged in, the provision of the recommendations der was generated based on the preference of the other registered users in a given product group identified based on the post information posted by other registered users that allow is, the product group, the point Includes products handled at member stores of the service or products handled at the chain stores.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the recommendation information selected based on another registered user's preference is provided to a registered user, The recommendation information of the goods which a registered user is likely to show interest can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information providing server 3 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 (multifunction machines, copiers, etc.) are installed in a predetermined point service member store or a predetermined chain store such as a convenience store.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network 2. The network 2 includes the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like. Furthermore, an information providing server 3 is connected to the network 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information providing server 3 in FIG. The information providing server 3 shown in FIG. 2 includes a communication device 11 such as a network interface, an arithmetic processing device 12 such as a computer that executes a predetermined program, and a database 13.

  The arithmetic processing device 12 functions as a user data management unit 21, a preference information collection unit 22, and a recommendation information generation unit 23. Registered user data 24 is stored in the database 13.

  The user data management unit 21 registers, edits, and deletes registered user data 24 in the database 13.

  The registered user data 24 includes (a) user ID and (b) user attribute information (name, address, etc.), as well as (c) account information (used for collecting registered user's preference information by the preference information collecting unit 22 ( Social network service (SNS) account name, e-mail address for receiving impressions of products from users, etc.), (d) other registered users who are allowed to provide recommended information based on the preferences of this registered user ( User ID of (publication target user), (e) preference information of the registered user collected by the preference information collection unit 22, and the like.

  The registered user is registered as a customer of the above point service or the above chain store. For example, when registering a registered user in the registered user data 24, a user ID is determined, and user attribute information, account information, user IDs of other registered users (public users) etc. presented by the registered user are registered. Registered in the user data 24. The registered user data 24 may be appropriately edited by a registered user operating the terminal device to access the information providing server 3 with a web browser.

  Further, when a registered user is registered in the registered user data 24, a card (ID card) in which the registered user's user ID is recorded is given to the registered user. The registered user carries this ID card, goes to a store where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed, and logs in, for example, by presenting this ID card to a card reader (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1. be able to.

  The preference information collection unit 22 uses the account information registered in the registered user data 24 to acquire post information posted by the registered user via the network 2.

  The preference information collection unit 22 acquires the SNS public information of registered users such as Twitter and Facebook in the network 2 as post information. At that time, among the posted information, only information including the product name of the product belonging to the predetermined product group may be acquired. Furthermore, it is possible to extract and acquire a product that includes product names of products belonging to a predetermined product group and contains positive texts about the product by language analysis.

  This merchandise group includes merchandise handled at the above-mentioned point service member stores or merchandise handled at the above-mentioned chain shops.

  The recommended information generation unit 23 specifies the registered user's preference in a predetermined product group based on the posted information in the registered user data 24, and specifies the user to be disclosed for a certain registered user based on the registered user data 24. The registered user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 generates recommendation information based on the preferences of other registered users included in the disclosure target user, and transmits the generated recommendation information to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The recommended information includes text and images for introducing one or more products included in the posted information of the other registered users. For example, texts and images for introducing each product are stored in the database 13 in advance, and texts and images for introducing the products are read from the database 13 and edited as appropriate to generate recommended information.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a multifunction machine or the like used by unspecified users and registered users, and includes a printing device 31, a communication device 32, an operation panel 33, and a controller 34.

  The printing device 31 is an internal device that prints an image page by page on a print sheet in an electrophotographic manner based on print image data.

  The communication device 32 is connected to the network 2 and performs data communication with other devices connected to the network.

  The operation panel 33 is disposed on the surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus 1 and includes a display device that displays various types of information to the user, and an input device that receives user operations. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display device. As an input device, a hard key, a touch panel, or the like is used.

  The controller 34 includes a computer, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like, and controls internal devices in the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 34 functions as a login processing unit 41 and a recommendation information acquisition unit 42 by executing a program on a computer.

  The login processing unit 41 obtains the user ID presented by the registered user using a card reader (not shown) or the keyboard of the operation panel 33, and is logged in (that is, using the image forming apparatus 1). ) Identify registered users.

  The recommendation information acquisition unit 42 uses (a) the communication device 32 to transmit a recommendation information transmission request for the logged-in registered user to the information providing server 3, and (f) recommend information as a response to the transmission request. And (g) at least one of printing the received recommendation information, displaying the received recommendation information, and sending the received recommendation information to the destination for the registered user.

  When printing the received recommendation information, the printing device 31 is used. When displaying the received recommendation information, the display device of the operation panel 33 is used. When the received recommendation information is transmitted to the destination for the registered user, for example, the registered user's e-mail address is registered in advance in the registered user data 24, the e-mail address is included in the recommended information, and communication is performed. Using the device 32, the recommendation information is sent as an email addressed to the email address.

  In addition, when printing the received recommendation information, for example, when a logged-in registered user performs a copy of the original, the recommendation information is printed on the margin or back side of the printing paper used for the copy. You may make it do.

  Next, the operation of each device in the system will be described.

(A) Registered user registration

  For example, the initial registration of a user is performed when the user visits the store described above, and when the terminal device in the store inputs the attribute information, account information, etc. of the registered user, the information is registered together with the registration request. Transmit to the information providing server 3. When receiving the registration request, the user data management unit 21 of the information providing server 3 registers the information as registered user data 24. In addition, about user ID, the terminal device in a shop may issue and the user data management part 21 may issue. Alternatively, an ID card having an unregistered user ID may be handed over to the user at the store, and the terminal ID in the store may be transmitted to the information providing server 3 by the terminal device in the store and associated with the user.

  Thereafter, the registered user can edit his / her registered user data 24 by operating his / her terminal device (such as a personal computer) to access the information providing server 3 using a web browser.

  Note that the user ID of the public target user may be registered at the time of initial registration, or may be registered by the registered user after the initial registration.

(B) Collection of post information

  The preference information collection unit 22 of the information providing server 3 periodically collects post information of each registered user. The preference information collection unit 22 uses the communication device 32 to acquire public information of a specific SNS account, or download post information from each registered user transmitted to the mail account from a specific mail account. Or

(C) Provision of recommended information

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the login processing unit 41 performs login processing for a registered user, the recommended information acquisition unit 42 uses the communication device 32 to issue a recommended information transmission request including the user ID of the registered user. To the information providing server 1. When the recommendation information generation unit 23 receives the recommendation information transmission request using the communication device 11, the recommendation information generation unit 23 generates recommendation information for the user ID specified in the request, and the image forming apparatus responds to the request. Send to 1.

  The recommended information acquisition unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the recommended information using the communication device 32, and prints, displays, and transmits the received recommended information. As a result, the registered user can know the products that the registered user has a positive impression among the products handled by the store where the registered user has visited, and other registered users who have included this registered user as the public target user, with recommended information. , You can purchase at the store you visited.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the information providing server 3 acquires (a) post information posted by a registered user via the network 2 and (b) predetermined based on the post information. (C) Based on the registered user data managed in the database 13, the provision of recommended information based on the specified preference for the registered user is permitted. One or a plurality of registered users to be disclosed is specified as a disclosure target user, and (d) the recommended information based on the preference of other registered users included in the disclosure target user by the registered user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 Transmit to forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 executes at least one of printing, displaying, and transmitting the received recommended information. The registered user is registered as a customer of a predetermined point service or a predetermined chain store, and the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a member store of the point service or the chain store. Includes products handled by point service merchants or merchandise handled by chain stores.

  Thus, by providing recommended information selected based on the preferences of other registered users to the registered user, it is possible to provide recommended information of products that the registered user is likely to be interested in. As a result, sales at stores that have introduced this system can be expected to improve.

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the information providing server 3 stores detailed information data (text data, image data, etc.) of each product in the product group in the database 13, and the image forming apparatus 1 recommends When the information is displayed, a link to the detailed information data of the product introduced in the recommended information is displayed so that it can be selected. Based on the operation of the registered user, the data is downloaded and the detailed information based on the data is displayed. You may make it display.

  In the above embodiment, the information providing server 3 includes the introduction of a plurality of products in the recommendation information, and the image forming apparatus 1 displays the plurality of products included in the recommendation information in order. May be. For example, the recommendation level for each product is determined by the expression in the posted information obtained by language analysis, etc., and multiple products included in the recommendation information are displayed in order from the highest recommendation level. May be.

  Also, in the above embodiment, at the time of a specific event such as Halloween, New Year's Eve, Christmas, New Year, Setsubun, Valentine, etc., post information including content related to the event is extracted by language analysis to generate recommended information You may make it do.

  In the above embodiment, the above-described product group may include only products handled at point service member stores or products handled at chain stores, or handled at point service member stores. In addition to merchandise or merchandise handled at chain stores, merchandise handled in various mail order sales (telephone shopping, etc.) may be included.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an image forming apparatus installed in a convenience store.

1 Image forming apparatus 2 Network 3 Information providing server

Claims (4)

An information providing server connected to the network;
An image forming apparatus connected to the network,
The information providing server (a) acquires post information posted by a registered user via the network, (b) specifies the preference of the registered user in a predetermined product group based on the post information, (C) Based on registered user data managed in a predetermined database, for one registered user, one or a plurality of registered users who are allowed to provide recommended information based on the preference specified for the registered user (D) a registered user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus transmits recommended information based on the preferences of other registered users included in the disclosure target user to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus transmits (e) a request for transmitting the recommended information for a registered user who is logged in to the information providing server, (f) receives the recommended information as a response to the transmission request, and (g) receives Performing at least one of printing the recommended information, displaying the received recommended information, and sending the received recommended information to a destination for the registered user;
The registered user is registered as a customer of a predetermined point service or a predetermined chain store,
The image forming apparatus is installed in a member store of the point service or the chain store,
The product group includes a product handled at a member store of the point service, or a product handled at the chain store,
An information provision system characterized by   The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information providing server acquires public information of the social network service of the registered user registered in the registered user data as the posted information.   3. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus prints the recommended information on a margin or a back side when printing the document of the registered user who is logged in. 4. In an image forming apparatus installed at a member store of a predetermined point service or a predetermined chain store,
A communication device connected to the network;
(A) Sending a recommendation information transmission request for a registered user who is logged in to the information providing server connected to the network using the communication device, and (b) Recommending information as a response to the transmission request. And (c) a controller that executes at least one of printing the received recommendation information, displaying the received recommendation information, and sending the received recommendation information to a destination for the registered user. Prepared,
The registered user is registered as a customer of the point service or the chain store,
Before SL Recommendations, in the information server, to the registered user during login, predetermined specified based on other registration posts information the user by posted that allow provision of the recommendations all SANYO generated based on preferences of the other registered users in the product group,
The product group includes a product handled at a member store of the point service, or a product handled at the chain store,
An image forming apparatus.

Images