JP2004362613A - Server for market survey, and market survey method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a market survey system capable of executing a market survey regarding what kind of preference people gathering around a certain area have by using a terminal connectable to the Internet without using a method for identifying the position of the terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A server 4 transmits preference information corresponding to a user identifier transmitted from a terminal 2 to a server 5. The server 5 displays a question of region-based information on the terminal 2 and transmits a screen for inputting a reply to it. The user of the terminal obtains a hint for the reply in a region having the region-based information and transmits the reply to the server 5 via the terminal 2. The server 5 registers the reply by relating it to the preference information and the region-based information, accumulates the registrations with regard to a plurality of users, and executes the market survey based on the accumulated preference information and region-based information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a server and a terminal that communicate via a network such as the Internet, and to a method for conducting market research using such a server and a terminal.

  In recent years, since advertisements and information can be directly provided to users on the Internet, value-added telecommunications carriers, advertising agencies, and information providers that use the Internet as a medium for transmitting advertisements and information are increasing. Here, the information provider is a person who creates information useful for advertisement planning through market research or the like and provides the information to an advertising agency company or the like.

  In addition, wireless portable information terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as “terminals”) that can be connected to the Internet using wireless communication paths have become widespread. Such a terminal establishes data link layer communication by a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) connection, and furthermore, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Control) or Communication based on WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is performed with a WWW server.

  Furthermore, terminal users desire to quickly obtain information necessary for individuals.

  Furthermore, value-added telecommunications carriers, advertising agencies, and information providers are required to effectively advertise products and services to be advertised to potential buyers at the request of advertisers. In addition, the information provider seeks information that specifies the tastes and trends of the terminal users, and also specifies the trade area, in order to investigate the trends of the users of the products and services and analyze the market.

On the other hand, since the terminal is a mobile object, the wireless communication system captures the position and type of the terminal call.
JP 2000-209197 A JP 2000-029932 A JP 09-261169 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-0665434 JP-A-11-313041 JP-A-11-338870

  Until now, many advertisements on the Internet have been targeted to an unspecified number of people, which is not only a problem in terms of efficient use of information resources, but also results in receiving unnecessary e-mails and information for individuals. There is a disadvantage that convenience is hindered.

  The present invention relates to what kind of preferences (preferences) are gathered in a certain area without using a GPS (Global Positioning Systems) for identifying the position of a terminal or a terminal location cell identification method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a market research server, a server group, and a market research system having the same, which make it possible to conduct a market research using a terminal that can be connected to the Internet.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a market research server, a server group, and a market research system having the same, which can attract customers to a certain area.

  Further, according to the present invention, although the local information manager and the information provider can acquire the terminal user's preference, the terminal user's profile (information that enables the terminal user to be specified) The purpose of the present invention is to provide a market research server group that enables security management that can be obtained by a local information manager but cannot be obtained by an information provider.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a market research server connected to a network, comprising: a region limitation information holding unit for holding region limitation information displayed at a predetermined place; Receiving means for receiving the user identification information and the area limitation information transmitted by the receiving means; and determining whether the area limitation information received by the receiving means matches the area limitation information held in the area limitation information holding means. There is provided a market research server, comprising: a determination unit for determining; and a storage unit for storing user information corresponding to the user identification information when a match is found by the determination unit.

  In the above-described market research server, the storage means may store the area limitation information together with the user information when the determination result matches.

  In the above-mentioned market research server, the storage means may store a current date and time together with the user information when the determination result matches.

  In the above-described market research server, the user information may include profile information that is information that can identify a user of the terminal.

  In the above-described market research server, the user information may include preference information that cannot identify the user of the terminal and that can be used for market research.

  The server for market research described above may further include means for transmitting a screen used for giving a privilege to a user of the terminal to the terminal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a market research method using a market research server connected to a network, a region-limited information holding step of holding region-limited information displayed at a predetermined place, A receiving step of receiving the user identification information and the area limitation information transmitted through the network, and the area limitation information received in the receiving step matches the area limitation information held in the area limitation information holding step A market research method, comprising: a determination step of determining whether to perform the determination; and a storage step of storing user information corresponding to the user identification information when the determination result matches. You.

  In the above-described market research method, the storage step may store area limitation information together with the user information when the determination result matches.

  In the above-described market research method, the storage step may store a current date and time together with the user information when a match occurs in the determination step.

  In the market research method described above, the user information may include profile information that is information that can identify a user of the terminal.

  In the above-described market research method, the user information may include preference information that cannot identify the user of the terminal and that can be used for market research.

  The above-mentioned market research method may further include a step of transmitting a screen used for giving a privilege to a user of the terminal to the terminal.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to perform the above market research method is recorded.

  By cooperating with many information providers, the local information manager can activate the local business activities while providing the user with daily services specialized in the area.

  If the content of the privilege is a discount of sale of a product or the like in a specific area, an effect of attracting customers to the specific area and an effect of promoting sales in the area can be obtained.

  Advertising effects can be improved by disclosing information that does not require a user identifier to users who do not go to a specific area.

  By restricting the user identifier for a time or for a limited time, it is possible to restrict the user from constantly extracting the area-limited information. In this way, it can be used for sales promotion activities such as sales activities linked to an event limited to an area or for a limited time.

  The user who has offered to receive the privilege can receive the privilege from the information provider. On the other hand, since the information provider who has given the privilege obtains the user's preference information and the like, the same effect as performing a market research in a specific area can be obtained, and this market research can be used.

  Leakage of profile information, which is information identifying individuals, can be prevented unless the user identifier of the local information manager and the local information of the information provider are jointly and maliciously searched from the database, Further, it can be restricted by the contract between the user and the local information provider.

  The regional information manager can provide information providers with characteristics between regions (specification of trade areas and analysis of correlation) by taking charge of a plurality of regions.

  In order for the local information manager or information provider to specify that the user is in a specific area, the area-specific information (advertisement name in the area, product model number, specific capacity name or number, etc.) is used, so the terminal It is not necessary to have a function to detect the position.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the market research system according to the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the market research system according to the first embodiment includes a terminal 2 and a market research server 3 connected by a network 1 such as the Internet. Although only one terminal is shown in FIG. 1, actually, this system includes a plurality of similar terminals (not shown) other than the terminal 2. Between the terminal 2 and the market research server 3, communication using a predetermined protocol according to a predetermined section of the data link layer, communication using a protocol such as IP in the network layer, communication using a protocol such as TCP in the transport layer, and Communication from a session layer to an application layer is performed by a predetermined protocol such as HTTP.

  The terminal 2 is a terminal such as a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) system, a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) system, a W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) system, a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 2000 system, or the like. Yes, and has a WWW (World Wide Web) browser. The market research server 3 is a computer equipped with a so-called WWW server, and is realized by, for example, a computer using UNIX (registered trademark), LINUX, or the like as an OS (Operation System). , And a program such as a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program is running.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal 2.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the terminal 2 includes an antenna 21 for emitting and receiving radio waves, a receiving unit 22 for receiving, amplifying, and outputting radio waves incident from the antenna, and a frequency for down-converting an output frequency of the receiving unit 22. A converter 23, a demodulator 24 for demodulating an audio signal, a data signal, a control signal, and the like from an output of the frequency converter 23, a modulator 25 for modulating an audio signal, a data signal, a control signal, and the like, and up-converting an output of the modulator. Frequency converter 26, a transmitter 27 that amplifies and outputs the output of the frequency converter 26, an audio processor 28 that performs audio processing, a microphone 29 that inputs audio, a speaker 30 that outputs audio, and data processing. , A display unit for displaying characters and the like, and an operation unit 33 for receiving an operation by a user.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 3.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a server 3 is connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 that performs arithmetic processing, a main storage device 302 such as a DRAM that temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and data and the like, a bus of the CPU 301, and each unit. A bus bridge 303 for connecting to a bus, a display device 304 for displaying a screen, a keyboard 305 for receiving an operation by an operator of the server 3, an external storage device 306 such as a hard disk drive for storing programs executed by the CPU 301 and data, and the like. A communication unit 307 connected to the network 1 is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the market research system according to the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 4, first, a URI (Uniform Resource Indicator) of a screen for the user of the terminal to input user information to the terminal 2, a URI of a program for generating the screen, or a link to those URIs. The terminal 2 transmits a request for a screen for inputting user information to the server 3 by designating the characters and the like (step S101).

  Here, the user information includes user profile information and preference information. The profile information includes a device number for identifying the terminal 2, a telephone number of the terminal, a fee structure contracted by the user with a communication carrier, a user name and address, a bearer service (Bearer Service). ), And the preference information is the user's gender, age, residence, hobby, family structure, educational background, occupation, subscription magazine, and the like.

  The server 3 transmits a screen for inputting user information to the terminal 2 according to the request transmitted in step S101 (step S102).

  Next, the terminal 2 displays a screen for inputting user information (step S103), and the user inputs user information on the screen (step S104).

  Next, when the user performs an operation for transmitting the user information to the terminal 2, the terminal 2 transmits the user information to the server 3 (Step S105).

  Next, the server 3 generates a user identifier for uniquely identifying the user (step S106), and stores it in the external storage device 306 in a state where the received user information is associated with the generated user identifier. (Step S107), the generated user identifier is transmitted to the terminal 2 (Step S108). The user identifier is a letter, a number, a symbol, or a combination thereof. In the user identifier, the date and time when the predetermined period has elapsed or the expiration date to the day to which the date and time belongs, or the expiration date to the predetermined date and time or the date are set, and the user identifier and the external storage device are also set at that time. 306 is stored.

  Next, the terminal 2 displays the received user identifier (Step S109). The user writes down the user identifier displayed by the terminal 2. Alternatively, the terminal 2 may store the user identifier.

  The operations in steps S101 to S109 can be performed even if the user of the terminal 2 is not in the specific area. However, the operations from step S110 described below are performed when the user of the terminal 2 is in the specific area. It is assumed. Therefore, if the user is not in a specific area when performing the operations in steps S101 to S109, the user moves to the specific area before the system can perform the operation from step S110. Must. Before the step S110 can be executed, the fact that the user must be in a specific area is notified in advance in a screen of a predetermined sequence reaching the step S110 transmitted from the server 3 to the terminal 2. In addition, a predetermined screen in the sequence also notifies that the user can obtain a privilege by inputting predetermined area limitation information that can be obtained only in that area. In this way, in the present system, the user can be sent to a specific area.

  Note that the above two notifications may be made on a screen of a predetermined sequence reaching step S101.

  Further, even if the user ignores such a notification and attempts to cause the system to perform the operation from step S110, the user cannot normally obtain the area-limited information and cannot obtain the privilege. Eventually, the user will be sent to a specific area.

  In addition, by limiting the area where the privilege can be received to the specific area, even if there is fraud, the user is eventually sent to the specific area.

  When the user enters a specific area, the terminal user inputs the URI of the screen for inputting the user identifier to the terminal 2, the URI of the program for generating the screen, or the characters linked to those URIs. By specifying, the terminal 2 transmits a screen request for inputting a user identifier to the server 3 (step S110).

  Next, the server 3 transmits a screen for inputting the user identifier to the terminal 2 (Step S111).

  Next, when the user of the terminal inputs a user identifier on the screen transmitted in step S111 (step S112) and performs an operation for transmitting the input user identifier, the terminal 2 transmits the user identifier. The identifier is transmitted to the server 3 (Step S113).

  Next, the server 3 determines whether the received user identifier is valid (step 114), and if not, stops the operation. An error message may be sent to the terminal 2 at the time of suspension. If the result of the determination in step 114 is affirmative, it is determined whether the validity period of the user identifier has not expired (step S115), and if it has expired, the operation is stopped. An error message may be sent to the terminal 2 at the time of suspension.

  By setting an expiration date in the user identifier and transmitting a screen indicating this to the terminal 2 from the server 3 in step S108, the user can be sent to a specific area before the expiration date expires. , Can increase the effect of attracting customers.

  If the result of the determination at step 115 is affirmative, server 3 transmits a screen for inputting the area limitation information to terminal 2 (step S116).

  Next, the user looks at the screen, walks around the area to search for area-limited information to be input on the screen, and inputs the searched area-limited information to the screen (step S117).

  Next, when the user performs an operation for transmitting the regional limitation information on the terminal 2, the terminal 2 transmits the regional limitation information to the server 3 (step S118).

  Next, the server 3 determines whether or not the received area limitation information is correct (step S119), and if not, stops the operation. An error message may be sent to the terminal 2 at the time of suspension. If the result of the determination in step S119 is affirmative, the server 3 searches the external storage device 306 for user information corresponding to the user identifier received in step S113 (step S120).

  Next, the server 3 registers the area limitation information received in step S118, the user information retrieved in step 120, and the current date and time in the external storage device 306 in association with each other (step S121).

  Steps S116 to S119 may be repeated for a plurality of pieces of area limitation information, and the process may proceed to step S120 only when a predetermined number of area limitation information is correct. In this case, all the area limitation information determined to be correct may be registered in step S121 in association with the user information or the like.

  In step S121, it is not always necessary to register the area-limited information and the date and time, and only the user information, only the user information and the area-limited information, or only the user information and the date and time may be registered.

  Subsequent to step 121, the server 3 transmits a screen used for giving a privilege to the user to the terminal 2 (step S122). On the screen, for example, it is displayed that if the screen is presented at a store in the limited area, the product can be purchased at the store at a discounted price. Of course, the store also signs a contract with the market researcher for that. By allowing the terminal user to store the screen in the terminal 2, even after another screen is displayed by the terminal 2, by recalling the screen, the terminal user can present the screen at the store. Become.

  By accumulating the registered user information and the like in the external storage device 306, it is possible to conduct market research using the accumulated user information and the like for a large number of users. The results of the market research can be sold to advertising agencies and the like as regional information on a specific region. The market researcher turns into an information provider in the sense that it sells the information obtained as a result of the market research.

  As an example of market research, there is an analysis of what kind of preference information people enter into a specific area at what time, and what kind of purchasing behavior and the like take place there.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the owner of the market research server 3 can know not only the preference information of the user of the terminal that is the market research target but also the profile information, and the market researcher also knows the profile information. Would. However, from the viewpoint of maintaining security, it may not be preferable for the market researcher to know the profile information.

  In the second embodiment, information that a market researcher can know is limited to preference information. For this purpose, a server owned by the administrator and a server owned by the market researcher are separately provided. Then, the server owned by the administrator can hold the profile information and the preference information, but the server owned by the market researcher cannot hold the profile information and can hold only the preference information. I do.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of the market research system according to the second embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the market research system according to the second embodiment includes a terminal 2 connected to a network 1 such as the Internet, a first server 4 for market research, and a second server 5 for market research. The configuration of the system of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment only in that the server 3 is replaced by the servers 4 and 5. The administrator has the server 4 and the market researcher has the server 5.

  The servers 4 and 5 have the same configuration as the server 3 shown in FIG. However, programs such as CGI programs that run on the servers 4 and 5 are different from those of the server 3.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the market research system according to the second embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 6, first, the user of the terminal designates a URI of a screen for inputting user information to the terminal 2, a URI of a program for generating the screen, a character linked to the URI, and the like. By doing so, the terminal 2 transmits a screen request for inputting user information to the server 4 (step S201).

  The server 4 transmits a screen for inputting user information to the terminal 2 according to the request transmitted in step S201 (step S202).

  Next, the terminal 2 displays a screen for inputting user information (step S203), and the user inputs user information on the screen (step S204).

  Next, when the user performs an operation for transmitting the user information to the terminal 2, the terminal 2 transmits the user information to the server 4 (Step S205).

  Next, the server 4 generates a user identifier for uniquely identifying the user (step S206), and stores it in the external storage device 306 in a state where the received user information is associated with the generated user identifier. (Step S207), the generated user identifier is transmitted to the terminal 2 (Step S208). In the user identifier, the date and time when the predetermined period has elapsed or the expiration date to the day to which the date and time belongs, or the expiration date to the predetermined date and time or the date are set, and the user identifier and the external storage device are also set at that time. 306 is stored.

  Next, the terminal 2 displays the received user identifier (Step S209). The user writes down the user identifier displayed by the terminal 2. Alternatively, the terminal 2 may store the user identifier.

  The reason for separating the operations in steps S201 to S209 and the operations in steps S210 to S226 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When the user enters a specific area, the terminal user inputs the URI of the screen for inputting the user identifier to the terminal 2, the URI of the program for generating the screen, or the characters linked to those URIs. By the designation, the terminal 2 transmits a screen request for inputting the user identifier to the server 4 (Step S210).

  Next, the server 4 transmits a screen for inputting the user identifier to the terminal 2 (Step S211).

  Next, when the user of the terminal inputs a user identifier on the screen transmitted in step S211 (step S212) and performs an operation for transmitting the input user identifier, the terminal 2 transmits the user identifier. The identifier is transmitted to the server 4 (Step S213).

  Next, the server 4 determines whether the received user identifier is valid (step 214), and if not, stops the operation. An error message may be sent to the terminal 2 at the time of suspension. If the result of the determination in step 214 is affirmative, it is determined whether the expiration date of the user identifier has not expired (step S215), and if it has expired, the operation is stopped. An error message may be sent to the terminal 2 at the time of suspension.

  If the result of the determination at step 215 is affirmative, the server 4 searches the external storage device 306 for preference information corresponding to the user identifier received at step 213 (step S216), and retrieves the searched preference information. Is transmitted to the server 5 (step S217).

  Next, the server 5 transmits a screen for the terminal user to input the regional limitation information to the terminal 2 to the server 4 (step S218), and the server 4 transmits the screen transmitted in step S218 to the terminal 2. Transfer (step 219).

  Next, the user looks at the screen, walks around the area to search for area-limited information to be input on the screen, and inputs the searched area-limited information to the screen (step S220).

  Next, when the user performs an operation for transmitting the regional limitation information on the terminal 2, the terminal 2 transmits the regional limitation information to the server 4 (step S221), and the server 4 transmits the regional limitation information in step S211. The received area limitation information is transferred to the server 5 (step S222).

  Next, the server 5 determines whether or not the received area limitation information is correct (step S223), and if not, stops the operation. At the time of cancellation, an error message may be sent to the terminal 2 via the server 4.

  If the result of the determination in step S223 is affirmative, the server 5 registers the preference information received in step 217, the regional limitation information received in step S222, and the current date and time in the external storage device 306 in association with each other (step S224).

  Steps S218 to S223 may be repeated for a plurality of pieces of area limitation information, and the process may proceed to step S224 only when a predetermined number of area limitation information is correct. In this case, all the area limitation information determined to be correct may be registered in step S224 in association with the preference information or the like.

  In step S224, it is not always necessary to register the regional limitation information and the date and time, and only the preference information, only the preference information and the regional limitation information, or only the preference information and the date and time may be registered.

  Subsequent to step 224, the server 5 transmits a screen used for giving a privilege to the user to the server 4 (step S225), and the server 4 transfers the screen transmitted in step S225 to the terminal 2 (step S225). S226).

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, except that after the terminal 2 displays the user identifier, in the second embodiment, the terminal 2 communicates with the server 4 in a specific area. Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 2 in that the terminal 2 communicates with the server 5 in a specific area.

  In the second embodiment, the communication between the terminal 2 and the server 5 for inquiring and replying to the area-limited information is performed via the server 4. However, in the second embodiment, the communication is performed directly. This has the effect of shortening the communication time, and is particularly remarkable when the number of inquiries is large.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the market research system according to the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment. The description of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the market research system according to the second embodiment.

  Steps S301 to S309 are the same as steps S201 to S209, respectively, and thus description thereof is also omitted.

  The reason for separating the operations of steps S301 to S309 and the operations of steps S310 to S325 is the same as in the first and second embodiments, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the user enters a specific area, the terminal user inputs the URI of the screen for inputting the user identifier to the terminal 2, the URI of the program for generating the screen, or the characters linked to those URIs. By the designation, the terminal 2 transmits a request for a screen for inputting the user identifier to the server 5 (Step S310).

  Next, the server 5 transmits a screen for inputting the user identifier to the terminal 2 (Step S311).

  Next, when the user of the terminal inputs a user identifier on the screen transmitted in step S311 (step S312) and performs an operation for transmitting the input user identifier, the terminal 2 transmits the user identifier. The identifier is transmitted to the server 5 (Step S313), and the server 5 transfers the user identifier transmitted in Step S313 to the server 4 (Step 314).

  Next, the server 4 determines whether or not the received user identifier is valid (step 315). If it is not valid, the process proceeds to step S316, and if it is valid, the process proceeds to step S317. The server 4 generates an error message in step 316. Also, in step S317, the server 4 determines whether the validity period of the user identifier has not expired. If it has expired, the process proceeds to step S316, and if not, the process proceeds to step S318.

  In step 318, the server 4 searches the external storage device 306 for preference information corresponding to the user identifier received in step 314.

  After executing step 316, the server 4 transmits an error code to the server 5, and after executing step S318, transmits the retrieved preference information to the server 5 (step S319).

  Next, the server 5 determines whether or not the information received in step 319 is preference information (step S320), and otherwise stops the operation. At the time of cancellation, an error message may be sent to the terminal 2 via the server 4.

  If the result of the determination in step S320 is affirmative, the server 5 transmits a screen for the terminal user to input the regional limitation information to the terminal 2 to the terminal (step S321).

  Next, the user looks at the screen, walks around the area to search for area-limited information to be input on the screen, and inputs the searched area-limited information to the screen (step S322).

  Next, when the user performs an operation for transmitting the regional limitation information on the terminal 2, the terminal 2 transmits the regional limitation information to the server 5 (step S323).

  Next, the server 5 determines whether the received area limitation information is correct (step S324), and if not, stops the operation. At the time of cancellation, an error message may be sent to the terminal 2 via the server 4.

  If the result of the determination at step S324 is affirmative, the server 5 registers the preference information received at step 319, the regional limitation information received at step S323, and the current date and time in the external storage device 306 in association with each other (step S325).

  Steps S321 to S324 may be repeated for a plurality of pieces of area limitation information, and the process may proceed to step S325 only when a predetermined number of area limitation information is correct. In this case, all the area limitation information determined to be correct may be registered in step S325 in association with the preference information or the like.

  In step S325, it is not always necessary to register the area limitation information and the date and time, and only the preference information, only the preference information and the area limitation information, or only the preference information and the date and time may be registered.

  Subsequent to step 325, the server 5 transmits a screen used for giving a privilege to the user to the terminal 2 (step S326).

  Next, an example corresponding to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  This embodiment uses a WWW (World Wide Web) server that communicates with a terminal such as an i-mode (registered trademark) terminal or a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) terminal for providing information through a network such as the Internet. When a user of a terminal moves to a specific area (including an area specified by a building), the user stores in-terminal limited information and a user identifier, which can be known only in the specific area, on the terminal. By inputting and transmitting, the user receives a privilege from the information provider.

  On the other hand, the user sends his / her profile information and preference information to the local information manager in order to obtain the user identifier. The information provider gives a privilege to the user, and obtains information (location information, time, etc.) based on the presence of the user in the area from the local information manager as a price. The information provider can carry out a survey necessary for business, such as which information is effective in which region, and analyze the information.

  The information provider creates information useful for advertising planning based on the preference information and the area limitation information associated with the user identifier, and provides the information to an advertising agency or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, a terminal 401 owned by a user, an information provider server 402, a local information manager server 403, and user information managed by the local information provider server 403 and the user And a database 404 for storing identifiers.

  FIG. 9 shows that by using the user identifier and the area-limited information, the information provider can obtain information on the trend of the user in the specific area, and the user can check the fact that the user went to the specific area and personal consumption information. Indicates that the user obtains a benefit that is a price for providing the user. At this time, management such as exchange of the user identifier and the area limitation information is performed by the area information manager.

  The user identifier is necessary for the terminal to receive a screen for inputting the specific area information, and the area information manager manages the registration of the user information and the user identifier. On the other hand, area-limited information can be obtained unless a trademark, trade name, store name, occupancy name, or a number listed in a specific store, etc., which is set in advance in a specific region, is used as a material. Information that cannot be done. For example, if the area-specific information is “the number in the advertisement in front of the xx branch in a specific area”, if the user goes to the specific area and does not confirm the number displayed in the advertisement of the store, an opportunity to obtain a privilege is obtained. Lose. The region-specific information reflects at least the fact that the user has visited the specific region and confirmed the information there.

  FIGS. 10 to 13 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the system shown in FIGS.

  Referring to FIG. 10, a user accesses a regional information menu and selects information. When the user selects <Harajuku>, and further selects <Special information>, the local information manager server 403 displays a screen for inputting user information determined in advance by the local information manager or the information provider. Is transmitted to the terminal 401. When the user inputs the user information on the screen to receive the privilege and the terminal 401 transmits the user information, the local information manager server 403 receives the user information and registers it in the database 404. Next, the local information manager server 403 sends the user identifier, the terms of use, the expiration date of the user identifier, and the like to the terminal 401. The user receives and confirms the terms and conditions.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when receiving the confirmation, which is the last operation of the operations in FIG. 10, from the terminal 401, the regional information manager server 403 displays a screen for inquiring whether the user is in the specific region on the terminal 401. Send to In this example, the local information manager server 403 transmits to the terminal 401 a screen for inquiring whether the user is in the Harajuku area. When receiving from the terminal 401 that the user is not in the specific area, the regional information manager server 403 must be in the specific area to receive a privilege and the user identifier has an expiration date. A screen for use guidance for notifying the user is transmitted to the terminal 401.

  Referring to FIG. 12, when the user calls the present system after moving to a specific area, the local information manager server 403 checks whether the user is in the specific area. In the example of FIG. 12, since the user is in a specific area, the area information manager server 403 transmits a screen for displaying a usage guide and inputting a user identifier to the terminal 401, and the terminal 401 Receive and display. In this example, the member number shown in FIG. 12 is the user identifier. After confirming the expiration date of the user identifier received from the terminal 401 by referring to the database 404, the regional information manager server 403 compares the preference information and the region name corresponding to the user identifier with the information provider. Send it to server 402. The information provider server 402 acquires the preference information and the area name, and transmits a screen for inputting the area limitation information prepared in advance by the method shown in FIG. 9 to the terminal 401 via the area information manager server 403. I do. In this example, the screen is a screen for displaying a quiz question sentence based on area limitation information such as an area name and inputting an answer thereto. Further, display of advertisement information may be added to the screen. In this case, the local information manager may collect an advertisement fee from the information provider.

  Referring to FIG. 13, when the user answers the quiz, the terminal 401 transmits the quiz to the information provider server 402 via the local information manager server 403. After the quiz questions and answers are exchanged between the information provider server 402 and the terminal 401 one or more times, when the privilege acquisition condition is reached, the information provider server 402 displays the privilege acquisition information in a list of privilege acquirers. Register with. The privilege acquisition information includes the user's preference information, the correct area limitation information, and the date and time of registration. Next, the information provider server 402 transmits a screen notifying the privilege grant to the terminal 401 via the local information manager server 403. Further, the information provider server 402 may invalidate the user identifier at the stage of registering the special advantage acquisition information, and notify the local information manager server 403 and the terminal 401 of the invalidity.

  FIG. 14 shows a case where a plurality of local information managers are used. FIG. 14A shows that when the relationship between the regions is unknown, the relationship between the regions can be known by considering the distance between the regions, the customer group of the market, and the like. FIG. 14B shows that, when there is an overlap between the regions, three market characteristics of the overlap portion with the region C and the region D can be seen. FIG. 14C shows that when the area F is included in the area E, it is also possible to analyze what factors (the number of stores, the dynamic population, the traffic volume, etc.) of the area F determine the characteristics of the area F.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used to collect preference information (gender, age, residence area, hobby, family structure, educational background, occupation, subscribed magazine, etc.) of a person who may go to a specific area.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the composition of the market research system by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a sequence diagram showing operation of a market research system by Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram showing the composition of the market research system by Embodiments 2 and 3 of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram showing operation of a market research system by Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram showing operation of a market research system by Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a first conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a market research system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a second conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the market research system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a first sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the market research system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a second sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the market research system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a third sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the market research system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a fourth sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the market research system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between areas when there are a plurality of areas according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 network 2 terminal 3, 4, 5 server

Claims (13)

A market research server connected to a network,
Area-limited information holding means for holding area-limited information displayed at a predetermined place;
Receiving means for receiving the user identification information and the area limitation information transmitted from the terminal via the network,
Determining means for determining whether or not the regional limitation information received by the receiving means and the regional limitation information held by the regional limitation information holding means match;
A storage unit for storing user information corresponding to the user identification information when a match is obtained by the determination unit;
A market research server comprising: The market research server according to claim 1,
The market research server, wherein the storage means stores, when the determination result matches, the area limitation information together with the user information. The market research server according to claim 1,
The market research server, wherein the storage means stores a current date and time together with the user information when the determination is made by the determination means. The market research server according to claim 1,
A market research server, wherein the user information includes profile information that is information that can identify a user of the terminal. The market research server according to claim 1,
The market research server, wherein the user information includes preference information that cannot be used to identify a user of the terminal and can be used for market research. The market research server according to claim 1,
A market research server, further comprising means for transmitting a screen used for giving a privilege to a user of the terminal to the terminal. In a market research method using a market research server connected to a network,
An area-limited information holding step of holding area-limited information displayed at a predetermined place;
A receiving step of receiving the user identification information and the area limitation information transmitted from the terminal via the network,
A judging step of judging whether or not the area limitation information received in the receiving step matches the area limitation information held in the area limitation information holding step;
A storage step of storing user information corresponding to the user identification information when a match occurs in the determination step;
A market research method comprising: The market research method according to claim 7,
The market research method, wherein the storage step stores, when a match is found in the determination step, regional limitation information together with the user information. The market research method according to claim 7,
The market research method, wherein the storage step stores a current date and time together with the user information when the two match in the determination step. The market research method according to claim 7,
The market research method, wherein the user information includes profile information that is information that can identify a user of the terminal. The market research method according to claim 7,
The market research method, wherein the user information has preference information that cannot be used to identify a user of the terminal and can be used for market research. The market research method according to claim 7,
A market research method, further comprising a step of transmitting, to the terminal, a screen used for granting a privilege to a user of the terminal.   A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the market research method according to any one of claims 7 to 12 is recorded.

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