JP2000231590A - Information providing device and information terminal equipment and information providing method and information using method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a technique of information communication for easily retrieving information, and for validly utilizing information offered from a user, and for improving security by receiving an order from a target user who transmits contents for transmission, and processing for responding to the received order. SOLUTION: A user operates user registration for an information provider. A target user whose tastes match the contents for transmission is selected by using a user attribute data base and an order history data base. A transmitting means transmits the contents for transmission to the target user. The received contents are displayed on a liquid crystal display means. The contents matched with the tastes of the user are most likely to be transmitted so that the labor of retrieval can be reduced. Input contents from the user are transmitted by the transmitting means, and received by the receiving means of the information provider. Then, ordered merchandise is ordered by an order processing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique in which a service entity providing information and a user ordering a product or service based on the provided information communicate via a public line. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The current online ordering system is:
The outline is as follows. That is, the same merchandise information and service information such as travel and restaurants are simultaneously transmitted from the database on the service subject side to all users via a communication infrastructure such as the Internet or cable television. Then, when connecting to a computer system (server system) related to the service subject, the user browses and searches for information transmitted after inputting a user ID, a password, and the like. If there is a desired product or service, select it and apply for purchase. When a user intends to purchase a product or service using a credit card, personal identification of the user by the service entity often requires the user to input a card number from a communication terminal connected to the server system.

[0003]

However, the above technique alone has the following problems. (Inconvenience of using transmitted information) A huge amount of information about products and services is provided to all users all at once and with the same contents. However, users have different needs. Therefore, a user who uses the provided information must take a long time to search for information that matches his needs and grade. Moreover, there is no guarantee that you will be able to find information about the products and services that suit you. (Problem of grasping information update) A user cannot determine whether provided information has been updated (added, changed, or deleted) without accessing the server system. And to know where it was updated,
You have to spend time searching and browsing. (User attribute information) When connecting to the server system, the user inputs a user ID, a password, and the like, and then performs a search to find information that suits his needs and grades. To enter the order. These input information contains useful information for analyzing the user's personal attributes and the tendency of needs, but there is no mechanism for effective use of such information on the server system side. Was. (Personal Authentication) As described above, when a user attempts to purchase a product or service using a credit card, personal authentication of the user by the server is performed by allowing the user to input a card number from a communication terminal connected to the server. Often. In this case, there is no mechanism for connecting to the database of the financial institution to check the usage limit. Further, since only the card number is input, security due to leakage of the card number at the time of information transmission has been a problem.

(Object of the Invention) It is an object of the present invention to provide an information communication technique which can easily retrieve information, can effectively utilize information provided by a user, and has high security performance. Here, claim 1 to claim 5
An object of the described invention is to provide an information providing apparatus which can easily search for information and can effectively utilize information provided by a user. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal device which is simple and has high security performance. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information providing method in which information retrieval is easy and information provided by a user can be effectively used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using information which is simple and has high security performance. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a recording medium in which a program for an information providing method is provided, in which information retrieval is easy and information provided by a user can be effectively utilized. The object of the invention described in claim 12 is:
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium which records a program of an information use method which is simple and has high security performance.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to achieve the above object. (Claim 1) The invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus provided for an information provider for transmitting content matched to a user attribute, receiving an order for the transmitted content from a user, and processing the order. And a server database having a content database and a user attribute database; a target operation unit for selecting a target user to be transmitted, using the user attribute database, for the transmission content of the content database; The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus including: a transmitting unit that transmits to the target user; a receiving unit that receives an order from the target user that transmits the transmission content; and an order processing unit that performs a process for responding to the received order. .

(Term Definition) "Content Database"
Is a database that collects contents. It is not essential that the content provider and the service provider match. Further, it is not intended that a storage device for storing all the data forming the content is always necessary for the information provider. For example, a part of the data forming the content may not be made to exist in the storage device of the information provider by incorporating the URL where the content exists into a part of the data. "User attribute database" refers to the gender of the user,
It is a database that records data related to age, occupation, hobbies, preferences, and the like. Usually, at the time of user registration, the information provider acquires the information from the user. The more data that makes it easier to determine user preferences, the better. For example, preferences are acquired in a questionnaire format. The “target calculation unit” is, for example, a unit that searches for a keyword associated with a user attribute from the contents of the content and extracts a target user. In addition, there is a method of providing a rule in advance for the content of the content so that a user attribute to be a sales target can be easily searched. More specifically, for example, in the content of the product description related to “necklace”, if the description of the product indicates “for business women in their thirties,” the age of thirties and the occupation are O.
This is a method in which a user satisfying the two conditions of L is determined as a target user, and extraction is performed using a user attribute database. On the other hand, for example, if there is content about “luxurious cufflinks”, there is an advanced means that can derive the conditions of the target user such as occupation of a salaried worker and earning more than a year. “Order processing means” refers to a part or all of a procedure for providing a product or service ordered by the user to the user. The “transmitting device” forming the transmitting means and the “receiving device” forming the receiving means use communication infrastructure such as a public telephone line and a dedicated line.

(Operation) First, the target calculation means selects a target user who has a preference for a certain content for transmission using the user attribute database. Then, the transmitting means transmits the transmission content to the target user. For the user, there is a high possibility that the content that matches his / her preference has been transmitted, so that the trouble of searching is reduced. It is assumed that an order is transmitted to the information provider based on the transmitted content.
Then, the order is received by the receiving means, and the order processing means performs processing for responding to the received order.

[0008] (Claim 2) The invention according to claim 2 limits the information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means includes an authentication means for authenticating a user. Related to the device.

(Explanation of terms) The "authentication means" means the user I
A method using D and a password (software method) is generally used, but a method (hardware method) of performing authentication by having a user use a terminal device capable of individual identification may be adopted. .

(Operation) Since the receiving means includes an authentication means for determining whether or not the user is an authorized user,
Regular users can use it with peace of mind.

(Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 limits the information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, and includes a balance inquiring means for inquiring the credit balance of the user who has received the order. The present invention relates to an information providing device provided.

(Operation) When an order is received from a user,
The balance inquiry means inquires the credit balance of the user. The provider can know the likelihood of receivable collection.

(Variation) "Balance inquiry means"
It simply queries the user's credit balance,
There may be an algorithm that performs processing such that the order processing means does not respond to the order according to the balance.

[0014] (Claim 4) The invention according to claim 4 limits the information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein the receiving means receives the information from the user. The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus including an order history database that records an order as an order history, and an additional recording unit that additionally records an order history in the history database when an order is received.

(Operation) When the receiving means receives the order received from the user, the order history database records the order as the order history of the user. Next, when an order is received from the user, the additional recording means additionally records the order history in the history database. If the history database is enhanced, it will be useful as data for analyzing the user's preference.

(Claim 5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an information providing apparatus according to any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects is limited, and the information providing apparatus is provided for each user. The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus including a content box for storing trusted content, and recording the fact that the content has been received in a content received by a user.

(Operation) The transmission content is stocked in the content box for each user. The received content is recorded in the content received by the user. Therefore, the user can quickly access the latest information by browsing the content in which the reception is not recorded.

(Variation) A reception history database for recording the results received by the user and, when there is a change in the transmission content, contents not received by the user are extracted in light of the record in the reception history database. An unreceived content extracting unit may be provided, and the transmitting unit may transmit the content extracted by the unreceived content extracting unit.

(Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 is a terminal device used by a user that can receive contents transmitted from a server system and transmit an order for the received contents. Receiving means for receiving the transmitted content, display means capable of displaying the received content, order input means for inputting the order content for the received content, and card information recorded on the credit card relating to payment for the order The present invention relates to an information terminal device comprising: card information reading means for reading an order; and transmission means for enabling transmission of order details on condition that card information is read. This information terminal device is desirably of a size that can be carried. "credit card"
May be a so-called debit card.

(Operation) First, the receiving means receives the content transmitted from the server system. Then, the display means displays the content. After seeing the content displayed by the display means, the user inputs the order content for the content using the order input means. The user uses the card information reading means to read the card information recorded on the credit card related to payment for the order. Transmission means operating on condition that the card information is read transmits the order details. Since the provider and the user cannot make an order unless the information terminal device and the credit card are provided, the possibility of unauthorized use is reduced.

(Variation) The transmitting means is capable of transmitting the order contents on condition that the card information is read. However, the entire information terminal device may be operable on condition that the card information is read. .

(Claim 7) The invention according to claim 7 limits the information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the display means is provided with the condition that the card information reading means reads the card information. The present invention relates to an information terminal device capable of displaying the information.

(Operation) When the user wants to display the received content, the card information of the credit card is read using the card information reading means. Then, the display means can display the received content. For the provider and the user, since the received content cannot be displayed unless the information terminal device and the credit card are provided, the possibility of unauthorized use is reduced.

(Claim 8) The invention according to claim 8 limits the information terminal device according to any one of claims 7 and 8, and when the content is received from the server system, the content is received. The present invention relates to an information terminal device provided with a reception notifying means for notifying the user of the information terminal.

(Explanation of terms) The "reception notifying means" is a so-called warning mechanism, and achieves its purpose by stimulating the user's five senses such as light, sound, and vibration.

(Operation) When the reception leaving means receives the content from the server system, it informs the reception, so that the user can see the provided information without delay, and the provider can receive the information in a timely manner. You can get information.

(Claim 9) The invention according to claim 9 is a method for transmitting contents adapted to a user attribute, receiving an order for the transmitted contents from a user, and processing the order. That is, for the transmission content of the content database, using the user attribute database,
A target calculation procedure for selecting a target user to be transmitted, a transmission procedure for transmitting the transmission content to the target user, a reception procedure for receiving an order from the target user that transmitted the transmission content, and a received order And an order processing procedure for performing a process for complying with the information provision method.

(Claim 10) The invention according to claim 10 is
This is an information utilization method capable of receiving content transmitted from a server system and transmitting an order for the received content. That is, the receiving procedure for receiving the content transmitted from the server system, the displaying procedure for displaying the received content, the order inputting procedure for inputting the order content for the received content, and the credit card for paying the price for the order. The present invention relates to a method of using information including a card information reading procedure for reading recorded card information and a transmission procedure for enabling transmission of order details on condition that the card information is read.

(Claim 11) The invention according to claim 11 is
The present invention relates to a recording medium that records a computer program for transmitting content matched to a user attribute, receiving an order for the transmitted content from a user, and processing the order. The computer program, for the transmission content in the content database, uses the user attribute database to select a target user as a user to be transmitted, a transmission procedure for transmitting the transmission content to the target user, and a transmission procedure. It includes a receiving procedure for receiving an order from a target user who has transmitted the trusted content, and an order processing procedure for performing a process for responding to the received order.

Here, the "recording medium" is a medium on which a program can be fixed, and is, for example, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, hard disk, or the like.

(Claim 12) The invention according to claim 12 is
The present invention relates to a recording medium recording a computer program capable of receiving content transmitted from a server system and transmitting an order for the received content. The computer program includes a receiving procedure for receiving the content transmitted from the server system, a display procedure capable of displaying the received content, an order input procedure for inputting an order content for the received content, and a payment procedure for the order. It includes a card information reading procedure for reading card information recorded on a credit card, and a transmission procedure for enabling transmission of order details on condition that the card information is read.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the information terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Overall Concept) As shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment is an information transfer system used between an information provider and a user who has registered with the information provider. Information and money are also exchanged with a bank for paying the information provider for consideration.

(Server System) The information provider is provided with a device provided for the information provider for transmitting contents matched to the user attributes, receiving an order for the transmitted contents from the user, and processing the order. . The apparatus includes a server database having a user attribute database, a target operation unit for selecting a target user to be transmitted by using the user attribute database for the transmission content of the content database, and the transmission content. Transmitting means for transmitting to the target user, receiving means for receiving an order from the target user who transmitted the content for transmission,
An order providing device for performing a process for responding to the received order. In addition, the balance inquiry means for inquiring the credit balance of the user who received the order, the order history database for recording the order from the user received by the receiving means as the order history, and, when the order is received, the history database. Additional recording means for additionally recording the order history. In addition, a content box for storing transmission content for each user is provided.
In the content received by the user, the fact that the content has been received is recorded.

The "content database" is a database that collects contents. The content is mainly information about products and services. In this embodiment,
The product / service provider that is the provider of the content does not match the provider of the information providing service, but may match. In this case, the information provider may be provided with a content database. The “user attribute database” is a database that records data on the user's gender, age, occupation, hobbies, preferences, and the like. The information provider obtains the information from the user at the time of user registration. In addition, since an “order history database” described later is created for each user, it can be formed as a part of the “user attribute database”. The “target calculation means” is means for searching for a keyword associated with a user attribute from the contents of the content and extracting a target user. For the content content, rules are set in advance to make it easy to search for a user attribute to be a sales target. “Order processing means” refers to a part or all of a procedure for providing a product or service ordered by the user to the user. In this embodiment, the process from receiving an order for a product to ordering the product is performed. The "receiving means" includes an authentication means for authenticating the user. In this, a “pager” described later is a terminal device capable of individual identification, and uses the individual identification function. The “balance inquiry means” is provided with an algorithm that simply inquires the user's credit balance and performs processing such that the order processing means does not accept the order according to the balance.

(Terminal Device on User Side) The user is provided with a small portable information terminal device called a pager from the information provider, and receives and receives the content transmitted from the server system using the device. Submit an order for content. The information terminal device includes: a receiving unit that receives the content transmitted from the server system;
Display means capable of displaying received contents; order input means for inputting order contents for the received contents; card information reading means for reading card information recorded on a credit card pertaining to payment for the order; and card information reading means. A transmission unit that enables transmission of order contents on condition of reading, and a reception notifying unit that notifies reception when content is received from the server system are provided. FIG.
It will be described in further detail.

The "display means" is a "liquid crystal display" in FIG. The transmitted content is displayed on this liquid crystal screen. The “order input means” is a part of the liquid crystal display unit and is shown as a “pen input display unit”. It is used for displaying contents in a scene where no input is required. An algorithm that does not accept an order unless a credit card password is input may be provided as a chip. "Transmitting means" and "receiving means"
In addition to the part shown as "modem connection jack" in FIG. 2,
It is a modem device built in the pager. Note that the modem connection jack can be connected to a mobile phone, a PHS, and the like by interposing an adapter. The "reception means" includes an authentication means for determining whether the user is a legitimate user, specifically, a number for individual identification of the pager, so that the legitimate user can use the apparatus with peace of mind. It is. The "reception notifying means" is shown as "blinking device" in FIG. 2, and notifies the user of the reception of the content by blinking light. The "card information reading means" is a "credit card scanning device" in FIG. 2, and scans the magnetic recording portion of the credit card. When scanning, various data written on the credit card (for example,
Owner's name, date of birth, debit bank, etc.)
It is recorded on the recording device inside the pager. And after that,
Unless the credit card is scanned, neither the receiving means nor the transmitting means can be used.

(Operation) The user performs user registration with the information provider in advance. At this time, credit card information for debiting the name, age, gender, occupation, hobby, and usage fee is registered. Information related to registration is recorded in a user attribute database related to the information provider. In exchange for the registration, an information terminal device (pager) is sent from the information provider to the user. The user scans the registered credit card for the pager.

Next, the target calculating means selects a target user who has a preference for a certain content for transmission by using the user attribute database and the order history database. Then, the transmitting means transmits the transmission content to the target user. The transmission content is placed in a content box provided for each user. When the new content for transmission reaches the content box, the blinking device operates at hand of the user. For this reason, the user can see the provided information without delay, and the provider can touch the information in a timely manner.

When a user who wants to receive the contents of the content box scans the credit card with the card information reading means, the information terminal can receive the contents. For the provider and the user, nothing can be done unless the information terminal device and the credit card are available, so the possibility of unauthorized use is reduced and the provider and the user can use the device with peace of mind.

Next, the content is received from the content box. At this time, the content box records that the content has been received. The received content is displayed on a liquid crystal as a display means. For the user, there is a high possibility that the content that matches his / her preference has been transmitted, so that the trouble of searching is reduced. Then, the order input means inputs an order to order the product introduced by the received content. In addition, from the viewpoint of order confirmation and prevention of unauthorized use, it is supposed that the credit card PIN is entered, but that PIN is not subject to transmission from the user,
Improves security.

The contents input by the user are transmitted by the transmitting means, and received by the receiving means of the information provider. Then, the ordered product is ordered by the order processing means. At this time, a record of the order history is added to the order history database. If the history database is enhanced, it will be useful as data for analyzing the user's preference. In the case where the goods or services pertaining to the order are expensive, the balance inquiry function provided in the order processing means refers to the user's bank balance.

(Program) The embodiment of the invention described above can be achieved by installing a program in a computer system relating to an information provider or a user. The program of the information provider includes, for the content to be transmitted in the content database, a target operation procedure of selecting a target user to be transmitted using the user attribute database, and transmitting the content to be transmitted to the target user. It is a program including a procedure, a receiving procedure for receiving an order from a target user who has transmitted content for transmission, and an order processing procedure for performing a process for responding to the received order. Further, the computer program on the user side includes a receiving procedure for receiving the content transmitted from the server system, a display procedure for displaying the received content, an order input procedure for inputting the order content for the received content, and a price for the order. Is a program that includes a card information reading procedure for reading card information recorded on a credit card related to the payment of the above, and a transmission procedure for enabling transmission of order details on condition that the card information is read. Either program can be carried by a recording medium. In addition, it can also be transmitted via a transmission unit.

In the above description, the target computing means selects a target user who has a preference for a certain content for transmission by using the user attribute database and the order history database.
Conversely, as shown in FIG. 3, when an instruction is received from a certain user, a means of selecting a target content from the user attributes of the user can be adopted. In addition, the above information terminal device becomes operable only after inputting various IDs recorded on a credit card (magnetic card, IC card, LSI card, etc.) and a personal identification number for identification. The server also has a system for verifying these IDs. Therefore, the possibility of unauthorized use by a third party is extremely small, and the security is excellent. Therefore,
The information terminal device described above is used for financial transactions such as deposits and withdrawals to financial institutions such as banks and securities companies that require a high security level, or for obtaining exchange rate fluctuation data. Are also suitable.

[0045]

According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing apparatus in which information retrieval is easy and information provided by a user can be effectively utilized. Further, according to the inventions described in claims 6 to 8, it is possible to provide an information terminal device which is simple and has high security performance. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing method in which information retrieval is easy and information provided by a user can be effectively utilized.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information utilization method which is simple and has high security performance. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording medium in which a program of an information providing method that allows easy information retrieval and effectively utilizes information provided by a user is recorded. According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording medium in which a program for an information utilizing method which is simple and has high security performance is recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an information terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an application example of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 15/403 340A

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus provided for an information provider for transmitting content adapted to a user attribute, receiving an order for the transmitted content from a user, and processing the order, the server being provided with a user attribute database. Database, target calculation means for selecting a target user to be transmitted, using the user attribute database, for transmission content in the content database, transmission means for transmitting the transmission content to the target user, transmission content An information providing apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit that receives an order from a target user that has transmitted the request; and an order processing unit that performs a process for responding to the received order. 2. An information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means includes an authentication means for authenticating a user. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising balance inquiry means for referring to a credit balance of a user who has received the order.
Information providing device as described. 4. An order history database for recording an order from a user received by a receiving means as an order history, and an additional recording means for additionally recording an order history in the history database when an order is received. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3. 5. A content box for storing transmission content for each user, wherein the content received by the user is recorded with the fact that the content has been received. Item 5. The information providing device according to any one of Items 4. 6. A terminal device used by a user capable of receiving content transmitted from a server system and transmitting an order for the received content, wherein the receiving device receives the content transmitted from the server system. Display means capable of displaying received contents; order input means for inputting order contents for the received contents; card information reading means for reading card information recorded on a credit card pertaining to payment for the order; and card information reading means. An information terminal device comprising: a transmission unit that can transmit an order content on condition of reading. 7. The information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the display means is capable of displaying received contents on condition that the card information reading means reads the card information. 8. The information terminal device according to claim 6, further comprising a reception notifying means for notifying the reception when the content is received from the server system. 9. A method of transmitting content according to a user attribute, receiving an order for the transmitted content from a user, and processing the order, wherein the content to be transmitted in a content database is transmitted using a user attribute database. A target calculation procedure for selecting a target user to be transmitted, a transmission procedure for transmitting the transmission content to the target user, a reception procedure for receiving an order from the target user that transmitted the transmission content, and a received order An information providing method comprising: an order processing procedure for performing a process for responding to a request. 10. An information use method capable of receiving content transmitted from a server system and transmitting an order for the received content, wherein a receiving procedure for receiving the content transmitted from the server system and a display of the received content are displayed. A possible display procedure, an order input procedure for inputting an order content for the received content, a card information reading procedure for reading card information recorded on a credit card relating to payment of an order, and a condition for reading the card information. A method of using information including a transmission procedure for enabling transmission of order details. 11. A recording medium on which a computer program for transmitting contents adapted to a user attribute, receiving an order for the transmitted contents from a user and processing the order is recorded, wherein the contents for transmission in a contents database are Using an attribute database,
A target calculation procedure for selecting a target user to be transmitted, a transmission procedure for transmitting the transmission content to the target user, a reception procedure for receiving an order from the target user that transmitted the transmission content, and a received order And a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute an order processing procedure for performing a process for complying with the above is recorded. 12. A recording medium that records a computer program capable of receiving content transmitted from a server system and transmitting an order for the received content, the receiving procedure for receiving the content transmitted from the server system. A display procedure capable of displaying the received content, an order input procedure for inputting an order content for the received content, a card information reading procedure for reading card information recorded on a credit card pertaining to payment for the order, and a card information reading procedure. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a transmission procedure that enables transmission of order contents on condition of reading.