Questionnaire apparatus and advertisement method

Abstract

To provide a questionnaire apparatus and an advertisement method for carrying out effective advertisement through a questionnaire.SOLUTION: In an information communication system S, a questionnaire server is configured to: receive answer information indicating answers entered to a questionnaire from a user terminal; acquire, from a storage that stores screen identification information for identifying an advertisement screen that advertises an object related to each of a plurality of answers, the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for an object related to the answer corresponding to the answer indicated by the answer information among the plurality of answers; and display the advertisement screen identified by the screen identification information on the user terminal by transmitting the acquired screen identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for performing information processing on a respondent in response to an answer to a questionnaire.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a method of market research, it is known to conduct a questionnaire online. For example, a questionnaire system displays questionnaire questions and transmits a web page for inputting answers to the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent. The system receives and tabulates the answers input by each questionnaire respondent.

[0003] Also, it is known to use a questionnaire for promotion. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for promoting access to the homepage of a travel company. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a member of a travel company participates in a trip and settles the travel expenses, potential points are given to the member, and when the member answers a questionnaire on the homepage, the potential points are made manifest.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, consider promoting a product, service, place, etc. If it is possible to appeal the target to consumers who are highly likely to be interested in the promotion target, the promotion effect is higher. For a questionnaire as well, improvement of such a promotion effect is desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an example of its problem is to provide a questionnaire device and a promotion method that enable effective promotion through a questionnaire.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] One aspect of the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent, response information indicating an answer input to a questionnaire displayed on the terminal device; and, for each of a plurality of predetermined answers to the questionnaire, obtaining, from a storage means storing screen identification information for identifying a promotion screen for promoting a target related to the answer, the screen identification information of the promotion screen for the target related to the answer corresponding to the answer indicated by the received response information among the plurality of answers; and a transmitting means for transmitting the obtained screen identification information to cause the terminal device to display the promotion screen identified by the screen identification information. The questionnaire device is characterized by comprising the above.

[0008] According to this aspect, screen identification information is stored for each of a plurality of predetermined answers to the questionnaire. Each screen identification information is information for identifying a promotion screen for promoting a target related to the answer corresponding to the screen identification information. Among the plurality of predetermined answers, the screen identification information of the promotion screen for promoting the target related to the answer corresponding to the answer input by the questionnaire respondent is obtained from the storage means and transmitted. Thereby, the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent displays the promotion screen identified by the transmitted screen identification information. The target promoted by the promotion screen displayed by the terminal device is a target related to the answer input by the questionnaire respondent. Therefore, it is highly likely that the questionnaire respondent is interested in the target promoted on the promotion screen. Therefore, effective promotion can be carried out through the questionnaire.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a questionnaire device, further comprising awarding means for awarding a privilege to the questionnaire respondent on condition that the transmitting means transmits the screen identification information in response to receiving the response information.

[0010] According to this aspect, since a privilege is awarded to a questionnaire respondent who answers the questionnaire and views the promotional screen, it is possible to encourage the user to answer the questionnaire.

[0011] Still another aspect of the present invention is a questionnaire device, wherein the privilege to be awarded includes points of a point program.

[0012] According to this aspect, it is possible to encourage users who want points to answer the questionnaire.

[0013] Still another aspect of the present invention is a questionnaire device, wherein the privilege to be awarded includes a coupon that can be used for the target related to the answer indicated by the received response information.

[0014] According to this aspect, the privilege awarded to the questionnaire respondent is a coupon. This coupon is a coupon that the questionnaire respondent can use for the target advertised on the promotional screen displayed on the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent. This target is related to the answer input by the questionnaire respondent. Therefore, the promotional effect can be further enhanced.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is that the coupon for at least one of the plurality of responses is a first object related to the at least one response, a first coupon available for a first object related to a first advertiser, and a second object related to the at least one response, a second coupon available for a second object related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser, and first advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored in advertising fee information storage means in association with the at least one response, and the granting means determines which of the first coupon and the second coupon to grant based on the stored first advertising fee information and second advertising fee information when the response indicated by the received response information corresponds to the at least one response. The questionnaire device is characterized by this.

[0016] According to this aspect, among a plurality of predetermined responses, for at least one response, either the first coupon or the second coupon is granted to the questionnaire respondent who input the response. The first coupon is available for a first object related to the response. The first object is related to a first advertiser. The second coupon is available for a second object related to the response. The second object is related to a second advertiser. The first advertiser and the second advertiser are different from each other. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored. When the questionnaire respondent inputs the response, it is determined which of the first coupon and the second coupon to grant based on the first advertising fee information and the second advertising fee information. Therefore, it is possible to increase the willingness of the advertiser to bear a higher advertising fee for the granting of the coupon.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention is a questionnaire device further comprising: reception screen information transmission means for transmitting reception screen information indicating a reception screen that receives a selection of any one of the plurality of responses and an input of an advertising fee amount borne by the advertiser to the advertiser device used by the advertiser; advertising fee information reception means for receiving, from the advertiser device that has displayed the reception screen based on the transmitted reception screen information, selection information indicating the selected response among the plurality of responses and advertising fee information indicating the input advertising fee amount; and storage control means for storing the received advertising fee information in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the response indicated by the received selection information.

[0018] According to this aspect, through the reception screen, it is possible for the advertiser to select a response for granting a coupon related to the advertiser from among a plurality of predetermined responses and input the amount of the advertising fee borne by the advertiser.

[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is that the promotion screen for at least one response among the plurality of responses includes a first promotion screen that is a first target related to the at least one response and promotes the first target related to the first advertiser, and a second promotion screen that is a second target related to the at least one response and promotes the second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. The storage means stores the screen identification information of each of the first promotion screen and the second promotion screen for the at least one response. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the at least one response. The transmission means determines which of the screen identification information of the first promotion screen and the second promotion screen to transmit based on the stored first advertising fee information and second advertising fee information when the response indicated by the received response information corresponds to the at least one response.

[0020] According to this aspect, for at least one answer among a plurality of predetermined answers, either the first promotional screen or the second promotional screen is displayed on the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent who input the answer. The first promotional screen is a screen for promoting a first target related to the answer. The first target is related to a first advertiser. The second promotional screen is a screen for promoting a second target related to the answer. The second target is related to a second advertiser. The first advertiser and the second advertiser are different from each other. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored. When the questionnaire respondent inputs the answer, based on the first advertising fee information and the second advertising fee information, it is determined which of the first promotional screen and the second promotional screen is to be displayed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the willingness of the advertiser to bear a higher advertising fee for the display of the promotional screen.

[0021] Still another aspect of the present invention is a reception screen information transmission means for transmitting reception screen information indicating a reception screen for receiving, from an advertiser device used by an advertiser, a selection of any one of the plurality of answers, an input of the screen identification information of the promotional screen determined by the advertiser, and an input of the amount of the advertising fee borne by the advertiser; an advertising fee information reception means for receiving, from the advertiser device that has displayed the reception screen based on the transmitted reception screen information, selection information indicating the selected answer among the plurality of answers, the input screen identification information, and advertising fee information indicating the input amount of the advertising fee; and a storage control means for storing the received screen identification information in the storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information, and storing the received advertising fee information in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information. The questionnaire device is characterized by further comprising the above.

[0022] According to this aspect, through the reception screen, it is possible for the advertiser to select an answer for displaying a promotional screen related to the advertiser among a plurality of predetermined answers, input the screen identification information of the promotional screen, and input the amount of the advertising fee borne by the advertiser.

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention is that combinations of two or more answers can be input for the questionnaire, each of the plurality of answers includes combinations of two or more answers, the storage means stores the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for advertising the target related to the combination for each combination, and the acquisition means acquires the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for the target related to the combination indicated by the received answer information in the received answer information. A questionnaire device characterized by that.

[0024] According to this aspect, according to the combination of answers input by the questionnaire respondent, the advertisement screen displayed on the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent can be changed.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention is a promotion method executed by a computer, a reception step of receiving answer information indicating an answer input for a questionnaire displayed on a terminal device of a questionnaire respondent from the terminal device, and a plurality of predetermined answers for the questionnaire. From the storage means for storing the screen identification information for identifying the advertisement screen for advertising the target related to each answer, among the plurality of answers, the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for the target related to the answer corresponding to the answer indicated by the received answer information is obtained. An acquisition step, and a transmission step of causing the terminal device to display the advertisement screen identified by the screen identification information by transmitting the acquired screen identification information. A promotion method characterized by including.

Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, effective promotion can be performed through a questionnaire.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration of Information Communication System] First, the configuration and functional outline of the information communication system S according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the information communication system S according to the present embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the information communication system S may include a questionnaire server 1, a member information management server 2, a point management server 3, a coupon management server 4, one or more web servers 5, a plurality of advertiser terminals 6, and a plurality of user terminals 7. The questionnaire server 1, the member information management server 2, the point management server 3, the coupon management server 4, each web server 5, each advertiser terminal 6, and each user terminal 7 may be connected to the network NW. The network NW is constructed by, for example, the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), and a gateway, etc.

[0031] The questionnaire server 1 may be a server device that executes processing related to questionnaires. For example, the questionnaire server 1 may perform processing such as distribution of questionnaires to the user terminal 7, acquisition of answers from users of the user terminal 7 to the distributed questionnaires, aggregation of the acquired answers, and processing for providing the aggregation results of the questionnaires to advertisers.

[0032] In addition, upon receiving an answer from the user terminal 7 for the questionnaire, the questionnaire server 1 may execute a process for causing the user terminal 7 to display a screen corresponding to the received answer. This screen may be a promotional screen for promoting a target related to the answer from the user. For example, for a specific question in the questionnaire, a plurality of selectable options may be provided as answers. For each of all or some of these options, a promotional screen related to that option may be associated. Examples of the targets to be promoted include trading partners, locations, companies, brands, etc. Examples of trading partners include goods and services. Examples of the locations to be promoted include stores, recreation facilities, sports facilities, other facilities, tourist spots, regions, etc. Examples of the targets related to the answer include the target itself indicated by the answer and targets having some relationship with the answer. The promotional screen may or may not include an advertisement related to the target to be promoted. The promotional screen may be, for example, a web page. Alternatively, the promotional screen may be another screen or page. The web page corresponding to the promotional screen is referred to as a promotional page.

[0033] There may be an advertiser or sponsor related to the target promoted on each promotional page. Examples of advertisers related to the target to be promoted include a business operator that provides a trading partner as the target to be promoted or a trading partner of a brand, a business operator that provides a trading partner at the location as the target to be promoted, an administrative agency or other organization that conducts operations related to the location as the target to be promoted, the company itself as the target to be promoted, etc. Each time the questionnaire server 1 causes a promotional page to be displayed on any user terminal 7, it may charge an advertising fee to the advertiser. This advertising fee may be a fee for the advertising effect due to the display of the promotional page. Alternatively, this advertising fee may be a fee for the advertising effect by granting a coupon, which will be described later, to the questionnaire respondents in response to the display of the promotional page. In this case, the advertising fee may be a fee billed separately from the source for discounting the price to be paid by the respondent when purchasing a trading partner by using the coupon.

[0034] The questionnaire server 1 may give a privilege to the user of the user terminal 7 that has displayed the promotional page in response to receiving an answer. Examples of the privilege to be given include points in a point program, coupons, electronic money, and the like. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that points and coupons are given. The coupon to be given may be, for example, a coupon that can be used for an object related to the answer input by the user. That is, the coupon to be given may be a coupon that can be used for the object advertised by the promotional page displayed on the screen of the user terminal 7. This coupon may be a coupon that discounts the price paid by the user. Examples of the coupon to be given include a coupon that can be used to pay for the purchase price of the advertised product or the product of the advertised brand, a coupon that can be used to pay for the usage fee of the advertised service, a coupon that can be used at the advertised place, a coupon that can be used to use a facility or the like at the advertised place, a coupon that can be used to pay for the purchase price of the product or service of the advertised company, and the like.

[0035] The membership information management server 2 may be a server device that manages information regarding members of a predetermined service. The predetermined service may include an online service or a service that can be provided using information and communication technology. The predetermined service may be, for example, an Internet comprehensive service. The Internet comprehensive service may be, for example, a collection of a plurality of services including an online service as a main service. The online service may include a service provided through a website. Examples of services included in the Internet comprehensive service include an online shopping mall, a facility reservation service, a service reservation service, online securities, online banking, web search, video distribution, a point program, a coupon service, a mobile communication service, carrier settlement, an optical fiber connection service, a credit card, app settlement, electronic money, online securities, online banking, a social networking service (SNS), a rich communication service (RCS) or an instant messaging service, an email service, etc. The above-described questionnaire service may also be included in the Internet comprehensive service. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the predetermined service is an Internet comprehensive service. A user ID may be assigned to each user who becomes a member of the Internet comprehensive service. The user ID is identification information for identifying a member in the Internet comprehensive service. The membership information management server 2 may manage information of each member using the user ID. A user who becomes a member of the Internet comprehensive service may be able to use many of the services included in the Internet comprehensive service. In order to use some services, the user may need to perform a separate membership registration on the condition that the user is a member of the Internet comprehensive service.

[0036] The point management server 3 may be a server device that manages the points held by each user in the point program. The point program may be a service that, for example, grants a predetermined percentage of the purchase price as points to a user who purchases a transaction target, and enables the points held by the user to be used for the purchase price of the transaction target. The user may be able to acquire and use points, for example, with a predetermined online service and a facility participating in the point program. The point program may be included in an Internet comprehensive service. The point program may be available for use when the user purchases a transaction target in many services included in the Internet comprehensive service.

[0037] The coupon management server 4 may be a server device that manages information related to electronic coupons in the coupon service. For example, the coupon management server 4 may execute processes related to the creation of coupons, the issuance of the created coupons, the use of coupons, the charging of issuance fees or use fees for coupons, etc. The creation of a coupon may be to determine the specifications of the coupon and put the coupon in a state where it can be issued. The issuance of a coupon may be to actually grant the created coupon to the user.

[0038] Each web server 5 may be a server device that distributes web pages of a predetermined website to the user terminal 7. The website managed by each web server 5 may include a web page corresponding to the above-described promotional page. Among the one or more web servers 5, the website managed by any at least one web server 5 may be a site for providing information to the user. Further, the website managed by any at least one web server 5 may be a website that enables an e-commerce transaction by the user of the user terminal 7. Further, the website managed by any at least one web server 5 may be a site for providing any service included in the Internet comprehensive service. Further, the website managed by any at least one web server 5 may be a site operated by a business operator or organization that is an advertiser.

[0039] Each advertiser terminal 6 may be a terminal device used by a business operator who is an advertiser of the promotional page or a sponsor of the questionnaire. For example, each advertiser terminal 6 may display the aggregated results of the questionnaire or display the advertising fee billed to the advertiser by communicating with the questionnaire server 1. Examples of the advertiser terminal 6 include a personal computer, a tablet computer, and the like.

[0040] Each user terminal 7 may be a terminal device used by a member of the Internet comprehensive service. Software such as a web browser or an email agent may be installed in each user terminal 7. Examples of the user terminal 7 include a personal computer, a smartphone, a portable information terminal such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a set-top box, and the like.

[0041] [1-2. Configuration of Questionnaire Server] Next, the configuration of the questionnaire server 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the questionnaire server 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the questionnaire server 1 may include a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0042] The system control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, and the like.

[0043] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11.

[0044] The storage unit 14 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or the like. In this storage unit 14, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) documents of each questionnaire page may be stored in association with the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the HTML document. The questionnaire page may be a web page corresponding to the questionnaire screen. The HTML document of the questionnaire page may include, for example, a questionnaire ID and a questionnaire name. The questionnaire ID is identification information for identifying the questionnaire. Further, this HTML document may include, for each question of the questionnaire, a question number, a sentence indicating the question content, and information corresponding to the answer format for the question. For example, the information corresponding to a multiple-choice question may include, for example, tag information for displaying a checkbox, a radio button, or a pull-down menu on the questionnaire page, and words or sentences indicating each option. The information corresponding to a free description type question may include tag information for displaying a text input field on the questionnaire page.

[0045] Furthermore, the storage unit 14 may store databases such as a questionnaire DB 14a, a destination DB 14b, an answer DB 14c, an advertising fee billing DB 14d, etc. "DB" is an abbreviation for database. At least one of these databases may be stored not in the questionnaire server 1 but in another device. In this case, the questionnaire server 1 may access the database stored in that device via a network.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the content stored in the database of the questionnaire server 1. The questionnaire DB 14a may store questionnaire basic information regarding each questionnaire. The questionnaire basic information may include basic information regarding the questionnaire. For example, in the questionnaire DB 14a, as questionnaire basic information, a questionnaire ID, a questionnaire name, a questionnaire page URL, a distribution start date, a response deadline, a destination determination question number, an advertising unit price, a total number of points to be awarded, etc. may be stored in association with each other. The questionnaire page URL is the URL of the HTML document of the questionnaire page. The distribution start date indicates the date when the distribution of the questionnaire starts. The response deadline indicates the date when the response to the questionnaire is closed. The destination determination question number indicates a question among the questions included in the questionnaire, in response to the answer input by the user, for which the destination of the web page transition from the questionnaire page, i.e., the promotional page, is determined. The advertising unit price may indicate the amount of the advertising fee charged to the advertiser when the promotional page is transmitted to the user terminal 7 in response to the user inputting an answer. The advertising unit price may correspond to, for example, a preview unit price. The total number of points to be awarded indicates the total number of points planned to be awarded to all respondents to the questionnaire. The operator of the questionnaire service may register information in the questionnaire DB 14a. Note that the information for specifying the questions for determining the promotional page that is the destination, such as the destination determination question number, may not be stored in such a database but may be described in the HTML document of the questionnaire page.

[0047] In the destination DB 14b, destination information regarding the promotional page which is the destination of the web page transition from the questionnaire page may be stored for each answer to the questions for determining the destination promotional page or for each promotional page. For example, in the destination DB 14b, as the destination information, the questionnaire ID, question number, answer option information, destination page URL, organization ID, and coupon ID granted, etc. may be stored in association with each other. The questionnaire ID indicates the questionnaire implemented on the questionnaire page that transitions to the promotional page. The question number indicates the question for determining whether the destination web page is that promotional page. The answer option information indicates the answer related to the target promoted by that promotional page. For example, the answer option information may be words or sentences indicating the answer. Alternatively, the answer option information may be other information identifying the answer. The destination page URL is the URL of the HTML document of that promotional page. The organization ID is the identification information identifying the organization that is the advertiser related to the target promoted by that promotional page. The coupon ID granted is the identification information identifying the coupon granted to the respondent of that questionnaire in response to the web page transitioning from the questionnaire page to that promotional page. The operator of the questionnaire service may register information in the questionnaire DB 14a. Here, each of the destination page URL and the coupon ID granted may be determined by the operator or by the advertiser. The organization ID may be registered in the questionnaire DB 14a according to the advertiser being determined. Note that at least one of the destination page URL, organization ID, and coupon ID granted may be described in the HTML document of the questionnaire page instead of being stored in the destination DB 14b. When all the information is described in the HTML document, the storage unit 14 may not store the destination DB 14b.

[0048] Figure 4 shows an example of the information stored in the database. Figure 4 shows the questionnaire DB 14a and the destination DB 14b. For example, it is assumed that a questionnaire regarding a trip in December is conducted. The implementation period of this questionnaire is, for example, September. For example, every month or at a predetermined month, a questionnaire regarding a trip several months after that time may be conducted. The questionnaire ID of this questionnaire is 11111111. Question 1 of this questionnaire is a question in which the respondent of the questionnaire selects, from among the 47 prefectures of Japan and "others", the area of the travel destination or the area planned to go in December. Question 1 is a question for determining the promotional page to be the destination. Therefore, in the questionnaire DB 14a, 1 is stored as the destination determination questionnaire number. In the destination DB 14b, destination information may be stored for each of the 47 prefectures. Alternatively, destination information may be stored only for some of the 47 prefectures. Regarding "others", destination information may or may not be stored. The destination page of each prefecture may be, for example, a campaign in that prefecture. The campaign page may be a web page that promotes travel to that prefecture. Each campaign page may be, for example, a web page included in an accommodation reservation site. The accommodation reservation site is a web site that enables a user to reserve an accommodation facility. Each campaign page may include, for example, a link to a web page showing a list of accommodation facilities in that prefecture or a web page showing search results of accommodation facilities in that prefecture. By the respondent selecting any accommodation facility from the web page showing the list or search results, the user terminal 7 may display a web page showing information regarding the selected accommodation facility. Through this web page, it may be possible to reserve the accommodation facility. Note that depending on the answer, it may be associated with a web page of a different web site from other answers. The advertiser of each prefecture may be an organization related to that prefecture. Examples of advertisers include local public bodies, other administrative organs, tourism associations, etc. of that prefecture. The coupon given to the respondent may be an accommodation coupon of that prefecture.This accommodation coupon may be a coupon for discounting the accommodation fee when the respondent pays the accommodation fee, on the condition that the respondent reserves an accommodation facility in that prefecture on the accommodation reservation site. The fee for the accommodation coupon may be borne by the advertiser in that prefecture. As shown in Figure 4, the transition destination information for each prefecture may include, as respondent option information, transition destination URL, organization ID, and issued coupon ID, the name of that prefecture, the URL of the HTML document of the campaign page of that prefecture, the organization ID of the organization in that prefecture, and the coupon ID of the accommodation coupon in that prefecture. Note that the transition destination information for some prefectures may not include either the organization ID or the issued coupon ID. That is, there may be prefectures where there is no advertiser.

[0049] Returning to Figure 3, in the response DB 14c, information regarding the responses to the questionnaire may be stored for each combination of questionnaire, question, and respondent. For example, in the response DB 14c, a questionnaire ID, user ID, question number, response information, and transition destination page URL, etc. may be stored in association with each other. The questionnaire ID and the question number indicate the questionnaire and the question answered by the user, respectively. The user ID indicates the respondent. The response information indicates the response entered by that respondent. For example, the response information may be a word or sentence indicating the response. Alternatively, the response information may be other information identifying the response. The transition destination page URL may be stored in the response DB 14c when the web page displayed on the user terminal 7 of the user who answered the questionnaire transitions from the questionnaire page to any of the promotional pages. The transition destination page URL may be the URL of the HTML document of that promotional page.

[0050] In the advertising fee claim DB14d, advertising fee claim information regarding the advertising fees claimed from the advertiser through the implementation of the questionnaire may be stored for each combination of the questionnaire and the advertiser. For example, in the advertising fee claim DB14d, as the advertising fee claim information, the questionnaire ID, the organization ID, the claim amount, etc. may be stored in association with each other. The questionnaire ID indicates the questionnaire for which the advertising fee is claimed. The organization ID indicates the advertiser to whom the advertising fee is to be claimed. The claim amount indicates the amount of the advertising fee to be claimed.

[0051] The storage unit 14 may further store various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a server program. The server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute various processes related to the questionnaire service. The server program may be acquired, for example, from another device via the network NW. Alternatively, the server program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and read via a drive device.

[0052] The communication unit 15 may be constituted by, for example, a network interface card or the like. The communication unit 15 may connect to the member information management server 2, the point management server 3, the coupon management server 4, the web server 5, the advertiser terminal 6, or the user terminal 7 via the network NW and control the communication state with the connected device.

[0053] [1-3. Databases of Other Servers] Next, the database stored in the server device other than the questionnaire server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the content stored in the databases held by several server devices according to the present embodiment.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the member information management server 2 may store a member DB 2a. The member DB 2a may store member information regarding each member of the Internet integrated service. For example, the member DB 2a may store, as member information, a user ID, a password, a name, a gender, a date of birth, an address, an e-mail address, etc. in association with each other. The member information management server 2 may provide an API (Application Programming Interface) for accessing the member DB 2a to a server device such as the questionnaire server 1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the point management server 3 may store a point DB 3a or the like. The point DB 3a may store information regarding the points held by each member of the Internet integrated service. For example, the point DB 3a may store a user ID and an available point number or the like in association with each other. The available point number indicates the number of points currently held by the user indicated by the user ID.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the coupon management server 4 may store a coupon basic information DB 4a, a coupon issuance information DB 4b, a coupon issuance fee billing DB 4c, and the like. The coupon basic information DB 4a may store coupon basic information regarding each created coupon. For example, in the coupon basic information DB 4a, as coupon basic information, a coupon ID, a coupon name, discount target information, discount information, and an issuance fee, etc. may be stored in association with each other. The coupon ID is identification information for identifying a coupon. The discount target information may be information indicating the target for which the owner of the coupon can use the coupon. For example, when the coupon is available for use at a specific website, the discount target information may include information for identifying that website. Also, for example, when the coupon is available for use at a specific store, the discount target information may include information for identifying that facility. The place where the coupon is used may be a physical store or an online store. When the store where the coupon can be used is an online store, the discount target information may further include information for identifying the website where that online store is located. Also, for example, when the coupon is available for use in the purchase of a specific trading partner or a trading partner in a specific category, the discount target information may include information for identifying that trading partner or category. Also, for example, when the coupon is available for use in the reservation of a service provided in a specific region, the discount target information may include information for identifying that region, information for identifying the website that enables that reservation, and information indicating the category of the facility that provides that service, etc. The discount information may indicate the amount to be discounted from the amount that the user should pay by using the coupon, or may indicate a discount rate. The issuance fee may indicate the amount of the fee billed to the business operator who bears the cost of the coupon each time the coupon is issued. Note that the fee may not be billed each time the coupon is issued, but may be billed each time the issued coupon is used.

[0057] The coupon issuance information DB 4b may store coupon issuance information regarding each issued coupon. For example, the coupon issuance information DB 4b may store, as coupon issuance information, an issuance number, a coupon ID, a user ID, a fee billing destination organization ID, usage status information, a usage transaction number, usage status information, a usage date, a discount amount, etc., in association with each other. The issuance number may be identification information for identifying the issuance of a coupon. The coupon ID may indicate the issued coupon. The user ID may indicate the user to whom the coupon was issued. The fee billing destination organization ID may indicate the organization that should pay the fee for the issuance of the coupon. The usage status information may indicate whether the issued coupon has been used by the user. The usage date may indicate the date on which the issued coupon was used, if the issued coupon was used. The discount amount may indicate the amount actually discounted from the amount paid by the user, if the issued coupon was used.

[0058] The coupon issuance fee billing DB 4c may store coupon issuance fee billing information regarding the coupon issuance fees to be billed to the merchant, for each combination of the merchant and the period. For example, the coupon issuance fee billing DB 4c may store, as coupon issuance fee billing information, an organization ID, an issuance period, and a billing amount, etc., in association with each other. The organization ID may indicate the organization to which the issuance fee is to be billed. The issuance period may indicate the period for which the issuance fee is to be billed for the coupons issued during that period. The issuance period may be indicated by a combination of year and month. The billing amount may indicate the amount of the issuance fee to be billed.

[0059] [1-4. Functional Overview of the System Control Unit of the Questionnaire Server] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 according to the present embodiment. The system control unit 11 may function as a questionnaire screen information transmission unit 1101, a response information reception unit 1102, a promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103, a promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104, a privilege granting unit 1105, a charging unit 1106, etc., as shown in FIG. 6, when the CPU 11a reads and executes various program codes included in the server program.

[0060] The questionnaire screen information transmission unit 1101 may transmit questionnaire screen information showing a questionnaire screen to any one of the user terminals 7. The questionnaire screen may be, for example, a web page or other screen. The questionnaire screen information may be information for causing the user terminal 7 to display the questionnaire screen. For example, the questionnaire screen information may be an HTML document of the questionnaire page. The questionnaire screen information transmission unit 1101 may transmit the questionnaire screen information, for example, in response to a request from the user terminal 7. The request from the user terminal 7 may include, for example, information for identifying the questionnaire. The information for identifying the questionnaire may be, for example, the URL of the HTML document of the questionnaire page or the questionnaire ID. The user terminal 7 may obtain the information for identifying the questionnaire from, for example, the questionnaire server 1, the member information management server 2, the point management server 3, the coupon management server 4, any one of the web servers 5, or other server devices. For example, the information for identifying the questionnaire may be included in a predetermined web page or email transmitted by any one of the server devices.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a questionnaire page. The questionnaire page 100 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the information shown in FIG. 6. That is, the questionnaire page 100 is a web page of a questionnaire regarding the December trip. As shown in FIG. 7, the questionnaire page 100 may include a questionnaire name 110, one or more question areas 120, and a send button 130. The questionnaire name 110 may include the name of the questionnaire and may also include a word indicating the total number of points given to the respondent. Each question area 120 may include a question number, a sentence indicating the question content, and an operable element for inputting an answer. In FIG. 7, as the question areas 120, question areas 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 are shown. The question areas 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 correspond to questions 1, 2, and 3, respectively. As described above, question 1 is a question asking the questionnaire respondent about the area of the travel destination they want to go to or the area they plan to go to in December. The question area 120-1 includes check boxes for selecting the travel destination area from 47 prefectures in Japan and "others". Question 2 is a question asking the respondent about the particular place they want to go in the area they want to go to or the area they plan to go to. The question area 120-2 includes an input field for the respondent to enter the place they want to go in text. Question 3 is a question asking about the purpose of the trip. The question area 120-3 includes a pull-down menu for selecting the purpose of the trip from sightseeing, business, homecoming, etc. The send button 130 is a button for causing the answer information input to the questionnaire page to be sent from the user terminal 7 to the questionnaire server 1.

[0062] The response information receiving unit 1102 may receive response information indicating responses input to the questionnaire displayed on the user terminal 7 based on the questionnaire screen information transmitted by the questionnaire screen information transmitting unit 1101. For example, the response information receiving unit 1102 may receive response information input to the questionnaire page 100 shown in FIG. 7 and transmitted from the user terminal 7. At this time, the response information receiving unit 1102 may receive response information for each question. Further, the response information receiving unit 1102 may receive the response information and also receive the questionnaire ID of the questionnaire implemented through the questionnaire page from the user terminal 7.

[0063] The publicity screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire, from the storage unit 14 that stores the screen identification information for identifying the publicity screen that publicizes the target related to each of a plurality of predetermined answers for the questionnaire, the screen identification information of the publicity screen for the target related to the answer corresponding to the answer indicated by the answer information received by the answer information reception unit 1102 among the plurality of answers. The screen identification information may be, for example, the URL of the HTML document of the publicity page. In the transition destination DB 14b, each transition destination page URL is stored in association with the answer option information as the URL of the HTML document of the publicity page. The publicity screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire the transition destination page URL associated with the answer option information corresponding to the answer information received from the user terminal 7 from the transition destination DB 14b. The question for which the publicity page as the transition destination is determined is predetermined for each questionnaire. This question is indicated by the transition destination determination question number stored in the questionnaire DB 14a. When this question is a question that the respondent can answer in a selective manner, the selectable answers are defined in a plurality of predetermined answers. In the transition destination DB 14b, the answer option information and the transition destination page URL may be stored for each of those answers. Alternatively, for each of some of the predetermined answers among those answers, the answer option information and the transition destination page URL may be stored. That is, the publicity page may not be sent to the user terminal 7 of the user who entered a specific answer. The publicity screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire the transition destination page URL associated with the answer option information that matches the answer information received from the user terminal 7. Even when the question for which the publicity page as the transition destination is determined is in a free input format, a plurality of answers may be predetermined in advance. And in the transition destination DB 14b, the answer option information and the transition destination page URL may be stored for each of those answers. The publicity screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may determine, by analyzing the answer information received from the user terminal 7, which of the answer option information stored in the transition destination DB 14b the answer information corresponds to. The analysis of the answer information may include, for example, morphological analysis and semantic analysis.In the example shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that Question 1 corresponding to Question Area 120-1 is a question for determining the destination promotion page. In this case, for all 47 prefectures, the destination promotion page may be associated. Alternatively, the promotion page may be associated only with a predetermined plurality of prefectures among the 47 prefectures. For "Others", the promotion page may or may not be associated.

[0064] The promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may cause the user terminal 7 to display the promotion screen identified by the screen identification information by transmitting the screen identification information acquired by the promotion screen identification information acquisition unit 1103. The promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may automatically transmit the screen identification information in response to receiving the answer information. The promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may, for example, transmit the screen identification information to the user terminal 7. For example, the promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may transmit the URL of the HTML document of the promotion page using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) redirect or the like. The user terminal 7 that has received the URL can obtain the HTML document of the promotion page from the web server 5 corresponding to this URL by transmitting a request including this URL to the web server 5. The user terminal 7 may display the promotion page using this HTML document. Alternatively, the promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may transmit the URL of the HTML document of the promotion page to the web server 5 corresponding to this URL, receive the HTML document of the promotion page from the web server 5, and transfer this HTML document to the user terminal 7.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of web page transition. The transition example shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the information shown in FIG. 4 and the questionnaire page 100 shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, in the questionnaire page 100, assume that the user selects Hokkaido for question 1. In this case, the web page displayed on the user terminal 7 of the user will transition to the campaign page 210 of Hokkaido. Also, for example, assume that the user selects Tokyo. In this case, the displayed web page will transition to the campaign page 220 of Tokyo. Also, for example, assume that the user selects Okinawa. In this case, the displayed web page will transition to the campaign page 230 of Okinawa.

[0066] Regarding the question for determining the destination promotional screen, only one answer may be selectable. In this case, one destination promotional screen is determined according to the answer selected by the respondent. Alternatively, it may be possible to select two or more answers for that question. In this case, there will be two or more destination promotional screens. The promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may randomly determine which of those promotional screens to display for each respondent.

[0067] The privilege granting unit 1105 may grant a privilege to the respondent of the questionnaire on the condition that the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 transmits the screen identification information in response to the answer information being received by the answer information receiving unit 1102. The granting of the privilege may be performed in real time. For example, the privilege granting unit 1105 may grant the privilege at the timing when the screen identification information for identifying the promotional screen is acquired by the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103, or may grant the privilege at the timing when the screen identification information is transmitted by the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104. Alternatively, the privilege granting unit 1105 may grant the privilege in batches. For example, the privilege granting unit 1105 may grant the privilege after the expiration of the questionnaire response deadline or at a predetermined time every day, etc.

[0068] For example, as a privilege, when awarding points in a point program, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may request the point management server 3 to perform processing for increasing the available number of points for each respondent. When dividing the total number of points to be awarded for the target questionnaire among all respondents, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may calculate the number of points to be awarded to each respondent after the response deadline has passed. When awarding a predetermined number of points to each respondent, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may award points in real time or may award points in batches.

[0069] When awarding a coupon as a privilege, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may award a coupon available for the target related to the response indicated by the response information received by the response information receiving unit 1102. The privilege awarding unit 1105 may request the coupon management server 4 to perform processing for issuing a coupon to the respondent. The coupon to be awarded may be specified in advance by the operator or advertiser of the questionnaire service. And the coupon ID of the specified coupon may be stored in the transition destination DB 14b. Alternatively, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may automatically determine the coupon. For example, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may search the coupon basic information DB 4a for a coupon available for the target related to the response based on the response indicated by the response option information stored in the transition destination DB 14b or the response described in the HTML document of the questionnaire page and the discount target information stored in the coupon basic information DB 4a. At this time, the privilege awarding unit 1105 may search, based on the information about the advertiser, for a coupon available for use by the trading target provided by the advertiser or a coupon available at a location related to the advertiser among the coupons available for the target related to the response.

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 8, points are given to all respondents. Therefore, points are given to the respondents who selected Hokkaido, those who selected Tokyo, and those who selected Okinawa, respectively. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, for the respondents who selected Hokkaido, a hotel coupon for discounting the hotel fee is given on the condition that a hotel in Hokkaido is reserved on the hotel reservation site. For the respondents who selected Tokyo, a hotel coupon for discounting the hotel fee is given on the condition that a hotel in Tokyo is reserved on the hotel reservation site. For the respondents who selected Okinawa, a hotel coupon for discounting the hotel fee is given on the condition that a hotel in Okinawa is reserved on the hotel reservation site.

[0071] Among different responses, while the destination promotional pages are the same for each other, the coupons given to respondents are different from each other. At least one of the questionnaire screen information transmission unit 1101, the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103, the privilege granting unit 1105, and the database may be configured. For example, while the questionnaire server 1 causes the user terminal 7 to display the campaign page of the prefecture selected by the respondent in question 1 of the questionnaire page 100 shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that accommodation coupons available for the accommodation facilities in the municipalities in that prefecture where the respondent wants to go are granted. In this case, for example, in addition to the questionnaire page 100, a questionnaire page for selecting the municipalities where the respondent wants to go or the municipalities that the respondent plans to visit may be prepared for each prefecture. After the questionnaire page 100 is displayed, the questionnaire screen information transmission unit 1101 may function so that a questionnaire page corresponding to the prefecture selected by the respondent is displayed, or the HTML document of the questionnaire page may be configured. The transition destination determination question number stored in the questionnaire DB 14a may be set to the question number indicating the question for selecting the municipality. In the transition destination DB 14b, for each municipality, in association with the answer option information indicating that municipality, the transition destination URL indicating the promotional page of the prefecture including that municipality, the organization ID indicating the advertiser of that prefecture, and the coupon ID of the accommodation coupon of that municipality may be stored. Alternatively, in addition to the transition destination determination question number, the questionnaire DB 14a may store the number of the question for selecting the municipality. The transition destination information of each prefecture stored in the transition destination DB 14b includes, as the transition destination URL, the URL of the HTML document of the campaign page of that prefecture, while the granted coupon ID may not be included. Also, the transition destination information of each municipality stored in the transition destination DB 14b includes the coupon ID of the accommodation coupon available in that municipality, while the transition destination URL may not be included.

[0072] When the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 transmits the screen identification information in response to the response information reception unit 1102 receiving the response information, the charging unit 1106 may charge the advertiser related to the target advertised on the advertisement screen. This advertising fee may be a fee for displaying the advertisement screen. The charging unit 1106 may perform charging, for example, in real time or in batches. Note that the charging of the advertiser for the coupon issuance fee or coupon usage fee for granting coupons may be performed by the coupon management server 4 or the questionnaire server 1.

[0073] [1-5. Operation of the Information Communication System] Next, the operation of the information communication system S will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 may execute the processes shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 according to the program code included in the server program. The processes shown in these figures are examples, and any process may be executed as long as the purpose is achieved. The order of the processes is not limited to the order shown in these figures. Also, at least one of the steps shown in these figures may not be executed.

[0074] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process of the information communication system S according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, any one of the web servers 5 transmits an email magazine related to the service corresponding to the web server 5 among the services included in the Internet comprehensive service to the members of that service (step S1). The body of this email magazine includes the URL of the HTML document of the questionnaire page. The email magazine may be sent to all members of that service, or may be sent to members who meet a predetermined condition.

[0075] The user receives a mail magazine by operating the user terminal 7 and displays the mail magazine. Any one of the users who has read the mail magazine selects the aforementioned URL included in the mail magazine (step S2). In response to detecting the selection of the URL, the user terminal 7 sends a questionnaire page request to the questionnaire server 1 (step S3). The questionnaire page request indicates a request for the HTML document of the questionnaire page. The questionnaire page request includes the selected URL. The questionnaire screen information transmission unit 1101 of the questionnaire server 1 acquires the HTML document of the questionnaire page associated with the URL included in the questionnaire page request from the storage unit 14 and sends this HTML document to the user terminal 7 (step S4). The user terminal 7 displays the questionnaire page based on the HTML document received from the questionnaire page 1 (step S5).

[0076] The user inputs an answer to the displayed questionnaire page and selects the send button (step S6). In response to detecting the selection of the send button, the user terminal 7 sends response information indicating the answer to each question, together with the questionnaire ID, to the questionnaire server 1 (step S7). The questionnaire server 1 that has received the response information executes a destination URL acquisition process (step S8). Note that the questionnaire server 1 may execute a login process before the destination URL acquisition process as necessary. In the login process, the questionnaire server 1 may send a web page for inputting the user ID and password to the user terminal 7. Thereby, the questionnaire server 1 may acquire the user ID and password from the user terminal 7. The questionnaire server 1 may execute user authentication based on the user ID and password from the user terminal 7 and the user ID and password stored in the member DB 2a. If the authentication is successful, the questionnaire server 1 may permit the user to log in and execute the destination URL acquisition process.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the transition destination URL acquisition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the response information receiving unit 1102 stores the response information received from the user terminal 7 in the storage unit 14 (step S101). For example, the response information receiving unit 1102 may store the response information in the response DB 14c in association with the question number, the user ID, and the questionnaire ID received from the user terminal 7 for each question. Next, the promotion screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 acquires the transition destination determination question number associated with the questionnaire ID received from the user terminal 7 from the questionnaire DB 14a (step S102). Next, the promotion screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 specifies the response information corresponding to the question indicated by the transition destination determination question number from among the response information received from the user terminal 7 (step S103). Next, the promotion screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 searches the transition destination DB 14b for a combination of a questionnaire ID, a question number, and response option information that matches the combination of the questionnaire ID received from the user terminal 7, the transition destination determination question number, and the specified response information (step S104). Next, the promotion screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 acquires the transition destination URL, the organization ID, and the coupon ID associated with the searched combination from the transition destination DB 14b (step S105).

[0078] Next, the charging unit 1106 executes a charging process for the advertiser (step S106). For example, the charging unit 1106 may acquire the advertisement unit price associated with the questionnaire ID received from the user terminal 7 from the questionnaire DB 14a. The charging unit 1106 may update the billing amount by adding the advertisement unit price to the billing amount stored in the advertisement fee billing DB 14d in association with the questionnaire ID and the acquired organization ID.

[0079] Next, the granting unit 1105 executes a coupon granting process (step S107). For example, the granting unit 1105 may indicate a coupon issuance request to the coupon management server 4. The coupon issuance request indicates a request to issue a coupon to the user. The coupon issuance request may include, for example, the granted coupon ID and organization ID acquired from the destination DB 14b, and the user ID received from the user terminal 7. The coupon management server 4 may generate coupon issuance information based on the coupon issuance request. For example, the coupon management server 4 may generate coupon issuance information in response to the granted coupon ID included in the coupon issuance request matching any of the coupon IDs stored in the coupon basic information DB 4a. The coupon management server 4 may set the coupon ID, user ID, and fee billing destination organization ID included in the coupon issuance information to the granted coupon ID, user ID, and organization ID included in the coupon issuance request, respectively. The coupon management server 4 may store the generated coupon issuance information in the coupon issuance information DB 4b. Also, the coupon management server 4 may charge a coupon issuance fee. For example, the coupon management server 4 may add the issuance fee stored in the coupon basic information DB 4a to the billed amount stored in the coupon issuance fee billing DB 4c in association with the combination of the organization ID included in the coupon issuance request and the issuance period indicating the current month.

[0080] After the coupon granting process, the transition destination URL acquisition process ends. Returning to FIG. 9, after the transition destination URL acquisition process, the promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 transmits the transition destination URL acquired in the transition destination URL acquisition process to the user terminal 7 (step S9). At this time, the promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may associate the transition destination URL with the questionnaire ID, user ID, and transition destination determination question number and store it in the response DB 14c. The user terminal 7 that has received the transition destination URL automatically transmits a promotion page request to the web server 5 corresponding to the transition destination URL (step S10). The promotion page request indicates a request for the HTML document of the promotion page. The promotion page request may include the user ID and transition destination URL of the user. The web server 5 transmits the HTML document of the promotion page associated with the transition destination URL included in the promotion page request to the user terminal 7 (step S11). The user terminal 7 displays the promotion page based on the received HTML document (step S12).

[0081] Note that the coupon management server 4 or the web server 5 may control the user terminal 7 to display coupon information regarding the coupons currently held by the user. For example, the HTML document of the promotional page may include tag information or a script for sending a coupon information request to the coupon management server 4. The user terminal 7 may send a coupon information request based on the HTML document of the promotional page. The coupon information request indicates a request for coupon information. The coupon information request may include a search condition for the coupon. This search condition may include the user ID and information for identifying the service corresponding to the web server 5 among the services included in the Internet comprehensive service. The coupon management server 4 may search for coupon issuance information including the user ID that matches the user ID included in the search condition from the coupon issuance information DB 4b. The coupon management server 4 may search for coupons that can be used for the service corresponding to the web server among the coupons owned by the user based on the coupon ID included in the searched coupon issuance information, the service identification information included in the search condition, and the discount target information stored in the coupon basic information DB 4a. The coupon management server 4 may send information for displaying the coupon information to the user terminal 7 based on the coupon basic information of the corresponding coupon. The coupon information may include, for example, the coupon name, discount target information, discount information, etc. The user terminal 7 may display the coupon information in the promotional page or send the coupon information in a manner that overlays the promotional page based on the information received from the coupon management server 4. The questionnaire server 1, the coupon management server 4, or the web server 5 may notify the respondent by email or other means that a coupon has been granted.

[0082] After the deadline for answering the questionnaire, the awarding unit 1105 of the questionnaire server 1 executes a point awarding process (step S13). For example, the awarding unit 1105 may obtain the destination determination question number and the total number of awarded points associated with the questionnaire ID of the corresponding questionnaire from the questionnaire DB 14a. The awarding unit 1105 may search for a user ID associated with a combination of the questionnaire ID of the questionnaire, the obtained destination determination question number, and any one of the destination URLs among the user IDs stored in the answer DB 14c. The awarding unit 1105 may calculate the number of respondents to the questionnaire based on the searched user ID. The awarding unit 1105 may calculate the number of points to be awarded to each respondent by dividing the total number of awarded points by the number of respondents. The awarding unit 1105 may send a point increase request to the point management server 3 for each respondent. The point increase request indicates a request for an increase in the available number of points. The point update request may include the user ID of the respondent and the number of points to be awarded. The point management server 3 may add the number of points to be awarded to the available number of points stored in the point DB 3a in association with the user ID of the respondent.

[0083] As described above, according to this embodiment, the questionnaire server 1 may receive answer information indicating an answer input to the questionnaire from the user terminal 7. Further, the questionnaire server 1 may obtain, from the destination DB 14b, the destination URL of the promotional page for the target related to the answer corresponding to the answer indicated by the received answer information among the plurality of answers. Further, by sending the obtained destination URL, the questionnaire server 1 may cause the user terminal 7 to display the promotional page identified by the destination URL. In this case, the user terminal 7 of the questionnaire respondent displays the promotional page identified by the sent destination URL. The target promoted by the promotional page displayed by the user terminal 7 is a target related to the answer input by the respondent. Therefore, it is highly possible that the respondent is interested in the target promoted on the promotional page. Therefore, effective promotion can be carried out through the questionnaire.

[0084] Here, the questionnaire server 1 may grant a privilege to the respondent on the condition that the transition destination URL is transmitted in response to the reception of the response information. In this case, since a privilege is granted to the respondent who answers the questionnaire and views the advertisement page, it is possible to encourage the user to answer the questionnaire.

[0085] Here, the questionnaire server 1 may grant points as a privilege. In this case, it is possible to encourage the user who wants points to answer the questionnaire.

[0086] The questionnaire server 1 may grant a coupon that can be used for the target related to the answer indicated by the received answer information. In this case, the coupon to be granted is a coupon that the respondent can use for the target advertised on the advertisement page displayed on the user terminal 7. This target is related to the answer input by the respondent. Therefore, the advertising effect can be further enhanced.

[0087] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment except for the points described below. In this embodiment, there may be a case where a plurality of advertisers are associated with one answer. Also, for the questionnaire, a screen for the advertiser to set information related to the advertiser is provided.

[0088] [2-1. Database of Questionnaire Server] First, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the database stored in the questionnaire server 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the content stored in the database of the questionnaire server 1. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 11 shows a questionnaire DB 14a and a transition destination DB 14b. The information stored in the answer DB 14c and the advertising fee billing DB 14d may be the same as the information shown in FIG. 3.

[0089] The difference between the questionnaire DB14a shown in FIG. 11 and the questionnaire DB14a shown in FIG. 3 is that the questionnaire DB14a shown in FIG. 11 does not include the advertising unit price.

[0090] The difference between the destination DB14b shown in FIG. 11 and the destination DB14b shown in FIG. 3 is that the destination DB14b shown in FIG. 11 includes the bidding amount. The bidding amount may correspond to the advertising unit price paid by the advertiser indicated by the organization ID in response to the display of the promotional page indicated by the destination URL. Alternatively, the bidding amount may correspond to the advertising unit price paid by the advertiser indicated by the organization ID in response to the granting of the coupon indicated by the granted coupon ID. In the present embodiment, based on the information provided by each advertiser, the operator of the questionnaire service may set the destination information. Alternatively, the questionnaire server 1 may provide the advertiser with a screen for setting the destination information.

[0091] In the present embodiment, the promotional screen for at least one of a plurality of predetermined answers to the questionnaire may include a first promotional screen and a second promotional screen. The first promotional screen is a screen that is a first target related to the answer and promotes a first target related to the first advertiser. The second promotional screen is a screen that is a second target related to the answer and promotes a second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. Here, the first promotional screen and the second promotional screen may be different from each other. On the other hand, the first target and the second target may be different from each other or the same. For example, it is conceivable that the first advertiser and the second advertiser each separately provide the same trading target as the target to be promoted. The destination DB14b may store the bidding amount borne by the first advertiser and the bidding amount borne by the second advertiser for the answer. Further, the destination DB14b may store the destination URLs of the first promotional screen and the second promotional screen for the answer.

[0092] Coupons for at least one of a plurality of predefined answers to the questionnaire may include a first coupon and a second coupon. The first coupon may be a coupon available for a first target related to the answer and for a first target related to a first advertiser. The second coupon may be a coupon available for a second target related to the answer and for a second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. Here, the first coupon and the second coupon may be different from each other. On the other hand, the first target and the second target may be different from each other or the same. The destination DB 14b may store the bid amount borne by the first advertiser and the bid amount borne by the second advertiser for the answer. Further, the destination DB 14b may store the coupon ID of each of the first coupon and the second coupon for the answer.

[0093] Figure 12 shows an example of the information stored in the database. Figure 12 shows a questionnaire DB 14a and a destination transition DB 14b. For example, assume that a questionnaire regarding whitening is conducted. The questionnaire ID of this questionnaire is 22222222. Question 1 of this questionnaire is a question for the respondent to select the type of whitening product that the respondent wants to try, which is a product different from the product currently being used. The selectable answers include lotion, essence, emulsion, etc. Question 1 is defined as a question for determining the destination promotional page. Therefore, the destination determination question number is set to 1. For example, assume that there are Company A and Company B that manufacture and sell cosmetics respectively. In the destination transition DB 14b, destination transition information is stored for each of Company A and Company B. As shown in Figure 12, the combination of the questionnaire ID, question number, and answer option information included in the destination transition information of Company A is the same as the combination of the questionnaire ID, question number, and answer option information included in the destination transition information of Company B. Specifically, the questionnaire ID, question number, and answer option information are set to 22222222, 1, and "essence", respectively. The destination transition information of Company A includes a destination URL indicating a special feature page of Company A's essence, an organization ID indicating Company A, a bidding amount indicating 150 yen, and a coupon ID indicating a coupon for Company A's essence. The destination transition information of Company B includes a destination URL indicating a special feature page of Company B's essence, an organization ID indicating Company B, a bidding amount indicating 50 yen, and a coupon ID indicating a coupon for Company B's essence. Each special feature page may be a web page for promoting the essence of the company corresponding to that special feature page. These web pages may be, for example, web pages of an online shopping mall included in an Internet comprehensive service. The online shopping mall may be a website that enables users to purchase products through e-commerce. The online shopping mall may include a plurality of online stores that sell products respectively. Each special feature page may include, for example, an element for searching for an online store that sells the essence of the corresponding company in the online shopping mall, or a link to the web page of the online store that sells that essence.The coupon for the beauty liquid of each company may be a coupon for discounting the purchase price of the beauty liquid on the condition that the respondent purchases the beauty liquid of that company on the online shopping mall.

[0094] [2-2. Functional Overview of the System Control Unit of the Questionnaire Server] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block of the system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 13, the same elements as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 13 and FIG. 6 is that, as shown in FIG. 13, the system control unit 11 further functions as a reception screen information transmission unit 1107, a reception information reception unit 1108, and a reception information storage control unit 1109.

[0095] The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may transmit reception screen information indicating a reception screen for receiving a selection of any one of a plurality of predetermined answers to the questionnaire, and the advertising bid unit price borne by the advertiser using the advertiser terminal 6, to the advertiser terminal 6. The reception screen may be, for example, a web page or other screen. The amount of the advertising fee received on the reception screen may be the bid amount. The reception screen may be a screen for further receiving an input of the transition destination URL determined by the advertiser. Further, the reception screen may be a screen for further receiving a designation of a coupon given to the respondent. The reception screen information may be information for causing the advertiser terminal 6 to display the reception screen. For example, the reception screen information may be an HTML document of an information setting page. The information setting page may be a web page for receiving information from the advertiser. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may transmit the reception screen information, for example, in response to a request from the advertiser terminal 6.

[0096] The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may generate reception screen information based on the questionnaire DB 14a and the HTML document of the questionnaire page. For example, the reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may generate reception screen information so that an advertiser can select a questionnaire and answers based on each answer to a question for determining a questionnaire name and a destination promotion page.

[0097] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an information setting page. As shown in FIG. 14, the information setting page 300 may include a questionnaire selection element 310, a question display area 320, an answer selection element 330, a destination URL input field 340, a bid unit price input field 350, a coupon selection button 360, a coupon display column 370, a registration button 380, and the like. The questionnaire selection element 310 may be an element operable to select a questionnaire for which an advertiser pays an advertising fee among the questionnaires that have not been distributed yet. Examples of the questionnaire selection element 310 include a pull-down menu, a group of radio buttons, and the like. In the question display area 320, a text indicating the content of the question for determining the destination promotional page in the questionnaire selected using the questionnaire selection element 310 may be displayed. The answer selection element 330 may be an element operable to select any one of a plurality of answers to the question for determining the destination promotional page in the questionnaire selected using the questionnaire selection element 310. Examples of the answer selection element 330 include a pull-down menu, a group of radio buttons, and the like. The destination URL input field 340 is an input area where the destination URL is input. The bid unit price input field 350 is an input field where the bid unit price is input. The coupon selection button 360 is an element operable to select a coupon to be given to the respondent. For example, when the advertiser operates the coupon selection button 360, the advertiser terminal 6 may display a search window in a mode that overlays the information setting page. The search window may include an element for inputting the search conditions for the coupon. When the advertiser inputs the search conditions, the advertiser terminal 6 may send a coupon search request including the search conditions to the coupon management server 4. The coupon management server 4 may search for coupons that meet the search conditions based on the discount target information stored in the coupon basic information DB 4a. The coupon management server 4 may send the coupon ID and coupon name of each searched coupon to the advertiser terminal 6. The advertiser terminal 6 may display a list of the searched coupons on the search screen. It may be possible to select a coupon to be given to the respondent from the list of coupons. The name of the coupon selected by the advertiser is displayed in the coupon display column 370.The registration button 380 may be an operable element for transmitting the information input on the information setting page 300 to the questionnaire server 1.

[0098] The reception information receiving unit 1108 may receive, from the advertiser terminal 6 that has displayed the reception screen based on the reception screen information transmitted by the reception screen information transmitting unit 1107, response option information indicating a selected response among a plurality of predetermined responses for the questionnaire, the received bid unit price, and may further receive the received destination URL from the advertiser terminal 6. For example, the reception information receiving unit 1108 may receive the information input on the information setting screen 300.

[0099] The reception information storage control unit 1109 may store the information received by the reception information receiving unit 1108 in the storage unit 14. For example, the reception information storage control unit 1109 may store the destination information in the destination DB 14b. At this time, the reception information storage control unit 1109 may store the destination URL in the destination DB 14b in association with the response option information. Further, the reception information storage control unit 1109 may store the bid amount in the destination DB 14b in association with the response option information.

[0100] When the response indicated by the response information received from the user terminal 7 corresponds to the responses associated with the first and second promotional screens among a plurality of predetermined responses for the questionnaire, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may determine which promotional screen identification information of the first and second promotional screens to transmit to the user terminal 7 based on the bid amounts of the first and second advertisers stored in the destination DB 14b. For example, a method similar to real-time bidding may be used. For example, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may always transmit the promotional screen identification information of the promotional screen of the advertiser with the higher bid amount. Alternatively, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may determine the promotional screen identification information to be transmitted so that the promotional screen identification information of the first and second promotional screens is transmitted at respective frequencies corresponding to the ratio of the bid amount of the first advertiser to the bid amount of the second advertiser. For example, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may transmit the promotional screen identification information of the first promotional screen at a frequency corresponding to the ratio of the bid amount of the first advertiser to the total of those bid amounts. Also, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may transmit the promotional screen identification information of the second promotional screen at a frequency corresponding to the ratio of the bid amount of the second advertiser to the total of those bid amounts. The promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may randomly determine each time which promotional screen identification information to transmit so that the promotional screen identification information of the first promotional screen is transmitted at a probability corresponding to the ratio of the bid amount of the first advertiser and the promotional screen identification information of the second promotional screen is transmitted at a probability corresponding to the ratio of the bid amount of the second advertiser. Alternatively, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may determine the number of transmissions and the transmission order of the promotional screen identification information so that the ratio of the transmission frequency of the promotional screen identification information of the first promotional screen to the transmission frequency of the promotional screen identification information of the second promotional screen corresponds to the ratio of the bid amount of the first advertiser to the bid amount of the second advertiser. Then, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may transmit the promotional screen identification information according to the transmission order.

[0101] When the answer indicated by the response information received from the user terminal 7 corresponds to the responses associated with the first coupon and the second coupon among a plurality of predetermined responses for the questionnaire, the privilege granting unit 1105 may determine which of the first coupon and the second coupon to grant based on the bid amounts of the first advertiser and the second advertiser stored in the destination DB 14b. The method for determining the coupon to be granted may be the same as the method by which the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 determines which of the first advertisement screen and the second advertisement screen identification information to transmit. Here, when the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 determines to transmit the advertisement screen identification information of the first advertisement screen, the privilege granting unit 1105 may grant the first coupon. When the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 determines to transmit the advertisement screen identification information of the second advertisement screen, the privilege granting unit 1105 may grant the second coupon.

[0102] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a questionnaire page. The questionnaire page 400 shown in Figure 15 corresponds to the information shown in Figure 12. That is, the questionnaire page 100 is a web page of a questionnaire regarding whitening. As shown in Figure 15, the questionnaire page 400 may include a questionnaire name 410, question areas 420-1 and 420-2, and a send button 430. Each of the question areas 420-1 and 420-2 may include a question number, a sentence indicating the question content, and an operable element for inputting an answer. The question areas 420-1 and 420-2 correspond to questions 1 and 2 respectively. Question 1 is a question for the respondent to select the type of whitening product that the respondent wants to try, which is different from the product currently being used. Question 2 is a question for the respondent to input what the respondent is worried about regarding whitening. The send button 430 is a button for causing the user terminal 7 to transmit the response information input to the questionnaire page to the questionnaire server 1.

[0103] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of web page transition. The transition example shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the information shown in FIG. 12 and the questionnaire page 400 shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 16, in the questionnaire page 400, assume that the user selects a beauty liquid for question 1. The bid amount of Company A is 150 yen, and the bid amount of Company B is 50 yen. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, on the user terminal 7 of the user, the special feature page 510 of the beauty liquid of Company A is displayed with a probability of 75%. Therefore, basically, the special feature page 510 of the beauty liquid is displayed three times out of four times. On the other hand, the special feature page 520 of Company B is displayed with a probability of 25%. Therefore, basically, the special feature page 520 is displayed once out of four times. Each time the privilege granting unit 1105 receives answer information indicating a beauty liquid, it may determine the transition destination URL to be transmitted to the user terminal 7 based on those probabilities. Alternatively, the privilege granting unit 1105 may transmit the URL of the HTML document of the special feature page 510 of the beauty liquid of Company A to the respondents who selected the beauty liquid for the first, second, and third times respectively. Then, the privilege granting unit 1105 may transmit the URL of the HTML document of the special feature page 520 of the beauty liquid of Company B to the respondent who selected the beauty liquid for the fourth time. The granting unit 1105 may grant a coupon for the beauty liquid of Company A when the URL of the HTML document of the special feature page 510 of the beauty liquid of Company A is transmitted. On the other hand, the granting unit 1105 may grant a coupon for the beauty liquid of Company B when the URL of the HTML document of the special feature page 510 of the beauty liquid of Company B is transmitted. Each time the URL of the HTML document of the special feature page 510 of the beauty liquid of Company A is transmitted, or each time a coupon for the beauty liquid of Company A is granted, the charging unit 1106 may charge Company A an advertising fee equivalent to 150 yen. On the other hand, each time the URL of the HTML document of the special feature page 520 of the beauty liquid of Company B is transmitted, or each time a coupon for the beauty liquid of Company B is granted, the charging unit 1106 may charge Company B an advertising fee equivalent to 50 yen.

[0104] Note that while the coupons given to respondents can be specified by each advertiser, the destination promotional page may be predetermined for each response. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may not transmit the special feature page 510 or 520 in response to the selection of the beauty liquid, but may always transmit the URL of the HTML document of the web page that features the beauty liquid and is not specialized for the beauty liquid of a specific manufacturer. As an example of a method for realizing the transmission of this web page, the destination URLs included in the destination information of Company A and Company B stored in the destination DB 14b may be set to the same URL as each other.

[0105] [2-3. Operation of Information Communication System] Next, the operation of the information communication system S will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of the information communication system S according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the advertiser terminal 6 transmits an information setting page request to the questionnaire server 1 based on an operation by the advertiser (step S201). The information setting page request indicates a request for the HTML document of the information setting page 300. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 of the questionnaire server 1 that has received the information setting page request executes an information setting page generation process (step S202). For example, the reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may obtain a template of the HTML document of the information setting page 300 from the storage unit 14. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may obtain a questionnaire ID, a questionnaire name, a questionnaire page URL, and a transition destination determination question number from the questionnaire basic information stored in the questionnaire DB 14a, including the distribution start date indicating a date after tomorrow. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may enable the selection of a questionnaire by operating the questionnaire selection element 310 by adding the questionnaire ID and the questionnaire name to the HTML document. Further, the reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may obtain a document of a question for determining a transition destination promotion page from the HTML document of the questionnaire page based on the questionnaire page URL and the transition destination determination question number. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may cause questions to be displayed in the question display area 320 according to the selection of the questionnaire by adding each sentence to the HTML document in association with the questionnaire ID and the transition destination determination question number. Further, the reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may obtain answer option information from the HTML document of the questionnaire page for each questionnaire based on the questionnaire ID and the transition destination determination question number. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 may enable the selection of an answer according to the operation of the answer selection element 330 by adding the answer option information to the HTML document of the information setting page 300 in association with the questionnaire ID and the transition destination determination question number. The reception screen information transmission unit 1107 transmits the generated HTML document of the information setting page 300 to the advertiser terminal 6 (step S203).

[0106] The advertiser terminal 6 displays an information setting page 300 based on the HTML document received from the questionnaire server 1 (step S204). The advertiser inputs or selects a questionnaire, an answer, a destination URL, a bidding unit price, and a coupon to be granted for the information setting page 300, and operates a registration button 380 (step S205). The advertiser terminal 6 that has detected the operation of the registration button 380 transmits transition destination information including the questionnaire ID of the selected questionnaire, the transition destination determination questionnaire number corresponding to the questionnaire, the answer option information indicating the selected answer, the destination URL, the bidding unit price, the coupon ID of the selected coupon, and the organization ID indicating the advertiser to the questionnaire server 1 (step S206). The reception information storage control unit 1109 of the questionnaire server 1 stores the transition destination information received from the advertiser terminal 6 in the transition destination DB 14b.

[0107] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a transition destination URL acquisition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the questionnaire server 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 18, the same processes as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 18, first, steps S101 to S104 are executed in the same manner as in FIG. 10. The promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 determines whether there are two or more corresponding transition destination information as a result of the search for the transition destination information in S104 (step S401). When only one corresponding transition destination information exists (step S401: YES), the promotion screen identification information transmission unit 1104 acquires the transition destination page URL, the organization ID, the coupon ID, and the bidding unit price from the transition destination information (step S402). Next, the charging unit 1106 executes a charging process for the advertiser (step S403). For example, the charging unit 1106 may update the billing amount by adding the bidding unit price to the billing amount stored in the advertising fee billing DB 14d in association with the questionnaire ID and the acquired organization ID. Next, the granting unit 1105 executes a coupon granting process (step S107), and the transition destination URL acquisition process ends.

[0109] When there are two or more pieces of corresponding destination information (step S401: NO), the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 acquires the bidding unit price from each of those pieces of destination information (step S404). Next, the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 calculates the page transition probability for each of the two or more pieces of corresponding destination information based on the ratio between the acquired bidding unit prices (step S405). The page transition probability indicates the probability that the web page displayed on the user terminal 7 transitions to the advertisement page corresponding to the destination information. For example, the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may calculate the page transition probability by dividing each bidding unit price by the sum of all the bidding unit prices. Next, the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 determines the destination information to be used in steps S402 and S403 from among the two or more pieces of corresponding destination information based on the page transition probability (step S406). For example, the advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may assign a range corresponding to the page transition probability between 0 and 1 to each piece of destination information. The advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may generate a random number within the range from 0 to 1. The advertisement screen identification information transmission unit 1104 may make a determination based on which range the random number is included in. Next, steps S402 and S403 are executed using the determined destination information, and step S107 is executed.

[0110] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the answer indicated by the answer information received from the user terminal 7 by the questionnaire server 1 corresponds to a predetermined answer, it may be determined which of the first coupon and the second coupon is to be granted based on each bidding amount stored in the destination DB 14b. In this case, when the respondent inputs the answer, which of the first coupon and the second coupon is to be granted is determined based on those bidding amounts. Therefore, it is possible to increase the willingness of the advertiser to bear a higher advertising fee for the grant of the coupon.

[0111] When the answer indicated by the response information received by the questionnaire server 1 corresponds to a predetermined answer, it may be determined which transition destination URL of the first promotional page and the second promotional page to transmit based on each bid amount stored in the transition destination DB 14b. In this case, when the respondent inputs the answer, it is determined which of the first promotional page and the second promotional page is to be displayed based on those bid amounts. Therefore, it is possible to increase the willingness of the advertiser to bear a higher advertising fee for the display of the promotional page.

[0112] The questionnaire server 1 may transmit the HTML document of the information setting page to the advertiser terminal 6. In this case, the advertiser can, through the information setting page, select an answer for granting a coupon related to the advertiser from among a plurality of predetermined answers, input the transition destination URL, and input the bid amount to be borne by the advertiser.

[0113] [3. Third Embodiment] Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. Except for the points described below, the third embodiment may be the same as at least one of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In this embodiment, there may be a case where a promotional page serving as a transition destination is determined for a combination of two or more answers input by the respondent.

[0114] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the content stored in the database of the questionnaire server 1. In FIG. 19, the same elements as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 19 shows the questionnaire DB 14a and the transition destination DB 14b. The information stored in the answer DB 14c and the advertising fee billing DB 14d may be the same as the information shown in FIG. 3.

[0115] The difference between the questionnaire DB14a shown in FIG. 19 and the questionnaire DB14a shown in FIG. 3 is that in FIG. 19, one piece of basic questionnaire information may include two or more transition destination determination question numbers. When two or more transition destination determination question numbers are included, the promotional page serving as the transition destination is determined according to the combination of each answer input by the respondent in the questions indicated by each of these numbers. Among these two or more transition destination determination question numbers, at least one transition destination determination question number may be the same as or different from each other. That is, the promotional page serving as the transition destination may be determined according to the combination of two or more answers input by the respondent for the same question, or according to the combination of two or more answers input by the respondent for two or more different questions respectively. Here, for two or more questions that have no dependency relationship, the transition destination determination question numbers may be stored in the questionnaire DB14a. The fact that the first question depends on the second question may include at least one of the following: the display or non-display of the second question changes according to the answer input by the respondent for the first question, and the content of the second question changes according to the answer input by the respondent for the first question. For example, assume that a questionnaire is implemented in which the municipalities within the prefecture selected by the respondent for the first question are selected in the second question. And assume that the promotional page corresponding to the municipality selected by the respondent is transmitted to the user terminal 7. This means that the second question substantially changes according to the prefecture selected by the respondent. In this case, instead of associating the transition destination URL with the combination of the answer to the first question and the answer to the second question, it is sufficient to associate the transition destination URL with the answer to the second question.

[0116] The difference between the destination DB14b shown in FIG. 19 and the destination DB14b shown in FIG. 3 is that in FIG. 19, one piece of destination information can include two or more combinations of question numbers and answer option information. Therefore, the destination DB14b may store the destination URL for each combination of answers. In this case, when the respondent inputs two or more answers indicated by two or more answer option information included in the destination information, the promotional page indicated by the destination page URL will be displayed on the user terminal 7 of the respondent. Also, it may be determined by the advertiser for each combination of answers. Furthermore, a coupon given to the respondent may be determined for each combination of answers.

[0117] In this embodiment, the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire the screen identification information of the promotional screen for the target related to the combination of two or more answers indicated by the answer information received by the answer information reception unit 1102 from the destination DB14b. Since the promotional screen identification information transmission unit 1104 transmits the screen identification information acquired by the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103, the promotional screen displayed on the user terminal 7 will change according to the combination of answers input by the respondent.

[0118] For example, in step S102 of the destination URL acquisition process shown in FIG. 10, the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire two or more destination determination question numbers associated with the questionnaire ID received from the user terminal 7. In step S103, the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 may specify the respective answer information corresponding to the questions indicated by the two or more destination determination question numbers from the answer information received from the user terminal 7. In step S104, the promotional screen identification information acquisition unit 1103 searches the destination DB14b for the answer option information that matches the combination of the specified answer information, and in steps S105 and S106, the processing corresponding to the combination of answers is executed.

[0119] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of web page transition. For example, in the questionnaire corresponding to the questionnaire page 100 shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that question 1 and question 3 are defined as questions for determining the destination promotional page. Question 3 is a question for selecting the purpose of travel. As shown in FIG. 20, when the respondent selects Hokkaido in question 1 and sightseeing in question 3, for example, the campaign page 240 of a tourist hotel in Hokkaido may be displayed. In this case, a coupon available for staying at a tourist hotel in Hokkaido may be given to the respondent. When the respondent selects Hokkaido in question 1 and business in question 3, the campaign page 250 of a business hotel in Hokkaido may be displayed. In this case, a coupon available for staying at a business hotel in Hokkaido may be given to the respondent. When the respondent selects Tokyo in question 1 and sightseeing in question 3, the campaign page 260 of a tourist hotel in Tokyo may be displayed. In this case, a coupon available for staying at a tourist hotel in Tokyo may be given to the respondent.

[0120] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the promotional page displayed on the user terminal 7 of the questionnaire respondent can be changed according to the combination of answers input by the questionnaire respondent.

[0121] (Appendix 1) A questionnaire device comprising: receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device, response information indicating a response input to a questionnaire displayed on the terminal device of a questionnaire respondent; acquisition means for acquiring, from storage means for storing screen identification information for identifying a promotional screen for promoting a target related to each of a plurality of predetermined responses to the questionnaire, the screen identification information of the promotional screen for the target related to the response corresponding to the response indicated by the received response information among the plurality of responses; and transmission means for transmitting the acquired screen identification information to cause the terminal device to display the promotional screen identified by the screen identification information.

[0122] (Appendix 2) The questionnaire device according to Appendix 1, further comprising awarding means for awarding a privilege to the questionnaire respondent on the condition that the transmitting means transmits the screen identification information in response to receiving the response information.

[0123] (Appendix 3) The questionnaire device according to Appendix 2, wherein the privilege to be awarded includes points of a point program.

[0124] (Appendix 4) The questionnaire device according to Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the privilege to be awarded includes a coupon available for the target related to the response indicated by the received response information.

[0125] (Appendix 5) Among the plurality of responses, the coupon for at least one response is a first coupon available for a first target related to the at least one response and a first target related to a first advertiser, and a second coupon available for a second target related to the at least one response and a second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the at least one response. When the response indicated by the received response information corresponds to the at least one response, the awarding means determines which of the first coupon and the second coupon to award based on the stored first advertising fee information and second advertising fee information. The questionnaire device according to Appendix 4, characterized by the above.

[0126] (Supplementary Note 6) A questionnaire apparatus according to Supplementary Note 5, further comprising: reception screen information transmitting means for transmitting reception screen information indicating a reception screen for receiving selection of any one of the plurality of answers and input of the amount of advertising fee borne by the advertiser to the advertiser device used by the advertiser; advertising fee information receiving means for receiving, from the advertiser device that has displayed the reception screen based on the transmitted reception screen information, selection information indicating the selected answer among the plurality of answers and advertising fee information indicating the input amount of the advertising fee; and storage control means for storing the received advertising fee information in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information.

[0127] (Supplementary Note 7) The promotion screen for at least one of the plurality of answers includes a first promotion screen that is a first target related to the at least one answer and promotes the first target related to the first advertiser, and a second promotion screen that is a second target related to the at least one answer and promotes the second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. The storage means stores the screen identification information of each of the first promotion screen and the second promotion screen for the at least one answer. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the at least one answer. The transmission means determines which of the screen identification information of the first promotion screen and the second promotion screen to transmit based on the stored first advertising fee information and second advertising fee information when the answer indicated by the received answer information corresponds to the at least one answer. A questionnaire apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

[0128] (Supplementary Note 8) Reception screen information transmission means for transmitting reception screen information indicating a reception screen for receiving, in the advertiser device used by the advertiser, selection of any one of the plurality of answers, input of the screen identification information of the advertisement screen determined by the advertiser, and input of the amount of advertising fee borne by the advertiser; Advertising fee information receiving means for receiving, from the advertiser device that has displayed the reception screen based on the transmitted reception screen information, selection information indicating the selected answer among the plurality of answers, the input screen identification information, and advertising fee information indicating the input amount of the advertising fee; Storage control means for storing the received screen identification information in the storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information, and storing the received advertising fee information in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information. The questionnaire device according to Supplementary Note 7, further comprising the above.

[0129] (Supplementary Note 9) Combinations of two or more answers can be input for the questionnaire, each of the plurality of answers includes combinations of two or more answers, the storage means stores the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for advertising the target related to each combination for each combination, and the acquisition means acquires the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for the target related to the combination indicated by the received answer information. The questionnaire device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, characterized by the above.

[0130] (Appended Note 10) In a promotion method executed by a computer, a receiving step of receiving, from the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent, response information indicating a response input to a questionnaire displayed on the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent; and for each of a plurality of predetermined responses for the questionnaire, acquisition of the screen identification information of the promotion screen for promoting the target related to the response, from storage means storing the screen identification information for identifying the promotion screen for promoting the target related to each response, the acquisition being for the target related to the response corresponding to the response indicated by the received response information among the plurality of responses; and a transmission step of causing the terminal device to display the promotion screen identified by the screen identification information by transmitting the acquired screen identification information. A promotion method characterized by including these steps.

Explanation of Signs

[0131] 1 Questionnaire Server 2 Member Information Management Server 2a Member DB 3 Point Management Server 3a Point DB 4 Coupon Management Server 4a Coupon Basic Information DB 4b Coupon Issuance Information DB 4c Coupon Issuance Fee Billing DB 5 Web Server 6 Advertiser Terminal 7 User Terminal 11 System Control Unit 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interface 14 Storage Unit 14a Questionnaire DB 14b Transition Destination DB 14c Response DB 14d Advertising Fee Billing DB 15 Communication Unit 1101 Questionnaire Screen Information Transmission Unit 1102 Response Information Receiving Unit 1103 Promotion Screen Identification Information Acquisition Unit 1104 Promotion Screen Identification Information Transmission Unit 1105 Privilege Granting Unit 1106 Billing Department 1107 Reception Screen Information Sending Department 1108 Reception Information Receiving Department 1109 Reception Information Storage Control Department NW Network S Information Communication System

Claims

1. Receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent, response information indicating a response input to the questionnaire displayed on the terminal device; Obtaining means for obtaining, from storage means that stores screen identification information for identifying a promotional screen for promoting a target related to each of a plurality of predetermined responses for the questionnaire, the screen identification information of the promotional screen for the target related to the response corresponding to the response indicated by the received response information among the plurality of responses; Transmitting means for causing the terminal device to display the promotional screen identified by the screen identification information by transmitting the obtained screen identification information; A questionnaire device, comprising:

2. The questionnaire device according to claim 1, further comprising awarding means for awarding a privilege to the questionnaire respondent on the condition that the transmitting means transmits the screen identification information in response to the reception of the response information.

3. The questionnaire device according to claim 2, wherein the privilege to be awarded includes points of a point program.

4. The questionnaire device according to claim 2, wherein the privilege to be awarded includes a coupon that can be used for the target related to the response indicated by the received response information.

5. Among the plurality of responses, the coupon for at least one response includes a first coupon that is a first target related to the at least one response and can be used for a first target related to a first advertiser, and a second coupon that is a second target related to the at least one response and can be used for a second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of the advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored in advertising fee information storage means in association with the at least one response. The awarding means determines which of the first coupon and the second coupon to award based on the stored first advertising fee information and second advertising fee information when the response indicated by the received response information corresponds to the at least one response. The questionnaire device according to claim 4.

6. Receiving screen information transmitting means for transmitting, to an advertiser device used by an advertiser, receiving screen information indicating a receiving screen for receiving selection of any one of the plurality of responses and input of the amount of advertising fee borne by the advertiser. Advertising fee information receiving means for receiving, from the advertiser device that has displayed the receiving screen based on the transmitted receiving screen information, selection information indicating the selected response among the plurality of responses and advertising fee information indicating the input amount of the advertising fee. Storage control means for storing the received advertising fee information in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the response indicated by the received selection information. The questionnaire device according to claim 5, further comprising the above.

7. The promotional screen for at least one response among the plurality of responses is a first target related to the at least one response, and includes a first promotional screen for promoting a first target related to a first advertiser, and a second target related to the at least one response, and a second promotional screen for promoting a second target related to a second advertiser different from the first advertiser. The storage means stores the screen identification information of each of the first promotional screen and the second promotional screen for the at least one response. First advertising fee information indicating the amount of advertising fee determined by the first advertiser and second advertising fee information indicating the amount of advertising fee determined by the second advertiser are stored in the advertising fee information storage means in association with the at least one response. The transmitting means determines which of the screen identification information of the first promotional screen and the second promotional screen to transmit based on the stored first advertising fee information and second advertising fee information when the response indicated by the received response information corresponds to the at least one response. The questionnaire device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. Receiving screen information transmitting means for transmitting, to an advertiser device used by an advertiser, receiving screen information indicating a receiving screen for receiving selection of any one of the plurality of responses, input of the screen identification information of the promotional screen determined by the advertiser, and input of the amount of advertising fee borne by the advertiser. Advertisement fee information receiving means for receiving, from the advertiser device that has displayed the reception screen based on the transmitted reception screen information, selection information indicating a selected answer among the plurality of answers, the input screen identification information, and advertisement fee information indicating the amount of the input advertisement fee. Storage control means for storing the received screen identification information in the storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information, and storing the received advertisement fee information in the advertisement fee information storage means in association with the answer indicated by the received selection information. The questionnaire device according to claim 7, further comprising the above.

9. Two or more combinations of answers can be input for the questionnaire. Each of the plurality of answers includes two or more combinations of answers. The storage means stores, for each combination, the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for promoting the target related to the combination. The acquisition means acquires the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for the target related to the combination indicated by the received answer information among the plurality of answers from the storage means that stores the screen identification information for identifying the advertisement screen for promoting the target related to each of the plurality of predetermined answers for the questionnaire. The questionnaire device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

10. In a promotion method executed by a computer. A receiving step of receiving, from the terminal device of the questionnaire respondent, answer information indicating an answer input for the questionnaire displayed on the terminal device. An acquisition step of acquiring, from a storage means that stores screen identification information for identifying an advertisement screen for promoting a target related to each of a plurality of predetermined answers for the questionnaire, the screen identification information of the advertisement screen for the target related to the answer corresponding to the answer indicated by the received answer information among the plurality of answers. A transmission step of causing the terminal device to display the advertisement screen identified by the screen identification information by transmitting the acquired screen identification information. A promotion method characterized by including the above.

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