Control Method, Computer Program, and Information Processing Apparatus

Abstract

To reduce a frequency with which a second screen related to an inquiry is displayed.SOLUTION: When a new WEB page is downloaded from a predetermined domain on a WEB, a referrer including a URL of a WEB page displayed immediately before in a browser and a session flag indicating a continuation state or a discontinued state of a session corresponding to the predetermined domain are obtained. When the obtained referrer does not correspond to the predetermined domain and the obtained session flag indicates the discontinued state of the session corresponding to the predetermined domain, a second screen is also displayed in association with a first screen included in the new WEB page in the browser based on a first reference, while otherwise whether or not to also display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page in the browser is switched based on a second reference.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display control device, an information display control method, and an information display control program for controlling the display of a query area regarding information collection. [Background technology]

[0002] When displaying information suited to a user on a web page or analyzing web access status, cookies, which are considered personal information under the Personal Information Protection Act, are used to collect information such as the user's web page transition information and browsing time. In recent years, as legal regulations regarding the collection of personal information have been strengthened under the Personal Information Protection Act, it is now required to obtain consent from users regarding the collection of personal information. For this reason, many web pages display a screen (hereinafter simply referred to as the "query area") for obtaining consent from users regarding the collection of information, which includes a message to alert users to the collection of information and an "agree" button and an "agree" button. The query area is always displayed at the top of the web page. Or, after making the entire web page inoperable, it is displayed in the center so as to overlap with the web page. In addition, the query area continues to be displayed unless the user expresses his or her intention of consent or non-agreement by operating the button. In addition, the query area is displayed every time the web page is opened. As a result, the content display area of ​​the web page becomes narrower, or the entire web page remains inoperable. Such behavior impairs the convenience of users when browsing web pages.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a combination of a message and a button that provides information to a user is displayed on a screen, the screen disappears when the button is pressed, and the screen is automatically redisplayed as necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-94506 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the message notified in the patent document 1 is the information itself provided to the user, and does not notify the user of whether or not he / she agrees to certain matters as a prerequisite for providing the information. There is a demand for improving the convenience of users when browsing web pages.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the frequency with which a query area for querying whether or not a predetermined matter is to be displayed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention comprises: An information display control program for causing a computer to execute control as to whether or not to display a second screen having a message display section and an operation section in a browser of the computer in association with a first screen included in a WEB page downloaded from a specific domain on the WEB, the information display control program comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, when a new WEB page is downloaded from the specific domain on the WEB, a referrer including a URL of the WEB page that was displayed immediately before in the browser and a session flag indicating a continuation state or a non-continuation state of a session corresponding to the specific domain; and a process of acquiring, when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step does not correspond to the specific domain and the session flag acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to the specific domain, a first switching step of switching, based on a first criterion, whether to cause the browser to also display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to the specified domain or the session flag acquired in the acquisition step indicates a non-continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; and a second switching step of switching, based on a second criterion, whether to cause the browser to also display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to the specified domain or the session flag acquired in the acquisition step indicates a continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the frequency with which a query area for querying whether or not a predetermined matter is agreed to is displayed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] system configuration diagram [Diagram 2] Flowchart showing information display control program processing [Diagram 3] Web page display screen [Figure 4]Flowchart showing information display control program distribution processing [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart showing a display control process of an information display control program according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the process performed by the information display control program when a user operates a query area. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing an information display control process of an information display control program according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a display control process of a display control program according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0011] 1 is a system configuration diagram including an information processing device 100 and a server 110. The information processing device 100 has a CPU 101, a storage device 102, a RAM 103, a display device 104, an input interface (I / F) 105, and a network I / F 106. The storage device 102 is a hard disk drive or the like, and stores a program 107 such as a web browser. The information processing device 100 is connected to the Internet 152 via a network connection 151 by an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. The server 110 is connected to the Internet 152 via a network connection 153. The information processing device 100 and the server 110 are capable of communicating with each other on the Internet 152.

[0012] The server 110 includes a CPU 111, a storage device 112, a RAM 113, an input I / F 114, and a network I / F 115. The storage device 112 is a hard disk drive or the like, and stores an information display control program and a program 116 for information display control program distribution processing and the like.

[0013] First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall processing related to the information display control program by the information processing device 100 (hereinafter, referred to as "information display control program processing"). FIG. 3 shows a screen displayed by the information display control program. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing for distributing the information display control program executed by the server 110. The information display control program here is specifically a script program such as JavaScript described in a WEB page. The storage device 102 stores the program code of the WEB browser, and the WEB browser functions as an interpreter for executing the script. The information display control program processing in FIG. 2 is performed by the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 expanding the program code of the WEB browser stored in the storage device 102 into the RAM 103 and executing it. This execution also includes the execution of the script by the WEB browser. The symbol "S" in the explanation of each process means a step in the flowchart (the same applies hereinafter in this specification). The flowchart in FIG. 2 is executed every time an operation for displaying any WEB page of the user's site is performed. The operation is specifically, for example, an operation for displaying the user's site for the first time from a WEB page search site. The operation may be an operation for inputting the URL of the user's own site into the URL input section of the browser to display the user's own site. The operation may be an operation for displaying another web page of the user's own site from one of the web pages of the user's own site. Note that the operation for displaying another web page of the user's own site from one of the web pages of the user's own site corresponds to, for example, the operation of hyperlink 321 or hyperlink 322 described later. In this embodiment, the user's own site is a site provided by a vendor that provides an information display control program, and is a site that is displayed by a predetermined domain acquired by the vendor.

[0014] The process and screen of the information display control program will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 4. In accordance with a user's operation on the input I / F 105, the information processing device 100 downloads a WEB page including the information display control program from a server 110 that operates a predetermined WEB site, and displays the same on the display device 104.

[0015] 2, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 starts the information display control program processing in S200. Next, the CPU 101 acquires the information display control program using the program 107 such as a WEB browser in S201. The program 107 secures a storage area in the storage device 102 or the RAM 103. The program 107 can then save the referrer, the session flag, the information collection consent flag, the expiration date of the information collection consent flag, the inquiry area display flag, and the time when the hide button 313 was pressed in this storage area. The initial values ​​of each piece of information (the referrer, each flag, the expiration date, and the press time) are NULL values. The program 107 continues to hold the information collection consent flag, the expiration date, and the time when the hide button 313 was pressed even after the program 107 is terminated. Here, the referrer refers to the URL of the WEB page that was displayed by the program 107 before the currently displayed WEB page. The session flag is set when a session of a predetermined site (in this embodiment, a site provided by the server 110, i.e., the program's own site) is started, as described later. The session flag is also reset when the WEB browser is closed. However, this is not limited, and the session flag may also be reset when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since it was set. The session flag may also be reset in a predetermined case by a program. A specific value of the expiration date will be described later. In S201, CPU 101 requests server 110 to deliver a WEB page including an information display control program. The WEB page including the information display control program includes a screen (WEB page) as shown in FIG. 3, buttons included in this screen, and the information display control program.

[0016] The screen shown in FIG. 3 may or may not include a query area 310, depending on the control of the information display control program. A query area is displayed in the query area 310. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the query area 310 includes a query message stating, "This site (www.example.com) uses cookies to improve user convenience and for analysis to operate and improve the site. For more information on the cookie specifications, please check the cookie policy here. If you agree to the use of cookies, please press the 'Agree' button. If 'Do not agree' is selected or neither is selected, we will only record and save cookies necessary for providing content and functions. You can change this setting at any time."

[0017] Furthermore, the inquiry area 310 has an Agree button 311, a Disagree button 312, and a Hide button 313. In the present invention, the portion including the Agree button 311, the Disagree button 312, and the Hide button 313 is referred to as the operation portion of the inquiry area 310.

[0018] 3, the header display screen 300 has an address bar 301 for displaying a URL corresponding to a web page. Furthermore, the content display screen 320 displays the content. In the example of FIG. 3, the content includes a perspective view of a device and two hyperlinks 321 and 322. The first hyperlink 321 is a hyperlink to another web page or the like in the own domain, and the second hyperlink 322 is a hyperlink to a web page or the like in another domain.

[0019] 4, in response to the information display control program acquisition process in S201, the CPU 111 of the server 110 starts an information display control program distribution process in S400. The information display control program distribution process in FIG. 4 is performed by the CPU 111 of the server 110 expanding the server program code stored in the storage device 112 into the RAM 113 and executing the program code. In S401, the CPU 111 generates a WEB page in response to a request from the information processing device 100. As described above, the WEB page includes the information display control program in addition to various contents. Thereafter, the CPU 111 executes an information display control program distribution process in S402, and transmits content data including the information display control program to the information processing device 100 in response to a request from the information processing device 100. Thereafter, the CPU 111 ends the information display control program distribution process in S499.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 2, upon receiving the information display control program distribution processing S402, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 starts the display control processing by executing the information display control program included in the distributed WEB page in S202.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the display control process S202. When the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 starts the display control process by executing the information display control program, it first executes S501. In S501, the CPU 101 determines whether or not at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the referrer includes the domain of the own site, and the session flag is set to ON (is set). Here, the referrer and the session flag are stored in a storage area secured by the program 107 in the storage device 102 or the RAM 103. In addition, the domain refers to the part of "www.example.com" when the URL of a WEB page is "https: / / www.example.com / printer.html", for example. In other words, it refers to the part between "https: / / " indicating the protocol and the immediately following " / ". In this embodiment, the domain refers to the domain of the server 110, but is not limited to this example.

[0022] When the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 judges YES in S501, it bypasses the processes from S502 to S504 and ends the display control process in S599. In this case, the session flag maintains the current value. Also, the query area display flag maintains the current value. A specific example of YES judgement in S501 will be described. When the referrer includes the domain of the own site, for example, in the example of FIG. 3, when another WEB page in the own domain is displayed by pressing the first hyperlink 321, YES is judged in S501. After that, it is assumed that the user displays a WEB page of another domain and leaves the own domain for a moment. Then, in that state, when the WEB page of the own domain is displayed again, YES is judged in S501. In this case, although the referrer is the domain of the other site, the session flag is ON, so YES is judged in S501. In this way, YES is also judged in S501 when the WEB page to be displayed this time is the WEB page to be displayed for the second or subsequent time in the session.

[0023] On the other hand, if the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 judges NO in S501, it advances the process to S502. In S502, the CPU 101 sets the session flag to ON. Here, the CPU 101 judges NO in S501 when the referrer includes a domain other than the domain of the own site and the session flag is OFF. Specifically, this is the case when there is no session continuing from the past at present and a transition is made from another domain to the domain of the own site. More specifically, this is the case when the WEB page to be displayed this time is the first WEB page to be displayed in the session of the own site. In such a case, as described above, the session flag is set to ON, and the session of the own site is started.

[0024] After executing S502, the CPU 101 advances the process to S503. In S503, the CPU 101 judges whether the expiration date has passed since the information collection consent flag stored in the storage area secured by the program 107 in the storage device 102 or the RAM 103 was set to ON. Here, if the consent button was pressed by the user in the previous session or an earlier session and the expiration date (predetermined time) has not passed since then, the judgment result in S503 is YES. That is, the case where YES is judged in S503 corresponds to, for example, the case where (1) to (3) are executed consecutively as follows. (1) The consent button is pressed on the WEB page of the user's own site displayed by the program 107. (2) The browser is then terminated. (3) After that, the browser is started again before the predetermined time has passed, and the WEB page of the user's own site is accessed again in a new session. Note that the case where NO is judged in S503 corresponds to, for example, the case where the WEB page of the user's own site has not yet been displayed by the program 107. Furthermore, a NO determination is made in S503 when, for example, the following (1) and (2) are executed consecutively. (1) After the Agree button is pressed on the web page of the user's own site displayed by program 107, the browser is closed. (2) After a predetermined time has elapsed, the browser is started again and the web page of the user's own site is accessed again in a new session. Note that the determination in S503 may be a determination of whether the Agree button is pressed by the user and the information collection consent flag is set to ON. In other words, regardless of the expiration date, if the information collection consent flag is set to ON, S504 may be bypassed and the process may proceed to S599.

[0025] If the determination result in S503 is YES, CPU 101 bypasses the processing of S504 and ends the display control processing in S599. In this case, the session flag is set ON in S502. On the other hand, if the determination result in S503 is NO, CPU 101 advances the processing to S504. In S504, CPU 101 sets the query area display flag to ON. In this case, the session flag is set ON in S502. After executing S504, CPU 101 ends the display control processing in S599.

[0026] In other words, if the Agree button was pressed in the previous session or an earlier session and the expiration date has not passed since then, the pressing of the Agree button is treated as valid. In this case, it is not necessary to display the query area, so S503 judges as YES, S504 is bypassed, and the process proceeds to S599. Otherwise, it is basically necessary to display the query area 310 and obtain an answer, so S503 judges as NO, and the query area display flag is turned ON in S504.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 2, when the CPU 101 ends the display control process 202, it causes the display device 104 to display the distributed WEB page. Here, when the query area display flag is ON, the CPU 101 displays the query area 310 in addition to displaying the header display screen 300 and the content display screen 320. Alternatively, when the query area display flag is ON, the CPU 101 displays the query area 310 before displaying the header display screen 300 and the content display screen 320. On the other hand, when the query area display flag is OFF, the CPU 101 displays only the header display screen 300 and the content display screen 320, and does not display the query area 310. Note that a query WEB page (not shown) that displays an area similar to the query area 310 may be provided in the own domain, and a query hyperlink (not shown) for displaying the query WEB page may be displayed in the own site. Even when the above-mentioned control of not displaying the query area 310 is being performed, the query WEB page is displayed when the query hyperlink is operated. As a result, if the user wants to input information to the inquiry after the control to not display the inquiry area 310 has been performed, the inquiry WEB page can be displayed to allow the user to input information to the inquiry. In the inquiry WEB page, the behavior when the Agree button or the Disagree button is operated is the same as the behavior when the Agree button 311 or the Disagree button 312 in the inquiry area 310 is operated.

[0028] Returning to FIG. 2, when the user presses the Agree button 311, the Disagree button 312, or the Hide button 313 on the inquiry screen 310 using the input I / F 105, the CPU 101, which is waiting for user input in S204, executes S205. S205 is basically a process when the user operates the inquiry area 310. If the inquiry area 310 is not displayed, S601: NO, S602: NO, and S603: NO are determined in S205, and S205 is essentially omitted. Therefore, if the inquiry area 310 is not displayed, the loop from S203 to S206 is repeated until a YES determination is made in S206. Although not shown in the figure because it is not directly related to the present invention, a process when an input is made to the content display screen 320 may be inserted between S205 and S206.

[0029] 6 showing the details of S205, when CPU 101 determines in S204 that agree button 311 has been pressed (YES in S601), it sets the information collection agreed flag to ON in S611. It also executes processing to enable information collection. CPU 101 further sets the expiration date to a time 30 days after the current time, as one example. Then, in the non-display processing of S613, CPU 101 hides the query area and sets the query area display flag to OFF, and ends the processing of S205 in S699.

[0030] Furthermore, if CPU 101 determines in S204 that non-agreement button 312 has been pressed (NO in S601, YES in S602), it sets the information collection consented flag to OFF in S612. It also executes processing to disable information collection. CPU 101 further sets a time 30 days after the current time as the expiration date, as one example. Then, in the non-display processing of S613, CPU 101 hides the query area and sets the query area display flag to OFF, and ends the processing of S205 in S699.

[0031] Furthermore, if CPU 101 determines in S204 that hide button 313 has been pressed (NO in S601, NO in S602, YES in S603), CPU 101 hides the query area in the hide process of S613. CPU 101 then sets the query area display flag to OFF, and ends the process of S205 in S699. In this case, the information collection consent flag is not changed. Also, no expiration date is set.

[0032] Furthermore, if the CPU 101 determines in S204 that none of the Agree button 311, the Disagree button 312, and the Hide button 313 has been pressed (NO in all of S601, S602, and S603), it ends the process of S205 in S699 without doing anything. In this case, the inquiry area display flag and the information collection consented flag are not changed.

[0033] In addition, when the information collection consent flag is set to ON in S611, the information display control program can save various information input or displayed in the browser as optional information in a storage area secured by the program 107. In this embodiment, information about the printing device provided by the vendor providing the information display control program is displayed in the above-mentioned own site. In addition, in the own site, it is possible to accept input from the user regarding the model and model number of the printing device used by the user. Then, it is possible to execute display of the manual of the printing device and display of operations for initial setup of the printing device based on the model and model number specified based on the accepted input. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the information collection consent flag is set to ON, the information display control program saves the model and model number of the printing device used by the user as optional information based on the input. By adopting such a form, when displaying the manual of the printing device and displaying operations for initial setup of the printing device again, it is not necessary to accept input of the model and model number of the printing device again. On the other hand, when the information collection consent flag is set to OFF, the information display control program cannot save the model and model number of the printing device used by the user. Therefore, when the information collection consent flag is set to OFF, the user is required to perform the following cumbersome operations. In other words, the user is required to perform an operation to accept input of the model and model number of the printing device used by the user each time in order to display the printing device manual or to display information regarding operations for initial setup of the printing device. Note that the information saved as optional information when the information collection consent flag is set to ON is not limited to the above-mentioned information, and any information may be collected. Furthermore, the processing executed based on the information saved as optional information when the information collection consent flag is set to ON is not limited to the above-mentioned display processing, and may be any processing.

[0034] If CPU 101 does not detect in S206 that the user has performed an operation to close the screen shown in Fig. 3 (NO), CPU 101 repeats the processes from S203 to S205. Then, if CPU 101 detects in S206 that the user has performed an operation to close the screen shown in Fig. 3 (YES), CPU 101 ends the process in S299.

[0035] The above is a rough outline of the process flow. Various aspects of the process according to the above-mentioned flowchart will be described below. Specifically, first, an example in which hyperlink 321 is pressed while a web screen is displayed will be described. Then, an example in which hyperlink 322 is pressed while a web screen is displayed will be described.

[0036] If CPU 101 detects in S204 that the user has pressed hyperlink 321 to other content in the own domain using input I / F 105, it executes processing when the user operates the query area (S205). In this case, CPU 101 determines that none of Agree button 411, Disagree button 412, and Hide button 313 have been pressed in S204 (NO in all of S601, S602, and S603), and ends the processing of S205 in S699 without doing anything. In this case, the query area display flag and the information collection consent flag are not changed. Next, since pressing hyperlink 321 is also an operation for closing the current screen and opening a new screen, CPU 101 determines YES in S206 and ends the processing in S299.

[0037] Thereafter, in the program 107 executed by the CPU 101, the WEB page specified by the hyperlink 321 in the own domain is displayed as follows. That is, in S200, the CPU 101 starts processing of the information display control program included in the WEB page specified by the hyperlink 321 in the own domain, and executes a display control program acquisition process in S201. In S201, the CPU 201 requests the server 110 to distribute the WEB page specified by the hyperlink 321 in the own domain. This WEB page includes the information display control program. In response to the request for distribution, the CPU 111 of the server 110 starts an information display control program distribution process in S400, and generates the WEB page to be distributed in S401. Then, the CPU 111 distributes the WEB page in the information display control program distribution process in S402. Thereafter, the CPU 111 ends the information display control program distribution process in S499.

[0038] Next, upon receiving the information display control program delivery process (S402), the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes the display control process based on the information display control program included in the delivered WEB page in S202. After starting the display control process, the CPU 101 executes a determination process in S501. Here, since the referrer includes the same domain name as the domain name of the own site, the CPU 101 determines YES in S501, bypasses S502 to S504, and ends the display control process in S599.

[0039] That is, in the display control process S202 for the WEB page downloaded from the server 110 as the WEB page to be displayed for the second time since the session started, the session flag and the query area display flag are not changed. Note that the session flag is already ON. The query area display flag has an ON or OFF value when the WEB page displayed for the first time since the session started is closed, and this value is maintained. Although not directly related to S202, the information collection consent flag has an ON, OFF, or NULL value when the WEB page displayed for the first time since the session started is closed, and this is also maintained.

[0040] Next, in S203, the CPU 101 causes the display device 104 to display the WEB page delivered in S201. If the query area display flag is ON when the WEB page first displayed after the session is started is closed, the WEB page displayed in this S203 includes the query area 310. On the other hand, if the query area display flag is OFF when the WEB page first displayed after the session is started is closed, the WEB page displayed in this S203 does not include the query area 310. Here, if the Agree button 311 or the Disagree button 312 is pressed on the WEB page first displayed after the session is started, the non-display process (S613) is executed. Therefore, in this case, the WEB page displayed in this S203 does not include the query area 310. Also, if the Hide button 313 is pressed on the WEB page first displayed after the session is started, the non-display process (S613) is executed. Therefore, in this case, the WEB page displayed in this S203 does not include the query area 310. Therefore, even if the user presses the agree button 311, the disagree button 312, or the hide button 313 on the initially displayed web page, the web page displayed in S203 this time does not include the inquiry area 310.

[0041] Next, if CPU 101 detects in S204 that the user has pressed hyperlink 322 to content in a domain other than the own domain using input I / F 105, it executes processing when the user operates query area 310 (S205). In this case, CPU 101 determines in S204 that none of Agree button 311, Disagree button 312, and Hide button 313 have been pressed (NO in all of S601, S602, and S603), and ends the processing of S205 in S699 without doing anything. In this case, the query area display flag and the information collection consent flag are not changed. Next, since pressing hyperlink 322 is also an operation for closing a screen and then opening a new screen, CPU 101 determines YES in S206 and ends the processing in S299.

[0042] After that, the program 107 downloads and displays a WEB page in a domain other than the own domain (hereinafter referred to as an "external WEB page"). When the user clicks on a hyperlink to a WEB page in the domain of the own site (hereinafter referred to as a "return hyperlink") on the external WEB page, the program 107 executed by the CPU 101 displays the WEB page specified by the return hyperlink as follows. That is, the CPU 101 starts processing of an information display control program included in the WEB page specified by the return hyperlink in S200, and executes a display control program acquisition process in S201. The CPU 201 requests the server 110 to deliver the WEB page specified by the return hyperlink in the own domain in S201. This WEB page includes the information display control program. The CPU 111 of the server 110 receives the delivery request, starts information display control program delivery process in S400, and executes display content generation process for the WEB page to be delivered in S401. Then, the CPU 111 delivers the WEB page in the information display control program delivery process in S402. Thereafter, the CPU 111 ends the information display control program distribution process in S499.

[0043] Next, upon receiving the information display control program delivery process (S402), the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes the display control process based on the information display control program included in the delivered WEB page in S202. When the CPU 101 starts the display control process, it executes a determination process in S501. Here, the referrer does not include the same domain name as the domain name of the own site. However, the session flag has an expiration date set, and the session flag remains set to ON unless the expiration date has passed. Therefore, the CPU 101 determines YES in S501, bypasses S502 to S504, and ends the display control process in S599.

[0044] That is, in the display control process S202 for the WEB page downloaded from the server 110 as the WEB page to be displayed for the second time in the current session via the WEB page of the external domain, the session flag is basically ON. Therefore, the CPU 101 determines YES in S501 and S502 and S504 are not executed, so the session flag and the query area display flag are not changed. The query area display flag has an ON or OFF value when the first WEB page displayed after the session starts is closed, and this value is maintained. Although it is not directly related to S202, the information collection consent flag has an ON, OFF, or NULL value when the first WEB page displayed after the session starts is closed, and this is also maintained.

[0045] If an expiration date has been set in the session flag and the expiration date has passed, the result of S501 is NO, and a new session is started.

[0046] Next, in S203, the CPU 101 causes the display device 104 to display the WEB page delivered in S201. If the query area display flag is ON when the WEB page first displayed after the session is started is closed, the WEB page displayed in this S203 includes the query area 310. On the other hand, if the query area display flag is OFF when the WEB page first displayed after the session is started is closed, the WEB page displayed in this S203 does not include the query area 310. Here, when the Agree button 311 or the Disagree button 312 is pressed on the WEB page first displayed after the session is started, the non-display process (S613) is executed. Therefore, in this case, the WEB page displayed in this S203 does not include the query area 310. Also, when the Hide button 313 is pressed on the WEB page first displayed after the session is started, the non-display process (S613) is executed. Therefore, in this case, the WEB page displayed in this S203 does not include the query area 310. Therefore, even if the user presses the agree button 311, the disagree button 312, or the hide button 313 on the initially displayed web page, the web page displayed in S203 this time does not include the inquiry area 310.

[0047] If hyperlink 321 is pressed before any of Agree button 311, Disagree button 312, and Hide button 313 is pressed on the WEB page first displayed after the start of a session, the WEB page displayed in S203 this time includes inquiry area 310. If hyperlink 322 is pressed before any of Agree button 311, Disagree button 312, and Hide button 313 is pressed on the WEB page displayed immediately after the start of a session, the WEB page displayed in S203 this time also includes inquiry area 310.

[0048] This series of processes is also applied to the home domain web page that is displayed for the third time or later. In other words, the currently displayed home domain web page is displayed in the same manner based on the flag operation history of the home domain web page that was displayed before the currently displayed home domain web page. If the user presses the Agree button, the Disagree button, or the Hide button on any home domain web page that was displayed before the currently displayed home domain web page, the currently displayed home domain web page does not include the inquiry area 310.

[0049] Thus, according to this embodiment, even if the user reserves the expression of intent regarding consent or non-consent and presses the hide button, the inquiry area 310 is not displayed on the screen. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the inquiry area 310 from causing discomfort to the user. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the user from abandoning browsing the web page due to discomfort.

[0050] [Example 1: When a new session is started before the expiration date has passed since the consent button was pressed in the previous session] When the Agree button was pressed in the previous session, the information collection consent flag was set to ON, and the expiration date was also set. When a new session is started, S501: NO, S502 is passed to S503, but S503 becomes YES. Therefore, S504 is bypassed, and a web page without a query area is displayed in S203 that is executed after that.

[0051] [Example 2: When a new session is started after the expiration date has passed since the Agree button was pressed in the previous session] When a new session is started, S501: NO, S502, and then S503 are executed, but S503 is NO. Therefore, S504 is executed and the query area display flag is set to ON. In S203, which is executed after that, a WEB page including the query area is displayed.

[0052] [Example 3: In Example 2, when the "Agree" button is pressed on the first displayed web page] When the Agree button is pressed, the consent process is executed in S611, and then the query area display flag is reset to OFF in the non-display process in S613. After that, when the process returns to S203, the same WEB page that does not include the query area is redisplayed.

[0053] [Example 4: In Example 2, when the "Disagree" button is pressed on the first displayed web page] When the non-agreement button is pressed, the agreement process is executed in S612, and then the query area display flag is reset to OFF in the non-display process in S613. After that, when the process returns to S203, the same WEB page that does not include the query area is redisplayed.

[0054] [Example 5: In Example 2, when the hide button is pressed on the first displayed web page] When the hide button is pressed, the query region display flag is reset to OFF in the hide process of S613. After that, when the process returns to S203, the same web page without the query region is redisplayed.

[0055] [Example 6: In Example 2, if an internal link is clicked on the first displayed web page without any operation being performed on the control panel] Before S613 is executed, the first WEB page is closed. Therefore, the query area display flag remains ON. In the process for the next WEB page, S501: YES is returned based on the referrer, so S504 is bypassed, but since the query display flag is ON, the WEB page including the query area is displayed in S203.

[0056] [Example 7: In Example 2, when an external link is pressed on the initially displayed web page without any operation on the operation unit, a web page of the user's own domain is then displayed] The first WEB page is closed before S613 is executed. Therefore, the query area display flag remains ON. In the process for the next WEB page, S501: YES is obtained based on the session flag, so S504 is bypassed, but since the query display flag is ON, the WEB page including the query area is displayed in S203.

[0057] [Example 8: In Example 2, when an internal link is clicked after an operation is performed on the control panel on the first displayed web page] After S613 is executed, the first WEB page is closed. Therefore, the query area display flag is maintained in the OFF state. In the process for the next WEB page, S501: YES is obtained based on the referrer, so S504 is bypassed, but since the query display flag is OFF, a WEB page that does not include the query area is displayed in S203.

[0058] [Example 9: In Example 2, when an operation is performed on the control panel on the first displayed web page, an external link is pressed, and then a web page of the user's own domain is displayed] After S613 is executed, the first WEB page is closed. Therefore, the query area display flag remains OFF. In the process for the next WEB page, S501: YES is obtained based on the session flag, so S504 is bypassed, but since the query display flag is OFF, a WEB page that does not include the query area is displayed in S203.

[0059] <Second embodiment> This embodiment is intended to basically exempt the display of the query area when the user reserves the right to decide whether or not to accept the collection of personal information and does not reside in an area with strict legal restrictions regarding the collection of personal information.

[0060] 7 is a flowchart showing details of the display control process (S202) according to this embodiment. When the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 starts the display control process of the information display control program, in S701, it determines whether the period elapsed from the date and time when the non-display button 313 was pressed to the present is within one day, for example. Here, the date and time when the non-display button 313 was pressed is stored in a storage area provided by the program 107 in the storage device 102 or RAM 103.

[0061] If the CPU 101 judges NO in the judgment process S701, the process proceeds to S705. In S705, the CPU 101 judges whether or not the period from when the Agree button was pressed to the present is within a predetermined period. If the period from when the Agree button was pressed to the present is within the predetermined period, the CPU 101 bypasses S706 and ends the process of S202 in S799. On the other hand, if the period from when the Agree button was pressed to the present is equal to or longer than the predetermined period, the CPU 101 sets the inquiry area display flag to ON in S706, and then ends the process of S202 in S799.

[0062] On the other hand, if the CPU 101 judges YES in the judgment process S701, the process proceeds to S702 and judges whether the region from which the user accesses is a region with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information. Here, information that associates the region with the strength of legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information is included in the information display control program, and the region indicates, for example, Japan, mainland China, the EU, etc. Also, the country and region can be determined from the IP address used when the information processing device 100 accesses the server 110. If the region from which the user accesses is not a region with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information, the CPU 101 judges NO in the judgment process S702, proceeds to S799, and ends the display control process. On the other hand, if the region from which the user accesses is a region with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information, the CPU 101 judges YES in the judgment process S702 and proceeds to S703.

[0063] The processes of S703, S704, S705, and S706 are similar to those of S501, S502, S503, and S504 described with reference to FIG. 5, and therefore will not be described again.

[0064] In this manner, when this embodiment is used, the operation for a person residing in an area where the legal restrictions on the collection of personal information are not strict is as follows.

[0065] First, when the user first browses the web page of the site, the hide button has not yet been pressed, so the result is NO in S701. Also, since information collection has not been permitted, the result is NO in S705. In S706, the display flag is set to ON. Therefore, in S203, the inquiry area 310 is displayed.

[0066] When the user presses the hide button 313 in the query area 310 (S603: Y), the query area becomes hidden and the display flag is turned OFF (S613).

[0067] When the user newly views the web page of the site within, for example, one day after pressing the non-display button 313, the result of S701 is YES. Based on the user's residential area, the result of S702 is NO, and the process proceeds to S799. Therefore, the display flag remains OFF. Therefore, in S203, the query area (query portion) 310 is not displayed.

[0068] Therefore, for residents living in areas where the legal restrictions on the collection of personal information are not strong, the following effect is achieved: When the hide button 313 is pressed in the inquiry area, the inquiry area (inquiry section) 310 is not displayed for one day, for example.

[0069] <Third embodiment> Like the second embodiment, this embodiment is intended to exempt the display of the query area when the user reserves the right to accept or reject the collection of personal information and does not reside in an area with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal information.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the display control process (S202) according to this embodiment. When the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 starts the display control process of the information display control program, in S801, it judges whether the region from which the user accesses is a region with strong legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information. Here, information that associates the region with the strength of legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information is included in the information display control program, and the region indicates, for example, Japan, mainland China, EU, etc. Also, the country and region can be determined from the IP address used when the information processing device 100 accesses the server 110. If the region from which the user accesses is not a region with strong legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information, the CPU 101 judges NO in the judgment process S801 and proceeds to the process S802. On the other hand, if the region from which the user accesses is a region with strong legal restrictions on the collection of personal related information, the CPU 101 judges YES in the judgment process S801 and proceeds to the process S803.

[0071] In step S802, the CPU 101 determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since the date and time when the non-display button 313 was pressed is, for example, within one day. Here, the date and time when the non-display button 313 was pressed is stored in a storage area provided by the program 107 in the storage device 102 or the RAM 103.

[0072] If the CPU 101 judges YES in the judgment process 802, the process proceeds to 899 and the display control process ends.

[0073] On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines NO in the determination process S802, the process proceeds to S805. The processes of S803, S804, S805, and S806 are similar to those of S501, S502, S503, and S504 described with reference to FIG. 5, and therefore will not be described again.

[0074] In this manner, when this embodiment is used, the operation for a person residing in an area where the legal restrictions on the collection of personal information are not strict is as follows.

[0075] First, when the user first browses the WEB page of the site, the user lives in an area where the legal restrictions on the collection of personal information are not strict, so S801 is determined as NO and the process proceeds to S802. In S802, the hide button has not yet been pressed, so S802 is determined as NO and the process proceeds to S805. Since information collection has not been permitted, S805 is determined as NO. In S806, the display flag is set to ON. Therefore, in S203, the inquiry area 310 is displayed.

[0076] When the user presses the hide button 313 in the query area 310 (S603: Y), the query area becomes hidden and the display flag is turned OFF (S613).

[0077] When the user newly browses the web page of the site within, for example, one day after pressing the non-display button 313, the result of S801 is NO, and the result of S802 is YES, and the process proceeds to S899. Therefore, the display flag remains OFF. Therefore, in S203, the query area (query portion) 310 is not displayed.

[0078] Therefore, for residents living in areas where the legal restrictions on the collection of personal information are not strong, the following effect is achieved: When the hide button 313 is pressed in the inquiry area, the inquiry area (inquiry section) 310 is not displayed for one day, for example.

[0079] Furthermore, when this embodiment is used, the operation for a person residing in an area with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal information is as follows.

[0080] First, when a user browses the web page of the site, the user resides in an area with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal information, so the result of S801 is YES, and the process proceeds to S802. As already explained, the processes of S803, S804, S805, and S806 are the same as S501, S502, S503, and S504 explained with reference to Fig. 5. In this way, the operation for a user who resides in an area with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal information is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, for a user who resides in an area with strict legal restrictions on the collection of personal information, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0081] <Other embodiments> Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium on which a program for implementing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is recorded to an information processing device or server, and having the information processing device or server (or CPU) read and execute the program. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium will implement the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the recording medium on which the program is stored constitutes the present invention.

[0082] Examples of storage media for supplying the program include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CDs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, storage devices, DVDs, and the like.

[0083] Furthermore, not only can the functions of the above-described embodiments be realized by the computer executing the program it has read, but an OS or an interpreter running on the computer can also perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. Needless to say, this also includes cases where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0084] Furthermore, the program read from the storage medium may be written to a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Needless to say, this also includes cases where a CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit then performs part or all of the actual processing based on instructions from the program, thereby realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0085] Furthermore, the program can be supplied to the information processing device via communication means such as a LAN or a dedicated line in addition to the Internet.

[0086] When the non-display button 313 is pressed, the execution of S202 may be avoided for a predetermined period of time as follows. That is, in the non-display process (S601:N, S602:N, S603:Y, S613) after the non-display button 313 is pressed, the date and time when the non-display button 313 is pressed (date and time when the non-display button was pressed) may be stored, and the next process may be executed. That is, before the process proceeds from S201 to S202, it is determined whether or not the period from the date and time when the non-display button was pressed to the present is shorter than the predetermined period. If it is shorter, S202 is bypassed and the process proceeds to S204. In this way, for the WEB page that is newly displayed after the non-display button is pressed, the execution of S202 can be omitted, and the display of the inquiry area (inquiry section) 310 can be avoided.

[0087] In the above embodiment, when it is detected that a hyperlink has been pressed, the currently displayed screen is closed and a screen that displays the web page specified by the hyperlink is opened. However, this is not limited to this, and when a hyperlink is detected, it is also possible to display the web page specified by the hyperlink on a separate screen while keeping the currently displayed screen displayed.

[0088] A storage area may be shared by multiple tabbed screens in a browser. In this case, processing of the information display control program is started from S200 in response to a newly generated tabbed screen. S201 and S202 are executed successively, but in S501 in S202, since it is the same session (the session flag set to ON in the first tabbed screen is referenced), a YES determination is made. Next, when S203 is executed, the screen is displayed according to the information collection consent flag set by the information display control program corresponding to the first tabbed screen. That is, if the information collection consent flag is set to ON by the information display control program corresponding to the first tabbed screen, the inquiry area is displayed. On the other hand, if the information collection consent flag is set to OFF by the information display control program corresponding to the first tabbed screen, the inquiry area is not displayed.

[0089] In the above embodiment, if information collection has been permitted and is within the time limit, YES is determined in S503. That is, if information collection permission has been obtained within the time limit in the previous session or an earlier session, the inquiry area 310 is not included in the WEB page to be displayed first in the current session. On the other hand, if information collection non-permission has been obtained within the time limit in the previous session or an earlier session, the inquiry area 310 is included in the WEB page to be displayed first in the current session. However, this is not limited to the above, and even if information collection non-permission has been obtained within the time limit in the previous session or an earlier session, the inquiry area 310 may not be included in the WEB page to be displayed first in the current session. For this purpose, YES may be determined in S503 not only when permission for information collection has been given and is within the time limit, but also when non-permission for information collection has been given and is within the time limit.

[0090] In the above embodiment, if information collection has been permitted and is within the time limit, the result of the determination in S503 is YES. In other words, if information collection permission has been obtained within the time limit in the previous session or an earlier session, the inquiry area 310 is not included in the WEB page to be displayed first in the current session. On the other hand, even if information collection permission has been obtained in the previous session or an earlier session, if the time of the permission is not within the time limit in the past, the inquiry area 310 is included in the WEB page to be displayed first in the current session. However, this is not limited to the above, and even if non-permission to collect information has been obtained before the time limit in the previous session or an earlier session, the inquiry area 310 may not be included in the WEB page to be displayed first in the current session. For example, the time limit may be set to indefinite. For this purpose, if permission to collect information has been given in S503, the result of the determination may be YES.

[0091] In the above embodiment, in S501, it is determined whether the referrer stored in the storage area of ​​the program 107 includes a domain name identical to the domain name of the own site as a predetermined area on the WEB, but other determinations may be made. For example, it may be determined whether the referrer includes a subdomain name identical to a specific subdomain name corresponding to the domain name of the own site as a predetermined area on the WEB. It may also be determined whether the referrer includes a domain name and a specific subdirectory name in the domain that are identical to a combination of the domain name of the own site and a specific subdirectory name in the domain as a predetermined area on the WEB. Furthermore, a domain group including multiple domain names related to the own site may be defined as a predetermined area on the WEB, and it may be determined whether the referrer includes a domain name included in the domain group.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the information display control program is included in each WEB page. However, this is not limited to the above, and the information display control program may be stored in a predetermined area of ​​the same domain and called from each WEB page downloaded to the information processing device 100. In this case, the information processing program is also stored in the RAM 103 and then executed by the CPU 101. There is no need to include the information display control program in each WEB page, and each WEB page only needs to include a description for calling the information processing program.

[0093] In the above embodiment, it is possible to press the hyperlinks 321 and 322 before pressing any of the Agree button 311, the Disagree button 312, and the Hide button 313. However, this is not limited to the above, and it may be possible to make it impossible to press the hyperlinks 321 and 322 unless any of the Agree button 311, the Disagree button 312, and the Hide button 313 is pressed. In this case, it is impossible to transition the current WEB page to another WEB page unless any of the Agree button 311, the Disagree button 312, and the Hide button 313 is pressed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inquiry area from being displayed on the destination WEB page.

[0094] In the above embodiment, an information display control program for controlling display / non-display of a query area for asking whether or not a user agrees to collection of personal information has been described. Examples of personal information include cookies, but also include location information, browsing history, purchase history, IP address, device-specific ID, and advertisement ID.

[0095] The information display control program can also be used to control the display / non-display of a query area for a user to input whether or not he or she agrees to the execution of a specific program in the information processing device 100. Here, the specific program is, for example, a program that is described in a web page or that is called from a web page.

[0096] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0097] <Technical Features of the Present Disclosure> The present disclosure includes the following programs, configurations, and methods.

[0098] (Program 1) An information display control program for causing a computer to execute control as to whether or not to display, on a browser of the computer, a second screen having a message display section and an operation section in association with a first screen included in a web page downloaded from a predetermined domain on the web, the information display control program comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, when a new web page is downloaded from the specified domain on the web, a referrer including a URL of the web page that was displayed immediately before on the browser and a session flag indicating a continuation state or a discontinuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; a first switching step of switching whether or not to cause the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page based on a first criterion when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step does not correspond to the specified domain and the session flag acquired in the acquisition step indicates a non-continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; a second switching step of switching whether or not to cause the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page based on a second criterion when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to the specified domain or when the session flag acquired in the acquisition step indicates a continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; An information display control program for causing a computer to execute the above.

[0099] (Program 2) the operation unit has an agree button, a disagree button, and a non-display button, The first criterion is whether or not the consent button has already been pressed. The information display control program described in program 1.

[0100] (Program 3) the operation unit has an agree button, a disagree button, and a non-display button, The first criterion is whether or not the expiration date has passed since the consent button was pressed. The information display control program described in program 1.

[0101] (Program 4) The second criterion is whether or not an operation has been performed on an operation unit of the second screen that has already been displayed in association with the first screen that has already been displayed during a period from a start time of a session that has most recently been started to a current time. 4. An information display control program according to any one of programs 1 to 3.

[0102] (Program 5) In the second switching step, causing the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen until an operation is performed on an operation unit of the second screen displayed in association with the first screen after a start time of a most recently started session; after an operation is performed on an operation unit of the second screen displayed in association with the first screen after a start time of a session that has been most recently started, the first screen is not displayed in association with the first screen on the browser; 5. An information display control program according to any one of programs 1 to 4.

[0103] (Program 6) and when a new WEB page is downloaded from the specified domain on the WEB, if the referrer does not correspond to the specified domain and the session flag indicates a non-continuous state of the session corresponding to the specified domain, the computer further executes a step of setting the session flag to the continuation state. 6. An information display control program according to any one of programs 1 to 5.

[0104] (Program 7) and causing the computer to further execute a step of terminating display of the second screen when an operation is performed on the operation unit of the second screen being displayed. 7. An information display control program according to any one of programs 1 to 6.

[0105] (Program 8) causing the computer to execute a display switching different from the display switching executed by the first switching step and the second switching step when the computer is located in an area where legal restrictions on personal information are not strict; 8. An information display control program according to any one of programs 1 to 7.

[0106] (Program 9) the operation unit has an agree button, a disagree button, and a non-display button, When the computer is located in an area where legal restrictions on personal information are not strong, when a new WEB page is downloaded from the predetermined domain on the WEB, if a first predetermined period has not elapsed since the hide button was pressed on the second screen displayed in association with the first screen, causing the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen; a third switching step of switching whether or not to display the second screen in association with the first screen when a new WEB page is downloaded from the specified domain on the WEB and a first specified period has already elapsed since the hide button was pressed on the second screen displayed in association with the first screen, based on whether or not the agree button was pressed within a second specified period going back in time; and to cause a computer to execute The information display control program described in Program 8.

[0107] (Program 10) In the third switching step, If the consent button has been pressed within a second predetermined period retroactively, the second screen is displayed on the browser in association with the first screen; If the consent button has not been pressed within a second predetermined period retroactively, the browser is not caused to display the second screen in association with the first screen. The information display control program described in Program 9.

[0108] (Device) An information display control device that executes control as to whether or not to display a second screen having a message display unit and an operation unit on a browser of a computer in association with a first screen included in a web page downloaded from a predetermined domain on the web, an acquisition means for acquiring, when a new web page is downloaded from the specified domain on the web, a referrer including a URL of the web page that was displayed immediately before on the browser and a session flag indicating a continuation state or a discontinuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; a first switching means for switching whether or not to cause the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page based on a first criterion when the referrer acquired by the acquisition means does not correspond to the specified domain and the session flag acquired by the acquisition means indicates a discontinuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; a second switching means for switching whether or not to cause the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page based on a second criterion when the referrer acquired by the acquisition means corresponds to the specified domain or when the session flag acquired by the acquisition means indicates a continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; An information display control device comprising:

[0109] (method) 1. An information display control method for controlling whether or not a second screen having a message display section and an operation section is displayed on a computer browser in association with a first screen included in a web page downloaded from a specific domain on the web, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, when a new web page is downloaded from the specified domain on the web, a referrer including a URL of the web page that was displayed immediately before on the browser and a session flag indicating a continuation state or a discontinuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; a first switching step of switching whether or not to cause the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page based on a first criterion when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step does not correspond to the specified domain and the session flag acquired in the acquisition step indicates a non-continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; a second switching step of switching whether or not to cause the browser to display the second screen in association with the first screen included in the new WEB page based on a second criterion when the referrer acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to the specified domain or when the session flag acquired in the acquisition step indicates a continuation state of the session corresponding to the specified domain; The information display control method includes the steps of: [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 Information processing device 101 CPU 102 Storage device 103 RAM 107 Programs 110 Server 111 CPU 112 Storage device 113 RAM 116 Programs

Claims

1. A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a first control step of controlling to display, together with a second web page corresponding to a second domain different from the first domain, an inquiry area for receiving, from a user, a first operation indicating consent to the use of a cookie when the second web page is displayed based on an operation on a first web page corresponding to the first domain; a second control step of controlling not to display the inquiry area even if neither the first operation nor a second operation indicating non-consent to the use of the cookie is received in the inquiry area displayed together with the second web page when a third web page corresponding to the second domain is displayed based on an operation on the second web page; A control method characterized by comprising the above.

2. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising a third control step of controlling not to display the inquiry area when the third web page is displayed based on an operation on the second web page and either the first operation or the second operation is received in the inquiry area displayed together with the second web page.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the second control step controls not to display the inquiry area based on a referrer in the third web page.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein a program for controlling not to display the inquiry area based on a referrer in the third web page is a program provided by a server that provides the third web page.

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the control not to display the inquiry area is based on the referrer in the third web page corresponding to the second domain.

6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein when the second web page is displayed based on an operation on the first web page, the control is performed to display the inquiry area based on a referrer in the second web page.

7. The control method according to claim 6, wherein control is performed to display the inquiry area based on the fact that the referrer in the second WEB page corresponds to a domain different from the second domain.

8. The second WEB page is displayed based on an operation on the first WEB page, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operation was performed in the inquiry area displayed together with any WEB page corresponding to the second domain, control is performed to display the inquiry area, The second WEB page is displayed based on an operation on the first WEB page, and when the predetermined time has not elapsed since the first operation was performed in the inquiry area displayed together with any WEB page corresponding to the second domain, control is performed not to display the inquiry area, the control method according to claim 1.

9. The second WEB page is displayed based on an operation on the first WEB page, and when a value corresponding to the fact that the first operation was performed in the inquiry area is set as information regarding consent to the use of the Cookie, control is performed to display the inquiry area, The second WEB page is displayed based on an operation on the first WEB page, and when a value corresponding to the fact that the first operation was performed in the inquiry area is not set as information regarding consent to the use of the Cookie, control is performed not to display the inquiry area, the control method according to claim 1.

10. The inquiry area includes a hide button for hiding the inquiry area, when the hide button is operated, the inquiry area is hidden, but the value set as information regarding consent to the use of the Cookie is not changed, the control method according to claim 1.

11. In a state after the first operation is received from the user in the inquiry area, the value set as information regarding consent to the use of the Cookie is a first value, In a state after the second operation is received from the user in the inquiry area, the value set as information regarding consent to the use of the Cookie is a second value, In a state where neither the first operation nor the second operation has been received from the user in the inquiry area, the value set as information regarding consent to the use of the Cookie is a third value, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. The inquiry area includes a first button for receiving the first operation from the user and a second button for receiving the second operation from the user, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

13. When any WEB page corresponding to the second domain is displayed, a determination process is executed to determine whether the any WEB page is displayed based on an operation on the WEB page corresponding to the first domain or whether the any WEB page is displayed based on an operation on the WEB page corresponding to the second domain, Whether the inquiry area is displayed together with any of the WEB pages is controlled based on the result of the determination process, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

14. The Cookie includes at least one of information on the type and model number of the printing device, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

15. When the first operation is received from the user, the process using the Cookie is executed by any WEB page corresponding to the second domain, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

16. The process of using the Cookie is at least one of the display of the manual of the printing device and the display regarding the operation for initial setup for the printing device, the control method according to claim 15, characterized in that.

17. Based on whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operation was performed in the inquiry area displayed together with any WEB page corresponding to the second domain, it is controlled whether to control to display the inquiry area or not to display the inquiry area, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

18. Based on whether the user's access source area is a predetermined area or not, it is controlled whether to control to display the inquiry area or not to display the inquiry area, the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

19. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the second domain is a domain acquired by a predetermined vendor who is the vendor of the printing apparatus.

20. The control method according to claim 1, wherein based on the first operation being received in the inquiry area, a process of using the Cookie on the WEB page corresponding to the second domain becomes executable.

21. On a computer of an information processing apparatus, a first control step of controlling to display, together with the second WEB page, an inquiry area for receiving from a user a first operation indicating consent to the use of a Cookie when a second WEB page corresponding to a second domain different from the first domain is displayed based on an operation on a first WEB page corresponding to the first domain; a second control step of controlling not to display the inquiry area even if neither the first operation nor a second operation indicating non-consent to the use of the Cookie is received in the inquiry area displayed together with the second WEB page when a third WEB page corresponding to the second domain is displayed based on an operation on the second WEB page; A computer program characterized by causing the above to be executed.

22. a first control means for controlling to display, together with the second WEB page, an inquiry area for receiving from a user a first operation indicating consent to the use of a Cookie when a second WEB page corresponding to a second domain different from the first domain is displayed based on an operation on a first WEB page corresponding to the first domain; a second control means for controlling not to display the inquiry area even if neither the first operation nor a second operation indicating non-consent to the use of the Cookie is received in the inquiry area displayed together with the second WEB page when a third WEB page corresponding to the second domain is displayed based on an operation on the second WEB page; An information processing apparatus characterized by having the above.

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