Advertisement distribution system

Abstract

To provide a management server that effectively presents advertisements and reduces a cost required for a user to obtain an apparatus.SOLUTION: A management server 1 is configured to: store an apparatus database 121 that registers a sponsored apparatus 5 that is acquired by a user on condition that expenses are covered by a sponsor, and an advertisement database 122 that registers advertisements; and distribute an advertisement selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored apparatus registered in the apparatus database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management server and a device. [Background technology]

[0002] As appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines become more sophisticated, their prices are rising rapidly. In response to this, users have a desire to purchase these appliances at reasonable prices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventor of the present application came up with the idea of ​​combining the desire of the user described above with the desire of the company to have many opportunities to present advertisements to the user. In this idea, it is desirable to present advertisements more effectively. In other words, it is desirable to suppress the cost required for the user to obtain the device while presenting advertisements effectively.

[0004] According to one embodiment, the management server stores a device database that registers sponsored devices, which are devices acquired by users on the condition that the costs are reimbursed by the sponsor, and an advertisement database that registers advertisements, and delivers advertisements selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored devices registered in the device database.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the device is a sponsored device, which is a device acquired by a user on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor, is connectable to a management server which manages that it is a sponsored device, and during operation, outputs advertisements obtained from the management server.

[0006] Further details will be described in the following embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a management server included in the system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the devices included in the system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates a business model that allows users to acquire equipment at low cost. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an example of the device database. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of an advertisement database. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of advertisement provision in the system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement displayed on a device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a business model that allows users to obtain devices at reduced costs in the system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an example of a device database stored in the management server according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is another example of an advertisement database. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] <1. Overview of management server and devices>

[0009] (1) A management server in accordance with an embodiment stores a device database that registers sponsored devices, which are devices acquired by users on the condition that the costs are reimbursed by the sponsor, and an advertisement database that registers advertisements, and delivers advertisements selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored devices registered in the device database.

[0010] By storing the device database, the management server can manage the sponsored devices, which makes it easier to deliver advertisements to the sponsored devices.

[0011] (2) Preferably, delivering the advertisement includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered from an advertisement database according to the type of sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered, thereby enabling the advertisement to be delivered to the sponsored device according to the type, thereby improving the effectiveness of the advertisement. (3) Preferably, delivering the advertisement includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered from an advertisement database according to attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This allows an advertisement according to the user attributes to be delivered to the sponsored device, thereby improving the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the management server receives data from the sponsored device registered in the device database, and distributing the advertisement includes selecting an advertisement to be distributed from the advertisement database based on the data received from the sponsored device. This makes it possible to distribute advertisements suited to the sponsored device, thereby improving the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0013] (5) Preferably, selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered according to the type of sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This makes it possible to deliver the advertisement according to the type of sponsored device. As a result, it is possible to improve the effectiveness of the advertisement. (6) Preferably, selecting an advertisement further includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered according to attributes of a user of a sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This makes it possible to deliver an advertisement according to attributes of a user of the sponsored device. As a result, it is possible to improve the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0014] (7) Preferably, the management server records the results of advertisement delivery in association with at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device. This can be used to analyze what data was used to select the advertisement to be delivered, etc. This can lead to more effective advertisement delivery.

[0015] (8) Preferably, the management server stores at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device. This allows the data to be used for analyzing the timing at which an advertisement was selected, etc. This can lead to more effective advertisement delivery.

[0016] (9) Preferably, the management server records the results of advertisement distribution by distributing the advertisement, so that the management server can provide the distribution results to sponsors, etc.

[0017] (10) Preferably, the management server causes the sponsored device to receive an operation for purchasing a product via the advertisement to be distributed, thereby allowing the user of the device to easily instruct the purchase process.

[0018] (11) Preferably, the step of selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered in accordance with information related to the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered, the information being related to the product handled by the user who has acquired the sponsored device. In this way, even if the user who has acquired the sponsored device is a store, an effective advertisement that promotes sales to customers of the store can be delivered.

[0019] (12) The device according to the embodiment is a sponsored device that is obtained by a user on the condition that the cost is covered by the sponsor, can be connected to a management server that manages that the device is a sponsored device, and outputs advertisements acquired from the management server during operation. This allows the device to connect to the management server that manages that the device is a sponsored device and obtain advertisements.

[0020] (13) Preferably, the output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes detection of the presence of a person within a predetermined range, thereby enabling the device to be set so that the advertisement is output when a user is in the vicinity of the device.

[0021] (14) Preferably, the output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes receipt of an operation. This enables the device to be set so that the advertisement is output in response to receipt of a user operation.

[0022] (15) Preferably, when an output trigger occurs, the device requests an advertisement from the management server and receives advertisement data from the management server, so that the advertisement is output when the output trigger occurs.

[0023] (16) Preferably, the device transmits data obtained at the time of occurrence of the output trigger to the management server, and receives data of an advertisement selected using the data obtained at the time of occurrence of the output trigger from the management server, thereby delivering a more suitable advertisement to the device.

[0024] (17) Preferably, the data obtained when the output trigger occurs includes information used to identify the type of the device in the management server. (18) Preferably, the device limits at least a part of the functions of the device during a period when the device is not connected to the management server, so that the device is more likely to connect to the management server and advertisements are sent to the device at more appropriate times. (19) Preferably, during a period when at least a part of an advertisement cannot be seen and / or heard, at least a part of the device's functions are restricted. This increases the likelihood that the advertisement can be seen and / or heard. As a result, the effectiveness of the advertisement can be improved. (20) Preferably, the device has a display for displaying advertisements and a sensor for detecting the presence of an object blocking at least a portion of the display, thereby making it possible to detect whether the advertisements are in a state where they can be properly viewed on the sponsored device. (21) Preferably, the function is one that can be exercised even without being connected to the management server. This increases the possibility that the sponsored device will be connected to the management server. As a result, the advertising effect can be improved.

[0025] <2. Examples of management servers and devices>

[0026] [First embodiment]

[0027] 1, a system 100 according to this embodiment includes a management server 1. The management server 1 has a device database 121 and an advertisement database 122. The device database 121 is a database for registering sponsored devices, which will be described later. The advertisement database 122 is a database for registering advertisements to be distributed. The management server 1 is connectable to a communication network 3, such as the Internet. The management server 1 distributes advertisements selected from the advertisement database 122 to devices registered in the device database 121 via the communication network 3.

[0028] System 100 includes devices such as a refrigerator 5A and a washing machine 5B. These devices are collectively referred to as device 5. Device 5 has a function of communicating with management server 1 via communication network 3, and receives advertisements distributed from management server 1. Device 5 has a display 54. Display 54 is an example of an output unit that outputs advertisements acquired from management server 1. Other examples of the output unit may include a speaker, a combination of a microphone and a speaker, etc.

[0029] The device 5 includes a control device 50, and controls the output of advertisements acquired from the management server 1. The control device 50 also controls the functions of the device 5 according to user operation input received from the input device 55 or the like. In the case where the device 5 is a refrigerator 5A, the functions of the device 5 include, for example, setting the temperature and starting ice making. In the case where the device 5 is a washing machine 5B, the functions include starting washing and setting the washing course.

[0030] The device 5 further includes an input device 55. The input device 55 accepts operation inputs for the device 5. The operations for the device 5 include operations for exerting functions of the device 5. The operations for the device 5 may include operations for a displayed advertisement. The operations for advertisements will be described later.

[0031] The input device 55 inputs an operation signal based on the received operation input to the control device 50. The control device 50 executes processing based on the input operation signal. Note that a device that receives an operation input to the appliance 5 may be a remote control 6 instead of or in addition to the input device 55.

[0032] The system 100 further includes processing devices 7 and 9. The processing device 7 is a processing device owned by a sponsor, which will be described later. The processing device 9 is a processing device owned by a sales company (hereinafter, "sales company") of the device 5. These devices can also be connected to the communication network 3, and can communicate with the management server 1 via the communication network 3.

[0033] 2, the management server 1 is configured as a computer having a processor 11 and a memory 12. The memory 12 may be a primary storage device or a secondary storage device. The management server 1 further has a communication device 13 for accessing the communication network 3.

[0034] The memory 12 includes a device database 121 and an advertisement database 122. The memory 12 also stores a delivery result 123, which will be described later. The memory 12 also stores a computer program 124 executed by the processor 11.

[0035] The processor 11 executes a computer program 124 stored in the memory 12 to execute a distribution process 111. The distribution process 111 is a process of distributing advertisements registered in the advertisement database 122 to devices registered in the device database 121. In other words, the distribution process 111 is a process of passing data of the advertisement to be distributed to the communication device 13 and issuing an instruction for distribution.

[0036] The distribution process 111 includes a selection process 112. The selection process 112 is a process for selecting an advertisement to be distributed by performing the distribution process 111 from an advertisement database 122. The specific process of the selection process 112 will be described later.

[0037] The processor 11 executes the computer program 124 to execute the registration process 113. The registration process 113 is a process for registering the distribution result by the distribution process 111 in the memory 12 as the distribution result 123. The distribution result 123 registered in the memory 12 by the registration process 113 will be described later.

[0038] Preferably, the processor 11 executes the computer program 124 to perform the purchase process 114, which is described below.

[0039] 3, the device 5 includes a control device 50, a display 54, and an input device 55. The control device 50 is configured as a computer having a processor 51 and a memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may be a primary storage device or a secondary storage device. The device 5 further includes a communication device 53 for accessing the communication network 3.

[0040] The memory 52 stores unique data 521 and a computer program 522 executed by the processor 51. The unique data 521 is identification information unique to the device 5.

[0041] The processor 51 executes the computer program 522 stored in the memory 52 to execute the output process 513. The output process 513 is a process of outputting the advertisement acquired from the management server 1 while the device 5 is in operation. The period during operation includes, for example, a period during which the device 5 is supplied with power from a power source, a period during which the device 5 is in a state in which it can accept a power-on operation and an operation input by a user. Outputting the advertisement includes, for example, displaying a screen based on the received advertisement data on the display 54.

[0042] Preferably, the processor 51 further executes a detection process 511 by executing the computer program 522. The detection process 511 is a process for detecting the occurrence of an output trigger. The output trigger refers to a predefined timing for outputting an advertisement, that is, an event for executing the output process 513. The output trigger includes, for example, the detection of the presence of a person within a predetermined range.

[0043] The device 5 further includes a sensor 56 for detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range. The sensor 56 is, for example, a camera. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process for detecting the presence of a person within the predetermined range by detecting the presence of a person in the captured image.

[0044] As another example, the sensor 56 is a human presence sensor. The human presence sensor irradiates, for example, infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like, and utilizes the reflection of the irradiated light. The sensor 56 inputs a sensor signal indicating that the reflected light has been received to the processor 51. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process of detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range based on the input of the sensor signal from the sensor 56.

[0045] The output trigger may include receiving an operation input from a user. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process of detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range by inputting an operation signal from the input device 55 or the remote control 6.

[0046] Preferably, the processor 51 further executes a request process 512 by executing the computer program 522. The processor 51 executes the request process 512 when an output trigger is detected by the detection process 511. The request process 512 is a process of requesting the management server 1 to distribute an advertisement. That is, the request process 512 is a process of passing a signal requesting the distribution of an advertisement to the communication device 53 and instructing transmission to the management server 1.

[0047] Preferably, the request process 512 includes a process of transmitting data obtained when the occurrence of an output trigger is detected by the detection process 511 to the management server 1. The data obtained when the occurrence of an output trigger is detected includes information used by the management server 1 to identify the type of device 5. The information used to identify the type of device 5 is, for example, identification information unique to the device 5.

[0048] The data obtained when the occurrence of the output trigger is detected may further include data indicating the attributes of the user detected by the detection process 511 and data indicating the accepted operation input. The attributes of the user are, for example, the gender and height of the user. The data indicating the accepted operation input is data corresponding to the operated button. The data indicating the accepted operation input may further include data indicating the time of acceptance, the position or area where the device 5 is installed at the time of acceptance, etc.

[0049] Here, a business model for selling device 5 using system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 4, a user who wishes to acquire device 5 pays price A to a distributor of device 5 (step S101) and acquires device 5 from the distributor (step S103). Steps S101 and S103 may be electronic commerce between a terminal device of the user (not shown) and a processing device 9 owned by the distributor. Note that price A includes 0. In other words, step S101 includes acquiring the device free of charge.

[0050] The distributor uses the processing device 9 to register the device 5 in the management server 1 (step S105). In step S105, the processing device 9 transmits necessary information to the management server 1, and the information is registered in the device database 121.

[0051] The manager who owns the management server 1 pays the price B to the distributor (step S107). In step S107, electronic payment may be made from the management server 1 to the distributor's processing device 9. Price B is the original cost of the device 5 minus price A. In other words, the manager compensates the user for the cost of the device 5. As a result, the original cost of the device 5 is paid to the distributor.

[0052] The device 5 acquired by the user on condition that the sponsor reimburses the cost in step S107 is referred to as a sponsored device. In step S105 above, the device 5 is registered in the management server 1 as a sponsored device.

[0053] In step S105, for example, the type of device 5 and information on the user are registered in the management server 1 together with the identification information unique to the device 5. The type of device 5 refers to, for example, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and the like. The user information is, for example, information unique to the user, such as a user name. In addition, the user information may include, for example, attribute information such as gender and age, and the area and address where the device 5 is installed.

[0054] By acquiring such information from the processing device 9, information on the sponsored device as shown in Fig. 5 is registered in the device database 121 of the management server 1. That is, referring to Fig. 5, unique identification information (device ID) of the sponsored device and the type of device are registered in the device database 121. Preferably, user information is also registered. Preferably, information on the sponsor who reimbursed the cost of acquiring the device 5 (hereinafter, sponsor information) is also registered. The sponsor information includes, for example, the name of the sponsor, the reimbursed cost, the sales area of ​​the sponsor's products, etc.

[0055] The sponsor requests the administrator to distribute advertisements and pays the advertisement fee (step S109). In step S109, data related to the advertisement is transmitted from the processing device 7 owned by the sponsor to the management server 1, and the advertisement fee may be settled electronically. The distributor may also pay the usage fee (royalty) for the system 100 to the administrator who owns the management server 1. At this time, the electronic settlement may be made using the processing device 9.

[0056] 4, the administrator who owns the management server 1 and the distributor who owns the processing device 9 are separate entities, that is, the management server 1 and the processing device 9 are separate and distinct devices. However, these two entities may be the same, that is, the management server 1 and the processing device 9 may be included in the same device, or in a group of devices that execute processes in association with each other. In this case, the distributor does not incur a usage fee for the system 100, and therefore the price A paid by the user in step S101 can be reduced, which is expected to promote sales of the device 5.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the data related to the advertisement transmitted from the processing device 7 to the management server 1 includes, for example, unique identification information (advertising ID) of the advertisement, advertisement data for displaying the advertisement, and identification data used to identify the target device 5 on which the advertisement is to be displayed. The identification data includes, for example, the type of the target device 5. Preferably, the identification data includes a user attribute. The user attribute is, for example, gender. Preferably, the identification data includes a time period for display. Preferably, the identification data includes an area in which the target device 5 is installed.

[0058] The administrator distributes advertisements to users (step S111). In step S111, advertisement data is transmitted from the management server 1 to the device 5 acquired by the user. At this time, the management server 1 executes a selection process 112 for selecting an advertisement to be distributed from the advertisement database 122.

[0059] The device 5 receives the advertisement data, and the advertisement is displayed based on the advertisement data. The administrator who distributed the advertisement to the user registers the distribution result in the management server 1, and reports the distribution of the advertisement to the sponsor based on the registered distribution result (step S113). In step S113, the distribution result 123 is registered in the memory 12 of the management server 1, and data indicating the distribution result based on the distribution result 123 is transmitted from the management server 1 to the processing device 7.

[0060] In this way, in the business model shown in FIG. 4, a user who wishes to purchase device 5 can purchase device 5 for price A, which is lower than the original price of device 5.

[0061] In system 100, advertisements are distributed according to the flow shown in Fig. 7. That is, referring to Fig. 7, when a user operation is performed on device 5, which is a sponsored device (step S1), an output trigger is detected in device 5 (step S3). The output trigger may be, as described above, the detection of the presence of a person, or the like.

[0062] When the output trigger is detected, the processor 51 of the device 5 acquires data at the time of the output trigger detection (step S5). In step S5, data indicating attributes such as the user's height and sex, and the contents of the operation input accepted in step S1, for example, is acquired. The device 5 transmits the acquired data and makes an advertisement request to the management server 1 (step S7).

[0063] The management server 1, which has received a request for an advertisement from the device 5, stores at least a portion of the data received from the device 5 in the memory 12. This storage may be included in the distribution result 123, which will be described later. In other words, the data may be stored in association with the distribution result of the advertisement. The management server 1 also executes a selection process for selecting an advertisement to be distributed to the device 5 from the advertisement database 122 (step S9), and distributes the selected advertisement to the device 5 (step S11).

[0064] In step S9, as an example, an advertisement to be delivered is selected from the advertisement database 122 according to the type of device 5. In this case, the processor 11 of the management server 1 refers to the information of the device 5 registered in the device database 121 based on the identification information of the device 5 included in the request from the device 5. That is, the processor 11 compares the device type included in the identification data of the advertisement registered in the advertisement database 122 with the device type of the target device 5 registered in the device database 121. Then, the processor 11 selects an advertisement whose identification data includes a device type that matches the device type of the target device 5 as the advertisement to be delivered from the advertisement database 122. As a result, an advertisement according to the type of the target device 5 is delivered to the device 5. As a result, the advertising effect can be improved.

[0065] In step S9, an advertisement to be delivered may be selected from the advertisement database 122 based on other data received from the device 5. The other data may be, for example, attributes such as the user's gender. In this case, the processor 11 of the management server 1 selects, as an advertisement to be delivered, an advertisement whose identification data includes a user attribute that matches the received user attribute from the advertisement database 122. For example, if the received user attribute, that is, the user who is present within a predetermined range by operating the device 5, is a woman, an advertisement for women is selected. This allows an advertisement according to the user's attribute to be displayed on the device 5, thereby improving the advertising effect.

[0066] In the above example, the attributes of the user existing within a predetermined range starting from the device 5 are recognized based on the image obtained by the sensor 56, but the advertisement to be delivered may be selected from the advertisement database 122 based on the attributes of the user according to the user information registered in advance in the device database 121. As described above, the registration of the user information in the device database 121 is performed by the distributor using the processing device 9 to transmit necessary information to the management server 1. The user attributes preferably include at least one of the user's gender, age, body type such as height and weight, vital information such as blood pressure and pulse, occupation, family structure, and address. Attributes that are likely to change such as body type and vital information may be automatically acquired from the user by the device 5 and periodically transmitted to the management server 1 for registration. Specific examples of the device 5 that acquires the body type as an attribute include a weight scale and a body composition scale. Specific examples of the device 5 that acquires vital information as an attribute include a blood pressure monitor and a wearable device.

[0067] In step S9, an advertisement to be delivered may be selected from advertisement database 122 based on further data received from device 5. The further data may be, for example, the content of an operation on device 5, the time when device 5 accepted the operation, the area where device 5 is installed, and the like. Furthermore, an advertisement with two or more pieces of data matching may be selected as the advertisement to be delivered. In this case as well, an advertisement that includes such information in its identification data is selected as the advertisement to be delivered from advertisement database 122.

[0068] The device 5 to which the advertisement has been distributed displays the advertisement based on the advertisement data (step S13). As a result, the advertisement is displayed on the device 5 at a timing when the user is in the vicinity. Also, the advertisement is displayed according to the situation in which the output trigger is detected. As a result, the advertisement is displayed effectively.

[0069] Moreover, the management server 1 that has delivered the advertisement stores the delivery result 123 in the memory 12 (step S15). The delivery result 123 is, for example, a combination of identification information unique to the delivered advertisement and identification information unique to the device 5 to which the advertisement is delivered. Preferably, the delivery result 123 is stored in association with at least a part of the data received from the device 5. At least a part of the data received from the device 5 is, for example, data used in the process of selecting the advertisement to be delivered in step S9. Alternatively, all of the data received from the device 5, including data not used in the selection process, may be stored. This can be used for analysis of what kind of data is effective to include as identification data in the advertisement data. As a result, it is possible to deliver advertisements more effectively.

[0070] By performing the above operations shown in Fig. 7, the system can realize effective advertisement delivery for the sponsor. Therefore, in the business model shown in Fig. 4, the advertising fee paid by the sponsor to the administrator in step S109 is secured.

[0071] In addition, by reporting the distribution results to the sponsor in step S113, the distribution results can be used for analysis as described above, leading to effective advertisement distribution. This also ensures that the advertising fees paid by the sponsor to the administrator in step S109 are paid in the business model shown in FIG.

[0072] As a result, the administrator can use the advertising fee paid by the sponsor to cover the fee B in step S107, that is, the cost of the device 5 when the user acquires the device 5. This allows the user to acquire the device 5 at a lower price.

[0073] [Second embodiment]

[0074] The advertisement delivered to the device 5 may be capable of accepting an operation input for purchasing a product sold by a sponsor. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the advertisement 20 displayed on the display 54 includes a button 21 for instructing a process for purchase.

[0075] When an operation input for purchasing a product sold by a sponsor is accepted, the processor 51 executes the purchase process 114 shown in Fig. 2. The purchase process 114 is a process for requesting the management server 1 to perform the purchase process and transmitting data for the purchase process to the management server 1. The processor 51 passes the data for the purchase process and data requesting the management server 1 to perform the purchase process to the communication device 13 and instructs the data to be transmitted to the management server 1.

[0076] 7 again, when the processor 51 of the device 5 receives an operation input to the button 21 (step S17), it executes the purchase process 114 to transmit data for the purchase process and requests the management server 1 to perform the purchase process (step S19). The management server 1 executes the purchase process in response to the request (step S21).

[0077] The purchase process in step S21 may be a typical electronic purchase process, and therefore the data transmitted from the device 5 in step S19 is typical data required for the purchase process, such as a user name, address, and credit card information.

[0078] Effective sales promotion can be achieved by making it possible to accept purchase operations for the advertisements displayed on the devices 5. This also ensures that the advertising fees paid by the sponsor to the administrator in step S109 are paid in the business model shown in FIG.

[0079] [Third embodiment]

[0080] In the device 5 according to the third embodiment, at least some of the functions of the device 5 are restricted during a period when the device 5 is not connected to the management server 1 via the communication network 3. Therefore, in the device 5 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the processor 51 executes a computer program 522 recorded in the memory 52, whereby the processor 51 further executes an operation control process 514.

[0081] The state in which communication with the management server 1 is not possible means that the communication device 53 cannot access the communication network 3, for example, when the power supply of the communication device 53 is OFF.

[0082] When the communication device 53 cannot access the communication network 3, the device 5 does not receive advertisements from the management server 1. In this case, even if the device 5 detects that the user is within a predetermined range, the device 5 does not display advertisements. Therefore, it is desirable that the device 5 is always in a state where it can access the communication network 3. Therefore, the processor 51 of the device 5 according to this embodiment further executes an operation control process 514 as shown in FIG. 3. The operation control process 514 is executed when it is detected that the communication device 53 cannot access the communication network 3, and makes at least a part of the pre-stored functions unavailable.

[0083] Also, assuming that the advertisement is displayed on the display 54 as a still image or a moving image, if a towel or other obstruction that covers at least a part of the display 54 is located opposite the display 54, the user will not see the advertisement. Also, assuming that the advertisement is emitted as sound or music from a speaker (not shown), if the speaker volume is set to a predetermined level or lower by an adjustment means (not shown) or if the speaker is covered with a sound-insulating material such as a sound-insulating sheet, the user will not hear the advertisement. For this reason, it is desirable for the device 5 to be in a state in which the advertisement can always be seen or heard as sound.

[0084] Therefore, the processor 51 of the device 5 according to the present embodiment may execute the operation control process 514 during a period in which at least a part of the advertisement cannot be seen and / or cannot be heard as sound. In other words, during that period, at least a part of the functions stored in advance in the device 5 is made unavailable.

[0085] It is desirable to use the sensor 56 as a means for detecting the presence of an obstruction facing the display 54. The sensor 56 is, for example, a camera, and includes at least a part of the area facing the display 54 in its imaging range. In this case, the detection process 511 of the processor 51 includes a process for detecting the presence of an obstruction in the imaging range in addition to or instead of the process for detecting the occurrence of the output trigger described above. As another example, the sensor 56 may be one that irradiates infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like and utilizes reflection of the irradiated light. The sensor 56 inputs a sensor signal indicating that it has received reflected light to the processor 51. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process for detecting the presence of an obstruction in at least a part of the area facing the display 54 based on the input of the sensor signal from the sensor 56. When the detection process 511 detects the presence of an obstruction, the processor 51 executes the operation control process 514.

[0086] As a means for detecting the volume from the speaker, it is preferable to use a sound detector (not shown) disposed near the speaker. In this case, the detection process 511 of the processor 51 includes a process for detecting the volume from the speaker in addition to or instead of the process for detecting the occurrence of the output trigger described above. When the detection process 511 detects that the volume has fallen below a threshold value (for example, the unit is preferably decibels) previously set in the device 5, the processor 51 executes the operation control process 514.

[0087] The restricted functions are not essential functions according to the type of device 5, but other added functions. For example, if device 5 is a refrigerator, the restricted functions are functions other than the function of cooling the interior. The other functions are, for example, lighting the interior. This restricts the added functions when the device 5 is not in a state where it can receive advertisements from the management server 1, without impairing the original functions according to the type of device 5. As a result, a user who wants to use the added functions keeps device 5 in a state where it can access the communication network 3, or in a state where advertisements can be properly viewed and / or properly heard as sound. This makes it easier for the management server 1 to successfully deliver advertisements to device 5.

[0088] The functions to be restricted here may be all or part of the functions of the device 5 that can be exercised even if the device 5 is not connected to the management server 1, unlike the above. For example, if the device 5 is a refrigerator, the functions to be restricted include a function to cool the inside of the refrigerator and a function to light the inside of the refrigerator. If the device 5 is a television, the functions to be restricted include reception of terrestrial broadcasting programs, playback of programs recorded in a recorder of an external device, and playback of programs recorded in a memory such as a hard disk built into the device 5. On the other hand, it is optional whether or not to restrict the functions of the device 5 that cannot be exercised unless the device 5 is connected to the management server 1. For example, if the device 5 is a refrigerator, the functions that cannot be exercised unless the device 5 is connected to the management server 1 include menu suggestions for dishes that the device 5 obtains via the communication network 3. If the device 5 is a television, the functions that cannot be exercised unless the device 5 is connected to the management server 1 include playback of still images, videos, and the like that the device 5 obtains via the communication network 3.

[0089] As a result, functions that can be performed even without being connected to the management server 1 are restricted if the device 5 is not in a state where it can receive advertisements from the management server 1. As a result, a user who wants to use functions that can be performed even without being connected to the management server 1 keeps the device 5 in a state where it can access the communication network 3, or in a state where advertisements can be properly viewed and / or properly heard as sound. This makes it easier for the management server 1 to successfully deliver advertisements to the device 5.

[0090] In the above description, the device 5 is a device such as a refrigerator 5A or a washing machine 5B, but the device 5 is not limited to home appliances. The device 5 is not limited to a device installed indoors, and may be a device installed outdoors. For example, the device 5 may be an advertisement on a display installed outdoors, and advertisements may be delivered to such advertisements in the same manner.

[0091] [Fourth embodiment]

[0092] The systems 100 according to the first to third embodiments can also be applied to a store. That is, the appliances 5 such as the refrigerator 5A and the washing machine 5B of the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment are appliances related to products in the store and are installed in the store to sell the products. The appliances installed in the store to sell the products include devices used to handle the products, the products themselves sold in the store, and the like.

[0093] The devices used to handle merchandise are devices that have a storage section for storing merchandise, and are, for example, devices installed as fixtures in a store. Specifically, they are product shelves, refrigerators, freezers, etc., and have a function for outputting advertisements, such as a display. Note that devices 5 such as refrigerators 5A and washing machines 5B do not include devices that are unrelated to the merchandise in the store and only output advertisements. This eliminates the need for the store to prepare a separate device for outputting advertisements.

[0094] As an example, a refrigerator 5A for displaying products is installed in a retail store such as a supermarket. In this case, refrigerator 5A is provided with a display 54 for customers at a position, such as the front, where the refrigerator 5A can be easily viewed by customers of the store.

[0095] As a case where refrigerator 5A is installed in a store, there are two cases where the store's products are displayed inside refrigerator 5A, that is, refrigerator 5A is used as a store fixture, and the store's products are refrigerators, and refrigerator 5A is installed as a product sample, but the example here is the former case. That is, refrigerator 5A has a refrigeration compartment 57 (FIG. 9) and stores food and the like inside refrigeration compartment 57. Customers of the store can take out the food and other products stored in refrigeration compartment 57 for purchase.

[0096] In the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, a business model for selling a device 5 is as shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, the mechanisms of the same reference symbols as in Fig. 4 are similar to the business model described in the first embodiment. That is, referring to Fig. 9, in the system 100 according to the present embodiment, a store acquires a device 5 instead of a user. The store that acquires the device 5 registers information on a product related to the device 5 (hereinafter, referred to as product information) in the management server 1 (step S115).

[0097] By registering the product information in step S115, information related to the sponsored device as shown in Fig. 10 is registered in device database 121 of management server 1. That is, referring to Fig. 10, in device database 121 of management server 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the sponsored device is registered in association with first information including information about the store in which the sponsored device is installed, in addition to information about the device such as unique identification information (device ID) and device type. Also, similar to the above, the information about the device may include sponsor information about device 5, which is a sponsored device.

[0098] Information about a store includes identification information that can identify the store, such as the store name, as well as information about the products handled at the store (hereinafter, product information). Product information includes information that identifies the products sold and services provided at the store (hereinafter, products, etc.). The identifying information includes information that identifies the name of the product, the type of product, the manufacturer of the product, etc. In the example of FIG. 10, the information about the store (store information in FIG. 10) includes the store name and information about the products handled at the store.

[0099] The product information related to device 5 refers to information on products handled by the store, which is the user who acquired device 5, in relation to device 5, when device 5 is used as a fixture in the store. When device 5 is refrigerator 5A, the product information includes information identifying a product stored in refrigerator 5A. When device 5 is washing machine 5B and the store is a dry cleaning store, the product information includes information identifying a product such as detergent sold for use in washing with washing machine 5B.

[0100] When the device 5 is a product sold in a store, the information on the device 5 includes product information on the device 5 as a product of the store. In other words, in the device database 121 of the management server 1, the sponsored device is registered in association with first information including, in addition to unique identification information (device ID) and the type of device, information on the store in which the sponsored device is installed, and information on the device 5. For example, when the store is an electronics store that handles refrigerators and refrigerator 5A is installed as a product sample, the device database 121 registers information on the store that indicates that it is an electronics store, and refrigerator 5A is registered in association with the product information on refrigerator 5A.

[0101] In step S115, product information may be transmitted from device 5 having a communication function to management server 1 and registered in device database 121, or product information may be transmitted from a processing device (not shown) owned by the store to management server 1. In step S115, for example, when a store staff member puts a product in refrigerator 5A, the information about the product is transmitted to management server 1 as product information.

[0102] 11, in system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the identification data included in the data related to the advertisement registered in advertisement DB 122 further includes product information of the product related to the advertisement. The information of the product related to the advertisement includes information such as the name, type, and manufacturer of the product that is the subject of the advertisement, attributes such as the gender, age group, and region of users who are assumed to be the target of the product that is the subject of the advertisement, information on products that may be used together with the product that is the subject of the advertisement, and the like. In the example of FIG. 11, the name of the product that is the subject of the advertisement and the name of a product related to the product that is the subject of the advertisement are included.

[0103] 11, for example, in the case of an advertisement for beer (advertising ID "AAA"), the identification data includes information identifying the beer (advertising product "beer a"). Furthermore, in the case of an advertisement for food suitable for eating with beer (advertising ID "BBB"), the identification data may include information identifying the beer (advertising product "beer b") in addition to information identifying the food (advertising product "food q").

[0104] In selection process 112 executed when the administrator distributes an advertisement to the store in step S111A, identification data associated with the advertisement registered in advertisement DB 122 is compared with first information including product information of refrigerator 5A registered in device DB 121, and an advertisement obtained according to the comparison result is selected as the advertisement to be distributed. Advertisements obtained according to the comparison result include, for example, an advertisement in which the identification data and the first information completely match, an advertisement in which information included in the identification data matches at least a part of the first information, a similar advertisement, an advertisement in which information included in the first information matches at least a part of the identification data, a similar advertisement, etc. For example, an advertisement in which identification data matches or is similar to the product information of refrigerator 5A is selected as the advertisement to be distributed.

[0105] As a result, in the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, advertisements corresponding to products handled by the device 5 at the store where the device 5 was purchased are delivered to the device 5. In the above example, if beer is stored for sale in the refrigerator 5A as shown in FIG. 10, a product advertisement for the stored beer is delivered to the refrigerator 5A. For example, if the beer is a new product, an advertisement for details of the new product may be delivered. Also, advertisements for foods suitable for eating with beer may be delivered. Furthermore, advertisements for other products handled by the beer maker of the stored beer may be delivered.

[0106] The advertisement is then displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A. This increases the desire of customers of the store to purchase beer when they see the advertisement displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A. Also, when customers take beer out of refrigerator 5A to purchase it, they see advertisements for foods that are suitable for eating with beer. They also see advertisements for other products handled by the beer company. Therefore, a high advertising effect is expected.

[0107] As another example, it is also assumed that advertisements for products manufactured by a company that sponsors the store when the store acquires the refrigerator 5A may be distributed. For example, if a beer company sponsors the refrigerator 5A, an advertisement for beer may be displayed on the display 54 of the refrigerator 5A. This increases the desire of customers of the store to purchase products manufactured by the sponsor. Therefore, a high advertising effect is expected for both the store and the sponsor.

[0108] In addition, if device 5 is a product sold in a store, it is also assumed that advertisements for other products by the same manufacturer as that of device 5, which is a product of the store, may be distributed. For example, advertisements for other electrical appliances, such as washing machines, made by the same manufacturer are displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A, which is a product of an electronics store. As a result, customers of the store will become interested in other electrical appliances by the same manufacturer after seeing the advertisement displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A. Therefore, a high advertising effect is expected for both the store and the advertiser.

[0109] The product information in Fig. 10 is an example. Information about products handled in a store may include information about the handling of products in the store. Information about the handling of products includes the quantity of products in the store, the handling period, the sales amount, etc.

[0110] In this case, an example of a method of delivering an advertisement may include delivering an advertisement at a timing according to a result of comparing the quantity of the product with a pre-stored specified number. Specifically, when the number of products stored in device 5A is greater than a specified number, an advertisement for the product may be delivered to refrigerator 5A.

[0111] As another example, when the handling period included in the information on handling of the products, etc. is the schedule of the stored products, that is, the information showing the storage period for each product, an advertisement for the product may be delivered to refrigerator 5A at an appropriate timing according to the schedule. With such a delivery method, a higher advertising effect can be expected.

[0112] In the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the device 5 is not limited to a so-called electric appliance such as a refrigerator 5A, and may be other store fixtures that can be equipped with a display function and a communication function. For example, the device 5 may be a mirror installed in a store that handles clothing and other accessories. In this case, it is assumed that advertisements for products handled by the store are displayed on the mirror. As another example, the device 5 may be an advertising device installed in a public place such as a station or inside a train, such as a signage panel equipped with a display function and a communication function. A user who acquires such an advertising device is assumed to be, for example, a railway company. In this case, an appropriate advertisement may be selected and displayed based on information such as the time period and the location where the advertising device is installed.

[0113] As described above, the device 5 included in the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment also includes the sensor 56, such as a camera or a human sensor, and can detect the presence of a person within a predetermined range. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, when the device 5 detects the presence of a person within a predetermined range, it may detect the occurrence of an output trigger and request an advertisement from the management server 1. Furthermore, at that time, the device 5 may detect the user's attributes, such as the user's gender and height, and transmit them to the management server 1 together with the request. In this case, the management server 1 may deliver an advertisement at a timing according to the request, and may further use the data transmitted together with the request to determine the advertisement to be delivered.

[0114] As a result, in system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, when a customer approaches within a predetermined range of device 5 in a store, an advertisement is displayed on display 54. For example, an advertisement for a product related to a product in refrigerator 5A is displayed when a customer approaches refrigerator 5A or when the customer is about to take a product out of refrigerator 5A. This can further increase the advertising effect, and can also reduce unnecessary advertisements because the advertisement is not displayed when the customer is not within the predetermined range.

[0115] <3. Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0116] In addition, according to another embodiment, the disclosure also includes an overview of a management server and a distribution method as described below. (1) A management server in accordance with an embodiment is a management server that manages the delivery of advertisements to equipment related to merchandise in a store and installed in the store to sell the merchandise, and includes a memory and a processor connected to the memory. The memory stores a device database that registers the equipment in association with first information including information about the store, and an advertisement database that registers the advertisements in association with identification data used to identify the equipment to be output. The processor delivers to the equipment an advertisement obtained based on a result of comparing the identification data associated with the advertisement stored in the advertisement database with the first information associated with the equipment.

[0117] The equipment installed in a store for selling goods includes devices used to handle goods, the goods themselves sold in the store, etc. The equipment used to handle goods includes, for example, store fixtures used to display goods, specifically, product shelves, refrigerators, freezers, etc. The goods themselves sold in a store also include goods used as product samples.

[0118] The information about the store included in the first information includes, in addition to identification information that can identify the store, such as the store name, information about the products, etc. handled at the store. The information about the products, etc. handled at the store includes information that identifies the products sold and services provided at the store (hereinafter, products, etc.), information about the handling of the products, etc. at the store, etc. The identifying information includes information that identifies the name of the product, etc., the type of product, etc., and the manufacturer of the product, etc. The information about the handling of the products, etc. includes the quantity of the product, etc. at the store, the period of handling, the sales amount, etc.

[0119] The identification data is data used to identify the target device to be output, and includes information on the product etc. related to the advertisement in addition to or instead of information on the device, such as identification information of the target device itself, information specifying the type of device, attributes related to use such as the time of use and area of ​​installation of the device, attributes of the sex, area of ​​residence, age group, family composition, etc. of the user of the device. Information on the product etc. related to the advertisement includes information such as the name, type, and manufacturer of the product etc. that is the target of the advertisement, attributes such as the sex, age group, and area of ​​users who are expected to be the target of the product etc. that is the target of the advertisement, information on products etc. that may be used together with the product etc. that is the target of the advertisement, etc.

[0120] Advertisements obtained based on the result of comparing the identification data with the first information include, for example, an advertisement in which the identification data completely matches the first information, an advertisement in which information contained in the identification data matches at least a portion of the first information, a similar advertisement, an advertisement in which information contained in the first information matches at least a portion of the identification data, a similar advertisement, etc.

[0121] By distributing the advertisement to the device installed in the store, the advertisement is output in the store, and the store can show the advertisement to customers of the store without the need for the store to prepare an output device dedicated to advertisements. Furthermore, by distributing the advertisement obtained based on the result of comparing the identification data with the first information, advertisements related to the store's products, etc. are displayed to customers of the store. This is likely to lead to sales promotion of the advertised products, etc., and can improve the effectiveness of advertising and promotion for both the advertiser and the store.

[0122] (2) Preferably, the device is used to handle merchandise in a store and includes an output unit for outputting advertisements. This allows the store to output advertisements without having to install a separate output device for outputting advertisements, and since advertisements are output to customers in the store, the effectiveness of advertising can be improved.

[0123] (3) Preferably, the equipment used to handle the goods has a storage unit for storing the goods. The equipment having a storage unit for storing the goods is equipment installed as store fixtures, such as product shelves, refrigerators, freezers, etc. This eliminates the need for the store to prepare separate devices for outputting advertisements, and allows the store to use the equipment installed as store fixtures.

[0124] (4) Preferably, the information about the store includes information about the store's products. This allows an advertisement to be output that targets products related to the store's products. This is likely to lead to sales promotion of products related to the store's products, and can improve the effectiveness of advertising and promotion for both the advertiser and the store.

[0125] (5) Preferably, the identification data includes information about a product related to the advertisement. The product related to the advertisement includes a product that may be used together with the product that is the subject of the advertisement, a similar product, an upgraded product, etc. This allows the device to output advertisements for related products such as a product that may be used together with the product in the store, a similar product, an upgraded product, etc.

[0126] (6) Preferably, the information about the product related to the advertisement includes information about a product that is used together with the product that is the subject of the advertisement. This allows the device to output advertisements for products that may be used together with the products in the store.

[0127] (7) Preferably, the advertisement obtained based on the result of comparing the identification data with the first information includes an advertisement in which the information included in the identification data matches the first information or a similar advertisement. This allows the device to output an advertisement for a product or the like that matches the product or the like in the store or an advertisement for a similar or related product or the like.

[0128] (8) Preferably, the store-related information includes information indicating the quantity of products in the store, and the delivering includes delivering the advertisement at a timing according to a comparison result between the quantity of products and a pre-stored specified number. The above-mentioned timing is, for example, a timing when it is detected that the number of products stored in the device is more than a specified number. This allows the advertisement to be output to the device at an effective timing, thereby improving the effectiveness of advertising and publicity.

[0129] (9) Preferably, the store-related information includes information indicating a period during which the product is available at the store, and the delivering includes delivering the advertisement at a timing according to the period. For example, when the product is stored in the device according to a predetermined schedule, the timing may be a timing according to the schedule. This allows the advertisement to be output to the device at an effective timing, thereby improving the effectiveness of advertising and publicity.

[0130] (10) Preferably, the delivering step includes delivering the advertisement when the presence of a person is detected within a predetermined range from the device. This allows the advertisement to be displayed when a person is within the predetermined range, and not displayed when there is no person within the predetermined range. As a result, it is possible to reduce unnecessary advertisement output while ensuring the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0131] (11) A distribution method according to an embodiment is a method for distributing advertisements to devices related to products in a store and installed in the store to sell the products, the advertisements being registered in a memory in association with identification data used to identify the device to which the advertisements are to be output, and includes determining an advertisement to be distributed to the device based on a comparison between the associated identification data and information about the store associated with the device among the advertisements registered in the memory. This allows advertisements for products related to the store to be output in the store. Therefore, the store can show the advertisements to customers of the store without the need for an output device dedicated to advertisements. In addition, there is a high possibility that the advertisements will lead to sales promotion of the products and the like that are the subject of advertisements, and the effectiveness of advertising and promotion for both the advertiser and the store can be improved.

[0132] In addition, according to another embodiment, the disclosure below is also included. (12) A management server that manages distribution of advertisements to devices related to products of a store and installed in the store for selling the products, comprising: Memory, a processor coupled to the memory, The memory includes: a device database that registers the device in association with first information including information about the device and information about the store; an advertisement database for registering advertisements in association with identification data used to identify a device to which the advertisements are to be output; The processor, Delivering to the device an advertisement that is obtained in response to a comparison between the identification data associated with an advertisement stored in the advertisement database and the first information associated with the device. Management server.

[0133] (13) The device is a product itself in the store, an output unit for outputting the advertisement; (12) A management server according to the present invention.

[0134] (14) The information about the device includes product information about the device as a product of the store. The management server according to (12) or (13).

[0135] (15) The device is acquired by the store on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor, The information about the device includes information about the sponsor. (12) A management server according to the present invention.

[0136] (16) The information about the product related to the advertisement includes information identifying the manufacturer of the product. The management server according to any one of (12) to (15).

[0137] (17) A method for distributing advertisements to equipment related to a product in a store, the equipment being installed in the store for the sale of the product, comprising: The advertisement is registered in the memory in association with identification data used to identify a device to which the advertisement is to be output; determining, from among the advertisements registered in the memory, an advertisement associated with the device and associated with the identification data including information about the device and information about the store, as an advertisement to be delivered to the device. Delivery method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1: Management server 3: Communication network 5:Equipment 5A: Refrigerator 5B: Washing machine 6: Remote control 7: Processing equipment 9: Processing equipment 11: Processor 12: Memory 13: Communication equipment 20: Advertising 21: Button 50: Control device 51: Processor 52: Memory 53: Communication equipment 54: Display 55: Input device 56: Sensor 57: Refrigerator 100: System 111: Distribution process 112: Selection process 113: Registration process 114: Purchase process 121: Equipment database 122: Advertising database 123: Distribution results 124: Computer Programs 511: Detection process 512 : Request processing 513: Output processing 514: Motion control processing 521: Unique data 522: Computer Programs

Claims

1. A management server, a device database for registering sponsored devices, which are devices acquired by users on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor; An advertisement database for registering advertisements; Delivering advertisements selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored devices registered in the device database. Management server.

2. Delivering the advertisement includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered from the advertisement database according to the type of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. The management server according to claim 1 .

3. Delivering the advertisement includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered from the advertisement database according to attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. The management server according to claim 1 or 2.

4. receiving data from the sponsored device registered in the device database; Delivering the advertisement includes selecting the advertisement for delivery from the advertisement database based on data received from the sponsored device. The management server according to claim 1 .

5. Selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered according to a type of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. The management server according to claim 4.

6. Selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered according to attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered.

6. The management server according to claim 4 or 5.

7. and recording a result of distributing the advertisement in association with at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device. The management server according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. storing at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device; The management server according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. Recording the results of delivering the advertisement The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The advertisement to be distributed causes the sponsored device to accept an operation to purchase a product. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be distributed according to information related to the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be distributed, the information being related to a product handled by the user who has acquired the sponsored device. The management server according to claim 4.

12. A sponsored device is a device acquired by a user on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor; The device is connectable to a management server that manages that the device is a sponsored device, During operation, the advertisement obtained from the management server is output. device.

13. The output trigger in outputting the advertisement includes detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range.

13. The device of claim 12.

14. The output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes receiving an operation.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13.

15. When the output trigger occurs, a request for an advertisement is made to the management server; Receive the advertisement data from the management server.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14.

16. Transmitting data obtained at the time of occurrence of the output trigger to the management server; receiving, from the management server, data of the advertisement selected using data obtained at the time the output trigger occurs; 16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The data obtained when the output trigger occurs includes information used to identify the type of the device in the management server.

17. The device of claim 16.

18. Restricting at least a part of the functions of the device during a period when the device is not connected to the management server An apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17.

19. Restricting at least a portion of the functionality of the device during a period in which at least a portion of the advertisement is not visible and / or not audible. An apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. a display for displaying the advertisement; a sensor for detecting the presence of an object obscuring at least a portion of the display; 20. The device of claim 19.

21. The function can be performed even if the device is not connected to the management server. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

Images