Service providing server, service providing method, and program

Abstract

To increase the likelihood that users view advertisements.SOLUTION: A service providing server according to the present disclosure includes: receiving means for receiving store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered for provision of a social networking service; SNS providing means for providing the social networking service using the user identification information; preference data searching means for searching for preference data associated with the user identification information; advertisement information searching means for searching for advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the preference data found by the search and the store information; and transmitting means for transmitting the advertisement control information found by the search to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a service providing server, a service providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the advertising information distribution system described in Patent Document 1, a mobile information terminal receives a beacon signal including advertiser information and identification information from a beacon. If the advertiser information and identification information match preset user preference information, the mobile information terminal transmits an information delivery request to a network management server device. The mobile information terminal then obtains advertising information corresponding to the advertiser information and identification information from the network management server device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-095726 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When ordering food and beverages or other products at restaurants and other establishments using a store terminal such as a tablet ordering system, it is assumed that users are more likely to view advertisements if they are displayed on the store terminal used to place the order than if the advertisements are displayed on the user's terminal.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a service providing server or the like that increases the likelihood that a user will view an advertisement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A service providing server in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a receiving means for receiving store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service, an SNS providing means for providing a social networking service using the user identification information, a preference data searching means for searching preference data associated with the user identification information, an advertising information searching means for searching advertising control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information, and a transmitting means for transmitting the searched advertising control information to a store terminal installed in a store indicated in the store information.

[0007] A service provision method in one embodiment of the present disclosure receives store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service, provides the social networking service using the user identification information, searches for preference data associated with the user identification information, searches for advertising control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information, and transmits the searched advertising control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information.

[0008] A program in one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processes: receiving store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service; providing a social networking service using the user identification information; searching for preference data associated with the user identification information; searching for advertising control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information; and transmitting the searched advertising control information to a store terminal installed in a store indicated in the store information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve the effect of increasing the likelihood that a user will view an advertisement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an advertisement display system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the advertisement display system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a service providing server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the service providing server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, however, the advertisement display system 10 of the embodiment is not limited to the description of the drawings.

[0012] In the following description, the advertisements provided by the service providing server 40 will be described as advertisements for restaurants. However, the service providing server 40 may process advertisements for restaurants other than restaurants, as long as the advertisements are for restaurants where users order products using the store terminal.

[0013] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an advertisement display system 10 that uses a service providing server 40. The advertisement display system 10 includes a beacon 20, a user terminal 30, the service providing server 40, and a store terminal 50. The user terminal 30 and the service providing server 40 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. For example, the user terminal 30 and the service providing server 40 are connected to each other via a first network that includes wireless communication such as a mobile phone line. Furthermore, the service providing server 40 and the store terminal 50 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. For example, the service providing server 40 and the store terminal 50 are connected to each other via a second network that includes wireless communication such as a wireless local area network (LAN). However, the first network and the second network are not limited to those described above, and may be communication paths different from those described above.

[0014] The beacon 20 is installed in a store and transmits store information indicating the store in which it is installed. For example, the beacon 20 is installed at a reception desk or a table where food and drink are served in the store, and transmits the store information using short-range wireless communication. The beacon 20 may use, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as the short-range wireless communication. When the beacon 20 uses short-range wireless communication such as a BLE beacon, the beacon 20 can transmit the store information while reducing the possibility of interference with other beacons. The advertisement display system 10 may use a general beacon device as the beacon 20. Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration of the beacon 20, such as its hardware, will be omitted.

[0015] The store information is information that indicates the store where the beacon 20 is installed. The store information is, for example, the name of the company that operates the store, the company number, the company's business type number, the store name, the store number, the table number where the beacon 20 is installed, or at least some combination of these. The store information may also include information that indicates the location of the store. The information that indicates the location is, for example, an address, a building name, or latitude and longitude, but is not limited to these.

[0016] The user terminal 30 acquires store information from the beacon 20 and transmits user identification information for identifying the user and the store information to the service providing server 40. The user terminal 30 is a device that the user carries with them to a store, such as, but not limited to, a smartphone or a tablet. Furthermore, the user terminal 30 has installed thereon an application for implementing the above-described functions. This application has, for example, a function for communicating with the service providing server 40 to use an SNS and a function for receiving store information from the beacon 20. Hereinafter, this application will be referred to as an SNS application. However, the SNS application is not limited to a single application having all the above-described functions, but may also be an application that operates as a combination of multiple applications. For example, the SNS application may be a combination of an application for communicating with the service providing server 40 to use an SNS, an application for receiving store information from the beacon 20, and an application for linking these.

[0017] The user identification information is information for identifying a user, such as a user name, a membership number, or a user identifier. For example, the user terminal 30 may use the user identification information of the SNS stored in the SNS application. However, the user terminal 30 may use other user identification information. For example, if the user terminal 30 is a smartphone, the user terminal 30 may use the user information of the smartphone as the user identification information.

[0018] The service providing server 40, which will be described in detail later, acquires user identification information and store information, and provides social networking services (SNS) and advertisement control information.

[0019] The store terminal 50 displays advertisements using the advertisement control information acquired from the service providing server 40. The store terminal 50 is, for example, a self-order tablet that is installed at a table in the store and used by users to order products. However, the store terminal 50 is not limited to a self-order tablet as long as it is a device that users use to order products.

[0020] The advertisement control information is information for displaying advertisements for products offered in a store. For example, when the store terminal 50 acquires display information to be displayed as an advertisement from a storage source such as a storage device that stores the display information, the advertisement control information is information indicating the storage source of the display information. In this case, the store terminal 50 acquires and displays the display information from the storage source indicated by the advertisement control information.

[0021] The store terminal 50 may acquire display information to be displayed as an advertisement from the service providing server 40. In this case, the advertisement control information is the display information to be displayed as an advertisement. In this case, the store terminal 50 may display the display information acquired as the advertisement control information.

[0022] The store terminal 50 may store a plurality of pieces of display information to be displayed as advertisements, and display the designated display information. In this case, the advertisement control information is information that specifies the display information to be displayed as an advertisement from the display information stored by the store terminal. In this case, the store terminal 50 may display the display information specified in the advertisement control information from the plurality of pieces of display information stored.

[0023] If the store terminal 50 is a self-order tablet in a restaurant, the store terminal 50 may display advertisements in a portion of the screen for ordering products. As described above, the service providing server 40 transmits advertisement control information for products in the store that match the preferences of the user to the store terminal 50. Therefore, the store terminal 50 can display advertisements for products in the store that match the preferences of the user ordering the products in a portion of the screen for ordering the products. In this way, the advertisement display system 10 can display advertisements that match the preferences of the user using the store terminal 50 on the screen of the store terminal 50 used to order products. As a result, the store terminal 50 can increase the likelihood that the user will view the advertisements.

[0024] The advertisement control information may be information for displaying advertisements for multiple products. In this case, the store terminal 50 may display advertisements for multiple products consecutively, or may switch between displayed advertisements at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, the store terminal 50 may display advertisements for at least some of the multiple products in parallel.

[0025] The store terminal 50 may be a device equipped with a beacon 20. In this case, the store can reduce the number of steps required to install the beacon 20.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the advertisement display system 10. The beacon 20 installed in a store constantly transmits store information indicating the store where the beacon 20 is installed (Step S201). The user terminal 30 receives the store information transmitted by the beacon 20 (Step S301). The user terminal 30 then transmits user identification information for identifying the user and store information to the service providing server 40 (Step S302). The service providing server 40 acquires the user identification information and store information from the user terminal 30 (Step S401). The service providing server 40 then provides a social networking service using the user identification information (Step S402). The user terminal 30 uses the provided SNS (Step S303). The service providing server 40 then transmits advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information (Step S405). The store terminal 50 displays an advertisement using the advertisement control information (Step S501). The operation of the service providing server 40 will be described in detail later.

[0027] Next, the service providing server 40 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the service providing server 40. The service providing server 40 includes a receiving unit 410, an SNS providing unit 420, a preference data searching unit 430, an advertisement information searching unit 440, and a transmitting unit 450.

[0028] The receiving unit 410 receives store information indicating a store where the beacon 20 is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service. For example, the receiving unit 410 receives the store information and the user identification information from the user terminal 30. However, the receiving unit 410 may receive the store information and the user identification information from other devices, not limited to the user terminal 30.

[0029] The SNS providing unit 420 provides a social networking service (SNS) using the user identification information. The SNS providing unit 420 may provide a general SNS. Therefore, a detailed description of the SNS provided by the SNS providing unit 420 will be omitted.

[0030] The interest data search unit 430 searches for interest data associated with the user identification information. Therefore, the interest data search unit 430 stores the interest data in advance in association with the user identification information. For example, the interest data search unit 430 may acquire data related to the user's interests when the user registers for an SNS, and store the interest data in association with the user identification information. However, the interest data search unit 430 may also acquire the interest data associated with the user identification information from another server.

[0031] The advertising information search unit 440 searches for advertising control information for displaying advertisements corresponding to the preference data and store information searched by the preference data search unit 430. Therefore, the advertising information search unit 440 stores the advertising control information in advance in association with the store information and preference data. For example, the advertising information search unit 440 may acquire advertising control information for products corresponding to each preference from each store in advance, and store the advertising control information in association with the store information and preference data. However, the advertising information search unit 440 may also acquire advertising control information for displaying advertisements corresponding to the preference data and store information from another server.

[0032] The transmitting unit 450 transmits the advertisement control information searched by the advertisement information searching unit 440 to the store terminal 50 installed in the store indicated in the store information.

[0033] The SNS providing unit 420 of the service providing server 40 provides an SNS. To provide an SNS, user identification information is required. Therefore, the SNS providing unit 420 has already acquired the user identification information, etc. Therefore, the interest data searching unit 430 does not need to acquire information from the user when searching for interest data. Similarly, the advertisement information searching unit 440 does not need to acquire information from the user when searching for advertisement control information.

[0034] In contrast, a server that does not use SNS but uses user preference data must request the user to input personal information such as preference data in order to search for advertising control information, for example, as follows. Hereinafter, such a server will be referred to as an associated server. An example of the operation of an associated server will be described.

[0035] (1) The related server sends a request email to the user terminal 30 to access the member registration page for the related server.

[0036] (2) The user operates the user terminal 30 to access the member registration page of the related server.

[0037] (3) The user operates the user terminal 30 to enter personal information such as name, address, email address, and preference data on the member registration page. In this way, the related server requires the user to input personal information. Furthermore, there may be psychological barriers to inputting personal information. Therefore, the related server may be refused by the user.

[0038] On the other hand, in order to provide the SNS, the SNS providing unit 420 of the service providing server 40 has already acquired personal information in advance, for example, when the user registers on the SNS. Therefore, the preference data searching unit 430 and the advertisement information searching unit 440 can operate without requesting the user to input personal information.

[0039] Furthermore, if an SNS is not used like an associated server, the store needs to prepare an associated server that acquires preference data from users. In this way, the service providing server 40 also reduces the burden on the store.

[0040] The service providing server 40 may display advertisements in stores associated with the user. For example, many SNSs have a function for associating user identification information with store information. Therefore, the service providing server 40 may use the association between user identification information and store information when transmitting advertisement control information. This association function is often called "friend registration." An example of the operation when associating user identification information with store information will be described below.

[0041] First, a store clerk posts a poster with a two-dimensional code of store information printed on it in the store so that it can be read by the user terminal 30. Then, the user uses the user terminal 30 to read the two-dimensional code posted in the store.

[0042] The user terminal 30 restores the store information from the read two-dimensional code and transmits a request to the service providing server 40 to associate the restored store information with the user identification information. For example, the user terminal 30 detects that a registration button displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 30 has been touched, and transmits a request to the service providing server 40 to associate the store information with the user identification information. The SNS providing unit 420 of the service providing server 40 associates the store information with the user identification information based on the request received from the user terminal 30.

[0043] Then, when the store information received after the association is store information associated with the user identification information, the transmission unit 450 transmits the advertisement control information to the store terminal 50. On the other hand, when the received store information is store information that is not associated with the user identification information, the transmission unit 450 does not transmit the advertisement control information to the store terminal 50. In this way, when the store information is store information associated with the user identification information, the transmission unit 450 may transmit the advertisement control information to the store terminal 50.

[0044] The SNS providing unit 420 provides an SNS. The SNS has a function for associating users with each other, such as friend registration. Many users have experience using this function. Therefore, the user can easily request association by simply performing an operation that they have already experienced as the operation for associating store information with user identification information.

[0045] On the other hand, when associating store information with user identification information in an associated server that does not use SNS, the user is required to perform the association operation in the associated server. This operation is often the first operation for the user. Therefore, the user may be reluctant to register. In this respect, too, the service providing server 40 can facilitate the association between stores and users.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the service providing server 40. The receiving unit 410 receives store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service (step S401). The SNS providing unit 420 provides a social networking service using the user identification information (step S402). The interest data searching unit 430 searches for interest data associated with the user identification information (step S403). The advertising information searching unit 440 searches for advertising control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched interest data and store information (step S404). The transmitting unit 450 transmits the searched advertising control information to a store terminal installed in a store indicated in the store information (step S405).

[0047] As described above, the service providing server 40 includes a receiving unit 410, an SNS providing unit 420, a preference data searching unit 430, an advertisement information searching unit 440, and a transmitting unit 450. The receiving unit 410 receives store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service. The SNS providing unit 420 provides the social networking service using the user identification information. The preference data searching unit 430 searches for preference data associated with the user identification information. The advertisement information searching unit 440 searches for advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information. The transmitting unit 450 transmits the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information.

[0048] With this configuration, when the user terminal 30 acquires store information transmitted from the beacon 20, for example when the user enters a store, the service providing server 40 transmits advertisement control information for displaying advertisements for products that match the user's preferences to the store terminal 50. As a result, the service providing server 40 can increase the likelihood that the user will view the advertisement when ordering a product, for example.

[0049] Hardware configuration Next, the hardware configuration of the service providing server 40 will be described. The service providing server 40 may be configured with a hardware circuit. The service providing server 40 may be configured using multiple devices connected via a network, such as in cloud computing. Alternatively, the service providing server 40 may be configured as a computer implemented by software, such as a virtual computer. Alternatively, the service providing server 40 may be implemented as a computer including a processor, memory, and a network interface. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The memory is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The network interface is, for example, an interface for performing communication using Bluetooth or a wireless LAN. The network interface is not limited to wireless, and may also use wired communication.

[0050] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer 600, which is an example of the hardware configuration of the service providing server 40. The computer 600 includes a CPU 610, a ROM 620, a RAM 630, a storage device 640, and a network interface 650.

[0051] The CPU 610 loads a program from at least one of the ROM 620 and the storage device 640. The CPU 610 then controls the RAM 630, the storage device 640, and the network interface 650 based on the loaded program. The computer 600 then controls these components to realize the functions of the receiving unit 410, the SNS providing unit 420, the interest data searching unit 430, the advertising information searching unit 440, and the transmitting unit 450. In this way, the computer 600 may realize its functions as a combination of hardware and software.

[0052] The CPU 610 may operate by reading a program stored in a computer-readable recording medium 690, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, that stores the program. Alternatively, the CPU 610 may receive a program from an external device (not shown) via the network interface 650, store the program in the RAM 630 or the storage device 640, and operate based on the stored program.

[0053] The ROM 620 stores programs and fixed data executed by the CPU 610. The ROM 620 is, for example, a programmable ROM (P-ROM) or a flash ROM. The RAM 630 temporarily stores programs and data executed by the CPU 610. The RAM 630 is, for example, a dynamic RAM (D-RAM). The storage device 640 stores data and programs that the computer 600 stores long-term. The storage device 640 may operate as a temporary storage device for the CPU 610. The storage device 640 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0054] The ROM 620 and the storage device 640 are non-volatile (non-transitory) recording media. On the other hand, the RAM 630 is a volatile (transitory) recording media. The CPU 610 can operate based on programs stored in the ROM 620, the storage device 640, and the RAM 630. In other words, the CPU 610 can operate using either a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium. When realizing each function, the CPU 610 may use at least one of the RAM 630 and the storage device 640 as a temporary storage medium for programs and data.

[0055] The network interface 650 relays data exchange with other devices via a network.

[0056] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0057] (Appendix 1) a receiving means for receiving store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service; An SNS providing means for providing a social networking service using user identification information; A preference data search means for searching for preference data associated with user identification information; an advertisement information search means for searching advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information; a transmitting means for transmitting the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information; A service providing server comprising:

[0058] (Appendix 2) The advertisement control information is information for displaying advertisements for products offered by the store. 2. The service provider server according to claim 1.

[0059] (Appendix 3) The advertisement control information is information indicating a storage source for storing display information to be displayed as an advertisement. 2. The service providing server according to claim 1.

[0060] (Appendix 4) The advertisement control information is display information to be displayed as an advertisement. 2. The service providing server according to claim 1.

[0061] (Appendix 5) The advertisement control information is information that specifies display information to be displayed as an advertisement in the display information stored in the store terminal. 2. The service providing server according to claim 1.

[0062] (Appendix 6) The advertisement control information is information for displaying an advertisement that is displayed as part of the product ordering display on the store terminal. A service providing server according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to 5.

[0063] (Appendix 7) The advertisement control information is information for displaying advertisements for multiple products. A service providing server according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to 6.

[0064] (Appendix 8) The advertisement control information is information for displaying advertisements for at least some of the multiple products in parallel at the store terminal. 7. The service providing server according to claim 7.

[0065] (Appendix 9) receiving store information indicating a store where the beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service; Use your user identification information to provide social networking services; Retrieving preference data associated with the user identification information; Searching for advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information; Transmitting the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information; Service delivery methods.

[0066] (Appendix 10) receiving store information indicating a store where the beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide the social networking service; providing a social networking service using the user identification information; retrieving preference data associated with the user identification; A process of searching for advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and store information; a process of transmitting the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0067] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplements 2 to 8 that are dependent on Supplement 1 above may also be dependent on Supplements 9 and 10 in the same dependent relationship as Supplements 2 to 8. Furthermore, not limited to Supplements 1, 9, and 10, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The present disclosure is applicable to the food service industry in general. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 Advertising display system 20 Beacon 30 user terminals 40 Service provider server 410 Receiving unit 420 SNS provision department 430 Interest Data Search Unit 440 Advertising Information Search Department 450 Transmitter 50 store terminals 600 computers 610 processor 620 ROM 630 RAM 640 Storage device 650 network interface 690 Recording Media

Claims

1. a receiving means for receiving store information indicating a store where a beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service; an SNS providing means for providing the social networking service using the user identification information; a preference data search means for searching for preference data associated with the user identification information; an advertisement information search means for searching advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and the searched store information; a transmitting means for transmitting the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in a store indicated in the store information; A service providing server comprising:

2. The advertisement control information is control information for displaying advertisements for products provided by the store. The service providing server according to claim 1 .

3. The advertisement control information is information indicating a storage source that stores display information to be displayed as an advertisement. The service providing server according to claim 2 .

4. The advertisement control information is display information to be displayed as an advertisement. The service providing server according to claim 2 .

5. The advertisement control information is information for specifying display information to be displayed as an advertisement in the display information stored in the store terminal. The service providing server according to claim 2 .

6. the advertisement control information is information for displaying an advertisement to be displayed in a part of the display for ordering the product at the store terminal; The service providing server according to claim 2 .

7. the advertisement control information is information for displaying advertisements for the plurality of products; The service providing server according to claim 2 .

8. the advertisement control information is information for displaying advertisements for at least some of the plurality of products in parallel at the store terminal; The service providing server according to claim 7.

9. receiving store information indicating a store where the beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide a social networking service; providing the social networking service using the user identification information; retrieving interest data associated with the user identification information; searching for advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and the store information; transmitting the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in the store indicated in the store information; Service delivery methods.

10. receiving store information indicating a store where the beacon is installed and user identification information for identifying a user registered to provide the social networking service; providing the social networking service using the user identification information; retrieving interest data associated with the user identification information; a process of searching for advertisement control information for displaying an advertisement corresponding to the searched preference data and the store information; a process of transmitting the searched advertisement control information to a store terminal installed in a store indicated in the store information; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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