Information providing method, information providing apparatus, information providing program, and information providing system

Abstract

To provide information so that a target user may easily have a so-called "chance encounter" while maintaining the convenience of the target user.SOLUTION: An information providing method for providing information in an information provision service area is configured to: generate standard information based on action history of a similar characteristic user having user characteristics similar to the characteristics of a target user; generate similar characteristic peculiar information which does not exist in action history of the target user, on the basis of the action history of the similar characteristic user; preferentially provide the standard information in a standard information provision period; and preferentially provide the similar characteristic peculiar information in a similar characteristic peculiar information provision period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing method, an information providing device, an information providing program, and an information providing system for providing recommended information. [Background technology]

[0002] Recommendation systems (recommendation engines) that present recommended items tailored to the user from a large number of items are often used on EC (Electronic Commerce) sites. Collaborative filtering is a widely used method for recommendation systems.

[0003] Collaborative filtering is a method of recommending items to a target user based on the user's rating of the item and the ratings of users with similar purchase items and browsing history (reference users).

[0004] When collaborative filtering is applied to a service that supports city travel, recommendations are made based on visit histories and ratings of places, stores, facilities, etc. Furthermore, the information providing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines information to be recommended based on bias information that indicates the user's psychological tendencies, and updates the bias information according to the user's behavior in response to the recommended information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-26687 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the service that supports city wandering using collaborative filtering or the information providing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to generate new information about places, stores, facilities, etc. that the target user has not visited in his / her visit history, so-called "chance encounters." This poses the problem that the target user may not be fully satisfied, and for places, stores, facilities, etc., it is difficult to attract new visitors.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide information that makes it easier for target users to have so-called "chance encounters" while maintaining convenience for the target users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An exemplary information provision method of the present invention is an information provision method that provides information in an information provision service area, generates standard information based on the behavioral history of users with similar characteristics who have user characteristics similar to those of a target user, generates similar characteristic-specific information, which is information not included in the behavioral history of the target user, based on the behavioral history of the users with similar characteristics, and provides the standard information preferentially during a standard information provision period and the similar characteristic-specific information preferentially during a similar characteristic-specific information provision period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the exemplary present invention, both standard information and similar characteristic specific information are provided appropriately, so that the provision of standard information maintains convenience for the target user, and the provision of similar characteristic specific information makes it easier for the target user to have so-called "chance encounters." [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] A diagram for defining the correspondence between people and terminal devices [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an information providing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] Functional block diagram of information provision control unit [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a user information input screen on a terminal device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a check-in screen displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a user characteristic database. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a user behavior history database. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of an area visit data table [Figure 12] An example of a standard information table [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a similar characteristic specific information table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of an information providing system SYS according to an embodiment. The information providing system SYS includes a plurality of terminal devices 100 and an information providing device 200.

[0013] Each terminal device 100 and the information providing device 200 are wirelessly connected via a communication network NET. Each terminal device 100 and the information providing device 200 are capable of two-way communication with each other via the communication network NET. The communication network NET includes all or part of the Internet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and a short-range wireless communication line. The wireless LAN may be compliant with Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example. The short-range wireless communication line may be compliant with Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example.

[0014] The person PS is a user of the terminal device 100. A user is a person who operates and carries the terminal device 100. For example, the terminal device 100 can be an electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, in the following, it is assumed that a total of n terminal devices 100, that is, terminal devices 100[1] to 100[n], are operated within the system SYS. n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and is assumed to be a very large value, for example, tens of thousands. A user of a terminal device 100[i] is particularly referred to as person PS[i]. Here, i represents any natural number equal to or less than n. Person PS[i] operates and possesses terminal device 100[i]. Terminal device 100[i] is associated with person PS[i]. Person PS[i] may also be referred to as user PS[i].

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one terminal device 100. In the information provision system SYS, any two terminal devices 100 may be different types of terminal devices. That is, for example, any two terminal devices 100 may be different types of smartphones. Alternatively, for example, one terminal device 100 may be a smartphone, and the other terminal device 100 may be a portable tablet device or notebook computer (portable personal computer), or a personal computer installed in the home (home personal computer). However, in the following description, it is assumed that each terminal device 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3. That is, the terminal device 100 includes a terminal control unit 110, a memory 120, a communication processing unit 130, a camera 140, a GPS (Global Positioning System) processing unit 150, a date and time information acquisition unit 160, and an interface unit 170.

[0017] The terminal control unit 110 includes a processing unit 110a including an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) as a hardware resource, and comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the terminal device 100. In the following description, any operation and processing executed by the terminal control unit 110 may be interpreted as an operation and processing executed by the processing unit 110a.

[0018] The memory 120 includes non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory, and volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). All or part of the memory 120 may be memory built into the terminal control unit 110. The memory 120 stores a program PG1. The processing unit 110a executes the program PG1 to realize the functions of the program PG1. The program PG1 may be composed of multiple programs including the program PG1a. If the processing unit 110a is provided with multiple MPUs, the multiple programs in the program PG1 may be executed by the multiple MPUs. The program PG1a is an application program capable of providing a service that supports travel around the city.

[0019] The communication processing unit 130 realizes two-way communication between the terminal device 100 and a counterpart device. The counterpart device of the terminal device 100 includes the information providing device 200. The communication processing unit 130 includes a transmitting unit 131 that transmits any information to the counterpart device, and a receiving unit 132 that receives information transmitted from the counterpart device. In the following, the description of the communication processing unit 130, the transmitting unit 131, and the receiving unit 132 may be omitted, but in the terminal device 100, transmission of information to the counterpart device is realized using the communication processing unit 130 (transmitting unit 131), and reception of information from the counterpart device is realized using the communication processing unit 130 (receiving unit 132).

[0020] Camera 140 captures an image of a subject within its own capture area and generates image information of the image within the capture area (hereinafter referred to as a captured image). The generated image information is sent to terminal control unit 110. Camera 140 captures images sequentially at a predetermined frame cycle, thereby obtaining multiple captured images arranged in chronological order. A moving image is formed from the multiple captured images arranged in chronological order.

[0021] The GPS processing unit 150 detects the position of the terminal device 100 (the current location of the terminal device 100) by receiving signals from multiple GPS satellites that form the GPS. The detected position of the terminal device 100 is referred to as the terminal position, and information representing the terminal position is referred to as terminal position information. The terminal position information is sent from the GPS processing unit 150 to the terminal control unit 110. The terminal position of a certain terminal device 100 can be considered to represent the current location of the user of the terminal device 100.

[0022] The date and time information acquisition unit 160 acquires date and time information indicating the current date and time and sends it to the terminal control unit 110. The date and time information acquisition unit 160 acquires date and time information, for example, from a built-in timer (e.g., composed of a quartz oscillator), but may also acquire date and time information from date and time information included in a signal from a GPS satellite. The date and time information acquisition unit 160 may also acquire date and time information from another device (not shown) via the communication network NET.

[0023] The interface unit 170 is a man-machine interface between the terminal device 100 and the user PS, and outputs arbitrary information to the user PS of the terminal device 100 and receives arbitrary information from the user PS. The interface unit 170 includes a display unit 171, an operation unit 172, a microphone 173, and a speaker 174. The display unit 171 is configured with a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays arbitrary images under the control of the terminal control unit 110. The operation unit 172 receives arbitrary operation inputs from the user PS. The display unit 171 and the operation unit 172 may form a touch panel, and operations on the operation unit 172 may be operations on the touch panel. The microphone 173 picks up ambient sounds around the microphone 173 and converts the picked up sounds into electrical signals. The speaker 174 outputs arbitrary sounds under the control of the terminal control unit 110.

[0024] 4 is a schematic block diagram of the information providing device 200. The information providing device 200 includes an information providing control unit 210, a memory 220, and a communication processing unit 230. The information providing device 200 is configured by one or more computer devices connected to a communication network NET. The information providing device 200 may be formed using cloud computing.

[0025] The information provision control unit 210 is a so-called controller that controls various operations of the information provision device 200. The information provision control unit 210 includes a calculation processing unit 210a including an MPU, a GPU, and the like as hardware resources.

[0026] The memory 220 includes non-volatile memory such as ROM or flash memory, and volatile memory such as RAM. All or part of the memory 220 may be memory built into the information provision control unit 210. The memory 220 stores a program PG2. In the information provision control unit 210, the arithmetic processing unit 210a executes the program PG2 stored in the memory 220 to realize each function of the information provision control unit 210 (including each functional block described below). The program PG2 here may include multiple programs. The program PG2 is an information provision program capable of providing information to the terminal device 100. In the following description, any operation and processing executed by the information provision control unit 210 may be interpreted as an operation and processing executed by the arithmetic processing unit 210a. The information provision control unit 210 may be provided with multiple MPUs, and each function of the information provision control unit 210 (including each functional block described below) may be realized by executing multiple programs on the multiple MPUs.

[0027] The memory 220 stores a user characteristic database 221, a user behavior history database 222, an area visit processing data table 223, a regular information table 224, a similar characteristic peculiar information table 225, and map data MP1.

[0028] The communication processing unit 230 realizes two-way communication with a counterpart device via the communication network NET. The counterpart devices for the information providing device 200 include each terminal device 100. The communication processing unit 230 includes a transmitting unit 231 that transmits any information to the counterpart device, and a receiving unit 232 that receives information transmitted from the counterpart device. Although the description of the communication processing unit 230, the transmitting unit 231, and the receiving unit 232 may be omitted below, in the information providing device 200, transmission of information to the counterpart device is realized using the communication processing unit 230 (transmitting unit 231), and reception of information from the counterpart device is realized using the communication processing unit 230 (receiving unit 232).

[0029] 5 is a functional block diagram of the information provision control unit 210. The information provision control unit 210 includes functional blocks F21 to F26. The functional blocks F21 to F26 are implemented by the arithmetic processing unit 210a executing one or more programs. The arithmetic processing unit 210a may be provided with multiple MPUs, and multiple programs may be individually executed by the multiple MPUs to implement any multiple functional blocks (here, functional blocks F21 to F26). The functional blocks F21, F22, F23, F24, F25, and F26 are a user characteristic acquisition unit that acquires user characteristics, a user behavior history acquisition unit that acquires user behavior history, a matching processing unit that performs matching processing, a staple information generation unit that generates staple information, a similar characteristic peculiar information generation unit that generates similar characteristic peculiar information, and a priority determination unit that determines priorities, respectively.

[0030] 6 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of the information providing device 200. In the information providing method realized by the operation of the information providing device 200, information is provided to a certain user. The user to whom the information is provided is called a target user. The target user is one of the persons PS[1] to PS[n].

[0031] In the following description, one target user is set, but multiple target users may be set at the same time, and processing for each of the multiple target users may be executed in parallel.

[0032] In the following description, it is assumed that the program PG2 is constantly executed as a resident program by the processing unit 210a in the information providing device 200. Therefore, the information providing device 200 repeatedly executes the process of the operational flowchart in Fig. 6 during startup.

[0033] First, in step S1, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: user characteristic acquisition unit F21) acquires various characteristic information regarding the characteristics of each user PS sent from each terminal device 100, and updates the user characteristic database 221 by reflecting the acquired characteristic information in the contents described in the user characteristic database 221.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the user characteristic database 221. In the user characteristic database 221 shown in Fig. 9, for the user ID of each user PS, the following contents are described: (1) profile information of the user PS; and (2) hobby and preference information of the user PS.

[0035] In each terminal device 100, when the program PG1a is started for the first time, an input screen A for inputting the characteristic information of the user PS, such as the display example shown in FIG. 7, is displayed on the display unit 171.

[0036] 7, when the pull-down icon P1 is tapped, multiple options related to gender (for example, three options: male, female, and other) are displayed, and when one of the multiple options related to gender is tapped on the input screen A, the gender is input. In the display example shown in FIG. 7, when the pull-down icon P2 is tapped, multiple options related to age (for example, six options: teens, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, and sixties and older) are displayed, and when one of the multiple options related to age is tapped on the input screen A, the age is input.

[0037] Input screen A displays multiple "favorite category" candidates corresponding to hobbies and preferences. When at least one of the check boxes CB displayed adjacent to each candidate is tapped, the tapped check box CB is checked, and the candidate adjacent to the checked check box CB is entered as the "favorite category."

[0038] On the input screen A, when the registration button B1 is tapped, the input content (and the identification data of the user PS) is transmitted from the terminal device 100 to the information providing device 200. Instead of the user PS performing a new input operation as in the display example shown in Fig. 7, the profile information of the user PS stored in the memory 120 of the terminal device 100 (information stored when using another program, etc.) may be used by the program PG1a with the permission of the user PS to transmit the profile information of the user PS from the terminal device 100 to the information providing device 200.

[0039] 6, in step S2 following step S1, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: user behavior history acquisition unit F22) acquires various behavior history information related to the behavior history of each user PS sent from each terminal device 100, and updates the user behavior history database 222 by reflecting the acquired behavior history information in the content described in the user behavior history database 222. Every time each user PS stays in a service provision area (service provision area) that supports wandering around town, the user behavior history database 222 is updated.

[0040] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the user behavior history database 222. In the user behavior history database 221 shown in Fig. 10, for a stay behavior history ID generated for each stay in a service provision area, the following information is described: (1) the user ID of the user PS, (2) profile information of the user PS, (3) hobby and preference information of the user PS, (4) the service provision area where the user PS stays, (5) the stay time of the user PS, (6) the purpose of the visit of the user PS, (7) information on stores and facilities visited by the user PS, (8) movement characteristics of the user PS, (9) movement history of the user PS, and (10) the contents of coupons used by the user PS.

[0041] The above (1) user ID of the user PS, the above (2) profile information of the user PS, and the above (3) hobby and preference information of the user PS are read from the user characteristic database 221.

[0042] The above (7) store / facility information visited by user PS includes individual data on each store / facility and type data organized by store / facility type.

[0043] The above (8) movement characteristics of the user PS are generated based on the above (9) movement history of the user PS. The above (7) movement characteristics of the user PS are, for example, the ratio of movement time to stay time, movement speed, etc.

[0044] The above (9) movement history of the user PS is a data group consisting of location information of the user PS at each time.

[0045] The above (5) user PS's stay time and the above (8) user PS's movement characteristics may be used to estimate or update the (3) user PS's hobby and preference information in the user characteristic database 221.

[0046] (2) Profile information of user PS, (3) Hobby and preference information of user PS, (6) Purpose of visit of user PS, and (8) Movement characteristics of user PS in the user behavior history database 222 are used as user characteristics in the matching process.

[0047] In each terminal device 100, when the terminal device 100 enters an area where a service is provided to assist with roaming around the city while the program PG1a is being executed, an input screen B for inputting information regarding the user PS's visit to the area, as shown in FIG. 8, is displayed on the display unit 171.

[0048] On input screen B, when pull-down icon P3 is tapped, multiple options regarding the purpose of visit (e.g., eating and drinking, shopping, business, etc.) are displayed, and when one of the multiple options regarding the purpose of visit is tapped on input screen B, the purpose of visit is input. On input screen B, when pull-down icon P4 is tapped, multiple options regarding the planned length of stay (e.g., about 2-3 hours, about 4-5 hours, 6 hours or more, etc.) are displayed, and when one of the multiple options regarding the planned length of stay is tapped on input screen B, the planned length of stay is input.

[0049] On the input screen B, when the check-in button B2 is tapped, the input contents (and the identification data of the user PS) are transmitted from the terminal device 100 to the information providing device 200 together with the check-in time (the time when the check-in button B2 is tapped).

[0050] While the program PG1a is being executed, each terminal device 100 transmits movement information (terminal location information) of the user PS and coupon usage information of the user PS (and identification data of the user PS) to the information providing device 200. The coupons are electronic coupons issued by the program PG1a.

[0051] In step S3 following step S2 shown in Fig. 6, when the target user checks in, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: matching processing unit F23) reads out the target user's data from the user behavior history database 222 shown in Fig. 10 and creates the area visit data table 223 shown in Fig. 11. If the target user has visited the service provision area multiple times and there are multiple stay behavior history IDs related to the target user, summation (combination: for example, adding visited stores), averaging, etc. are performed to create the area visit data table 223.

[0052] The information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: matching processing unit F23) performs matching processing (similarity evaluation) between users PS from each perspective (each similarity index): (1) the profile of the user PS, (2) the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, (3) the purpose of the visit of the user PS, and (4) the movement characteristics of the user PS. There are no particular limitations on the method of calculating the similarity, but for example, if the similarity index is the profile of the user PS, points such as X points can be assigned if the gender matches and Y points can be assigned if the age matches, and the total of these points can be used as the similarity.

[0053] The information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: matching processing unit F23) determines a reference user for the target user based on each of the above-mentioned aspects (each similarity index). The reference user is any of the persons PS[1] to PS[n]. For example, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: matching processing unit F23) determines, as the reference user, a user who has the highest similarity to the target user based on each aspect (each similarity index).

[0054] In step S4 following step S3 shown in FIG. 6, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: staple information generation unit F24) extracts staple information from the user behavior history database 222 based on the behavior history of the reference user (visited store / facility information, movement characteristic history, used coupons), thereby generating a staple information table 224. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the staple information table 224. The "reason for information selection" in FIG. 12 describes, for example, which similarity index was used to determine the reference user. The staple information table 224 may include information related to the reference store / facility information (store / facility information visited by the reference user) provided by information providers such as stores and facilities via the communication network NET (such as store names, coupon names, and event names, store locations, locations where coupons can be used, location information such as event locations, related images, and comments).

[0055] For example, standard information includes information such as stores visited by reference users more than a threshold number of times, and stores used by reference users more than a threshold number of times. Note that reference users are determined based on the characteristics of the target user, so standard information is information based on the characteristics of the target user. Since standard information is determined based on the characteristics of the target user, it is highly likely that the standard information is suitable for the target user. Furthermore, since reference users are determined for each of multiple similarity indices and standard information is generated based on the behavioral history of the reference users, multiple similarity indices are reflected, thereby diversifying the standard information.

[0056] In step S5 following step S4 shown in FIG. 6, the information provision control unit 210 (the calculation processing unit 210a: the similar characteristic peculiar information generation unit F25) extracts similar characteristic peculiar information from the user behavior history database 222 based on the behavior history of the reference user (visited store / facility information, movement history, used coupons), thereby generating a similar characteristic peculiar information table 225. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the similar characteristic peculiar information table 225. The "reason for information selection" in FIG. 13 describes, for example, which similarity index was used to determine the reference user. The similar characteristic peculiar information table 225 may include information related to the reference store / facility information (store / facility information visited by the reference user) provided by information providers such as stores and facilities via the communication network NET (such as store names, coupon names, and event names, store locations, locations where coupons can be used, and location information such as event locations, related images, and comments).

[0057] The similar characteristic peculiar information is information that is not included in the target user's behavior history (travel history, coupon usage history), i.e., information about stores that the target user has never visited, stores where the target user has never used coupons, etc. Therefore, the similar characteristic peculiar information is based on information that is not included in the target user's behavior history. Because the similar characteristic peculiar information is based on information that is not included in the target user's behavior history, providing the similar characteristic peculiar information makes it easier for the target user to have so-called "chance encounters."

[0058] More specifically, the similar characteristic peculiar information is information that is present in the behavioral history of the reference user but not in the behavioral history of the target user, i.e., information such as a store that the reference user has visited but the target user has not, or a store that the reference user has used a coupon for but the target user has not, etc. Since the similar characteristic peculiar information is based not only on information that is not present in the behavioral history of the target user but also on information that is present in the behavioral history of the reference user, so-called "chance encounters" are likely to be suitable for the target user.

[0059] In step S7 following step S6 shown in FIG. 6, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) sets a standard information provision period and a similar characteristic peculiar information provision period according to the target user's context (the target user's situation, such as time, place, and behavior). Then, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) determines priorities among similarity indicators corresponding to reference users according to the target user's context, and provides standard information and similar characteristic peculiar information according to the priorities. This makes it possible to provide standard information and similar characteristic peculiar information in a form suitable for the target user's context.

[0060] During the standard information provision period, standard information is provided preferentially (preferentially transmitted to the terminal device 100 of the target user). The priority provision of standard information includes, for example, a provision form in which standard information is provided but similar characteristic specific information is not provided, a provision form in which standard information and similar characteristic specific information are provided so that the standard information is displayed higher in the list display than the similar characteristic specific information on the display unit 171 of the terminal device 100 of the target user, and a provision form in which standard information and similar characteristic specific information are provided so that the standard information is displayed more emphasized than the similar characteristic specific information using font, color, etc. on the display unit 171 of the terminal device 100 of the target user.

[0061] During the similar characteristic peculiar information provision period, the similar characteristic peculiar information is preferentially provided (preferentially transmitted to the terminal device 100 of the target user). The preferential provision of the similar characteristic peculiar information includes, for example, a provision form in which the similar characteristic peculiar information is provided but not the standard information, a provision form in which the standard information and the similar characteristic peculiar information are provided so that the similar characteristic peculiar information is displayed higher in the list display than the standard information on the display unit 171 of the terminal device 100 of the target user, and a provision form in which the standard information and the similar characteristic peculiar information are provided so that the similar characteristic peculiar information is displayed more emphasized than the standard information using a font, color, or the like on the display unit 171 of the terminal device 100 of the target user.

[0062] In this way, standard information is provided preferentially during the information provision period, and similar characteristic specific information is provided preferentially during the similar characteristic specific information provision period. In other words, since both standard information and similar characteristic specific information are provided appropriately, the provision of standard information can maintain convenience for the target user, and the provision of similar characteristic specific information makes it easier for the target user to have so-called "chance encounters."

[0063] For example, when a visitor visits (when checking in with the program PG1a), the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) sets a period for providing standard information that is likely to contribute to achieving the purpose of the visit. When a visitor visits, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) determines that if the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the profile of the user PS and the similarity index corresponding to the purpose of the visit of the user PS is higher in priority than if the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, and if the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the travel characteristics of the user PS and the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the coupon usage history of the user PS. Then, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) provides only the standard information or both the standard information and the similar characteristic specific information according to the priority. For example, on the display unit 171 of the target user's terminal device 100, standard information is provided so that it is displayed higher in the list display than standard information when the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the profile of the user PS, standard information when the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the purpose of visit of the user PS, standard information when the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, standard information when the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the movement characteristics of the user PS, and standard information when the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the coupon usage history of the user PS.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, when the purpose of the visit is achieved (for example, when leaving a restaurant after staying there if the purpose was eating and drinking, or when leaving an office building after staying there if the purpose was business), the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) sets a similar characteristic peculiar information provision period in order to preferentially provide similar characteristic peculiar information that is thought to contribute to attracting wandering behavior other than the purpose. In other words, the similar characteristic peculiar information provision period is determined based on the status of the target user's visit purpose achievement. This makes it possible to provide information that makes so-called "chance encounters" more likely to occur at an appropriate time with priority. When the purpose of the visit is achieved, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) assigns a higher priority to cases where the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, or where the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the movement characteristics of the user PS, than to cases where the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the profile of the user PS, or where the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the purpose of the visit of the user PS, or where the similarity index corresponding to the reference user is the coupon usage history of the user PS. Then, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) provides only similar characteristic peculiar information, or both standard information and similar characteristic peculiar information, depending on the priority. For example, on the display unit 171 of the target user's terminal device 100, similar characteristic specific information is provided so that similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the movement characteristics of the user PS is displayed higher in the list display than similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the profile of the user PS, similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the purpose of visit of the user PS, and similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the coupon usage history of the user PS.

[0065] Furthermore, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) sets a similar characteristic peculiar information provision period, for example, immediately before the scheduled stay end time (e.g., one hour before the scheduled stay end time), in order to preferentially provide similar characteristic peculiar information that is thought to contribute to attracting purchasing behavior. Then, immediately before the scheduled stay end time, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) prioritizes the case where the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the coupon usage history of the user PS over the cases where the similarity indicator corresponding to the reference user is the profile of the user PS, the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, the purpose of the visit of the user PS, and the movement characteristics of the user PS. Then, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) provides only similar characteristic peculiar information, or both standard information and similar characteristic peculiar information, depending on the priority. For example, on the display unit 171 of the target user's terminal device 100, similar characteristic specific information is provided so that similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the coupon usage history of the user PS is displayed higher in the list display than similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the profile of the user PS, similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the hobbies and preferences of the user PS, similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the purpose of visit of the user PS, and similar characteristic specific information when the similar indicator corresponding to the reference user is the movement characteristics of the user PS.

[0066] In addition, the information provision control unit 210 (arithmetic processing unit 210a: priority determination unit F26) may extract map data around the target user's current location from the map data MP1 stored in the memory 220, and provide (transmit) to the target user's terminal device 100 data in which icon data corresponding to the location information of the standard information and similar characteristic specific information to be provided (transmitted) to the target user's terminal device 100 is superimposed on the extracted map data.

[0067] <Notes, etc.> Various technical features disclosed in the description of the present invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical creation. Furthermore, multiple embodiments and modifications disclosed in the description of the present invention may be combined to the extent possible.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, both the standard information and the similar characteristic specific information are provided, but only one of the standard information and the similar characteristic specific information may be provided. Furthermore, in addition to the standard information and the similar characteristic specific information, information based on the behavior history of the reference user may be generated and provided.

[0069] For example, an information providing method evaluates the similarity between users using a plurality of similarity indices, each of which is related to the characteristics of each user, determines a reference user who is most similar to a target user for each of the plurality of similarity indices, and generates and provides information based on the behavioral history of the reference user. By determining the reference user who is most similar to the target user for each of the plurality of similarity indices, it is possible to diversify the information provided while taking into consideration the characteristics of the target user.

[0070] Also, for example, standard information based on the behavior history of a characteristic-similar user (first reference user) having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is equal to or greater than a first similarity may be generated and provided, and different characteristic peculiar information based on the behavior history of a characteristic-dissimilar user (second reference user) having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is equal to or greater than a predetermined similarity than the first similarity may be generated and provided. The standard information is provided preferentially during the standard information provision period, and the different characteristic peculiar information is provided preferentially during the different characteristic peculiar information provision period. Furthermore, similar characteristic peculiar information, which is information not included in the behavior history of the target user, may be generated and provided based on the behavior history of the characteristic-similar user (first reference user). The similar characteristic peculiar information is provided preferentially during the similar characteristic peculiar information provision period. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 100 Terminal device 200...Information provision device NET...Communication network PS...person SYS···Information provision system

Claims

1. An information providing method for providing information in an information providing service area, comprising: Generate standard information based on the behavioral history of users with similar characteristics to the target user, Based on the behavioral history of the user with similar characteristics, generate similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavioral history of the target user; During the standard information provision period, the standard information will be provided preferentially. An information providing method, wherein the similar characteristic specific information is provided preferentially during a similar characteristic specific information providing period.

2. The information providing method according to claim 1 , wherein the similar characteristic specific information providing period is determined based on the degree to which the target user has achieved a purpose for visiting the information providing service area.

3. The information providing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of evaluating the similarity of user characteristics between users using a plurality of similarity indices.

4. determining a priority among the plurality of similarity indices according to a context of the target user; The information providing method according to claim 3 , further comprising: evaluating the similarity of the user characteristics in consideration of the determined priority.

5. An information providing device that provides information in an information providing service area, Generate standard information based on the behavioral history of users with similar characteristics to the target user, Based on the behavioral history of the user with similar characteristics, generate similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavioral history of the target user; During the standard information provision period, the standard information will be provided preferentially. An information providing device that provides the similar characteristic specific information preferentially during a similar characteristic specific information providing period.

6. An information providing program for providing information in an information providing service area, Generating staple information based on the behavior history of users with similar characteristics who have user characteristics similar to those of the target user; generating similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavior history of the target user based on the behavior history of the characteristic similar user; During the standard information provision period, the standard information is provided preferentially; During the similar characteristic specific information provision period, the similar characteristic specific information is provided preferentially; An information providing program that causes a computer to execute the following.

7. A terminal device; an information providing device, the terminal device transmits the characteristics of the target user to the information providing device; The information providing device is an information providing device that provides information in an information providing service area, generates standard information based on the behavioral history of users with similar characteristics who have user characteristics similar to those of a target user, generates similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavioral history of the target user based on the behavioral history of the users with similar characteristics, and prioritizes providing the standard information during a standard information provision period and prioritizes providing the similar characteristic specific information during a similar characteristic specific information provision period.

8. An information providing method for providing information in an information providing service area, comprising: Generate standard information based on the behavior history of characteristic-similar users who have user characteristics that have a similarity to the characteristics of the target user that is equal to or greater than a first similarity; generating separate characteristic specific information based on the behavior history of a characteristic dissimilar user having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is lower than the first similarity by a predetermined similarity or more; During the standard information provision period, the standard information will be provided preferentially. An information providing method, wherein the special characteristic specific information is provided preferentially during a special characteristic specific information providing period.

9. The information providing method according to claim 8 , wherein the period for providing the special characteristic information is determined based on the degree to which the target user has achieved the purpose of visiting the information providing service area.

10. The information providing method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of evaluating the similarity of user characteristics between users using a plurality of similarity indices.

11. An information providing device that provides information in an information providing service area, Generate standard information based on the behavior history of characteristic-similar users who have user characteristics that have a similarity to the characteristics of the target user that is equal to or greater than a first similarity; generating separate characteristic specific information based on the behavior history of a characteristic dissimilar user having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is lower than the first similarity by a predetermined similarity or more; During the standard information provision period, the standard information will be provided preferentially. An information providing device that provides the special characteristic information preferentially during a special characteristic information providing period.

12. An information providing program for providing information in an information providing service area, generating staple information based on the behavior history of characteristic-similar users having user characteristics that have a similarity to the characteristics of the target user that is equal to or greater than a first similarity; generating separate characteristic specific information based on the behavior history of a characteristic dissimilar user having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is lower than the first similarity by a predetermined similarity or more; During the standard information provision period, the standard information is provided preferentially; During the special characteristic specific information provision period, the special characteristic specific information is provided preferentially; An information providing program that causes a computer to execute the following.

13. An information providing method for providing information in an information providing service area, comprising: Generate standard information based on the behavior history of characteristic-similar users who have user characteristics that have a similarity to the characteristics of the target user that is equal to or greater than a first similarity; Based on the behavioral history of the user with similar characteristics, generate similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavioral history of the target user; generating separate characteristic specific information based on the behavior history of a characteristic dissimilar user having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is lower than the first similarity by a predetermined similarity or more; During the standard information provision period, the standard information will be provided preferentially. During the similar characteristic specific information provision period, the similar characteristic specific information is provided preferentially; An information providing method, wherein the special characteristic specific information is provided preferentially during a special characteristic specific information providing period.

14. An information providing device that provides information in an information providing service area, Generate standard information based on the behavior history of characteristic-similar users who have user characteristics that have a similarity to the characteristics of the target user that is equal to or greater than a first similarity; Based on the behavioral history of the user with similar characteristics, generate similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavioral history of the target user; generating separate characteristic specific information based on the behavior history of a characteristic dissimilar user having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is lower than the first similarity by a predetermined similarity or more; During the standard information provision period, the standard information will be provided preferentially. During the similar characteristic specific information provision period, the similar characteristic specific information is provided preferentially; An information providing device that provides the special characteristic information preferentially during a special characteristic information providing period.

15. An information providing program for providing information in an information providing service area, generating staple information based on the behavior history of characteristic-similar users having user characteristics that have a similarity to the characteristics of the target user that is equal to or greater than a first similarity; generating similar characteristic specific information that is information not included in the behavior history of the target user based on the behavior history of the characteristic similar user; generating separate characteristic specific information based on the behavior history of a characteristic dissimilar user having a user characteristic whose similarity to the characteristic of the target user is less than a second similarity that is lower than the first similarity by a predetermined similarity or more; During the standard information provision period, the standard information is provided preferentially; During the similar characteristic specific information provision period, the similar characteristic specific information is provided preferentially; During the special characteristic specific information provision period, the special characteristic specific information is provided preferentially; An information providing program that causes a computer to execute the following.

16. Evaluate the similarity between users using multiple similarity indices, each of the plurality of similarity metrics is associated with a characteristic of each user; determining a reference user that is most similar to the target user in each of the plurality of similarity indices; An information providing method for generating and providing information based on the behavioral history of the referring user.

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