Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

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The information processing device addresses the issue of undervalued past articles by re-distributing them based on user demand, enhancing their asset value and engagement.

JP2026010751APending Publication Date: 2026-01-23LY CORP

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2024110700
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2024-07-10
Publication Date: 2026-01-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional techniques fail to consider past articles that have ceased distribution, leading to a decrease in their asset value.

Method used

An information processing device that includes a judgment unit to determine if an article is available for viewing, a decision unit to suggest article candidates based on comments or headlines, and a request unit to re-distribute these articles upon user demand.

Benefits of technology

Increases the asset value of past articles by re-distributing them when demand is high, promoting user engagement and improving their appeal.

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Abstract

To improve the asset value of a past article whose distribution is ended.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a determination unit, a decision unit, and a request unit. The determination unit determines whether or not an article for an event retrieved by a user is in a browsable state. The determination unit determines an article candidate to be proposed to the user on the basis of the headline or the comment of the article when the determination unit determines that the article is not in the browsable state. The request unit makes a distribution request of the article to a distribution source of the article on the basis of request information of the user for the article candidate determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for receiving article requests from users, such as a technique for providing article summary data to a user terminal using a database that stores article title data and article summary data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-053745 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional techniques do not take into consideration past articles that have ceased distribution and are no longer available, and therefore it is not possible to increase the asset value of past articles that have ceased distribution.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to increase the asset value of past articles whose distribution has ended. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the present application is characterized by having a judgment unit that judges whether an article regarding an event searched for by a user is available for viewing, a decision unit that, if the judgment unit judges that the article is not available for viewing, determines an article candidate to be suggested to the user based on the headline or comments of the article, and a request unit that makes a delivery request for the article to a distributor of the article based on the user's request information for the article candidate determined by the decision unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to increase the asset value of past articles whose distribution has ended. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browsable article storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution-end article storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart (1) showing an example of the procedure of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart (2) showing an example of the procedure of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment) [1. Information Processing System Configuration] An information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a user terminal 10 and an information processing device 100. The user terminal 10 and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other via a predetermined communication network (network N) so as to be able to communicate with each other via wired or wireless communication. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0011] The user terminal 10 is an information processing device used by a user who performs web activities on a predetermined service (e.g., an information providing site, etc.). A user who uses the user terminal 10 is, for example, a user who browses articles on a predetermined service. For example, a user who uses the user terminal 10 is a user who searches for articles related to a predetermined event using a search query and browses articles that match the search.

[0012] The user terminal 10 may be any device that can implement the processes in the embodiment. The user terminal 10 may also be a device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, or a PDA. Figure 2 shows a case where the user terminal 10 is a smartphone.

[0013] The user terminal 10 is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet, and is a portable terminal device capable of communicating with any server device via a wireless communication network such as 4G to 5G (Generations) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). The user terminal 10 may have a screen such as a liquid crystal display with a touch panel function, and may accept various operations on displayed data such as content, such as tapping, sliding, and scrolling, performed by a user's finger or stylus. In FIG. 2, the user terminal 10 is used by a user U1.

[0014] The information processing device 100 is an information processing device intended to increase the asset value of past articles whose distribution has ended, and may be any device capable of implementing the processes described in the embodiments. For example, when a user uses a search query to search for articles related to a specific event, and the article related to the searched event has ended distribution and is no longer available for viewing, the information processing device 100 displays candidate articles and sends a distribution request to the distributor of the candidate articles. Note that an article is no longer available for viewing when, for example, the article has been deleted from a database that stores articles that are available for viewing, or when the article has not been deleted but is no longer available for viewing due to a contractual agreement between the distributor of the article and a specific service provider that distributes the article (hereinafter referred to as the "article distributor" as appropriate).

[0015] The information processing device 100 is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system of an operator who operates a predetermined service where users perform web actions. For example, the information processing device 100 is realized by a server device or a cloud system of an article distributor.

[0016] [2. An example of information processing] Generally, many articles are discontinued after a certain period of time has passed since they were published and can no longer be viewed. For this reason, when a user searches for a past event, the article for the event they searched for may no longer be available, and the search result may be "0."

[0017] However, even when an article has been discontinued and deleted from the database, comments posted on the article by viewers who viewed the article may remain. When an article has been discontinued, the article distributor may not be able to store the article due to contractual reasons, but may be able to store the comments posted on the article. In other words, the article distributor may have data on comments posted on the article.

[0018] Similarly, even when an article has ceased distribution and is deleted from the database, the headline created for the article by the article distributor may remain. When an article has ceased distribution, the article distributor may not be able to store the article due to contractual reasons, but may be able to store the headline created for the article. In other words, the article distributor may have headline data created for the article.

[0019] In this way, even if an article has been deleted from the database after distribution has ended, the article distributor may still have the comment data and headline data of the article. In the following embodiment, the information processing device 100 will be described as being able to acquire comments and headlines of an article that has been discontinued and is no longer available for viewing.

[0020] Note that even when an article has finished being distributed and has been deleted from the database, the article title included in the article (i.e., the title of the article created by the distributor) may remain. When distribution of an article has ended, the article distributor may not store the article due to contractual reasons, but may be able to store the title included in the article. In other words, the article distributor may have title data included in the article. In the following embodiment, if the article distributor is able to store the title included in the article, the article headline created by the article distributor for the article may be appropriately read as the article title included in the article.

[0021] In the following embodiment, if an article about an event searched for by a user has ceased distribution and is no longer available for viewing, article candidates are displayed and a distribution request can be made to the distributor, and if the distributor gives permission (approval) when the distribution request is made, the article that has ceased distribution is made available for viewing again for a certain period of time.

[0022] The information processing of the information processing system will be described below. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information processing of the information processing system according to the embodiment.

[0023] When user U1 performs a search on a predetermined service (step S11), information processing device 100 acquires information about user U1's search query (step S101). For example, information processing device 100 acquires information about user U1's search query entered on a predetermined service via user terminal 10. For example, this may be the case when user U1 uses information such as "What is event T1? Cause? Reason" as the search query.

[0024] The information processing device 100 determines whether an article about the event indicated by the search query of user U1 (i.e., the event searched for by user U1) is available for viewing at the time of the search (step S102). Hereinafter, the event searched for by user U1 will be referred to as "event T1" as appropriate. Note that event T1 may be any type of event and is not particularly limited. Event T1 may be, for example, an event related to news, sports, entertainment, economics, etc.

[0025] When an article for event T1 is available for viewing (for example, when distribution has not ended), the information processing device 100 displays the available article. In this way, when an article for event T1 is available for viewing, the available article is displayed. Below, a case where an article for event T1 is not available for viewing (i.e., when distribution has ended) will be described.

[0026] If an article about the event T1 is not available for viewing, the information processing device 100 determines a candidate article to suggest to the user (step S103). For example, the information processing device 100 determines the candidate article based on a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline. For example, the information processing device 100 determines the candidate article by identifying a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline that is highly relevant to the event T1. For example, the information processing device 100 determines the candidate article by identifying a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline that includes text information (e.g., keywords) indicating the event T1. For example, the information processing device 100 determines the candidate article by identifying a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline that includes more text information about the event T1 as a highly relevant comment, a headline, or a comment / headline.

[0027] The information processing device 100 receives an article request from the user U1 by displaying information linked to the determined article candidate (step S104). For example, the information processing device 100 receives an article request from the user U1 by displaying a list of headlines of the article candidates linked to the article candidate. The user U1 requests an article that the user actually wants to view from the list of headlines of the article candidates. For example, the user U1 makes a request by selecting (for example, tapping or clicking) the headline of the article that the user wants to view. The following description will be given assuming that the user U1 has requested article C1.

[0028] When the user U1 makes a request for the article C1 (step S12), the information processing device 100 transmits a distribution request to the distributor P1 of the article C1 based on the article request information made by the user U1 (step S105).

[0029] If the distributor P1 grants permission to the distribution request (step S21), the information processing device 100 acquires distribution permission information indicating that the distributor P1 has granted permission to the distribution request (step S106). Then, the information processing device 100 makes the article C1 viewable for a predetermined period (for example, a limited short period) (step S107). At this time, for example, the distributor P1 may resubmit the article C1, which allows the information processing device 100 to acquire the article C1. For example, if the article C1 has been deleted from the database and the article distributor is no longer storing the article C1, the article C1 cannot be acquired. In such a case, the information processing device 100 may acquire the article C1 by having the distributor P1 resubmit the article C1.

[0030] Furthermore, for example, if article C1 has not been deleted from the database, or if it has been deleted from the database but the article distributor can still have article C1 (for example, if article C1 is no longer available under contract but the distributor can still have article C1), the information processing device 100 can access article C1 again, and in such cases, article C1 may be made viewable without distributor P1 having to submit article C1 again.

[0031] In this way, if the distributor P1 grants permission to the distribution request, the information processing device 100 notifies the user U1 that the article C1 is available for viewing for a predetermined period of time. The information processing device 100 may also provide a similar notification to users who have a predetermined relationship with the user U1 (e.g., following or following the user U1). The information processing device 100 may also provide a similar notification to users similar to the user U1 (e.g., users who have similar attributes, such as gender and age, or similar hobbies and preferences to the user U1). The information processing device 100 may also provide a similar notification to users who have searched for articles related to the event T1 a predetermined threshold or more within a predetermined period of time. If the distributor P1 does not grant permission to the distribution request, the information processing device 100 may acquire distribution refusal information indicating that the distributor P1 did not grant permission to the distribution request, and notify the user that the article C1 is not available for viewing.

[0032] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the information processing device 100 transmits a distribution request for article C1 to the distributor P1 of article C1 based on article request information made by user U1. In the above embodiment, the information processing device 100 may issue a distribution request when the number of requests for article C1 exceeds a predetermined threshold. In this way, when user U1 makes a request for article C1, the information processing device 100 may issue a distribution request when the number of requests for article C1 reaches a certain threshold. In this case, for example, if the same user makes multiple requests for the same article, the number of requests may be calculated by counting the multiple requests one by one, or the number of requests may be calculated by counting the multiple requests as one request. In the latter case, the number of requests can be interpreted as the number of users who made requests for the same article.

[0033] [3. User terminal configuration] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the user terminal 10 has a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0034] (Communications Department 11) The communication unit 11 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 11 is connected to a predetermined network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 100, etc., via the predetermined network N.

[0035] (Input section 12) The input unit 12 accepts various operations from a user. In FIG. 2, the input unit 12 accepts various operations from a user U1. For example, the input unit 12 may accept various operations from a user via a display screen using a touch panel function. The input unit 12 may also accept various operations from buttons provided on the user terminal 10 or a keyboard or mouse connected to the user terminal 10.

[0036] (Output section 13) The output unit 13 is a display screen of a tablet terminal or the like realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various types of information. For example, the output unit 13 displays information transmitted from the information processing device 100. For example, the output unit 13 displays information linked to article candidates for an event searched for by the user. Furthermore, for example, the output unit 13 displays, for the article candidate, a message that an article requested by the user is now available for viewing. For example, the output unit 13 displays, for the article candidate, a message that an article requested by the user is available for viewing for a certain period of time.

[0037] (Control unit 14) The control unit 14 is, for example, a controller, and is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the user terminal 10 using a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work area. For example, these various programs include application programs installed in the user terminal 10. For example, these various programs include application programs that display information transmitted from the information processing device 100. The control unit 14 is also realized by an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 14 has a receiving unit 141 and a transmitting unit 142, and realizes or executes the information processing operations described below.

[0039] (Receiving unit 141) The receiving unit 141 receives, for example, information transmitted from the information processing device 100. For example, the receiving unit 141 receives information for displaying information linked to article candidates for an event searched for by the user. For example, the receiving unit 141 receives information for displaying a list of headlines of article candidates linked to the article candidates. Furthermore, for example, the receiving unit 141 receives information for displaying, for the article candidates, that an article requested by the user is now available for viewing. For example, the receiving unit 141 receives information for displaying, for the article candidates, that an article requested by the user is available for viewing for a certain period of time.

[0040] (Transmitter 142) The transmission unit 142 transmits information to the information processing device 100, for example. For example, the transmission unit 142 transmits information related to a user's search query. For example, the transmission unit 142 transmits event information searched for by the user. Furthermore, for example, the transmission unit 142 transmits request information requested by the user for an article candidate.

[0041] 4. Configuration of Information Processing Device Next, the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that the information processing device 100 may also have an input unit (e.g., a keyboard or a mouse) that accepts various operations from an administrator of the information processing device 100, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) that displays various information.

[0042] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a NIC etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal 10 etc. via the network N.

[0043] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk. As shown in Fig. 4, the storage unit 120 has a viewable article storage unit 121 and a distribution-terminated article storage unit 122.

[0044] The viewable article storage unit 121 stores information about articles that are viewable. FIG. 5 shows an example of the viewable article storage unit 121 according to the embodiment. The information stored in the viewable article storage unit 121 is used, for example, to provide articles related to events searched for by a user. As shown in FIG. 5, the viewable article storage unit 121 has items such as "viewable article ID," "distribution source ID," "headline," "article content," and "comment content."

[0045] "Viewable article ID" indicates identification information for identifying an article that is viewable. "Distributor ID" indicates identification information for identifying the distributor of an article. "Headline" indicates the headline of the article. "Article content" indicates the article content. In the example shown in Figure 5, conceptual information such as "Article content #1" and "Article content #2" is stored in "Article content," but in reality, text information and image information contained in the article are stored. For example, a uniform resource locator (URL) where the image information is located or a file path name indicating the storage location may be stored. "Comment content" indicates the comment content. In the example shown in Figure 5, conceptual information such as "Comment content #111" and "Comment content #112" is stored in "Comment content," but in reality, text information contained in the comment and identification information indicating the comment poster are stored.

[0046] The distribution-ended article storage unit 122 stores information about articles whose distribution has ended. FIG. 6 shows an example of the distribution-ended article storage unit 122 according to the embodiment. The information stored in the distribution-ended article storage unit 122 is used, for example, to determine article candidates for an event searched for by a user. As shown in FIG. 6, the distribution-ended article storage unit 122 has items such as "distribution-ended article ID," "distribution source ID," "headline," and "comment content."

[0047] "Distribution-Ended Article ID" indicates identification information for identifying an article whose distribution has ended. "Distribution Source ID" indicates identification information for identifying the source of the article. "Headline" indicates the headline of the article. "Comment Content" indicates the comment content. In the example shown in Figure 6, conceptual information such as "Comment Content #11" and "Comment Content #12" is stored in "Comment Content," but in reality, text information contained in the comment and identification information indicating the comment poster are stored.

[0048] (control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized by, for example, a CPU or an MPU executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using RAM as a work area. The control unit 130 is also realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0049] 4, control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, a determination unit 132, a decision unit 133, a request unit 134, a redelivery unit 135, and a notification unit 136, and realizes or executes the information processing action described below. Note that the internal configuration of control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and other configurations may be used as long as they perform the information processing described below.

[0050] (Acquisition part 131) The acquiring unit 131 acquires various pieces of information from the storage unit 120. The acquiring unit 131 also stores the acquired various pieces of information in the storage unit 120.

[0051] The acquisition unit 131 acquires various pieces of information from an external information processing device. The acquisition unit 131 acquires various pieces of information from other information processing devices such as the user terminal 10.

[0052] The acquisition unit 131 acquires, for example, information related to a user's search query. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires event information searched for by the user. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, for example, information related to article candidates for the event searched for by the user. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, for example, user request information for the article candidates.

[0053] (Judgment unit 132) The determination unit 132 determines whether an article for an event searched for by the user is available for viewing, for example, based on information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the determination unit 132 determines whether an article for an event searched for by the user is available for viewing, based on the event information searched for by the user, using information stored in the available article storage unit 121 as a comparison target. For example, the determination unit 132 determines whether distribution of an article for an event searched for by the user has ended. For example, the determination unit 132 determines whether distribution of an article for an event searched for by the user has ended and been deleted, or whether distribution of an article for an event searched for by the user has ended and been made unavailable but not deleted. Furthermore, for example, if the article for an event searched for by the user is available for viewing, the determination unit 132 determines that the article for the event searched for by the user is available for viewing, and if the article for the event searched for by the user is not available for viewing, the determination unit 132 determines that the article for the event searched for by the user is not available for viewing.

[0054] (Decision unit 133) For example, when the determination unit 132 determines that the article is not in a browsable state, the determination unit 133 determines a candidate article to be suggested to the user. In this case, for example, a list of headlines of the candidate articles determined by the determination unit 133 is displayed on the user terminal 10. For example, the determination unit 133 determines a candidate article to be suggested to the user based on a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline. For example, the determination unit 133 determines a candidate article by identifying a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline that is highly relevant to the event searched for by the user. For example, the determination unit 133 identifies a comment, a headline, or a comment / headline that is highly relevant to the event searched for by the user, and determines an article linked to the identified comment, headline, or comment / headline as the candidate article. Furthermore, for example, when the determination unit 132 determines that the article is in a browsable state, the determination unit 133 determines to deliver a target article for the event searched for by the user. For example, the determination unit 133 determines an article stored in the browsable article storage unit 121 as the target article. In this case, the target article that has been determined to be distributed by the determination unit 133 is displayed on the user terminal 10, for example.

[0055] (Request Section 134) The request unit 134 makes a distribution request for the requested article to the distributor of the requested article, for example, based on the user's request information for the article candidate determined by the determination unit 133 (i.e., the request information acquired by the acquisition unit 131). For example, the request unit 134 transmits information requesting permission to redistribute the article. In this case, the distributor is notified of, for example, the requested article and information about the request. For example, the distributor is notified of information such as "A request has been made to distribute this article, which distribution has ended. Would you like to redistribute it?" or "The number of requests for distribution of this article, which distribution has ended, is increasing, and it appears that there is a high demand today. Since there is a high demand today, would you like to redistribute it?"

[0056] (Rebroadcast Section 135) For example, if the distributor grants permission as a result of a distribution request made by the request unit 134, the redistribution unit 135 makes the requested article available for viewing for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the requested article becomes available for viewing on a predetermined service. That is, the requested article is redistributed for a predetermined period of time. The requested article is, for example, added to the viewable article storage unit 121 for a certain period of time and deleted from the discontinued article storage unit 122. Note that the requested article is, for example, deleted again from the viewable article storage unit 121 after a certain period of time has elapsed since the redistribution and added again to the discontinued article storage unit 122.

[0057] (Notification Department 136) For example, if the distributor grants permission as a result of the distribution request made by the request unit 134, the notification unit 136 notifies the user who made the request that the requested article is now available for viewing. For example, the notification unit 136 notifies the user that the requested article is available for viewing for a predetermined period of time. For example, the notification unit 136 notifies the user when the article becomes available for viewing by the re-distribution unit 135. Note that, for example, if the distributor does not grant permission as a result of the distribution request made by the request unit 134, the notification unit 136 notifies the user that the request was not granted.

[0058] The notification unit 136 notifies, for example, users who have a predetermined relationship with the user who made the request. For example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user who has a predetermined relationship with the user who made the request that the article has become available for viewing when the user who has the predetermined relationship has made a request for an article. Furthermore, for example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user who is similar to the user who made the request. For example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user who has made a similar user request for an article that the article has become available for viewing. Furthermore, for example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user who has previously made a request for the same article candidate. For example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user that a previously requested article has become available for viewing. Furthermore, for example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user who has searched for articles related to the same event a predetermined threshold or more within a predetermined period. For example, the notification unit 136 notifies a user that an article related to a frequently searched event has become available for viewing.

[0059] [5. Information Processing Flow] Next, the procedure of information processing by the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are flowcharts showing the procedure of information processing by the information processing system according to the embodiment.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing device 100 acquires information about a user's search query (step S201). Based on the acquired information about the search query, the information processing device 100 determines whether an article about the event searched for by the user is available for viewing (step S202). If the information processing device 100 determines that the article is available for viewing (step S202; YES), the information processing device 100 distributes the target article and ends information processing (step S203). On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the article is not available for viewing (step S202; NO), the information processing device 100 determines an article candidate to be suggested to the user (step S204). The information processing device 100 acquires request information from the user for the determined article candidate (step S205). Then, based on the acquired request information, the information processing device 100 makes an article distribution request to the article distributor (step S206).

[0061] 8, the information processing device 100 determines whether the distributor has permitted redistribution of the article in response to the distribution request (step S301). If it is determined that redistribution of the article has been permitted (step S301; YES), the information processing device 100 performs redistribution of the requested article (step S302). Then, the information processing device 100 notifies the user that the requested article is now available for viewing (step S303). On the other hand, if it is determined that redistribution of the article is not permitted (step S301; NO), the information processing device 100 ends information processing without performing redistribution of the requested article.

[0062] [6. Effects] As described above, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment includes the determination unit 132, the determination unit 133, and the request unit 134. The determination unit 132 determines whether an article for an event searched for by the user is available for viewing. If the determination unit 132 determines that the article is not available for viewing, the determination unit 133 determines an article candidate to be suggested to the user based on the headline or comments of the article. The request unit 134 makes an article distribution request to an article distributor based on the user's request information for the article candidate determined by the determination unit 133.

[0063] As a result, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can, for example, redistribute a past article whose distribution has ended when there is high demand for it, thereby increasing the asset value of the past article whose distribution has ended. Also, since a user who searches for an event is a user who is highly motivated to "want to know" about the event, for example, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can promote an improvement in the appeal effect, etc., of the article by redistributing the article to such a user.

[0064] Furthermore, the determination unit 132 determines whether an article is available for viewing based on whether the article is included in a database that stores articles available for viewing.

[0065] This allows the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment to quickly and appropriately determine, for example, whether or not an article is in a state where it can be viewed.

[0066] Furthermore, the determination unit 133 determines article candidates based on comments posted to an article by viewers who have viewed the article.

[0067] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately determine article candidates from comments posted in the past on an article, even if the article is not in a viewable state, for example.

[0068] Furthermore, the determination unit 133 determines article candidates based on headlines created for articles by a predetermined service provider different from the distributor.

[0069] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately determine article candidates from headlines created in the past for an article, even if the article is not in a viewable state, for example.

[0070] Furthermore, the determination unit 133 determines article candidates based on the relevance between the event and the headline or comment.

[0071] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately determine article candidates from, for example, headlines or comments that are highly relevant to the event.

[0072] Furthermore, the request unit 134 makes a distribution request based on request information made by the user by displaying a headline linked to the article candidate or the title of an article created by the distribution source.

[0073] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can acquire request information from the user and make an appropriate delivery request even if the article is not in a viewable state, for example.

[0074] Furthermore, the request unit 134 makes a distribution request when the number of requests for the article candidate exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0075] As a result, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately make a distribution request when, for example, a certain level of demand has been reached. Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can make the information available to the public when, for example, a certain level of demand has been reached.

[0076] Moreover, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment further includes a re-distribution unit 135 that makes the article available for viewing for a predetermined period of time when the distribution source permits the distribution request made by the request unit 134.

[0077] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can allow the distributor to freely decide whether or not to make the article viewable again, for example.

[0078] Moreover, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment further includes a notification unit 136 that notifies the user that the article is available for viewing for a predetermined period of time if the distribution source permits the distribution request made by the request unit 134.

[0079] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately notify the user that the requested article is now available for viewing, for example.

[0080] Furthermore, the notification unit 136 notifies users who have a predetermined relationship with the user that the article is available for viewing for a predetermined period of time.

[0081] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately notify, for example, users having a predetermined relationship that the target article is now available for viewing.

[0082] Furthermore, the notification unit 136 notifies similar users who have attributes similar to the user that the article can be viewed for a predetermined period of time.

[0083] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately notify, for example, users with similar attributes that the target article is now available for viewing.

[0084] Furthermore, the notification unit 136 notifies users who have searched for articles about the event a predetermined threshold or more that the articles are available for viewing for a predetermined period of time.

[0085] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately notify a user who has searched for articles on a target event a predetermined threshold or more that the target article is now available for viewing.

[0086] [7. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment described above is realized, for example, by a computer 1000 configured as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device 100. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, an HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0087] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0088] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by these programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 acquires data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0089] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0090] Media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides it to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200. CPU 1100 loads the program or data from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. Recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0091] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 130. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0092] [8. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0093] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0094] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0095] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have been modified and improved in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0096] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, an acquisition unit can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 User terminal 11 Communications Department 12 Input section 13 Output section 14 Control Unit 100 Information processing device 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Viewable Article Storage 122 Finished article storage section 130 control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 Judgment section 133 Decision Section 134 Request Section 135 Redistribution Department 136 Notification Department 141 Receiving unit 142 Transmitter N Network

Claims

1. a determination unit that determines whether an article about an event searched for by a user is available for viewing; a determination unit that determines, when the determination unit determines that the article is not in a viewable state, a candidate article to be suggested to the user based on a headline or a comment of the article; a request unit that makes a request for distribution of the article to a distributor of the article based on request information of the user for the article candidate determined by the determination unit; An information processing device comprising:

2. The determination unit Determining whether the article is available for viewing based on whether the article is included in a database that stores articles available for viewing.