Server device, coupon presenting system, coupon presenting method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server device or the like capable of appropriately presenting an acquirable coupon to a user browsing an article page while coping with inconvenience that may occur when publicizing the article page.SOLUTION: In a server device 300, a reception part 341 receives access to an article page from a user terminal designating a URL indicating the location of the article page. An inquiry part 342 inquires of a coupon server about coupon information indicating a valid coupon which can be acquired at present in the article page whose access is received by the reception part 341. When coupon information is replied from the coupon server responding to the inquiry by the inquiry part 342, a generation part 343 generates an article page in which a link object for acquiring a valid coupon is arranged on the basis of the replied coupon information. Then, the provision unit 344 provides the article page generated by the generation unit 343 to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a coupon presentation system, a coupon presentation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, online sales sites for electronic commerce have become popular. For example, large-scale sales sites (shopping mall sites) consisting of many shops (virtual stores) not only handle a wide range of categories (genres) of products, but also engage in price competition among the shops, attracting many users. Such sales sites encourage users to purchase target products by offering coupons (so-called electronic coupons) that allow them to purchase target products at a discounted price. For example, users who visit the product page or shop page of the sales site can obtain a coupon simply by selecting a displayed banner or the like.

[0003] Meanwhile, information sites where users introduce products from sales sites are also known. On these information sites, for example, each user can post an article about a product that they have actually used. When a user visits this information site and browses a desired article page, they refer to the article content to decide whether or not to purchase the product. The article page generally has a link to the product page on the sales site (the product page of the introduced product), so that users who have decided to purchase the product can visit the product page from the link and purchase the desired product.

[0004] With the spread of such information sites, it is being considered to allow users to obtain coupons for products introduced on article pages on the article pages themselves. In other words, it is planned to strengthen the cooperation between sales sites and information sites by allowing users to receive coupons from external information sites that are different from the sales site.

[0005] As a prior art related to such coupons, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a server device that can display on an external site whether or not there are coupons available (that can be acquired) on a sales site. The server device described in Patent Document 1 manages a social networking service (SNS) site that provides posted information introducing products, and when the posted information is displayed on a user terminal, the server device queries a coupon server to see if there are any coupons (available coupons) for the products introduced in the posted information. When the server device receives information from the coupon server that a coupon is available, the server device displays the coupon information together with the posted information to notify the user that a coupon is available. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-111235 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] A certain percentage of users who browse information sites, including the SNS site described in Patent Document 1, do not usually use sales sites. Therefore, as described above, by making it possible to provide coupons to users from external information sites, it is expected that many users, including those who do not often use sales sites, will be guided to the sales site.

[0008] As a prerequisite for this, the further spread of information sites is desired. In other words, the more users who use information sites, the more users can be expected to be led to sales sites. For this reason, it is possible to have a well-known information provider (a so-called influencer) promote the article page of an information site, for example. In other words, if a well-known information provider uses content such as social media, blogs, and videos to promote the fact that coupons can be obtained on the article page, it is expected that more users will be encouraged to use the information site.

[0009] However, since content used in public relations by well-known information providers is widely disseminated through citation and duplication, it is expected that users will view it even after the coupon acquisition period has expired. In other words, even old content that has been publicized for a certain period of time may match the keywords searched by the user or be presented to the user as recommended content. Users who reach the article page after viewing such old content can view the article, but they are unable to obtain the coupon, and the reason for this remains unclear. In such cases, not only can users not be guided from the information site to the sales site, but there is also the concern that users may stop using the information site altogether.

[0010] Given this situation, there has been a demand for technology that can appropriately present available coupons to users viewing an article page while also addressing the inconveniences that may arise when publicizing the article page.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a server device, a coupon presentation system, a coupon presentation method, and a program that can appropriately present obtainable coupons to users viewing an article page while also addressing the inconveniences that may arise when publicizing the article page. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A server device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A server device that manages an information site that introduces products and provides an article page where coupons issued by a coupon server can be obtained, a reception unit that receives access to the article page from a user terminal that specifies a URL indicating the location of the article page; an inquiry unit that inquires of the coupon server about coupon information indicating valid coupons that can be currently obtained on the article page that the acceptance unit accepts access to; a generating unit that generates the article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is arranged based on the coupon information returned from the coupon server in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit; and a providing unit that provides the article page generated by the generating unit to the user terminal; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0013] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The user terminal can access the server device in response to public relations information including the URL of the article page and a coupon ID for identifying a coupon that can be acquired; the accepting unit accepts access specifying the URL to which the coupon ID is added, When the generation unit receives a response from the coupon server indicating that the coupon information is not available, it may generate the article page with a message informing the user that the coupon associated with the coupon ID is invalid, and when the coupon information is received from the coupon server and the valid coupon indicated in the coupon information is the same as the coupon indicated by the coupon ID, it may generate the article page with the link object to be placed highlighted.

[0014] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The generation unit may be configured to generate the article page in which the link object and a message informing the user that there is a coupon that can be obtained instead of the coupon associated with the coupon ID are placed when the coupon information is returned from the coupon server and the valid coupon indicated in the coupon information is not the same as the coupon indicated in the coupon ID.

[0015] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The generating unit may arrange the message on the article page by displaying it as a pop-up, a modal, or a balloon.

[0016] A coupon presentation system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: A coupon presentation system in which a coupon server, a server device that provides an article page introducing a product, and a user terminal are communicably connected via a network, The coupon server an issuing unit that issues coupons that can be acquired by users on the article page; a distribution unit that distributes publicity information for publicizing the coupon issued by the issuing unit, the publicity information including a URL indicating the location of the article page and a coupon ID for identifying the coupon that can be obtained; a reply unit that replies with coupon information indicating valid coupons that can currently be obtained on the article page in response to an inquiry from the server device that provides the article page, The server device a receiving unit that receives access to the article page from the user terminal that specifies the URL to which the coupon ID is added; an inquiry unit that inquires of the coupon server about the coupon information on the article page that the acceptance unit accepts access to; a generating unit that, when receiving a reply from the coupon server in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit that the coupon information is not available, generates the article page on which a message is placed to notify that the coupon related to the coupon ID is invalid, and, when receiving the coupon information from the coupon server, generates the article page on which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is placed based on the returned coupon information; a providing unit that provides the article page generated by the generating unit to the user terminal; The user terminal an access unit that accesses the server device by specifying the URL to which the coupon ID is added, in response to the public relations information distributed by the coupon server; a receiving unit that receives the article page from the server device accessed by the access unit; a display unit that displays the article page received by the receiving unit, It is characterized by:

[0017] A coupon presentation method according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: A coupon presentation method executed by a server device that manages an information site introducing products and provides an article page where coupons issued by a coupon server can be obtained, comprising: a receiving step of receiving access to the article page from a user terminal that has specified a URL indicating the location of the article page; an inquiry step of inquiring of the coupon server about coupon information indicating valid coupons that can currently be obtained on the article page that has been accessed in the acceptance step; a generating step of generating the article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is arranged based on the returned coupon information when the coupon information is returned from the coupon server in response to the inquiry made in the inquiry step; a providing step of providing the article page generated in the generating step to the user terminal; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0018] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: A computer that manages an information site introducing products and provides an article page where coupons issued from a coupon server can be obtained, a receiving step of receiving access to the article page from a user terminal that has specified a URL indicating the location of the article page; an inquiry step of inquiring of the coupon server about coupon information indicating valid coupons that can be currently obtained on the article page that has been accessed in the acceptance step; a generating step of generating the article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is arranged based on the returned coupon information when the coupon information is returned from the coupon server in response to the inquiry made in the inquiry step; a providing step of providing the article page generated in the generating step to the user terminal; The present invention is characterized in that the following is executed.

[0019] The above program may be distributed or sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. Furthermore, the information recording medium on which the above program is recorded is a non-transitory recording medium and can be distributed and sold independently of the computer. Here, a non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of non-transitory recording media include compact discs, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, and semiconductor memories. A transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagation signal) itself. Examples of transitory recording media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. A temporary storage area is an area for temporarily storing data and programs, such as volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately present obtainable coupons to users who view an article page while also addressing the inconveniences that may arise when publicizing an article page. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a coupon presentation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a typical information processing device in which a server device or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention is realized; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a coupon server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of coupon issuance information stored in a storage unit of a coupon server. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of coupon management information stored in a storage unit of a coupon server. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a two-dimensional code that is an example of public information, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of access destination information obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of coupon information that is returned by a reply unit of the coupon server in response to an inquiry. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an article page generated by a generating unit of the server device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of another article page generated by a generating unit of the server device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of public information content displayed on a display unit of a user terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an article page displayed on a display unit of a user terminal. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a coupon presentation process according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an article page according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which an information provider publicizes an article page on a social networking service (SNS), but the content (information transmission medium) for publicizing the article page is not limited to an SNS and may also be a blog, video, or the like. In other words, the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art may adopt embodiments in which each or all of the elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0023] (Overall composition) 1, a coupon presentation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a coupon server 200, a server device 300, an SNS server 400, a sales server 500, and a user terminal 600. The coupon server 200, the server device 300, the SNS server 400, the sales server 500, and the user terminal 600 are communicably connected via the Internet 900, which is an example of a network. Although Figure 1 shows only a few user terminals 600, this is to make it easier to understand the invention, and in reality, a huge number of user terminals 600 will be included depending on the number of users who use the coupon presentation system 100.

[0024] The coupon server 200 is, for example, a server computer that issues coupons (so-called electronic coupons) and manages the issued coupons. As an example, the coupon server 200 issues and manages coupons that can be acquired on an information site managed by the server device 300. More specifically, the coupon server 200 issues coupons that can be acquired by users on article pages (as an example, article pages introducing products) that the server device 300 provides to users. Furthermore, the coupon server 200 distributes publicity information for publicizing the article page (for example, an article page where a coupon can be obtained) to the information provider. For example, the coupon server 200 distributes publicity information including the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the article page and a coupon ID for identifying the coupon that can be obtained to a well-known information provider (a so-called influencer).

[0025] The server device 300 is, for example, a server computer, and manages an information site that provides users with article pages introducing products. As an example, the server device 300 stores article information posted by each contributor. Furthermore, the server device 300 generates an article page based on the corresponding article information in response to an access specifying the URL of the article page from the user terminal 600. At this time, if there is a coupon that can be obtained on the article page, the server device 300 generates an article page in which a link object for obtaining the coupon is placed. The server device 300 then provides the article page on which the link object and the like are arranged to the user terminal 600 for display.

[0026] The SNS server 400 is, for example, a server computer, and manages an SNS site that provides users with content posted by each information sender. As an example, the SNS server 400 provides publicity content (content including publicity information) for publicizing an article page from among the content posted by a well-known information provider to the user terminal 600 and causes it to be displayed.

[0027] The sales server 500 is, for example, a server computer, and manages a sales site that sells products. As an example, the sales server 500 provides the user terminal 600 with product pages for various products including products introduced on article pages provided by the server device 300, and causes the user terminal 600 to display them.

[0028] (General configuration of information processing device) A typical information processing device 700 in which the coupon server 200, the server device 300, and the user terminal 600 according to this embodiment are realized will be described.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 700 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 702, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 703, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 704, an image processing unit 705, an audio processing unit 706, an auxiliary memory unit 707, an interface 708, an operation unit 709, and a display unit 710.

[0030] The CPU 701 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 700, and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data.

[0031] The ROM 702 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after power is turned on. When this IPL is executed, the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 707 is read into the RAM 703, and the CPU 701 begins executing the program.

[0032] The RAM 703 is used to temporarily store data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the auxiliary storage unit 707, as well as other data necessary for communication.

[0033] The NIC 704 is used to connect the information processing device 700 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and may be configured as a 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used in configuring a LAN (Local Area Network), an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, or a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line.

[0034] The image processing unit 705 processes image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 707 or the like using an image calculation processor (not shown) provided in the CPU 701 or the image processing unit 705, and then records this in a frame memory (not shown) provided in the image processing unit 705. The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronous timing and output to the display unit 710 via the interface 708 or the like. In other words, under the control of the CPU 701, the image processing unit 705 generates images required in the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 700, and displays the images on the display unit 710.

[0035] The audio processing unit 706 converts audio data read from the auxiliary storage unit 707 or the like into an audio signal and outputs it to, for example, an external speaker. That is, under the control of the CPU 701, the audio processing unit 706 generates audio to be generated during the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 700 and outputs the audio from the speaker.

[0036] The auxiliary storage unit 707 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and various data necessary for controlling the overall operation of the information processing device 700. For example, the auxiliary storage unit 707 stores programs for realizing the coupon server 200, the server device 300, and the user terminal 600 according to this embodiment. Under the control of the CPU 601, the auxiliary storage unit 707 reads out the stored programs and data as appropriate and temporarily stores them in the RAM 703 or the like.

[0037] An operation unit 709 and a display unit 710 are connected to the interface 708. Note that the interface 708 may also transmit and receive necessary information to and from other connected external devices.

[0038] The operation unit 709 accepts operation inputs from a worker or the like who uses the information processing device 700 .

[0039] The display unit 710 renders an image according to the image data output by the image processing unit 705 and displays it to a worker or the like using the information processing device 700 .

[0040] Additionally, the information processing device 700 may be provided with a drive unit such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM instead of the auxiliary storage unit 707. In this case, the information processing device 700 reads out programs and data from a DVD-ROM or the like attached to the drive unit and operates in the same manner as described above.

[0041] (Embodiment) The coupon server 200, the server device 300, and the user terminal 600 according to the embodiment will be described in more detail below. First, the functional configuration of the coupon server 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 7. This coupon server 200 is realized by the above-mentioned information processing device 700. For example, when the information processing device 700 is powered on, a program that causes it to function as the coupon server 200 is executed, and the coupon server 200 according to this embodiment is realized.

[0042] (Coupon server functional configuration) 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the coupon server 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the coupon server 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0043] The receiving unit 210 receives various information sent from the server device 300, the user terminal 600, and the like. For example, the receiving unit 210 receives inquiry information sent from the server device 300. As will be described later, this inquiry information is information for inquiring about valid coupons that can currently be obtained on an article page when the server device 300 generates the article page. In addition, the receiving unit 210 receives acquisition information sent from the user terminal 600. As will be described later, this acquisition information is information for requesting acquisition of a coupon from the user terminal 600 on which an article page (an article page on which a link object for acquiring a coupon is arranged) is displayed.

[0044] The above-mentioned NIC 704 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 210.

[0045] The transmitting unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 240 and transmits necessary information to the server device 300, the sales server 500, and the like. For example, in response to the inquiry information received by the receiving unit 210, if there is a valid coupon that can be obtained on an article page, the transmitting unit 220 transmits coupon information indicating the valid coupon to the server device 300. If there is no valid coupon corresponding to the article page, the transmitting unit 220 transmits information to the server device 300 indicating that there is no coupon. In addition, in response to the acquisition information received by the receiving unit 210, the transmitting unit 220 transmits to the sales server 500 acquisition information including a coupon ID indicating the acquired coupon and the user ID of the user who acquired the coupon.

[0046] The above-mentioned NIC 704 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 220.

[0047] The storage unit 230 stores various information required for issuing coupons and managing issued coupons. For example, the storage unit 230 stores coupon issuance information 231 and coupon management information 232.

[0048] Specifically, the storage unit 230 stores coupon issuance information 231 as shown in Fig. 4. This coupon issuance information 231 includes, for example, a coupon ID 231a, coupon content 231b, an article page 231c, a product ID 231d, and a product name 231e. The article page 231c indicates the URL of the article page where the issued coupon can be acquired. The product ID 231d indicates identification information of the product (product sold by the sales server 500) for which the issued coupon can be used.

[0049] The storage unit 230 also stores coupon management information 232 as shown in Fig. 5. The coupon management information 232 includes, for example, a coupon ID 232a, an expiration date 232b, an upper limit on the number of uses 232c, a current number of uses 232d, and a product page 232e. The expiration date 232b indicates the date and time (for example, the expiration date) until which the user can use (acquire and use) the coupon. The maximum number of uses 232c indicates the total number of times the coupon can be used by the user, and the current number of uses 232d indicates the total number of times the coupon has been used up to now. Even if the expiration date 232b has not yet elapsed, if the current number of uses 232d reaches the upper limit of uses 232c, the coupon will no longer be usable (will no longer be valid). Also, product page 232e shows the URL of the product page for the product for which the coupon can be used.

[0050] In addition, the storage unit 230 may store acquisition conditions (for example, purchase history, user rank, etc.) for limiting the users who can acquire the coupon, and usage conditions for using the coupon (for example, minimum purchase amount, minimum number of items to purchase, etc.).

[0051] The above-mentioned auxiliary storage unit 707 or the like can function as such a storage unit 230.

[0052] 3, the control unit 240 controls the entire coupon server 200. The control unit 240 includes, for example, an issuing unit 241, a distributing unit 242, a replying unit 243, and an assigning unit 244.

[0053] The issuing unit 241 issues coupons that can be obtained on a predetermined article page provided by the server device 300. For example, in response to a request from a person in charge of an information site or a sales site, the issuing unit 241 issues a coupon that sets the target article page and the product to be used, etc. Then, when issuing the coupon, the issuing unit 241 adds new information (a new record) to the coupon issuance information 231 described above, etc., and stores it in the storage unit 230.

[0054] The distribution unit 242 distributes public relations information about the coupons issued by the issuing unit 241 to the information senders. For example, the distribution unit 242 distributes public relations information represented by a two-dimensional code NC as shown in Fig. 6(a) to a well-known information sender. When this two-dimensional code NC is decoded, access destination information including a URL and a coupon ID as shown in Fig. 6(b) can be obtained. The URL indicates the address of an article page where a coupon can be obtained. The coupon ID is information for identifying a coupon that can be obtained on that article page. In other words, the publicity information is information indicating an access destination, which is a URL indicating the location of the article page, to which the coupon ID of the coupon that can be obtained is added. The publicity information may further include all or any of the following: a product ID for which the coupon can be used, an ID of the poster who posted the article page, an ID of the information sender who publicizes the article page, and an expiration date of the coupon.

[0055] Returning to Figure 3, when the response unit 243 receives inquiry information sent from the server device 300 at the receiving unit 210 described above, if there are any valid coupons that can currently be obtained on the article page, it responds by sending coupon information indicating those valid coupons to the server device 300. For example, the reply unit 243 searches the coupon issuance information 231 shown in Fig. 4 described above using the URL of the article page included in the inquiry information as a key. Then, when a record with a matching URL (article page 231c) is found, the reply unit 243 searches the coupon management information 232 shown in Fig. 5 described above using the coupon ID (coupon ID 231a) of that record as a key. Then, if the expiration date (expiration date 232b) of the found record has not passed and the current number of uses (current number of uses 232d) of the found record has not reached the upper limit number of uses (upper limit number of uses 232c), the reply unit 243 returns coupon information CI such as that shown in Fig. 7 to the server device 300. If no record is found from the coupon issuance information 231 using the URL of the article page included in the inquiry information as a search key, the replying unit 243 replies to the server device 300 that there is no coupon. Furthermore, if the record found in the coupon management information 232 indicates that the expiration date has passed, the reply unit 243 replies to the server device 300 that the expiration date has passed. Furthermore, if the record searched from the coupon management information 232 shows that the expiration date has not passed but the current number of uses has reached the upper limit, the response unit 243 responds to the server device 300 that the upper limit has been reached. The replying unit 243 may reply to the server device 300 in a uniform manner that there are no valid coupons, without replying separately for each of these reasons.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 3, when the receiving unit 210 described above receives the acquisition information sent from the user terminal 600, the granting unit 244 grants the coupon to the user. For example, the granting unit 244 updates the current usage count 232d of the target in the coupon management information 232 shown in Fig. 5 by adding 1. In addition, the granting unit 244 transmits acquired information including the coupon ID and the user ID to the sales server 500.

[0057] The above-mentioned CPU 701 and the like can function as the control unit 240 having such a configuration.

[0058] Next, the functional configuration of the server device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 10. This server device 300 is also realized by the above-mentioned information processing device 700. For example, when the information processing device 700 is powered on, a program that causes it to function as the server device 300 is executed, and the server device 300 according to this embodiment is realized.

[0059] (Functional configuration of server device) 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server device 300 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the server device 300 includes a receiving unit 310, a transmitting unit 320, a storage unit 330, and a control unit 340.

[0060] The receiving unit 310 receives various information sent from the user terminal 600, the coupon server 200, and the like. For example, when the user terminal 600 requests an article page, the receiving unit 310 receives access information sent from the user terminal 600. Furthermore, when the transmitting unit 320 described below sends inquiry information to the coupon server 200, the receiving unit 310 receives coupon information and the like sent from the coupon server 200.

[0061] The above-mentioned NIC 704 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 310.

[0062] The transmitting unit 320 is controlled by the control unit 340 and transmits necessary information to the coupon server 200, the user terminal 600, and the like. For example, the transmitting unit 320 is controlled by an inquiry unit 342 (described later) to transmit inquiry information to the coupon server 200 for inquiring about valid coupons that can currently be obtained on the article page. Furthermore, the sending unit 320 is controlled by a providing unit 344 (to be described later) and sends to the user terminal 600 an article page generated by a generating unit 343 (to be described later).

[0063] The above-mentioned NIC 704 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 320.

[0064] The storage unit 330 stores various information necessary for providing an article page. For example, the storage unit 330 stores article information 331. For example, the article information 331 is an article posted by each contributor to introduce a product. Therefore, the article information 331 includes the article content (text, images, etc.) about the product to be introduced, and the product page (link information) on the sales server 500 about the product to be introduced. In addition, the article information 331 may include information such as tags and keywords.

[0065] The above-mentioned auxiliary storage unit 707 or the like can function as such a storage unit 330.

[0066] The control unit 340 controls the entire server device 300. The control unit 340 includes, for example, a receiving unit 341, an inquiry unit 342, a generating unit 343, and a providing unit 344.

[0067] The accepting unit 341 cooperates with the receiving unit 310 described above to accept access information from the user terminal 600 when the user terminal 600 requests an article page. For example, the receiving unit 341 receives an access to an article page from the user terminal 600 that specifies a URL indicating the location of the article page. When the access is made from the user terminal 600 in response to the above-described public relations information distributed by the coupon server 200, the receiving unit 341 receives an access that specifies a URL to which a coupon ID is added. More specifically, when access is made from the user terminal 600 triggered by the two-dimensional code NC in Figure 6(a) described above (i.e., when access is made from the public relations content described below), the reception unit 341 receives access specifying a URL with a coupon ID attached as shown in Figure 6(b) described above. It is assumed that, at the time of actual access, the domain name in the URL is converted into an IP address by a DNS (Domain Name System) server (not shown).

[0068] If the article page to be accessed accepted by the accepting unit 341 exists, the inquiring unit 342 inquires of the coupon server 200 about valid coupons that can be currently acquired on that article page. For example, the inquiry unit 342 transmits inquiry information for inquiring about valid coupons that can be obtained on an article page to the coupon server 200 via the transmission unit 320. This inquiry information includes, as an example, the URL of the article page. In other words, the inquiry unit 342 specifies the URL of the article page and inquires about coupons that can be obtained on the article page to the coupon server 200.

[0069] When coupon information indicating a valid coupon is returned from the coupon server 200 in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit 342, the generation unit 343 generates an article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is placed based on the returned coupon information. For example, when the coupon information CI shown in FIG. 7 above is replied from the coupon server 200, the generation unit 343 generates an article page RT1 in which a link object LO as shown in FIG. 9 is arranged. This link object LO is, for example, an applet or the like. When the user operates it in a state where the article page RT1 is provided to and displayed on the user terminal 600, it accesses the coupon server 200 and requests to acquire the target coupon. Therefore, information such as the address of the coupon server 200 and the coupon ID is set in the link object LO. And, by this link object LO, a coupon can be acquired without transitioning from the article page RT1. In addition, when the reception unit 341 described above receives an access specifying a URL to which a coupon ID as shown in FIG. 6(b) above is added, and when the coupon ID added to the URL matches the coupon ID included in the coupon information (coupon information CI as shown in FIG. 7) replied from the coupon server 200, the generation unit 343 may generate an article page in which the link object is emphasized. That is, when a coupon indicated by the specified coupon ID is acquirable when an access according to the publicity information is made, the generation unit 343 appropriately changes the color, brightness, etc. of the link object LO in the article page RT1 as shown in FIG. 9 to emphasize the link object LO. Further, the article page RT1 generated by the generation unit 343 may include a link button BT for transitioning to the product page (product page of the product to be introduced) of the sales server 500.

[0070] On the other hand, when it is replied from the coupon server 200 that has responded to the inquiry that there is no coupon, the generation unit 343 generates an article page in which a message informing that the coupon is invalid is arranged instead of the above-described link object. For example, when it is replied that there is no coupon (as an example, that the expiration date has passed), the generation unit 343 generates an article page RT2 in which a message MS1 as shown in FIG. 10 is arranged. The message MS1 as shown in FIG. 10 may be arranged only when the above-described accepting unit 341 accepts an access specifying a URL to which a coupon ID is added. The article page RT2 generated by the generating unit 343 may also include a link button BT for transitioning to the product page of the sales server 500.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 8, the providing unit 344 provides the article page generated by the generating unit 343 to the user terminal 600 for display. For example, the providing unit 344 provides the article pages RT1 and RT2 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to the user terminal 600 via the transmitting unit 320.

[0072] The above-mentioned CPU 701 and the like can function as the control unit 340 having such a configuration.

[0073] Next, the functional configuration of the user terminal 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. This user terminal 600 is also realized by the above-mentioned information processing device 700. For example, when the information processing device 700 is powered on, a program that causes it to function as the user terminal 600 is executed, and the user terminal 600 according to this embodiment is realized.

[0074] (User terminal functional configuration) 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 600 according to an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the user terminal 600 includes a receiving unit 610, a transmitting unit 620, a display unit 630, a receiving unit 640, and a control unit 650.

[0075] The receiving unit 610 receives various information sent from the SNS server 400, the server device 300, and the like. For example, when the transmission unit 620 described below requests public information content from the SNS server 400 , the reception unit 610 receives the public information content sent from the SNS server 400 . Furthermore, when the transmitting unit 620 accesses the server device 300 and requests an article page, the receiving unit 610 receives the article page sent from the server device 300 .

[0076] The above-mentioned NIC 704 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 610.

[0077] The transmitting unit 620 is controlled by the control unit 650 and transmits necessary information to the SNS server 400, the server device 300, and the like. For example, the transmitting unit 620 is controlled by the access unit 651 (described later) and transmits access information for requesting public relations content or article pages to the SNS server 400 or the server device 300.

[0078] The above-mentioned NIC 704 or the like can function as such a transmitting unit 620.

[0079] The display unit 630 displays the public relations content and article pages received by the receiving unit 610 described above. For example, when the receiving unit 610 receives public information content, the display unit 630 displays the public information content CT as shown in FIG. This publicity content CT is, for example, content posted by a well-known information provider to publicize an article page, and includes a two-dimensional code NC distributed by the coupon server 200 and a link LK to the article page. As described above, when the two-dimensional code NC is decoded, an access destination with a coupon ID added to a URL as shown in Fig. 6(b) is obtained, which enables access to the server device 300. Also, an access destination with a coupon ID added to a URL is set for the link LK, and when the link LK is operated by the user, the server device 300 can be similarly accessed.

[0080] Furthermore, when the receiving unit 610 receives an article page, the display unit 630 displays, for example, the article page RT as shown in FIG. This article page RT shows, as an example, a case where a link object LO is placed. As described above, when the link object LO is operated by the user, the coupon can be acquired on the article page RT without transitioning.

[0081] The above-described display unit 710 can function as such a display section 630.

[0082] Returning to FIG. 11, reception unit 640 is, for example, a touch panel superimposed on display unit 630, and receives operations from the user. For example, when the public information content CT as shown in FIG. 12 described above is displayed on the display unit 630, the reception unit 640 receives an operation on the link LK or the like. Furthermore, when the article page RT as shown in FIG. 13 described above is displayed on the display unit 630, the accepting unit 640 accepts an operation on the link object LO or the like.

[0083] The above-described operation unit 709 can function as such a reception unit 640.

[0084] The control unit 650 controls the entire user terminal 600. The control unit 650 includes an access unit 651, for example.

[0085] The access unit 651 cooperates with the above-mentioned transmission unit 620 to access the server device 300 . For example, when the public relations content CT as shown in Figure 12 described above is displayed on the display unit 630 and the user operates a link LK, the access unit 651 accesses the server device 300 by specifying a URL with a coupon ID attached.

[0086] The above-mentioned CPU 701 and the like can function as the control unit 650 having such a configuration.

[0087] (Operation of the server device according to the embodiment) The operation of the server device 300 in the coupon presentation system 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the coupon presentation process executed by the server device 300. This coupon presentation process is started in response to access from the user terminal 600, for example.

[0088] First, the server device 300 receives access information (step S11). That is, the control unit 340 (accepting unit 341) accepts access information from the user terminal 600 that requests the article page. For example, the control unit 340 accepts access to an article page from the user terminal 600 that specifies a URL indicating the location of the article page. Note that, in the user terminal 600, when the public relations content CT as shown in Fig. 12 described above is displayed on the display unit 630, if access is made from the user terminal 600 triggered by the two-dimensional code NC or the link LK, the control unit 340 accepts access specifying a URL with a coupon ID added.

[0089] The server device 300 inquires of the coupon server 200 about the coupon for the article page (step S12). That is, if the article page to be accessed as accepted in step S11 above exists, the control unit 340 (inquiry unit 342) inquires of the coupon server 200 about valid coupons that can currently be acquired on that article page. For example, the control unit 340 transmits inquiry information for inquiring about valid coupons that can be acquired on an article page to the coupon server 200 via the transmission unit 320.

[0090] The server device 300 determines whether coupon information has been returned from the coupon server 200 (step S13). In response to the inquiry, if there is a valid coupon that can be acquired on the article page, the coupon server 200 returns coupon information indicating the valid coupon, and if there is no valid coupon, it returns a message indicating that there is no coupon.

[0091] If the server device 300 determines that the coupon information has been provided (step S13; Yes), it generates an article page in which the link object is arranged (step S14). That is, when coupon information indicating a valid coupon is returned from the coupon server 200 in response to the inquiry in step S12 above, the control unit 340 (generation unit 343) generates an article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is placed based on the returned coupon information. For example, when the coupon information CI shown in FIG. 7 described above is returned from the coupon server 200, the control unit 340 generates an article page RT1 in which a link object LO as shown in FIG. 9 described above is arranged. In addition, when access is made from the user terminal 600 triggered by the public relations content, if the coupon indicated by the specified coupon ID can be obtained, the control unit 340 may emphasize the link object LO by appropriately changing the color, brightness, etc. of the link object LO on the article page RT1 as shown in Figure 9.

[0092] On the other hand, if it is determined that no coupon information was provided (the response indicated that no coupon was available) (step S13; No), the server device 300 generates an article page on which the message is placed (step S15). That is, the control unit 340 (generation unit 343) generates an article page in which, instead of the link object, a message informing the user that there is no coupon is placed. For example, the control unit 340 generates an article page RT2 on which the message MS1 as shown in FIG. 10 is arranged.

[0093] The server device 300 provides the generated article page to the user terminal 600 (step S16). That is, the control unit 340 (providing unit 344) provides the article page generated in step S14 or step S15 to the user terminal 600 to display it. For example, the control unit 340 provides the article pages RT1 and RT2 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to the user terminal 600 via the transmission unit 320.

[0094] By this coupon presentation process, for example, when an article page accessed as a result of public relations content has a coupon, an article page RT1 in which a link object LO is arranged as shown in Fig. 9 is generated and provided to the user terminal 600. Therefore, coupons that can be obtained on the article page can be appropriately presented. On the other hand, if the article page accessed as a result of the public relations content does not contain a coupon, an article page RT2 with a message MS1 as shown in Fig. 10 is generated and provided to the user terminal 600. Therefore, even if an article page is accessed after viewing old public relations content, for example, the user can be notified of the reason why the coupon cannot be obtained.

[0095] As a result, it is possible to appropriately present available coupons to users viewing the article page while also addressing the inconveniences that may arise when publicizing the article page.

[0096] In the above embodiment, we have described a case where the generation unit 343 of the server device 300 generates an article page RT2 with a message MS1 as shown in Figure 10 when the coupon server 200 responds that there is no coupon (that the expiration date has passed). However, in reality, it is possible that another coupon may be issued on the same article page after the expiration date of the previously issued coupon has passed. In this case, the coupon advertised in the promotional content cannot be obtained, but a different coupon can be obtained. In such a situation, the generating unit 343 may generate an article page that includes a message or the like to notify the user that a coupon is available instead. In other words, when coupon information is returned from the coupon server 200 and the valid coupon indicated in the coupon information is not the same as the coupon indicated in the coupon ID, the generation unit 343 generates an article page that includes a message and a link object to notify the user that there is a coupon that can be obtained instead of the coupon associated with the coupon ID. For example, the generating unit 343 generates an article page RT3 in which a message MS2 and a link object LO are arranged as shown in FIG.

[0097] In this case, too, it is possible to appropriately present available coupons to users viewing the article page while also addressing the inconveniences that may arise when publicizing the article page.

[0098] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, a case where a famous information provider publicizes an article page on SNS was described, but the content used to publicize the article page is not limited to SNS and may also be blogs, videos, etc.

[0099] In the above embodiment, a message informing that the coupon is invalid is normally placed on the article page as shown in FIG. 10, etc. However, it may also be placed on the article page in a special display. For example, the generation unit 343 of the server device 300 may display a message informing the user that the coupon is invalid on the article page in a pop-up display, modal display, or balloon display.

[0100] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server device, a coupon presentation system, a coupon presentation method, and a program that can appropriately present obtainable coupons to users viewing an article page while also addressing inconveniences that may arise when publicizing the article page. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100 Coupon Presentation System 200 Coupon Server 210 Receiving unit 220 Transmitter 230 Storage section 231 Coupon issuance information 232 Coupon Management Information 240 Control Unit 241 Publishing Department 242 Distribution Section 243 Answer section 244 Granting Department 300 Server device 310 Receiving unit 320 Transmitter 330 Storage section 331 Article Information 340 Control Unit 341 Reception Department 342 Inquiry Department 343 Generation part 344 Providing Department 400 SNS Server 500 Sales Server 600 user terminals 610 Receiving unit 620 Transmitter 630 Display section 640 Reception 650 control section 651 Access Section 700 Information Processing Devices 701 CPU 702 ROM 703 RAM 704 NIC 705 Image Processing Unit 706 Audio Processing Unit 707 Auxiliary storage 708 Interface 709 Operation Unit 710 Display Unit 900 Internet

Claims

1. A server device that manages an information site that introduces products and provides an article page where coupons issued by a coupon server can be obtained, a reception unit that receives access to the article page from a user terminal that specifies a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the location of the article page; an inquiry unit that inquires of the coupon server about coupon information indicating valid coupons that can be currently obtained on the article page that the acceptance unit accepts access to; a generating unit that generates the article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is arranged based on the coupon information returned from the coupon server in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit; and a providing unit that provides the article page generated by the generating unit to the user terminal; A server device comprising:

2. The user terminal can access the server device in response to public relations information including the URL of the article page and a coupon ID for identifying a coupon that can be acquired, the receiving unit receives an access specifying the URL to which the coupon ID is added, When the generation unit receives a response from the coupon server indicating that the coupon information is not available, the generation unit generates the article page on which a message is placed to notify that the coupon associated with the coupon ID is invalid, and when the coupon information is returned from the coupon server and the valid coupon indicated in the coupon information is the same as the coupon indicated by the coupon ID, the generation unit generates the article page on which the link object to be placed is highlighted.

2. The server device according to claim 1.

3. When the coupon information is returned from the coupon server and the valid coupon indicated in the coupon information is not the same as the coupon indicated in the coupon ID, the generation unit generates the article page on which the link object and a message for notifying the user that there is a coupon that can be obtained instead of the coupon indicated in the coupon ID are arranged.

3. The server device according to claim 2.

4. the generation unit places the message on the article page by pop-up display, modal display, or balloon display.

4. The server device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A coupon presentation system in which a coupon server, a server device that provides an article page introducing a product, and a user terminal are communicably connected via a network, The coupon server an issuing unit that issues coupons that can be acquired by users on the article page; a distribution unit that distributes publicity information for publicizing the coupon issued by the issuing unit, the publicity information including a URL indicating the location of the article page and a coupon ID for identifying a coupon that can be obtained; a reply unit that replies with coupon information indicating valid coupons that can currently be obtained on the article page in response to an inquiry from the server device that provides the article page, The server device a receiving unit that receives access to the article page from the user terminal that specifies the URL to which the coupon ID is added; an inquiry unit that inquires of the coupon server about the coupon information on the article page that the acceptance unit accepts access to; a generating unit that, when receiving a reply from the coupon server in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit that the coupon information is not available, generates the article page on which a message is placed to notify that the coupon related to the coupon ID is invalid, and, when receiving the coupon information from the coupon server, generates the article page on which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is placed based on the returned coupon information; a providing unit that provides the article page generated by the generating unit to the user terminal; The user terminal an access unit that accesses the server device by specifying the URL to which the coupon ID is added, in response to the public relations information distributed by the coupon server; a receiving unit that receives the article page from the server device accessed by the access unit; a display unit that displays the article page received by the receiving unit, A coupon presentation system characterized by:

6. A coupon presentation method executed by a server device that manages an information site introducing products and provides an article page where coupons issued by a coupon server can be obtained, comprising: a receiving step of receiving access to the article page from a user terminal that has specified a URL indicating the location of the article page; an inquiry step of inquiring of the coupon server about coupon information indicating valid coupons that can currently be obtained on the article page that has been accessed in the acceptance step; a generating step of generating the article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is arranged based on the returned coupon information when the coupon information is returned from the coupon server in response to the inquiry made in the inquiry step; a providing step of providing the article page generated in the generating step to the user terminal; A coupon presentation method comprising:

7. A computer that manages an information site that introduces products and provides an article page where coupons issued from a coupon server can be obtained, a receiving step of receiving access to the article page from a user terminal that has specified a URL indicating the location of the article page; an inquiry step of inquiring of the coupon server about coupon information indicating valid coupons that can be currently obtained on the article page that has been accessed in the acceptance step; a generating step of generating the article page in which a link object for obtaining the valid coupon is arranged based on the returned coupon information when the coupon information is returned from the coupon server in response to the inquiry made in the inquiry step; a providing step of providing the article page generated in the generating step to the user terminal; A program characterized by executing the following.

Images