Information processing device and program

Abstract

To improve the usability of information processing devices that can manage the licensing status of information materials. [Solution] The information processing device 100 comprises a processing unit 20 that inputs and outputs information to a provider terminal 102a and a recipient terminal 102b and executes predetermined processing, and a management unit 10 that manages information including information materials. The processing unit 20 executes a licensing process to grant or deny permission to the recipient to use or utilize the information materials. The management unit 10 executes at least one of the following: provider information management, which manages information on the information materials subject to the licensing process and the results of the licensing process in association with the provider's information; and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that a licensing process has been requested and information on the information materials subject to the licensing process in association with the recipient's information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a logo use right distribution apparatus including: logo information storage means for storing logo information regarding a logo; logo use condition data storage means for storing predetermined condition data regarding the use of the logo; first transmission means for transmitting the logo information stored in the logo information storage means to a user terminal; second transmission means for receiving, from the user terminal, user-specified logo designation information among the logo information transmitted by the first transmission means, acquiring condition data regarding the use of the logo from the logo use condition data storage means, and transmitting the data to the user terminal; use right information creation means for receiving, from the user terminal, user-specified condition selection information among the logo use conditions transmitted by the second transmission means and creating logo use right information for the logo; and distribution means for distributing the logo use right information created by the use right information creation means to the user terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When information materials used for advertising and promotion are used by those other than the owner, it is usually necessary to obtain permission from the owner for the use or utilization of the information materials. For this reason, it is required to appropriately and easily manage the use or permission status of the information materials.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to improve the convenience of an information processing device capable of managing the licensing status of information materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device configured to communicate with a provider terminal of a provider that provides information material and a recipient terminal of a recipient that uses or utilizes the information material comprises a processing unit that inputs and outputs information to the provider terminal and the recipient terminal and performs predetermined processing, and a management unit that manages information including the information material. The processing unit performs a licensing process to grant or deny the recipient permission to use or utilize the information material, and the management unit performs at least one of the following: provider information management, which manages information on the information material that is the subject of the licensing process and the result of the licensing process in association with the provider's information; and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that a licensing process has been requested and information on the information material that is the subject of the licensing process in association with the recipient's information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the convenience of an information processing device capable of managing the licensing status of information materials can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This image shows an example of a user site display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a licensing process performed by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a licensing process initiated by the provider. [Figure 4] This is an image diagram showing an example of an application form screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a licensing process performed by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a licensing process initiated by a registered user. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a licensing process performed by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a licensing process in which automatic approval is performed. [Figure 7] This image shows an example of a list creation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating an example of a risk assessment process performed by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an information processing device 100, a program, and an information processing system 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First, with reference to Figure 1, the overall configuration of the information processing system 101 will be explained.

[0011] The information processing system 101 is used by providers of information materials used for advertising and promotion, etc., and by recipients who wish to use or utilize such information materials, and provides a platform for providing, receiving, licensing, and licensing management of information materials.

[0012] In this specification, "information material" means materials used for advertising and promotion, including trademarks, marks (logos, symbols), names (company names, trade names, aliases, product names, service names, brand names, etc.), promotional melodies, colors, patterns, sounds, images (videos, photographs, holograms, etc.), character designs, etc. Information material may be at least one of trademarks, designs, and copyrighted works. Furthermore, information material may be protected by at least one of trademark rights, design rights, and copyrights, or it may not be protected by any of these. In addition, information material may include other intellectual property (geographical indications, trade secrets, etc.).

[0013] Furthermore, informational materials can be used or utilized by posting them on websites such as homepages, landing pages, and press releases, as well as on panels, posters, videos, and billboards. While informational materials encompass various types of materials, in the following explanation, the act of using or utilizing informational materials will be simply referred to as "use."

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 101 includes a user terminal 102 used by a user and an information processing device 100 capable of communicating with the terminal.

[0015] The user terminal 102 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, a storage device, a display device, an input device, and a network connection device, and is configured to be able to execute each process described in this specification by the CPU executing a program pre-stored in the storage device. Specifically, by executing an application program downloaded to the user terminal 102, reception of user operation input, transmission and reception of signals with the information processing device 100, display of an image according to a signal from the information processing device 100, etc. are performed. The application program may be a dedicated program for executing the processes described in this specification, or may be a so-called web browser application that accesses the information processing device 100 through the network line NW. The user terminal 102 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, or may be a personal computer (PC). The user terminal 102 is connected to the information processing device 100 through a network and is configured to be able to communicate with the information processing device 100.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the user terminal 102 used by the provider who provides the information material and permits the use of the information material is also referred to as the "provider terminal 102a", and the user terminal 102 used by the recipient who receives the information material after receiving the permission of the information material is also referred to as the "recipient terminal 102b". In the following, when the provider terminal 102a and the recipient terminal 102b are not distinguished, they are simply collectively referred to as the "user terminal 102".

[0017] The information processing device 100 is constituted by a computer including an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, a storage device, a network connection device, etc. Programs, applications, etc. are pre-stored in the storage device, and by the CPU executing this, various processes described in this specification are executed. Note that the information processing device 100 may be configured as one device, or may be divided into a plurality of devices and configured such that each control is distributedly processed by the plurality of devices.

[0018] The information processing apparatus 100 includes a processing unit 20 that performs input / output of information to and from the provider terminal 102a and the recipient terminal 102b and executes predetermined processing, and a management unit 10 that manages information including information materials. Note that each component of the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 shows each function of the information processing apparatus 100 as a virtual unit and does not necessarily mean that it physically exists.

[0019] When a request signal corresponding to a user's operation input is input from the user terminal 102 to the information processing apparatus 100, the processing unit 20 executes processing corresponding to the request signal. The processing unit 20 is configured to be able to execute a permission process for permitting or denying the use of an information material to a recipient, a link generation process for automatically generating a link for downloading the information material, a material update process for updating the information material managed by the management unit 10, an alignment display process for generating alignment display information for aligning and displaying a plurality of information materials, and a risk evaluation process for evaluating the reputation risk of a recipient.

[0020] A learned model for performing the risk evaluation process is stored in the information processing apparatus 100 in advance. The processing unit 20 calls the learned model and executes the risk evaluation process.

[0021] Each process executed by the processing unit 20 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The management unit 10 is constituted by, for example, a database, and stores and manages information about users (hereinafter referred to as "user information"), information about the information materials themselves (hereinafter referred to as "material information"), information about the permission of information materials (hereinafter referred to as "permission information"), and the like.

[0023] The user information includes information such as the name of the user (company name, store name, alias, etc.), the name and contact information of the person in charge, and the business field and industry type. Material information includes images representing the information material, names, product or service names, and brand names. Image information representing the information material is managed by saving it within folders arranged in a hierarchical structure.

[0024] License information refers to information about the licensing status set for each piece of information material. Specifically, it includes the licensing status of use, the intended use, and expiration information regarding the period during which use is permitted. The licensing status of use is a status indicating whether or not permission has been granted, such as "pending approval," "approved," or "rejected." The license expiration information includes at least one of the following: the remaining period until expiration, the expiration date, or whether or not the expiration date has passed.

[0025] The management unit 10 manages various types of information by associating and storing user information and material information with each other, as well as associating and storing material information with permission information. The information managed by the management unit 10 can be viewed through the user terminal 102.

[0026] Next, the operation of the information processing device 100 and the information processing system 101 will be described.

[0027] [Basic functions and data registration] When using the information processing system 101, the provider or recipient can register their own information in advance in the management unit 10 of the information processing device 100 (user registration).

[0028] When the processing unit 20 of the information processing device 100 receives a request signal from the user terminal 102 indicating a desire to register as a user, it displays a user registration screen on the user terminal 102. Once user information is entered through the user registration screen and the user terminal 102 performs the user registration operation, a request signal for user registration is sent from the user terminal 102 to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the user registration request signal, the processing unit 20 has the user information managed (stored) in the management unit 10.

[0029] User registration is not required for either the provider or the recipient. Approval requests for information materials between providers and recipients, as well as the provision of information materials to recipients, can be carried out without user registration.

[0030] Furthermore, the provider can register the material information of the information materials they possess with the management unit 10 of the information processing device 100 via the provider terminal 102a (material registration). Specifically, when the processing unit 20 receives a request signal from the provider terminal 102a indicating a desire to register materials, it displays a material registration screen on the provider terminal 102a. Once material information is entered through the material registration screen and the operation for material registration is performed on the provider terminal 102a, a request signal for material registration is sent from the user terminal 102 to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the request signal for material registration, the processing unit 20 associates the entered material information with the provider's information and manages (stores) it in the management unit 10.

[0031] By logging in to the user site provided by the information processing device 100 via the user terminal 102, users can access their own information managed by the management unit 10, and apply for permission to use information materials of other users.

[0032] [Display screen] The following describes the display screen (interface) shown on user terminal 102 at the user site.

[0033] The processing unit 20 displays the display screen (interface screen) shown in Figure 2 on the user terminal 102 in response to a request signal from the user terminal 102. The user can perform operations such as selecting buttons and objects placed on the display screen shown by the user terminal 102, and entering information into input fields.

[0034] The display screen includes an asset display button B1 for viewing and displaying one's own information materials, a permission button B2 for providing one's own information materials, a monitoring button B3 for performing risk assessments of others, a third-party materials button B4 for viewing, searching, and requesting permission to use third-party information materials, and a list creation button B5 for generating a list display of sorted information materials.

[0035] [Display of information materials] When the asset display button B1 on the display screen is selected, the asset management screen shown in Figure 2 is displayed. At the top of the asset management screen, a list of the user's information materials that are images (e.g., logo marks) is displayed. In addition to the image, the name of the brand or other information represented by the image and a details button B8 are placed for each information material. Selecting the details button B8 displays the material information for the corresponding image (not shown in the diagram). Also at the top of the asset management screen is a new registration button B6. When the new registration button B6 is operated, the material registration screen described above is displayed. Users can add, change, and delete their information materials as they wish on the asset management screen.

[0036] The lower part of the asset management screen displays a list of information materials other than the logo. The lower part of the asset management screen displays multiple columns of windows, configured to display data with a hierarchical structure. Specifically, the leftmost window W1 displays the top-level dataset (folder). When a folder is selected, the data under that folder is displayed in a list in window W2 to its right. When data within a folder is selected, the contents of the data are previewed in the preview window W3 to the right.

[0037] [Permission to use information materials from the provider] Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the process for obtaining permission from the provider to use the information material will be explained. The following process is for cases where the provider is a registered user, but it can be performed regardless of whether the recipient is a registered user or not.

[0038] The asset management screen includes a quick application form button B7 for granting permission to a recipient to use information materials, acting as the provider (see Figure 2). Note that permission granted by the provider means that the use of the information materials is permitted at the provider's initiative, without an application from the recipient on the information processing system 101.

[0039] When the Quick Application Form button B7 is selected, the processing unit 20 executes the process shown in Figure 3.

[0040] In step S10, first, information about the information materials held by the provider is obtained from the management unit 10, and a material selection screen for selecting the information materials to be licensed is displayed on the user terminal 102 (see Figure 4). Then, the selection of information materials to be licensed and the operation input of the URL creation button B9 are accepted through the user terminal 102.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the material selection screen is displayed in multiple columns, showing the hierarchical structure of folders where information materials are stored. The leftmost window W4 shows the top-level dataset (folder), and when a folder is selected, the data under that folder is displayed in a list in window W5 to its right. When a folder is selected in window W5, the data under that folder is displayed in window W6 to the right. Folders and information materials are represented by a text box TB that describes the content and a checkbox CB for selecting and deselecting folders or information materials.

[0042] When the checkbox CB is selected, the selection and deselection of a folder or information material is toggled. When the text box TB for information material is selected, a preview of the information material's content (images, videos, etc.) is displayed in the preview window W7. This allows users to select information materials while referring to their content. Multiple information materials can also be selected at once.

[0043] When one or more information materials are selected, and the URL creation button B9 located at the top of the material selection screen is operated, a URL request signal is input from the provider terminal 102a to the information processing device 100.

[0044] Next, when a URL request signal is input, step S11 automatically generates a single URL for downloading one or more selected information materials at once. Also, when the URL creation button B9 is operated, step S12 displays an email address input screen on the provider terminal 102a and accepts the input of an email address. The email address input screen is not shown in the diagram, but for example, it includes an email address input field and a send button that sends the entered email address to the information processing device 100.

[0045] When the recipient's email address is entered on the email address input screen displayed on the provider terminal 102a and the send button on the email address input screen is operated, an email sending request is input from the provider terminal 102a to the information processing device 100. Upon input of the email sending request, in step S13, an email containing a URL for downloading the information materials is sent to the recipient. The recipient can download the information materials in bulk by accessing the download screen (not shown) via the URL in the received email through the recipient terminal 102b.

[0046] The processing unit 20 may generate a link to access a URL, rather than the URL itself. This also applies to the following explanation.

[0047] Furthermore, when the processing unit 20 sends an email containing the download URL to the recipient, in step S14, the management unit 10 stores the permission result, indicating that the recipient has been granted permission to use the information material, in association with the provider and / or recipient information. In other words, the management unit 10 updates the information material so that the permission status for the recipient is "permitted". That is, the act of the provider notifying the recipient of the URL to download the information material is treated as permission to use the information material, and the permission status of the information material in the management unit 10 is updated.

[0048] Furthermore, the timing at which the management unit 10 sets the permission status of the information material to "permitted" is not limited to the above, and can be changed as appropriate, for example, when the provider accesses the URL for download or actually downloads the information material, or when a confirmation button is placed in the email notifying the URL and the confirmation button is operated.

[0049] Furthermore, the URL link generated for download may not be notified from the information processing device 100 to the recipient terminal 102b, but rather sent from the information processing device 100 to the provider terminal 102a and temporarily stored in the provider terminal 102a. In this case, the provider can notify the recipient of the URL temporarily stored in the provider terminal 102a by means of email or other means.

[0050] As described above, the provider initiates the process of granting permission to use the information material, and the information material is provided to the recipient.

[0051] [Application for permission from the recipient to the provider to use the information material] The method for granting permission to use information materials at the request of the recipient differs depending on whether the provider and the recipient are registered users.

[0052] First, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the authorization process initiated by the recipient, which is performed when both the provider and the recipient are registered users.

[0053] To initiate the licensing process from the provider, the provider first submits a request to the provider for permission to use the information material. When the provider terminal 102b selects the "Other Person's Material" button B4 (see Figure 2) on the user site's display screen, a request signal is sent from the provider terminal 102b to the information processing device 100, and the processing unit 20 executes the process shown in Figure 5.

[0054] In step S20, a browsing screen for displaying information materials is displayed on the provider terminal 102b. On the search screen, information materials can be searched by the name of the provider who possesses the information material or the name of the information material. In this way, the processing unit 20 accepts the selection input of information materials through the provider terminal 102b.

[0055] When the information material for which permission is to be granted is selected on the provider terminal 102b, a request signal is sent from the provider terminal 102b to the information processing device 100, and in step S21, an application form screen for requesting permission to use is displayed on the provider terminal 102b. The application form screen is for entering the provider's name, contact information, date of use, purpose, etc. The input items on the application form screen can be arbitrarily set by the provider. In this way, the processing unit 20 receives input on the application form and the application through the provider terminal 102b.

[0056] When the recipient terminal 102b enters the required items on the application form screen and selects the application button, a permission request signal is sent from the recipient terminal 102b to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the permission request signal from the recipient terminal 102b, in step S22, an approval flow is sent to the provider of the information material related to the permission request via the provider terminal 102a, indicating whether or not to approve the permission request, and the provider's approval process is accepted. The approval flow includes the information entered on the application form screen. The provider can approve or reject (return) the approval flow on the provider terminal 102a.

[0057] When the approval flow is processed at the provider terminal 102a, the approval result is transmitted from the provider terminal 102a to the information processing device 100, and in step S23, the approval flow processing result is notified to the recipient terminal 102b. Then, in step S24, the management unit 10 stores the result of the permission processing of the information material based on the approval flow processing result (permission status) in association with the provider and / or recipient information. In this manner, the processing unit 20 performs the acceptance processing.

[0058] Next, we will explain the process of requesting permission from a recipient to use informational materials when the provider is registered as a user, but the recipient is not.

[0059] In this case, the provider creates a URL (or link) to an application form screen for requesting permission to use the specified information material through the user site and notifies the recipient. The recipient can access the application form screen via the URL and submit a permission request. For example, the provider obtains the URL of the application form screen from the user site and posts the URL to the application form for requesting permission to use the provider's information material on its own webpage. The recipient accesses the provider's webpage using the recipient terminal 102b and enters the necessary information on the application form. The application form screen here can be configured in the same way as when the recipient is registered as a user, as described above. Furthermore, the processing after input on the application form screen is the same as when the recipient is registered as a user (steps S21 to S24 in Figure 3). In this way, even if the recipient is not registered as a user, they can request permission to use the information material from the provider by posting a link to the application form on the provider's webpage or elsewhere.

[0060] Next, we will describe the request for permission to use information materials from the recipient, which is performed when the provider is not registered as a user but the recipient is registered as a user. The processing unit 20 performs the following processing in response to the request from the user terminal 102.

[0061] The user site is pre-configured with an application form screen for permission requests from providers who are not registered users. The recipient user enters the provider's information (including at least the provider's contact information such as their email address), the information material for which permission to use is requested, the date, the purpose, etc., into the application form via the recipient terminal 102b. When the application button on the application form screen is selected, a request signal for permission is sent from the recipient terminal 102b to the information processing device 100. When the processing unit 20 receives the request signal for permission from the recipient terminal 102b, it notifies the provider, based on the provider's information entered in the application form, to grant or deny permission to use the information material. In this way, even if the provider is not registered as a user, the processing unit 20 obtains the provider's information through the application form from the user site and executes the permission process by notifying the provider that a permission request has been made.

[0062] In this case, if the provider is registered as a user, the approval flow for permission to use the information material may be processed automatically by the processing unit 20, rather than manually by the provider through the provider terminal 102a as described above.

[0063] The automated approval process in the approval flow will be explained with reference to Figure 6. The processing unit 20 executes the process shown in Figure 6 in response to a request from the user terminal 102. Steps S30 and S31 in Figure 6 are the same as steps S20 and S21 in Figure 3, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0064] When a request signal for permission is transmitted from the recipient terminal 102b to the information processing device 100 in step S31, the processing unit 20, in step S32, does not send an approval flow to the provider of the information material, but instead determines whether the content of the permission for use of the information material from the recipient satisfies the conditions for automatic approval predetermined by the provider. The conditions for automatic approval being met can be arbitrarily set by the provider, for example, when the recipient receives a high evaluation that exceeds a predetermined standard in the risk assessment described later, or when the permission request is for a specific information material, or when the usage period is within a predetermined period.

[0065] If it is determined that the conditions for automatic approval are met, the process proceeds to step S33, where the permission status of the information material managed by the management unit 10 is set to "approved" and managed in association with the provider and / or recipient information. If it is determined that the conditions for automatic approval are not met, the process proceeds to step S34, where the permission status of the information material managed by the management unit 10 is set to "rejected" and managed in association with the provider and / or recipient information.

[0066] Next, in step S35, the processing unit 20 notifies the provider and the recipient via the provider terminal 102a and the recipient terminal 102b that the application for permission to use has been automatically approved.

[0067] As described above, the approval process for approval flows submitted by the recipient can be automatically processed without the provider having to operate the provider terminal 102a.

[0068] [Information management by Management Department 10] As described above, when the processing unit 20 performs the licensing process, the information related to the information materials managed by the management unit 10 is updated according to the results of the licensing process. The information management performed by the management unit 10 will be explained in detail below.

[0069] When the processing unit 20 executes the licensing process, the management unit 10 manages the information of the provider in relation to the target information material, the result of the licensing process (licensed, rejected, or pending), the provider's information, the deadline information, the purpose, the manner of use, etc. (provider information management).

[0070] The management unit 10 performs provider information management if the provider is registered as a user, and performs recipient information management if the recipient is registered as a user. In other words, the management unit 10 does not perform provider information management if the provider is not registered as a user, and does not perform recipient information management if the recipient is not registered as a user. When the licensing process is performed by the processing unit 20, the management unit 10 does not need to perform both provider information management and recipient information management; it is sufficient to perform at least one of them.

[0071] Registered users can view any information managed by the management unit 10 on their user page. Although not shown in the diagram, for example, information materials that have become available for use through licensing and information materials for which licensing has been requested may be displayed in a list for each provider or recipient, allowing for identification. The user page may also display information for each licensed information material, including the name of the recipient, the licensing status, the contact person at the other party, the deadline, the purpose, the medium, and the image. In this way, the recipient's information and the status of the licensing are made visible for each case, making it easy to manage the licensing status.

[0072] Furthermore, although a detailed explanation will be omitted, a page summarizing user information (company name, address, industry, and other company details, available advertising materials, etc.) may be created and displayed for each provider. Similarly, a page summarizing user information (company name, address, industry, and other company details, advertising materials used or utilized, reputation, etc.) may be created and displayed for each recipient.

[0073] Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the information processing device 100 may also be equipped with a search function that allows the management unit 10 to search for providers of specific materials, licensed providers, or the information materials themselves. Search criteria can include user information, material information, and licensing information, respectively.

[0074] Furthermore, even users who are not registered may be able to view information managed by the management unit 10. In this case, unregistered users may be allowed to view only a portion of the information managed by the management unit 10, while access to the rest may be restricted. Alternatively, unregistered users may be prohibited from viewing any information managed by the management unit 10.

[0075] In the case of a provider, they can check their own information materials, which are managed by the management unit 10, on the provider terminal 102a. When a request signal to view the provider's information materials is input to the information processing device 100 via the provider terminal 102a, the processing unit 20 sends a signal to the provider terminal 102a to display a display screen as shown in Figure 2. As a result, the image shown in Figure 2 is displayed on the provider terminal 102a, and the provider can check their own information materials.

[0076] [Sponsorship Information Management] Furthermore, the management unit 10 may manage user information, including sponsorship information indicating the intention of one provider or recipient to sponsor a predetermined event conducted by the other, and sponsorship details indicating the content of the sponsorship. Sponsorship details include, for example, sponsorship types categorized into ranks such as platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, and the sponsorship amount set for each sponsorship type, the matters to be sponsored, and the benefits that can be obtained through sponsorship.

[0077] The recruitment of sponsors may be conducted on a platform provided by the information processing system 101, or on other websites, etc. Furthermore, the contract between sponsors and sponsors may be concluded by the information processing system 101 using a publicly known contract conclusion function, or by other systems.

[0078] At events, information materials such as sponsor logos may be used for advertising and promotion. Therefore, by having the information processing system 101 manage both sponsorship information and permission information for information materials as user information, information management becomes easier. Furthermore, by enabling the information processing system 101 to perform both sponsor recruitment and / or sponsorship agreements and permission processing for information materials, procedures between sponsors and sponsors can be simplified.

[0079] [Material update process] Next, we will describe the material update process in which a registered provider updates the content of information materials for which the provider has granted permission for use. The processing unit 20 executes the material update process in response to a request from the user terminal 102.

[0080] When a provider inputs an operation to change (update) the content (image) of information material via the provider terminal 102a, the provider terminal 102a sends an update request signal containing update information, which is the updated content, to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the update request signal, the processing unit 20 changes the information of the information material based on the update information managed by the management unit 10. Conventionally, the information material before the change, which was managed by the management unit 10, may be deleted from the management unit 10 or may be left in place without being deleted. Furthermore, when the management unit 10 updates the information material, the processing unit 20 notifies the provider terminal 102a of the recipient who is authorized to use the information material of the updated content.

[0081] This material update process ensures that even if a brand's logo or other elements are updated, the latest information on the materials is managed and notified to the providers, thus improving the convenience of managing information materials.

[0082] [Output of sorting display information] Next, we will describe the alignment and display process, which generates alignment and display information for arranging graphic images as multiple information materials. The processing unit 20 executes the alignment and display process in response to a request from the user terminal 102.

[0083] In the sorting and display processing, for example, sorting and display information can be generated that lists the information materials (graphic images) for which the provider has been granted permission to use. Specifically, when the list creation button B5 (see Figure 2) on the user site's display screen is selected, a request signal is sent from the user terminal 102 to the information processing device 100, and the processing unit 20 displays the logo list creation screen shown in Figure 7 on the user terminal 102. On the logo list creation screen, the logo selection window W8 is placed on the left and the preview window W9 is placed on the right.

[0084] The logo selection window W8 contains an add button B10 for adding logo data. When the add button B10 is selected, the recipient terminal displays a list of information materials for which it has been licensed (not shown in the diagram), and the processing unit 20 accepts the selection of multiple information materials from this list. Furthermore, the order of the logos displayed in the logo selection window W8 can be easily changed, for example, by drag-and-drop.

[0085] When multiple information materials are selected by the provider, the processing unit 20 generates an aligned image in which the information materials selected in the logo selection window W8 are aligned according to the order in which they are displayed, based on the alignment conditions set in the condition window W10. The generated aligned image is displayed in the preview window W9. The alignment conditions include the number of vertical and horizontal alignments for the images and can be arbitrarily changed by the user.

[0086] The preview window W9 contains a URL acquisition button B11 and a download button B12. When the URL acquisition button B11 is selected, a request signal for a URL representing the location of the generated aligned image is sent from the recipient terminal 102b to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the URL request signal, the processing unit 20 automatically generates a URL indicating the location of the aligned image as aligned display information and sends the URL information to the recipient terminal 102b as aligned display information. In this way, the recipient can acquire the aligned image from the generated URL. The recipient can also display the aligned image on a web page by embedding the acquired URL on the web page. The processing unit 20 may also send a link information that can be embedded in a web page and accesses the URL, rather than the URL itself, to the recipient terminal 102b.

[0087] Furthermore, when the download button B12 is selected in the preview window W9 displayed on the recipient terminal 102b, a download request signal is sent from the recipient terminal 102b to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the download request signal, the processing unit 20 sends the generated aligned image itself as aligned display information to the recipient terminal 102b. The aligned image sent to the recipient terminal 102b is stored in the recipient terminal 102b's storage device or the like.

[0088] As described above, users can easily obtain aligned images in which multiple information materials (image information) are arranged in a specific order.

[0089] [Risk Assessment] Next, the risk assessment process will be explained with reference to Figure 8. The processing unit 20 executes the risk assessment process shown in Figure 8 in response to a request from the user terminal 102.

[0090] When the monitoring button B3 on the display screen of the user terminal 102 is selected (see Figure 2), information on other users that the user is targeting for risk assessment is displayed (figure omitted). By selecting a user to be targeted for risk assessment and selecting the risk assessment button (figure omitted), the risk assessment process for that user is executed. The risk assessment process is executed by calling the trained model by the processing unit 20.

[0091] The risk assessment process includes an information gathering function that obtains publicly available information about the subject being evaluated, who is the provider of the information material, and a risk assessment function that evaluates the reputation risk of the subject being evaluated based on the collected information. The risk assessment process may be performed before or after granting permission to use the information material (providing the information material). Furthermore, the risk assessment process may be performed in response to a user request or may be automatically executed at predetermined time intervals.

[0092] The information gathering function is a function that automatically collects information from the internet, commonly known as crawling or scraping. Since the implementation of the information gathering function can be done using publicly known technologies, a detailed explanation will be omitted. The trained model obtains information (text information) related to the target of evaluation from news articles and web pages that contain information such as the presence or absence of scandals such as lawsuits and industrial accidents, and the quality of business performance (sales, profit amounts, etc.).

[0093] The risk assessment function of a pre-trained model is constructed by preparing text information and the risk scores assigned to that text information as training data, and then having a computer perform machine learning using deep learning with this training data. The algorithm for the risk assessment function can utilize known methods used in natural language models using machine learning based on deep learning.

[0094] As shown in Figure 8, in step S40, the information gathering function acquires text information about the evaluation target. Note that the information gathering is not limited to automatic information gathering by an algorithm, but may also be manually collected by the user and input into the information processing device 100.

[0095] In step S41, the risk assessment function of the trained model calculates a risk score based on the text information. The risk score assigned to the subject of assessment may be newly calculated each time a risk assessment process is performed, or it may be calculated by accumulating the conventional risk score and the newly calculated risk score.

[0096] In step S43, a risk assessment of the target is performed according to the risk score. The risk assessment is performed using a three-level scale, such as "high," "medium," and "low," according to the risk score. Once the risk assessment is performed in this way, the management unit 10 manages the risk assessment results for each provider and for each authorized information material.

[0097] In step S43, it is determined whether the results of the risk assessment for the subject being evaluated fall below a predetermined standard. If the results of the risk assessment fall below the standard (for example, if the standard for risk assessment is set to "medium risk," and the assessment results of the subject being evaluated fall below this standard to "high risk"), then in step S44, the acceptance status of the information material is changed or a warning is issued.

[0098] If the approval status needs to be changed, the processing unit 20 requests the management unit 10 to change the approval status of the information material for which the provider has been granted permission to use from approved to rejected. Once the management unit 10 changes the approval status of the information material to rejected, the processing unit 20 notifies the provider that the approval status of the information material has been changed to rejected based on a risk assessment.

[0099] Furthermore, changes to the licensing status are not limited to completely denying use; they can be made in a manner that restricts at least some aspects of use from the current situation. For example, it is possible to deny use for a specified period, or to deny use of the information material only in a specified manner or for a specified purpose.

[0100] When issuing a warning, the processing unit 20 notifies the provider via the provider terminal 102b that the risk assessment results have fallen below a predetermined standard. The notification to the provider may be made through the user site or by means of email or other means.

[0101] Through the risk assessment process described above, it is possible to restrict the use of information materials by high-risk providers, thereby reducing the risks for providers and preventing damage to their brand image.

[0102] Furthermore, when performing the risk assessment process, the restriction or warning process regarding the licensing status in step S44 does not necessarily have to be performed. The results of the risk assessment are managed by the management unit 10 and made available to the user, allowing the user to recognize the risks to the provider and prevent damage to the provider.

[0103] If the risk assessment process results in an evaluation that exceeds a predetermined standard (for example, "low risk"), a mark or text indicating high creditworthiness may be displayed on the user site along with the provider's information. Conversely, if the risk assessment process results in an evaluation that falls below a predetermined standard, a mark or text indicating low creditworthiness may be displayed on the user site along with the provider's information.

[0104] Furthermore, changes to the license status or warning processing are not limited to being immediately implemented when the results of the risk assessment fall below a predetermined standard; for example, they may be implemented when the results of the risk assessment fall below a predetermined standard multiple times.

[0105] The information processing system 101 and information processing device 100 according to this embodiment have been described above, but the series of processes in the information processing device 100 described above may be provided as a program for a computer to execute them.

[0106] For example, the program according to the above embodiment is an information processing device 100, which is configured to communicate with a provider terminal 102a of a provider that provides information materials and a recipient terminal 102b of a recipient that uses or utilizes the information materials. The program causes the computer to perform the steps of: executing a licensing process to grant or deny permission for the recipient to use or utilize the information materials; and managing the information materials. In the step of managing the information materials, at least one of the following is executed: provider information management, which manages information on the information materials subject to the approval process and the approval result of the approval process in association with the provider's information; and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that an approval process has been requested and information on the information materials subject to the approval process in association with the recipient's information.

[0107] Furthermore, the program for executing the series of processes described above is provided on a storage medium readable by the information processing device 100. Alternatively, the program may be provided to the information processing device 100 via a network line NW. Also, a portion of the processing performed by the information processing device 100 as described in the above embodiment may be executed on the user terminal 102.

[0108] According to the above embodiments, the following effects and advantages are achieved.

[0109] The information processing system 101 includes a provider terminal 102a of a provider that provides information materials, a recipient terminal 102b of a recipient that uses or utilizes the information materials, and an information processing device 100 configured to communicate with the provider terminal 102a and the recipient terminal 102b. The information processing device 100 includes a processing unit 20 that inputs and outputs information to the provider terminal 102a and the recipient terminal 102b and executes predetermined processing, and a management unit 10 that manages information including information materials. The processing unit 20 executes a licensing process to grant or deny the recipient permission to use or utilize the information materials, and the management unit 10 executes at least one of the following: provider information management, which manages information on the information materials subject to the licensing process and the results of the licensing process in association with the provider's information, and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that a licensing process has been requested and information on the information materials subject to the licensing process in association with the recipient's information.

[0110] Furthermore, a program executable by an information processing device 100, which is a computer configured to communicate with a provider terminal 102a of a provider that provides information materials and a recipient terminal 102b of a recipient that uses or utilizes the information materials, causes the computer to perform the steps of: executing a licensing process to grant or deny permission for the recipient to use or utilize the information materials; and managing the information materials. In the step of managing the information materials, at least one of the following is executed: provider information management, which manages information on the information materials subject to the approval process and the approval result of the approval process in association with the provider's information; and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that an approval process has been requested and information on the information materials subject to the approval process in association with the recipient's information.

[0111] These configurations allow for the processing of permission to use information materials, and since the results of the permission processing are managed in association with the provider's information and / or the recipient's information, the permission status for the use of information materials can be appropriately and easily grasped. Therefore, the convenience of the information processing device 100 capable of managing the permission status of information materials is improved.

[0112] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the processing unit 20 performs a risk assessment process to evaluate the reputation risk of the provider based on publicly available information about the provider, and the management unit 10 manages the evaluation results from the risk assessment process for each provider.

[0113] With this configuration, the results of the risk assessment are managed by the management unit 10, allowing the user to recognize the risks to the provider and prevent damage to the provider.

[0114] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, if the processing unit 20 determines that the evaluation result by the risk assessment unit for the provider falls below a predetermined standard, it will refuse the provider to use or utilize at least a portion of the information material.

[0115] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, if the processing unit 20 determines that the evaluation result of the risk assessment unit for the provider falls below a predetermined standard, it outputs warning information to the provider terminal 102b to warn the provider.

[0116] These configurations allow for restrictions on the use of informational materials by high-risk recipients, or for warnings to be issued to recipients, thereby reducing the provider's risks and preventing damage to the provider's brand image.

[0117] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the management unit 10 manages the expiration date information, which indicates when the information material can be used or made available after the licensing process has been completed, in association with the information of the information material and the provider. The expiration date information includes at least one of the following: the remaining period until expiration, the expiration date, or whether or not the expiration date has passed.

[0118] This configuration allows for management of not only licensing status but also expiration dates, further improving user convenience.

[0119] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the processing unit 20 acquires predetermined information materials from the management unit 10 in response to input from the provider terminal 102a or the recipient terminal 102b, displays a list of text information representing the information materials on the provider terminal 102a or the recipient terminal 102b, and when the provider terminal 102a or the recipient terminal 102b inputs to select the text information of one information material, it displays a preview of the image information representing the selected information material on the provider terminal 102a or the recipient terminal 102b.

[0120] This configuration allows users to select one piece of information from multiple pieces of information while viewing a preview, thereby improving user convenience.

[0121] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the processing unit 20 executes a link generation process that automatically generates a URL or link for downloading information materials in response to input from the provider terminal 102a or the recipient terminal 102b.

[0122] This configuration makes it easy to create download URLs and links, further improving user convenience.

[0123] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, when the processing unit 20 receives input from the provider terminal 102a or the recipient terminal 102b for downloading multiple information materials during the link generation process, it automatically generates a single link that allows the download of multiple information materials at once.

[0124] In this configuration, a single link is generated to download multiple information materials at once, allowing users to provide or receive multiple information materials in a single operation, further improving user convenience.

[0125] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the management unit 10 manages, in provider information management, at least one of the following: information about the person in charge at the provider, date and time information regarding permission to use or utilize the information material, the purpose or use of the information material for which permission to use or utilize has been granted, the medium on which the information material is used or utilized, and image information representing the manner in which the information material is used or utilized.

[0126] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the management unit 10 manages, in the management of recipient information, at least one of the following: information about the person in charge at the recipient, date and time information regarding permission to use or utilize the information material, the purpose or use of the information material for which permission to use or utilize has been granted, the medium on which the information material is used or utilized, and image information representing the manner in which the information material is used or utilized.

[0127] In these configurations, various types of information are centrally managed, ensuring that users can easily access and manage information. Therefore, user convenience can be further improved.

[0128] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the management unit 10 updates the information material when it receives update information from the provider terminal 102a, and the processing unit 20 notifies the recipient terminal 102b of the update when the information material is updated in the management unit 10.

[0129] In this configuration, when the content of licensed information materials is updated by the provider, the recipient can immediately obtain the updated information. Therefore, user convenience can be further improved.

[0130] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the management unit 10 manages sponsorship information indicating the intention to sponsor a predetermined event and sponsorship details indicating the content of the sponsorship as provider information.

[0131] This configuration allows for the simultaneous management of event sponsorship information and the permission status of related materials concerning the event and sponsorship, thus simplifying information management. Therefore, it can further improve user convenience.

[0132] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the processing unit 20 receives the selection of multiple information materials through a terminal and generates aligned display information that displays the selected multiple information materials in an aligned manner.

[0133] In this configuration, for example, sorted display information is automatically created that allows users to view a list of information materials for which they have obtained permission. As a result, users can easily obtain sorted display information, and the effort required to create sorted display information is reduced. Therefore, user convenience can be further improved.

[0134] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100, the information material is graphic information, and the aligned display information is a URL or link that is accessible to the aligned images and can be embedded on a web page.

[0135] This configuration allows for the acquisition of aligned display information as a URL or link that can be embedded in a web page, making it easy to include images with aligned information materials on a web page. Therefore, user convenience can be further improved.

[0136] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0137] 100 Information Processing Devices 101 Information Processing Systems 102a Provider terminal 102b Recipient terminal 10 Management Department 20 Processing Units

Claims

1. An information processing device configured to communicate with a provider terminal of a provider that provides information materials and a recipient terminal of a recipient that uses or utilizes the said information materials, A processing unit that inputs and outputs information to the provider terminal and the recipient terminal and performs predetermined processing, The system comprises a management unit for managing information including the aforementioned information materials, The processing unit performs a licensing process to grant or deny permission to the provider to use or utilize the information material. The management unit performs at least one of the following: provider information management, which manages the information of the information material subject to the licensing process and the results of the licensing process in association with the provider information; and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that the licensing process has been requested and the information of the information material subject to the licensing process in association with the recipient information. Information processing device.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The processing unit performs a risk assessment process to evaluate the reputation risk of the recipient based on publicly available information relating to the recipient. The management unit manages the evaluation results obtained through the risk assessment process for each of the recipients. Information processing device.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, If the evaluation result obtained by the risk assessment process for the recipient falls below a predetermined standard, the processing unit will refuse the recipient to use or utilize at least a part of the information material. Information processing device.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, If the evaluation result obtained by the risk assessment process for the recipient falls below a predetermined standard, the processing unit outputs warning information to the recipient's terminal to warn the recipient. Information processing device.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The management unit manages the expiration date information, which indicates when the information material becomes usable or available as a result of the licensing process, in association with the information material and the information of the recipient. The aforementioned deadline information includes at least one of the following: the remaining period until expiration, the expiration date, or whether or not the deadline has expired. Information processing device.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The processing unit acquires predetermined information material from the management unit in response to input from the provider terminal or the recipient terminal, and displays a list of text information representing the information material on the provider terminal or the recipient terminal. When input is received from the provider terminal or the recipient terminal to select the text information of one of the information materials, the image information representing the selected information material is displayed as a preview on the provider terminal or the recipient terminal. Information processing device.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The processing unit executes a link generation process that automatically generates a URL or link for downloading the information material in response to input from the provider terminal or the recipient terminal. Information processing device.

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 7, In the link generation process, when the processing unit receives input from the provider terminal or the recipient terminal for downloading multiple information materials, it automatically generates a single URL or link that allows the download of multiple information materials at once. Information processing device.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The management unit manages, in managing provider information, at least one of the following: information concerning the person in charge at the provider; date and time information regarding the permission to use or utilize the information material; the purpose or use of the information material for which permission to use or utilize has been granted; the medium on which the information material is used or utilized; and image information representing the manner in which the information material is used or utilized. Information processing device.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The management unit manages, in the recipient information management, at least one of the following: information concerning the person in charge at the recipient, date and time information regarding permission to use or utilize the information material, the purpose or use of the information material for which permission to use or utilize has been granted, the medium on which the information material is used or utilized, and image information representing the manner in which the information material is used or utilized. Information processing device.

11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, When the management unit receives update information for the information material from the provider terminal, it updates the information material. The processing unit notifies the recipient terminal of the update of the information material when the information material is updated in the management unit. Information processing device.

12. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The management department manages, as information of the provider, sponsorship information indicating an intention to sponsor a specified event and sponsorship details indicating the content of the sponsorship. Information processing device.

13. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The processing unit receives the selection of a plurality of information materials through the provider terminal or the recipient terminal, and generates aligned display information that displays the selected plurality of information materials in an aligned manner. Information processing device.

14. An information processing apparatus according to claim 13, The aforementioned information material is graphic information, The aforementioned alignment information is a URL or link that is accessible to the aligned images and can be embedded on a web page. Information processing device.

15. A program executable by a computer configured to communicate with a provider terminal of an information material provider and a recipient terminal of a recipient that uses or utilizes the said information material, The steps include: performing a licensing process to grant or deny permission to the recipient to use or utilize the information material; The computer is made to perform the steps of managing the aforementioned information materials. In the step of managing the aforementioned information materials, At least one of the following is performed: provider information management, which manages the information of the information material subject to the licensing process and the results of the licensing process in association with the provider information; and recipient information management, which manages application information indicating that the licensing process has been requested and the information of the information material subject to the licensing process in association with the recipient information. program.

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