Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

This provides a method for simultaneously detecting changes in user behavior and brand behavior over time. [Solution] The information processing device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a generation unit that generates two maps, a brand map that visualizes the changes in brands and a user map that visualizes the changes in users, based on the changes in the user's purchase history for each brand; and a display control unit that displays the generated brand map and user map, and displays information estimated from the changes in brands and users at multiple points in time via the brand map and user map.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been disclosed a technique for determining a change in a user's area of interest based on changes in a user and information desired by the user over time, and recommending information that matches the user's area of interest (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the above conventional technology. For example, in the above conventional technology, it was not possible to simultaneously detect the amount of change over time between a user and a brand. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for simultaneously detecting the amount of change over time between a user and a brand.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a method for simultaneously detecting the amount of change over time between a user and a brand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a generation unit that generates two maps, a brand map that visualizes the changes in brands and a user map that visualizes the changes in users, based on the changes in a user's purchase history for each brand; and a display control unit that displays the generated brand map and user map, and displays information estimated from the changes in the brands and users at multiple points in time via the brand map and user map. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, a method can be provided for simultaneously detecting the amount of change in both the user and the brand over time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of input data used to generate the model. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of the model. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the modeling process. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the mathematical expression of the loss function. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the visualization of the brand user map at each point in time. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is the first explanatory diagram illustrating the interactive usability of the system. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating the interactive usability of the system. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of operations using pull-down menus. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the pattern in which a change in brand positioning has been effective. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a pattern where there is no change in the brand's position but there is an effect. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a pattern where there is neither a change in the brand's position nor an effect. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an example of formulating the measures of one's own brand from the effects of the measures of competing brands. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an example of formulating measures from the support user layer of one's own brand. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the afterimage of the correspondence between brands when moving the time point with a slider. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the creation of three or more maps. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the operation image when clicking on one of the three maps. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the operation image when clicking on a plurality of the three maps. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the visualization image when selecting a plurality of measures. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the visualization image when selecting a plurality of brands. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to an embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail while referring to the drawings. Note that the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited by this embodiment. Also, in the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0010] 〔1. Outline of Information Processing System〕 First, referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the information processing system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the information processing system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment includes a terminal device 10 and a server device 100. These various devices are connected to each other communicably, either wired or wirelessly, via a network N. Thereby, the terminal device 10 can cooperate with the server device 100. The network N is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or the like.

[0011] The terminal device 10 is an information processing device used by a user U. For example, the terminal device 10 is a PC (Personal Computer) such as a desktop type or a notebook (laptop) type, a smart device such as a smartphone (smartphone) or a tablet terminal, a mobile phone such as a feature phone (galaxy phone), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a game machine or an AV device having a communication function, an information home appliance or a digital home appliance, a car navigation system, a wearable device (Wearable Device) such as a smartwatch or a head-mounted display, a smart glass, or the like. Also, the terminal device 10 may be a house, a building, a car, a home appliance, an electronic device, or the like corresponding to the IOT (Internet of Things).

[0012] In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet used by user U, and is a mobile terminal device that can communicate with any server device via wireless communication networks such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or wireless LAN. The terminal device 10 also has a screen such as a liquid crystal display with touch panel functionality, and accepts various operations on displayed data such as content from user U using a finger or stylus, such as tapping, sliding, and scrolling. Operations performed on the area of ​​the screen where content is displayed may also be considered as operations on the content. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 may be an information processing device such as a desktop PC or notebook PC, not just a smart device.

[0013] The server device 100 is, for example, a computer such as a PC or blade server, or a mainframe or workstation. The server device 100 may also be implemented through cloud computing.

[0014] In this embodiment, the server device 100 is an information processing device that works in conjunction with each user U's terminal device 10 and provides each user U's terminal device 10 with API (Application Programming Interface) services for various applications (hereinafter referred to as "apps") and various data, and is implemented by a computer or cloud system.

[0015] Furthermore, the server device 100 may be an information processing device that provides some kind of online service to each user U's terminal device 10. For example, the server device 100 may provide services such as internet access, search services, SNS (Social Networking Service), e-commerce (EC), marketing analysis, electronic payment, online games, online banking, online trading, accommodation / ticket reservations, video / music distribution, news, maps, route search, route guidance, route information, service information, and weather forecasts as online services. In practice, the server device 100 may cooperate with various servers that provide the above-mentioned online services and act as an intermediary for online services, or it may be responsible for processing online services. The server device 100 may also provide different online services depending on the user U. For example, if user U is a consumer, the server device 100 may provide e-commerce services, and if user U is an employee of an operating company or a sales company, it may provide marketing analysis services.

[0016] The server device 100 can acquire user information about user U. For example, the server device 100 can acquire information about user U's attributes (attribute information), such as gender, age, and place of residence. The server device 100 can also acquire information about user U's demographics, psychographics, geographics, behavioral attributes, etc. The server device 100 may also acquire information about the segment or persona to which user U belongs in the field of marketing, as user information. The server device 100 stores and manages information about user U's attributes (attribute information) along with identification information (user ID, etc.) that identifies user U.

[0017] Furthermore, the server device 100 acquires various historical information (log data) indicating user U's actions from user U's terminal device 10, or from various servers based on the user ID, etc. For example, the server device 100 acquires location history, which is a history of user U's location and date and time, from the terminal device 10. The server device 100 also acquires search history, which is a history of search queries entered by user U, from e-commerce servers, content servers, search servers (search engines), etc. The server device 100 also acquires browsing history, which is a history of content viewed by user U (such as fashion items and fashion coordinates), from e-commerce servers, content servers, etc. The server device 100 also acquires purchase history (payment history), which is a history of user U's product purchases and payment processing, from e-commerce servers, payment processing servers, etc. The server device 100 may also acquire listing history and sales history, which are a history of user U's listings on the marketplace, from e-commerce servers, payment processing servers, etc. Furthermore, the server device 100 obtains the posting history, which is the posting history of user U, from posting servers that provide word-of-mouth posting services, SNS servers, e-commerce servers, etc. Note that the above-mentioned various servers, etc., may be the server device 100 itself. In other words, the server device 100 may function as the above-mentioned various servers, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, the number of devices included in the information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1 is not limited to those illustrated. For example, in Figure 1, only one terminal device 10 is shown for the sake of illustration, but this is merely an example and not limiting; there may be two or more.

[0019] [2. Simultaneous detection of brands and users with large temporal variations] In this embodiment, the server device 100 generates two maps based on the user's purchase history: a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands and a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, in order to simultaneously detect brands and users with large time-dependent changes. The brand map and user map are linked and work in conjunction with each other. The server device 100 communicates with the user U's terminal device 10 (an application running on it) via the network N, provides the user U's terminal device 10 with information about the maps to display them, and changes the display of the maps in response to user U's operations on the maps. The specific method is described below.

[0020] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the server device 100 stores the purchase history of each user (purchasing user) who purchases products of various brands (step S1).

[0021] Next, the server device 100 generates two maps, a brand map and a user map, which visualize the changes in the brand and the user, respectively, based on the changes in each user's purchase history (step S2).

[0022] Next, the server device 100 receives requests for a brand map and a user map from the terminal device 10 of user U using the system via the network N (step S3).

[0023] For example, when user U launches an application on terminal device 10 that displays a brand map and a user map, server device 100 receives a request for brand map and user map data from terminal device 10. Also, for example, when user U, who is browsing a marketing analysis site, gives a command on terminal device 10 to display a brand map and a user map, server device 100 receives a request for brand map and user map data from terminal device 10.

[0024] Furthermore, user U is optional in using this system. In other words, user U can be any user who is able to use this system. For example, user U may be a representative of an operating company that runs an e-commerce site (operating user, policy-making user), a representative of a sales company (manufacturer, shop, brand) that sells products on an e-commerce site (sales user, policy-making user), or a consumer who purchases products using an e-commerce site (consumer user, purchaser, buying user), and is not limited to these examples.

[0025] Next, the server device 100 provides the generated brand map and user map data to the terminal device 10 of user U using the system via the network N, thereby displaying the two maps, the brand map and the user map (step S4). In other words, the server device 100 provides the generated brand map and user map to user U.

[0026] Each point on the brand map represents a brand. Brands that are close together on the brand map are similar in terms of the user's purchasing perspective. For example, if a user with a certain purchasing tendency purchases items from both brand 1 and brand 2, brand 1 and brand 2 will be placed close together. Note that when conducting marketing analysis at the shop level rather than brand level, the brand map refers to a shop map, and each point represents a shop. In this case, brands can be appropriately replaced with shops in subsequent descriptions.

[0027] Furthermore, each point in the user map represents a user. Users whose points are close together on the user map are considered to have similar purchasing characteristics for a particular brand. For example, if there are two users, User 1 and User 2, who both purchase items from a given brand, User 1 and User 2 will be placed close together. Note that when conducting marketing analysis at the user group level rather than the user level, the user map refers to a user group map, and each point represents a user group. In this case, users can be appropriately replaced with user groups in subsequent descriptions.

[0028] Furthermore, information about brands on the brand map (including brand-identifiable information such as brand names) and information about users on the user map (including user-identifiable information such as usernames) may be restricted depending on the user U. For example, if user U is an employee of an operating company that runs an e-commerce site, brand-identifiable information and user-identifiable information may be provided. However, if user U is an employee of a sales company that sells products on the e-commerce site, information that identifies other brands and user-identifiable information may not be provided (it may be converted into information that does not identify other brands or users, for example, information about brand B may be converted into information that the brand primarily targets men in their 20s).

[0029] Furthermore, the server device 100 displays a slider (slider bar) or the like, which is an operator that allows specifying a point in time on a time axis, along with the brand map and user map. The user U can specify the point in time for the brand map and user map to be displayed by operating the slider or the like that allows specifying a point in time. In this embodiment, a slider is used as the operator for specifying a point in time, but in reality, it is not limited to a slider. For example, the user U may specify a point in time by selecting it from a pull-down menu, by selecting it from a check button or radio button, or by directly entering it into a text box, and is not limited to these examples. In other words, the operator can be anything that allows specifying a point in time.

[0030] At this time, the server device 100 displays information (such as the effectiveness of the measures) estimated from the changes in each map at multiple points in time on the user U's terminal device 10. For example, the server device 100 may analyze changes in the brand's coordinates on the brand map, changes in the user area (purchase area) where the brand's products were purchased on the user map (e.g., it became larger or smaller), and changes in the color of the user area where the brand's products were purchased on the user map (e.g., it became darker or lighter) based on information about measures implemented by the brand (its own brand or other brands (which may be other brands selected by user U)), comparisons of brand maps at multiple points in time, and comparisons of user maps at multiple points in time, and then estimate the effectiveness of the measures based on the analysis results (for example, "As a result of the campaign implemented this time, the brand's position has become closer to that of brands popular among people in their 20s, and the number of customers in their 20s has increased in addition to the existing customers in their 30s. In addition, the number of purchases by customers in their 30s has increased, and existing customers have also been valued, so the effect is excellent") and provide this to user U.

[0031] Furthermore, the server device 100 changes the display mode of the other map based on operations performed on one map. For example, based on a brand selection operation on the brand map, the server device 100 displays or highlights the purchasing user area of ​​the brand selected on the brand map on the user map. Also, based on a user (purchasing user) selection operation on the user map, the server device 100 displays or highlights the purchasing brand area of ​​the user selected on the user map on the brand map.

[0032] Furthermore, the server device 100 displays the measures implemented by each brand. In addition, the server device 100 displays the attribute information of each user. The server device 100 may also display the measures implemented by the brand selected on the brand map or by brands located near that brand based on the brand selection operation on the brand map, or it may display the attribute information of purchasing users of the brand selected on the brand map or by users located near those purchasing users, or it may display the attribute information of the user selected on the user map or by users located near those users based on the user selection operation on the user map, or it may display the brands purchased by the user selected on the user map or by brands located near those purchasing brands.

[0033] The server device 100 may display the measures implemented by the brand on the brand map, on the user map, or together with the brand map and user map. In addition, the server device 100 may display user attribute information on the user map, on the brand map, or together with the brand map and user map.

[0034] [2-1. Model Generation] Figure 2 shows an example of input data used to generate the model. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the server device 100 takes data related to "time of purchase" (purchase time, purchase period), "brand" (brand ID that can identify the brand, or product ID) (purchased brand), "user ID" (purchasing user), and "quantity" (purchase quantity, number of items purchased) as input data to model who purchased how many items of which brand at what time (when), and generates a brand map and a user map. The granularity of "time of purchase," "brand," and "user" is flexible (arbitrary). For example, in the example shown in Figure 2, the time of purchase is expressed in units of "month □ week," but in reality, it may also be expressed as year, month, day, day of the week, time, or time zone. The time of purchase may also be a period (time). Furthermore, the brand may be the same brand, or it may be classified by product category. Furthermore, the user may not be limited to individual users (per user), but may be classified by groups or segments based on user attributes, etc.

[0035] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of the model. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the server device 100 is modeled such that "change in map coordinates = change in brand / user". Brands whose point coordinates on the brand map do not change much even when time changes have a small change. Conversely, brands whose point coordinates on the brand map change significantly from time to time have a large change. Similarly, users whose point coordinates on the user map do not change much even when time changes have a small change. Conversely, users whose point coordinates on the user map change significantly from time to time have a large change.

[0036] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the modeling overview. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the server device 100 uses brands as the vertical axis (or horizontal axis) and users as the horizontal axis (or vertical axis), and takes product purchase brand-user data from multiple past points in time as input data, which shows the number (quantity, number of items, number of times) of products of a certain brand that a user has purchased. The server device 100 models who purchased how many items of which brand at what point in time (when), and generates a brand map and a user map.

[0037] At this time, the server device 100 takes the learning results of the TSOM (Tensor Self-Organizing Map) at each time point as input and rearranges them so that the coordinates for each time point are aligned. This method uses the information from one TSOM time point as input to learn the coordinates of the brand map, the coordinates of the user map, and the model output. Note that the method for learning one time point does not need to be limited to TSOM; any learning method that yields the same learning result is acceptable. For example, although the coordinates output by TSOM are discrete values, a method that converts them to continuous values ​​may also be used.

[0038] For example, the server device 100 takes as input information how many units of brand n user m purchased at time t, along with time information, to estimate the coordinates of the brand map at each time point, the coordinates of the user map at each time point, and the model output. Specifically, the server device 100 generates the brand map and user map using the loss function shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the mathematical expression of the loss function.

[0039] In this embodiment, a low-dimensional representation of brands / users is obtained by generating a brand map and a user map. In this case, similar brands / users are placed close together in the brand map and user map. In addition, a predicted value of how much a particular brand was purchased by a particular user is also obtained.

[0040] [2-2. Map Overview] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the visualization of brand and user maps at each point in time. As shown in Figure 6, this embodiment allows for the visualization of brand and user maps at each point in time. For example, if a user wants to know the map for the fourth week of October, they can specify the fourth week of October as the time point on user U's terminal device 10, and the brand map and user map for the fourth week of October will be displayed. Similarly, if a user wants to know the map for the first week of November, they can specify the first week of November as the time point on user U's terminal device 10, and the brand map and user map for the first week of November will be displayed. The phase of the maps is maintained as much as possible at each point in time.

[0041] Figure 7 is the first explanatory diagram illustrating the interactive operability of the system. As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, it is possible to visually understand when and how much a particular brand was purchased by which user groups. For example, when user U clicks (or taps) brand A on the brand map displayed on terminal device 10, the user area in the user map where brand A products were purchased is colored based on the model output. That is, the user area where brand A products were purchased is highlighted in the user map (examples of highlighting include not only coloring, but also zooming in on the area, changing the color of the user points included in the area, zooming in on the user points included in the area, making the points of users not included in the area lighter, or hiding the points of users not included in the area, but are not limited to these examples). The intensity of the color represents the degree of the numerical value (number of purchases). Furthermore, when using product purchase brand-user data from multiple past points in time, which shows the amount of money a user has spent on products of a particular brand, as input data, and modeling who purchased which brand's products, when, and for how much, to generate brand maps and user maps, the intensity of the color represents the degree to which the amount spent was.

[0042] Figure 8 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating the interactive operability of the system. As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, unlike in Figure 7, it is possible to visually understand which brands a user has purchased and to what extent. For example, when user U clicks (or taps) user X on the user map displayed on terminal device 10, the brand areas purchased by user X are colored in the brand map based on the model output. That is, the brand areas purchased by user X are highlighted in the brand map (examples of highlighting include not only coloring, but also zooming in on the area, changing the color of the brand dots included in the area, zooming in on the brand dots included in the area, making the brand dots not included in the area lighter, or hiding the brand dots not included in the area, but are not limited to these examples). The intensity of the color represents the degree of the numerical value (number purchased). Furthermore, when using product purchase brand-user data from multiple past points in time, which shows the amount of money a user has spent on products of a particular brand, as input data, and modeling who purchased which brand's products, when, and for how much, to generate brand maps and user maps, the intensity of the color represents the degree to which the amount spent was.

[0043] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of operations using a pull-down menu. As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the map can be colored based on a certain viewpoint using another operator, the pull-down menu. That is, in this embodiment, the relevant part of the map can be highlighted based on a certain viewpoint using another operator, the pull-down menu (examples of highlighting include not only coloring, but also zooming in on the relevant part, changing the color of the brand or user points included in the relevant part, zooming in on the brand or user points included in the relevant part, making the brand or user points not included in the relevant part lighter, or hiding the brand or user points not included in the relevant part, but are not limited to these examples).

[0044] For example, user U selects a policy of interest from a pull-down menu displayed on terminal device 10 in the brand map. Here, user U selects "1000 yen off coupon" as the policy. As a result, the corresponding area in the brand map is colored. Specifically, the brand area of ​​the brand that offered the 1000 yen off coupon is colored. Alternatively, the corresponding area in the user map may be colored along with, or instead of, the corresponding area in the brand map. Specifically, the user area of ​​a purchasing user (a purchasing user of the brand that offered the 1000 yen off coupon) may be colored along with, or instead of the brand area of ​​the brand that offered the 1000 yen off coupon.

[0045] Alternatively, user U can select a user attribute of interest from the pull-down menu displayed on terminal device 10 in the user map. Here, user U selects "male in his 20s" as the user attribute. As a result, the corresponding area in the user map is colored. Specifically, the user area of ​​a user who is male in his 20s is colored. Note that the corresponding area in the brand map may be colored along with, or instead of, the corresponding area in the user map. Specifically, the brand area of ​​a brand purchased by a male in his 20s may be colored along with, or instead of, the user area of ​​a male in his 20s.

[0046] [2-3. Measuring the effectiveness of measures taken by your own brand] In this embodiment, the effectiveness of measures for one's own brand and other brands can be measured. For example, for measures taken for one's own brand, it is possible to measure one of the following patterns: (1) a pattern in which there was a change in the brand's positioning and the measures were effective, (2) a pattern in which there was no change in the brand's positioning but the measures were effective, or (3) a pattern in which there was neither a change in the brand's positioning nor any effect.

[0047] (1) Patterns where a change in the brand's positioning was effective (measures were effective) Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the pattern of a change in brand positioning that has had an effect. As shown in Figure 10, if you want to know the effect of a measure taken by brand A (your own brand) in the fourth week of October (for example, a "1000 yen off coupon"), you compare the brand map and user map for the fourth week of October and the first week of November. For example, if the coordinates of brand A change between the brand map for the fourth week of October and the brand map for the first week of November, it can be inferred that the brand's positioning has changed. Also, if the user area (purchase area) where brand A's products were purchased increases between the user map for the fourth week of October and the user map for the first week of November, it can be inferred that the products were purchased by a wider range of people. Furthermore, if the color of the user area (purchase area) where brand A's products were purchased becomes darker, it can be inferred that the quantity purchased increased.

[0048] (2) Patterns where there was no change in the brand's positioning but the measures were effective (measures were effective) Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a pattern where there was no change in the brand's positioning but the measure was effective. As shown in Figure 11, if you want to know the effect of the measure for brand A in the fourth week of October when a "1000 yen off coupon" is selected as the measure, you compare the brand map for the fourth week of October and the first week of November, and the user map for the fourth week of October and the first week of November. For example, if there is no change in the coordinates of brand A between the brand map for the fourth week of October and the brand map for the first week of November, it can be inferred that all brands took the same measure (the entire area is colored as the brand area of ​​the brand that implemented the 1000 yen off coupon), and therefore there was no change in the brand's positioning. Also, if the user area (purchase area) where brand A's products were purchased is larger between the user map for the fourth week of October and the user map for the first week of November, it can be inferred that the products were purchased by a wider range of people. Furthermore, if the color of the user area (purchase area) where brand A's products were purchased becomes darker, it can be inferred that the quantity purchased increased. In other words, we can infer that the coupons were effective (the measures were effective).

[0049] (3) Patterns where there was no change in the brand's positioning or any effect (no effect on the measures) Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a pattern where there was no change in the brand's positioning or any effect. As shown in Figure 12, if you want to know the effect of a measure taken by brand A in the fourth week of October (for example, a "¥1,000 off coupon"), you compare the brand map for the fourth week of October and the first week of November, and the user map for the same period. For example, if there is no change in the coordinates of brand A between the brand map for the fourth week of October and the brand map for the first week of November, you can infer that there was no change in the brand's positioning. Also, if there is no change in the user area (purchase area) where brand A's products were purchased between the user map for the fourth week of October and the user map for the first week of November, you can infer that the coupon had no effect (the measure had no effect).

[0050] Furthermore, the server device 100 may, in order to enable user U to easily confirm the effectiveness of the measures, analyze the time when the coordinates of brand A changed on the brand map, the time when the user area (purchase area) of users who purchased brand A products changed on the user map (for example, when it became larger or smaller), and the time when the color of the user area of ​​users who purchased brand A products changed on the user map (for example, when it became darker or lighter), and provide user U with information about each of these time points.

[0051] Furthermore, if user U wants to check the effectiveness of other brands' initiatives, the server device 100 may analyze the time when the coordinates of the selected brand on the brand map change, the time when the user area where the selected brand's products were purchased on the user map changes, and the time when the color of the user area where the selected brand's products were purchased on the user map changes, and provide information about each of these times to user U.

[0052] Furthermore, if user U wants to confirm the effectiveness of a particular measure among several measures, the server device 100 may analyze the time when the selected measure is implemented, the time after the selected measure is implemented when the coordinates of brand A change on the brand map, the time when the user area where brand A's products are purchased on the user map changes, and the time when the color of the user area where brand A's products are purchased on the user map changes, and provide user U with information regarding each of these times.

[0053] Furthermore, if the effective period is set according to the measures, the server device 100 may provide information to user U regarding the time when the coordinates of brand A change on the brand map, the time when the user area of ​​brand A's products changes on the user map, or the time when the color of the user area of ​​brand A's products changes on the user map.

[0054] The server device 100 may also display information about each point in time by associating it with a slider, which is an operator that allows specifying a point in time on a time axis. Specifically, the server device 100 may display the slider in a way that distinguishes between points in time when a change is occurring and points in time when no change is occurring. For example, the server device 100 may display a marker at each point in time when a change is occurring. The marker may differ depending on whether the brand's coordinates are changing, whether the user area where the brand's products were purchased is changing, or whether the color of the user area where the brand's products were purchased is changing. Furthermore, the marker may differ depending on whether the change is a positive change (the measures are effective) or a negative change (the measures are not effective).

[0055] [2-4. Analysis of measures to be taken] Furthermore, this embodiment allows for the analysis of which measures should be implemented. For example, starting with a brand map, (1) measures for one's own brand can be developed based on the effectiveness of measures taken by competitor brands. Also, starting with a user map, (2) measures can be developed based on the user base that supports one's own brand.

[0056] (1) Develop your own brand's strategies based on the effectiveness of competitor brands' strategies. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of formulating one's own brand's strategies based on the effectiveness of a competitor's strategies. As shown in Figure 13, when you want to know what kind of strategies to implement, you select "Time Sale" implemented by competitor brand B as the strategy (it may be the case that "Time Sale" is automatically selected when competitor brand B is selected on the brand map, or that multiple strategies implemented by competitor brand B are displayed as a dropdown list from which "Time Sale" can be selected), and compare the brand maps for the fourth week of October and the first week of November, as well as the user maps for the fourth week of October and the first week of November. For example, if the coordinates of competitor brand B relative to brand A (your own brand) change between the brand map for the fourth week of October and the brand map for the first week of November, it can be inferred that the position of competitor brand B has changed. Also, if the user area (purchase area) where competitor brand B's products were purchased increases between the user map for the fourth week of October and the user map for the first week of November, it can be inferred that the products were purchased by a wider range of people. Furthermore, if the user segment (purchase segment) that purchased products from competitor brand B becomes more prominent, it can be inferred that the quantity purchased has increased. In other words, it can be inferred that the time sale was effective (the measure was effective). From this, we can formulate a strategy based on the idea that "Competitor brand B was able to create an effect that changed its position through a time sale. Let's try it ourselves."

[0057] Furthermore, the server device 100 may provide user U with information on competing brands that may be useful when developing strategies for its own brand. Specifically, the server device 100 may extract and provide as reference information competing brands, based on a comparison of brand maps at multiple points in time or a comparison of user maps at multiple points in time, those in which the coordinates of the competing brand on the brand map have changed due to strategies implemented at a predetermined point in time (for example, the most recent month or a point selected by user U), those in which the user area (purchase area) where the competing brand's products were purchased on the user map has changed, or those in which the color of the user area where the competing brand's products were purchased on the user map has changed.

[0058] For example, the server device 100 may display reference brands on the brand map in a way that distinguishes them from other brands (for example, by changing the size or color of the reference brand's point, or by coloring the reference brand), or it may display reference brands outside the brand map (for example, by providing a dropdown menu). The display method for reference brands may differ depending on whether the brand's coordinates are changing, whether the user area where the brand's products were purchased is changing, or whether the color of the user area where the brand's products were purchased is changing. The display method may also differ depending on whether the change is a positive change (the measures are effective) or a negative change (the measures are not effective).

[0059] (2) Develop strategies based on the user base that supports your brand. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of developing strategies based on the user base that supports your brand. As shown in Figure 14, if you click (or tap) on Brand A in the brand map for the fourth week of October, the user area of ​​users who purchased Brand A's products will be colored in the user map. Then, if you want to know which group to target with your strategies, and you select "men in their 20s" as the user group, the user area of ​​"men in their 20s" will be colored in the user map for the fourth week of October. At this time, as shown in Figure 14, if the user area of ​​users who purchased Brand A's products and the user area of ​​"men in their 20s" are close in the user map, you can infer that "Our loyal users are close to men in their 20s. If we implement strategies targeting men in their 20s, we might be able to acquire new users?"

[0060] [2-5. Supplement] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the afterimage of correspondences between brands when the time point is moved using the slider. As shown in Figure 15, in this embodiment, the afterimage of correspondences between brands (afterimage of transition) when the time point is moved using the slider can be shown in various ways, such as indicating the amount of change with a dotted line or graying it out. For example, Figure 15(A) shows an example where the amount of change for two time points is shown with a dotted line. Also, Figure 15(B) shows an example where the coordinates of one time point prior are displayed in gray. Also, Figure 15(C) shows an example where the above (A) and (B) are combined. Similarly, in this embodiment, the afterimage of correspondences between users (afterimage of transition) when the time point is moved using the slider can be shown in various ways, such as indicating the amount of change with a dotted line or graying it out.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to detect the amount of change over time in combinations of "user" and "something." For example, it is possible to detect the amount of change over time in combinations such as "user x search keyword," "user x (purchased / favorited / liked) product," "user x (liked) outfit," and "user x (followed) user." However, these are merely examples and are not limited to these examples. Other examples are also possible.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to use three or more maps. Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of creating three or more maps. In the example shown in Figure 16, the server device 100 takes data related to "time," "brand," "search keyword," "user ID," and "quantity" as input data and generates a brand map, a user map, and a search keyword map. The search keyword map is also linked to and interacts with the brand map and user map.

[0063] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the general operation when one of the three maps is clicked. For example, as shown in Figure 17, when user U clicks brand A on the brand map displayed on terminal device 10, the search keyword area where brand A was purchased is visualized (displayed or highlighted, e.g., colored) on the search keyword map. At the same time, the user area where brand A was purchased is visualized (displayed or highlighted, e.g., colored) on the user map. In this way, the results of operations on the brand map are reflected on the search keyword map and the user map. The same can be done when clicking on the other maps.

[0064] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation when multiple maps out of the three maps are clicked. For example, as shown in Figure 18, when user U clicks on brand A on the brand map displayed on terminal device 10, and then clicks on "knit" on the search keyword map, the user area on the user map where users searched for "knit" and purchased brand A is visualized (displayed or highlighted, for example, colored). In this way, the results of operations on the two maps, the brand map and the search keyword map, are reflected on the user map. The same can be done when clicking on other maps.

[0065] Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the visualization when multiple measures are selected. Figure 19(a) shows an overview of the image when each measure is selected. Figure 19(b) shows an overview of the image when multiple measures are selected. When multiple measures are selected, visualization of AND, OR, and XOR regions is possible. For example, when visualizing the AND region, only the overlapping areas of the regions reflecting each measure are visualized. When visualizing the XOR region, the regions excluding the overlapping areas of the regions reflecting each measure are visualized. In this way, various visualization methods are possible.

[0066] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the visualization image when multiple brands are selected. Similar to the selection of multiple measures, visualization of AND, OR, and XOR regions is also possible when selecting multiple brands. Figure 20(a) shows an overview of the image when multiple brands are selected. Furthermore, multiple brands can be selected by region or by distribution. Figure 20(b) shows an overview of the image when multiple brands are selected together in one region. Figure 20(c) shows an overview of the image when multiple distant brands are selected in separate regions. Figure 20(c) shows an overview of the image when multiple brands are selected by distribution.

[0067] [2-6. Uses and Applications] In this embodiment, since the low-dimensional representations of the user and the brand can be estimated by aligning their coordinates at each point in time, the magnitude of the change can be measured by the movement of the coordinates at each point in time.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, embedded representations of brands and users are obtained in which adjacent time points and latent spaces are aligned and uniformly distributed.

[0069] Furthermore, it can detect users and brands with a large time-dependent change in their embedded vectors compared to others. This allows for the detection of changes in the positioning or stance of brands and users.

[0070] Furthermore, it can detect how the positioning of brands and users has changed. For example, in the case of brands, it can detect that "brand A has become more popular among women in their early twenties," and that "its purchasing tendencies have become similar to those of brand B." In the case of users, it can detect that "user X has started buying a certain group of brands," and that "user X has become more similar to user Y."

[0071] Furthermore, by showing the degree of change in the target brand's positioning, insights can be gained regarding the changes that the brand intended and those that did not. For example, if the changes match the intended ones, it confirms that things are progressing as planned. If the changes were unintended, it provides a starting point for considering strategies for what to do next.

[0072] Specifically, when this analysis detects a change in brand A's positioning, such as "Previously, it was purchased by women in their 30s, but that trend is fading," and this change was intended, feedback can be obtained on whether the brand strategy is being effectively developed. If the change was unintended, strategies such as sales or coupons targeting women in their 30s can be developed. Simply tracking sales increases or decreases without detecting changes in positioning makes it impossible to distinguish whether the problem lies with similar brands that are also declining in sales.

[0073] Furthermore, by showing changes in the positioning of competing brands, it can be useful for one's own brand strategy. Specifically, by detecting that "competitor brand B issued a coupon to this group of people at this time, and its positioning changed to this extent," one can infer that "if we issue a coupon to this group of people at a certain time, we can expect this level of effect." Also, by detecting that "competitor brand C has recently gained support from men," one can select and plan strategies such as "therefore, we should also target men."

[0074] Furthermore, it can show the change in the relative positioning of one's own brand and other brands, enabling the detection of competing brands. Specifically, it can detect that "brand A and brand B were previously positioned quite far apart." It can also provide insights such as, "Their positions have become closer in recent times, so we should pay attention to them as competing brands."

[0075] Furthermore, this can be used to recommend brands to users. Specifically, it can detect that "User X and User Y were in similar positions at a previous point in time, but User Y's position has changed and they are now far apart." It can also infer that "Brands supported by User Y, who was in a similar position at the previous point in time, are likely to be supported by User X as well." Finally, it can be used to select and plan strategies such as "Let's recommend the brands that User Y currently supports to User X."

[0076] [3. Example of terminal device configuration] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described using Figure 21. Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 21, the terminal device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, a positioning unit 14, a sensor unit 20, a control unit 30 (controller), and a storage unit 40.

[0077] (Communications Section 11) The communication unit 11 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives information to and from the server device 100 via the network N. For example, the communication unit 11 can be implemented using a NIC (Network Interface Card) or an antenna.

[0078] (Display section 12) The display unit 12 is a display device that displays various information such as location information. For example, the display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescent display (OLED). The display unit 12 is a touch panel display, but is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the display unit 12 displays maps such as brand maps and user maps, as well as various information related to the effectiveness of measures, provided by the server device 100.

[0079] (Input section 13) The input unit 13 is an input device that receives various operations from the user U. For example, the input unit 13 has buttons for inputting characters, numbers, etc. The input unit 13 may also be an input / output port (I / O port) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. If the display unit 12 is a touch panel display, a part of the display unit 12 functions as the input unit 13. The input unit 13 may also be a microphone that receives voice input from the user U. The microphone may be wireless.

[0080] (Positioning unit 14) The positioning unit 14 receives signals (radio waves) transmitted from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and, based on the received signals, acquires position information (e.g., latitude and longitude) indicating the current position of the terminal device 10. In other words, the positioning unit 14 determines the position of the terminal device 10. Note that GPS is just one example of a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

[0081] Furthermore, the positioning unit 14 can determine its position using various methods other than GPS. For example, the positioning unit 14 may use various communication functions of the terminal device 10 to determine its position as an auxiliary positioning means for position correction, etc., as described below.

[0082] (Wi-Fi positioning) For example, the positioning unit 14 determines the location of the terminal device 10 by utilizing the Wi-Fi® communication function of the terminal device 10 and the communication network provided by each telecommunications company. Specifically, the positioning unit 14 determines the location of the terminal device 10 by performing Wi-Fi communication, etc., and determining the distance to nearby base stations and access points.

[0083] (Beacon positioning) Furthermore, the positioning unit 14 may determine the location using the Bluetooth® function of the terminal device 10. For example, the positioning unit 14 determines the location of the terminal device 10 by connecting to a beacon transmitter connected via the Bluetooth® function.

[0084] (Geomagnetic positioning) Furthermore, the positioning unit 14 determines the position of the terminal device 10 based on the geomagnetic pattern of the structure, which has been measured in advance, and the geomagnetic sensor provided by the terminal device 10.

[0085] (RFID positioning) Furthermore, if, for example, the terminal device 10 is equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag function equivalent to that of a contactless IC card used at a train station ticket gate or in a store, or if it is equipped with a function to read RFID tags, the location where it was used will be recorded along with the information on the payment or other transactions made by the terminal device 10. The positioning unit 14 may determine the location of the terminal device 10 by acquiring such information. Alternatively, the location may be determined by an optical sensor or infrared sensor equipped in the terminal device 10.

[0086] The positioning unit 14 may, if necessary, determine the position of the terminal device 10 using one or a combination of the positioning means described above.

[0087] (Sensor unit 20) The sensor unit 20 includes various sensors mounted on or connected to the terminal device 10. The connection can be wired or wireless. For example, the sensors may be detection devices other than the terminal device 10, such as wearable devices or wireless devices. In the example shown in Figure 21, the sensor unit 20 includes an acceleration sensor 21, a gyro sensor 22, a barometric pressure sensor 23, a temperature sensor 24, a sound sensor 25, a light sensor 26, a magnetic sensor 27, and an image sensor (camera) 28.

[0088] The sensors 21-28 described above are merely examples and not limiting. In other words, the sensor unit 20 may be configured to include some of the sensors 21-28, or it may include other sensors such as humidity sensors in addition to or instead of the sensors 21-28.

[0089] The acceleration sensor 21 is, for example, a 3-axis acceleration sensor and detects the physical movement of the terminal device 10, such as its direction of movement, velocity, and acceleration. The gyro sensor 22 detects the physical movement of the terminal device 10, such as its tilt in the three axes, based on its angular velocity. The barometric pressure sensor 23 detects the atmospheric pressure around the terminal device 10, for example.

[0090] Since the terminal device 10 is equipped with the acceleration sensor 21, gyroscope 22, barometric pressure sensor 23, etc., it becomes possible to determine the position of the terminal device 10 using technologies such as pedestrian dead-reckoning (PDR) that utilize these sensors 21 to 23. This makes it possible to obtain indoor location information that is difficult to obtain with positioning systems such as GPS.

[0091] For example, a pedometer using an accelerometer 21 can calculate the number of steps, walking speed, and distance walked. Additionally, a gyroscope 22 can be used to determine the user U's direction of movement, gaze direction, and body tilt. Furthermore, the atmospheric pressure detected by the barometric pressure sensor 23 can be used to determine the altitude and floor number of the user U's terminal device 10.

[0092] The temperature sensor 24 detects, for example, the ambient temperature around the terminal device 10. The sound sensor 25 detects, for example, ambient sound around the terminal device 10. The light sensor 26 detects the ambient illuminance around the terminal device 10. The magnetic sensor 27 detects, for example, the Earth's magnetic field around the terminal device 10. The image sensor 28 captures an image of the area around the terminal device 10.

[0093] The aforementioned pressure sensor 23, temperature sensor 24, sound sensor 25, light sensor 26, and image sensor 28 can detect the surrounding environment and conditions of the terminal device 10 by detecting atmospheric pressure, temperature, sound, and illuminance, respectively, and by capturing images of the surroundings. Furthermore, it becomes possible to improve the accuracy of the location information of the terminal device 10 based on the surrounding environment and conditions.

[0094] (Control Unit 30) The control unit 30 includes, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, input / output ports, and various circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 30 may be composed of hardware such as an integrated circuit (ASIC) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 30 includes a transmission unit 31, a reception unit 32, and a processing unit 33.

[0095] (Transmitter 31) The transmission unit 31 can transmit various information, such as information input by the user U using the input unit 13, various information detected by sensors 21-28 mounted on or connected to the terminal device 10, and location information of the terminal device 10 determined by the positioning unit 14, to the server device 100 via the communication unit 11.

[0096] (Receiver 32) The receiving unit 32 can receive various information provided by the server device 100, as well as requests for various information from the server device 100, via the communication unit 11.

[0097] (Processing 33) The processing unit 33 controls the entire terminal device 10, including the display unit 12. For example, the processing unit 33 can output and display various information transmitted by the transmission unit 31 and various information received from the server device 100 by the reception unit 32 to the display unit 12.

[0098] (Storage unit 40) The storage unit 40 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash memory, or by storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and optical discs. Various programs and various data are stored in this storage unit 40. In this embodiment, the storage unit 40 stores maps such as brand maps and user maps, as well as various information related to the effectiveness of measures, provided from the server device 100.

[0099] [4. Example of Server Device Configuration] Next, the configuration of the server device 100 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 22. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 22, the server device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0100] (Communications Department 110) The communication unit 110 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection.

[0101] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or optical disc. The storage unit 120 may store identification information (such as a user ID) indicating user U, as well as attribute information and history information (log data) of user U. For example, the storage unit 120 may store the user's purchase history. The storage unit 120 may also store the user's search history.

[0102] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized by executing various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in the internal storage device of the server device 100 using a storage area such as RAM as a working area, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In the example shown in Figure 22, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, a generation unit 132, and a display control unit 133.

[0103] (Acquisition part 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires the search query entered by the user U. For example, when the user U enters a search query into a search engine or the like and performs a keyword search, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the search query via the communication unit 110. In other words, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the keyword entered by the user U into the search box of a search engine, website, or application via the communication unit 110.

[0104] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires user information about user U via the communication unit 110. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires identification information (such as user ID), location information, and attribute information of user U from user U's terminal device 10. The acquisition unit 131 may also acquire identification information and attribute information of user U when user U is registered. The acquisition unit 131 then stores the user information in the storage unit 120.

[0105] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires various historical information (log data) indicating the user U's actions via the communication unit 110. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires various historical information indicating the user U's actions from the user U's terminal device 10, or from various servers based on the user ID, etc. The acquisition unit 131 then stores the various historical information in the storage unit 120.

[0106] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 communicates with the user U's terminal device 10 via the communication unit 110 and receives various selection operations from the user U. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives a policy selection operation from the user U via the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 131 also receives a brand selection operation from the user U via the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 131 also receives a user selection operation from the user U via the communication unit 110.

[0107] (Generation unit 132) The generation unit 132 generates a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands and a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, based on the user's purchase history for each brand.

[0108] In an example where three maps are used, the generation unit 132 may generate, for instance, a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands, a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, and a search keyword map that visualizes the evolution of search keywords, based on the user's purchase history for each brand and the evolution of the user's search history.

[0109] (Display control unit 133) The display control unit 133 causes the display unit 12 of the terminal device 10 to display the generated brand map and user map. The display control unit 133 also displays information estimated from the changes in brands and users at multiple points in time, via the brand map and user map.

[0110] At this time, the display control unit 133 displays information regarding the effectiveness of the measures as information estimated from the changes in the brand and users at multiple points in time.

[0111] The display control unit 133 may also be a provisioning unit that provides various information to the terminal device 10, such as maps and information regarding the effectiveness of measures, in order to display the information, or a cooperation unit that cooperates with the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 110.

[0112] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 changes the display mode of the other map based on operations performed on one of the maps, the brand map or the user map.

[0113] For example, the display control unit 133 displays information about the purchasing user area of ​​the brand selected on the brand map on the user map, based on a selection operation for a brand on the brand map.

[0114] Alternatively, the display control unit 133 displays information about the purchasing brand area of ​​the user selected on the user map on the brand map, based on the selection operation of the user (purchasing user) on the user map.

[0115] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 displays information regarding measures implemented by the brand. The display control unit 133 also displays user attribute information. The display location may be a brand map or a user map, but is not limited to a brand map or user map in practice.

[0116] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 displays an operator that allows the user to specify a time point, along with the brand map and the user map. The operator may be, for example, a slider that allows the user to specify a time point on a time axis, but is not limited to a slider. The display control unit 133 displays at least one of the afterimages of the brand's changes at a plurality of time points specified based on the operation specified on the operator, and the afterimages of the user's changes. For example, the display control unit 133 may display the afterimages of changes by showing the amount of change for several past time points with a dotted line, or by graying out past coordinates, but is not limited to these examples.

[0117] In an example using three maps, the display control unit 133 displays the generated brand map, user map, and search keyword map. The display control unit 133 also displays information estimated from the changes in brands, users, and search keywords at multiple points in time, via the brand map, user map, and search keyword map.

[0118] In practice, some or all of the above-mentioned acquisition unit 131, generation unit 132, and display control unit 133 may be provided by the user U's terminal device 10. For example, the processing unit 33 of the user U's terminal device 10 may execute some or all of the functions of the above-mentioned acquisition unit 131, generation unit 132, and display control unit 133 by launching an application or the like. Furthermore, each functional unit of the server device 100 may be provided by the user U's terminal device 10, and each functional unit of the user U's terminal device 10 may be provided by the server device 100.

[0119] [5. Processing Procedure] Next, the processing procedure by the server device 100 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 23. Figure 23 is a flowchart of the processing procedure according to the embodiment. The processing procedure shown below is repeatedly executed by the control unit 130 of the server device 100. Furthermore, the processing procedure shown below is just one example, and the order of each processing procedure may be changed to any order.

[0120] For example, as shown in Figure 23, the acquisition unit 131 of the server device 100 acquires the user's purchase history for each brand and stores it in the storage unit 120 (step S101). That is, the acquisition unit 131 stores the user's purchase history for each brand in the storage unit 120. In practice, however, the acquisition unit 131 may not store the history in the storage unit 120, but instead acquire the user's purchase history for each brand from another server device via the communication unit 110 whenever needed.

[0121] Next, the generation unit 132 of the server device 100 generates a brand map that visualizes the changes in brands and a user map that visualizes the changes in users, based on the changes in the user's purchase history for each brand (step S102).

[0122] Next, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 displays the generated brand map and user map (step S103). This allows the display control unit 133 to display information estimated from the changes in brands and users at multiple points in time, via the brand map and user map. Note that it is optional whether or not to perform the following steps S104 to S109. The order in which the following steps S104 to S109 are performed is also optional (not in any particular order). Furthermore, the following steps S104 to S109 may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) or consecutively.

[0123] At this time, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 can display information regarding the effectiveness of a measure, based on the measure selection operation received from the user U, as information estimated from the changes in the brand and user at multiple points in time, via the brand map and user map (step S104).

[0124] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 can also display information regarding the purchasing user area of ​​the brand selected on the brand map on the user map based on the brand selection operation on the brand map received from the user U (step S105).

[0125] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 can also display information regarding the purchasing brand area of ​​the user selected on the user map on the brand map, based on the selection operation of the user (purchasing user) on the user map received from the user U (step S106).

[0126] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 can also display information regarding measures implemented by the brand on a brand map or a user map (step S107).

[0127] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 can also display user attribute information on the user map (step S108). For example, the display control unit 133 may display information about measures implemented by the brand on the brand map and user attribute information on the user map.

[0128] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 of the server device 100 can also display an operator that allows specifying a time point, along with the brand map and the user map, and display at least one of the afterimages of brand changes and user changes at a plurality of time points specified based on the operation specified on the operator (step S109). For example, the display control unit 133 may display a slider bar that allows specifying a time point on a time axis, along with the brand map and the user map, and display the afterimages of correspondences between brands or between users when the time point is moved with the slider by showing the amount of change for several past time points with a dotted line, or by graying out past coordinates.

[0129] [6. Variant Example] The terminal device 10 and server device 100 described above may be implemented in various other forms besides those of the embodiment described above. Therefore, the following describes modifications of the embodiment.

[0130] In the above embodiment, some or all of the processing performed by the server device 100 may actually be performed by the terminal device 10 (or an application running on the terminal device 10). For example, the processing may be completed in a standalone manner (by the terminal device 10 alone). In this case, the terminal device 10 is assumed to have the same functions as the server device 100 in the above embodiment. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the terminal device 10 is in cooperation with the server device 100, from the perspective of the user U, it appears as if the processing of the server device 100 is also being performed by the terminal device 10. In other words, from another perspective, it can be said that the terminal device 10 is equipped with the server device 100.

[0131] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the server device 100 may acquire the purchase histories of multiple users from other server devices, or it may collect the purchase histories of individual users itself. The user's purchase history may be an online shopping history, an in-store purchase history, or a purchase history using a payment application.

[0132] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the server device 100 may acquire and store the user's service usage history instead of the user's purchase history. Alternatively, the server device 100 may acquire and store a history of actions that result in payment of some kind instead of the user's purchase history.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when displaying two maps, the brand map and the user map, the user's terminal device 10 may display both simultaneously, or it may selectively display one of them. Alternatively, the user's terminal device 10 may automatically display the other map when the user operates on one of the maps. In this case, the server device 100 may control the display of the brand map and the user map to the user's terminal device 10.

[0134] [7. Effects] As described above, the information processing device (terminal device 10 and server device 100) according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a generation unit 132 that generates two maps, a brand map that visualizes the changes in brands and a user map that visualizes the changes in users, based on the changes in the user's purchase history for each brand; and a display control unit 133 that displays the generated brand map and user map and displays information estimated from the changes in brands and users at multiple points in time via the brand map and user map.

[0135] At this time, the display control unit 133 displays information regarding the effectiveness of the measures as information estimated from the changes in the brand and users at multiple points in time.

[0136] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 changes the display mode of the other map based on operations performed on one of the maps, the brand map or the user map.

[0137] For example, the display control unit 133 displays information about the purchasing user area of ​​the brand selected on the brand map on the user map, based on a selection operation for a brand on the brand map.

[0138] Alternatively, the display control unit 133 displays information about the purchasing brand area of ​​the user selected on the user map on the brand map, based on the selection operation of the user (purchasing user) on the user map.

[0139] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 displays information regarding measures implemented by the brand.

[0140] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 displays information related to the user's attributes.

[0141] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 displays an operator that allows the user to specify a time period, along with the brand map and the user map. Based on the specified operation on the operator, the display control unit 133 displays at least one of the afterimages of the brand's evolution at multiple time periods and the afterimages of the user's evolution.

[0142] Furthermore, the generation unit 132 generates a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands, a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, and a search keyword map that visualizes the evolution of search keywords, based on the user's purchase history for each brand and the evolution of the user's search history. The display control unit 133 displays the generated brand map, user map, and search keyword map, and displays information estimated from the evolution of brands, users, and search keywords at multiple points in time through the brand map, user map, and search keyword map.

[0143] By any or a combination of the above-described processes, the information processing device according to the present invention can provide a method for simultaneously detecting the amount of change in users and brands over time.

[0144] [8. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 and server device 100 according to the above-described embodiment are realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 24. The following explanation will use the server device 100 as an example. Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output interface 1060, an input interface 1070, and a network interface 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0145] The arithmetic unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and the secondary storage device 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and performs various processes. The arithmetic unit 1030 can be implemented using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0146] The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM (Random Access Memory), that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device where data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and can be implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. The secondary storage device 1050 may be internal storage or external storage. The secondary storage device 1050 may also be a removable storage medium such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or SD (Secure Digital) memory card. The secondary storage device 1050 may also be cloud storage (online storage), NAS (Network Attached Storage), file server, etc.

[0147] The output I / F 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010, such as displays, projectors, and printers, and is implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The input I / F 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, keypads, buttons, and scanners, and is implemented using, for example, USB.

[0148] Furthermore, the output interface 1060 and input interface 1070 may be wirelessly connected to the output device 1010 and input device 1020, respectively. In other words, the output device 1010 and input device 1020 may be wireless devices.

[0149] Furthermore, the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 may be integrated as a touch panel. In this case, the output I / F 1060 and the input I / F 1070 may also be integrated as an input / output I / F.

[0150] The input device 1020 may also be a device that reads information from, for example, an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0151] The network interface 1080 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to the computing unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the computing unit 1030 to other devices via network N.

[0152] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output interface 1060 and the input interface 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0153] For example, when computer 1000 functions as a server device 100, the arithmetic unit 1030 of computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 130 by executing a program loaded onto the primary storage device 1040. Alternatively, the arithmetic unit 1030 of computer 1000 may load a program obtained from another device via the network interface 1080 onto the primary storage device 1040 and execute the loaded program. Furthermore, the arithmetic unit 1030 of computer 1000 may cooperate with other devices via the network interface 1080 and call and use program functions, data, etc., from other programs on other devices.

[0154] [9. Other] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited by the content of these embodiments. Furthermore, the aforementioned components include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the aforementioned components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the embodiments described above.

[0155] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown.

[0156] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0157] For example, the server device 100 described above may be implemented using multiple server computers, and the configuration can be flexibly changed, such as by calling external platforms via APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) or network computing depending on the function.

[0158] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described above can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not inconsistent.

[0159] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" mentioned above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit." For example, the acquisition unit can be replaced with acquisition means or acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1. Information Processing System 10 Terminal devices 100 Server Devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 130 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Generation part 133 Display Control Unit

Claims

1. A generation unit that generates a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands and a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, based on the changes in the user's purchase history for each brand. A display control unit that displays the generated brand map and user map, and displays information estimated from the changes in the brand and user at multiple points in time via the brand map and user map, An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. The display control unit displays information regarding the effectiveness of the measures as information estimated from the changes in the brand and the user at multiple points in time. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The display control unit changes the display mode of the other map based on an operation performed on one of the maps, the brand map or the user map. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The display control unit causes the user map to display information regarding the purchasing user area of ​​the brand selected on the brand map, based on the selection operation for the brand on the brand map. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The display control unit causes the brand map to display information regarding the purchasing brand area of ​​the user selected on the user map, based on the user's selection operation on the user map. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The display control unit displays information regarding measures implemented by the brand. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

7. The display control unit displays information about the user's attributes. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The display control unit displays, along with the brand map and the user map, an operator that allows specifying a time point, and displays at least one of the afterimages of the brand's evolution at multiple time points specified based on the operation performed on the operator, and the afterimages of the user's evolution. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The generation unit generates a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands, a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, and a search keyword map that visualizes the evolution of search keywords, based on the user's purchase history for each brand and the evolution of the user's search history. The display control unit displays the generated brand map, user map, and search keyword map, and displays information estimated from the changes in the brand, user, and search keywords at multiple points in time through the brand map, user map, and search keyword map. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

10. An information processing method performed by an information processing device, A generation process that generates a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands and a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, based on the changes in the user's purchase history for each brand. A display control step that displays the generated brand map and user map, and displays information estimated from the changes in the brand and user at multiple points in time via the brand map and user map, An information processing method characterized by including

11. A generation procedure for generating a brand map that visualizes the evolution of brands and a user map that visualizes the evolution of users, based on the changes in a user's purchase history for each brand. A display control procedure that displays the generated brand map and user map, and displays information estimated from the changes in the brand and user at multiple points in time via the brand map and user map, An information processing program characterized by causing a computer to execute it.

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