Program and communication system

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a program that enables the transmission of appropriate information to each terminal without requiring the server to manage information for multiple users or to specify which terminal to send the information to. [Solution] The program PG1 of the present invention causes the communication system CS1 to execute a storage function that stores personal information PI in each of the multiple terminals 10, a transmission function that causes each of the multiple transmission information SIs from the server 20 to be transmitted, a receiving function that causes the multiple terminals 10 to receive the multiple transmission information SIs transmitted from the server 20, a judgment function that causes each user of the multiple terminals 10 that has received one transmission information SI to determine, based on the personal information PI, whether the one transmission information SI is information subject to disclosure, and a notification function that, if the judgment result from the judgment function is a positive judgment, notifies the terminal that made the positive judgment that it has received one transmission information PI.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and a communication system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a network system capable of more effectively transmitting advertisement data to a terminal for customer acquisition or enabling users such as a user's family, friends, or workplace colleagues to efficiently acquire store information or advertisements. Specifically, as shown in Claim 1, FIG. 1, etc. of Patent Document 1, this network system includes a plurality of terminals used by a plurality of users and a server capable of referring to information regarding a plurality of users and groups and information regarding stores, locations, and advertisements. Then, when the first terminal of the first user enters within the first range from the location of the store, the server transmits an advertisement corresponding to the store to the terminals of the users belonging to the first group corresponding to the first user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, the network system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a so - called client (plural terminals) - server type, and information regarding a plurality of users is managed by the server. Therefore, as the number of users using this network system increases, the amount of information regarding the plurality of users managed by the server increases, that is, the burden of information management on the server increases.

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a program that enables the transmission of appropriate information to each terminal without requiring the server to manage information (personal information) of multiple users or to specify which terminal to send the information to, when transmitting information from a server to multiple terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The program of the first embodiment is A program that operates in a communication system including a server and multiple terminals, In the aforementioned communication system, A storage function that stores personal information entered by each user via an interface on each of the aforementioned multiple terminals in a storage unit managed by each of the aforementioned multiple terminals, A transmission function that causes the server to send multiple pieces of information at different times, A receiving function that causes each of the multiple pieces of transmission information transmitted from the server to be received by the multiple terminals, A determination function that causes each of the multiple terminals that have received a single transmission piece of information received by the receiving function to determine whether the said transmission piece of information is information subject to disclosure, based on the personal information stored in the memory of each terminal, If the judgment result from the aforementioned judgment function is a positive judgment, a notification function is provided to notify the terminal that made the positive judgment that it has received the aforementioned transmission information. Make it run. The program of the second embodiment is In the program of the first embodiment, If the judgment result is negative, the notification function will not notify the terminal that made the negative judgment that it has received the transmission information mentioned above. The program of the third embodiment is In the program of the second embodiment, moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, A disclosure function that enables a terminal that has been notified by the notification function that it has received the transmission information to disclose the transmission information, Make it run. The program of the fourth embodiment is In the program of the second or third embodiment, The memory function stores the multiple decision results made by the decision function performed by each of the multiple terminals in the memory unit managed by each of the multiple terminals. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, If a terminal that has not been notified by the notification function that it has received the aforementioned transmission information has not been notified that it has received a predetermined number of transmission information consecutively before receiving the aforementioned transmission information, the terminal shall be given a suggestion function that proposes the correction or update of the aforementioned personal information. Make it run. The program of the fifth aspect is In the program of the second or third embodiment, The aforementioned personal information consists of (1) at least one required piece of information that each user is required to input, and (2) several optional pieces of information that each user is not required to input. The determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether the one transmitted piece of information is the information to be disclosed to each user of the multiple terminals, on the condition that there is input to at least one of the multiple pieces of optional information requested by the one transmitted piece of information. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, A reply function is provided to cause a terminal that has not been notified by the notification function that it has received the first transmission information to send back information about whether or not each of the multiple arbitrary pieces of information has been input to the server via the communication network if the terminal has not been notified that it has received a predetermined number of transmission pieces of information consecutively before receiving the first transmission information. If, as a result of having the server compare the preconditions in other transmitted information with the input presence / absence information returned by the reply function, there is a satisfying condition that would satisfy the preconditions in the other transmitted information if input were provided for the arbitrary information that has not been entered, the server shall send the satisfying condition to the terminal that returned the input presence / absence information and propose an update to the input presence / absence information, and Make it run. The program of the sixth aspect is: In the program of the second or third embodiment, The aforementioned personal information consists of (1) at least one required piece of information that each user is required to input, and (2) several optional pieces of information that each user is not required to input. The determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether the one transmitted piece of information is the information to be disclosed to each user of the multiple terminals, on the condition that there is input to at least one of the multiple pieces of optional information requested by the one transmitted piece of information. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, When a terminal that has been notified by the notification function that it has received the transmission information of the first item causes the disclosure function to disclose the transmission information of the first item, the terminal sends a reply function via the communication network to the server, which causes the server to send back information regarding whether or not input was received for each of the multiple arbitrary pieces of information. If, as a result of having the server compare the preconditions in other transmitted information with the input presence / absence information returned by the reply function, there is a satisfying condition that would satisfy the preconditions in the other transmitted information if input were provided for the arbitrary information that has not been entered, the server shall send the satisfying condition to the terminal that returned the input presence / absence information and propose an update to the input presence / absence information, and Make it run. The program of the seventh aspect is: In the program of the second or third embodiment, The personal information is composed of (1) at least one or more required information that requires input by each user, and (2) a plurality of optional information that allows input by each user. The determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether the one piece of transmitted information is the information to be disclosed to each user of the plurality of terminals, on the premise that there is input to at least one piece of optional information required by the one piece of transmitted information among the plurality of optional information. Furthermore, In the communication system, When a terminal notified by the notification function that it has received the one piece of transmitted information discloses the one piece of transmitted information by the disclosure function, a storage function that accumulates a disclosure record of having disclosed the one piece of transmitted information in the storage unit of the terminal as part of the personal information; After accumulating the disclosure record by the storage function, a reply function that causes the server to receive, from the terminal via a communication network, information on whether there is input for each of the plurality of optional information and the accumulated disclosure record; A report function that creates a report for the server administrator regarding the relationship between the input presence / absence information and the disclosure record returned by the reply function; are executed. The program of the eighth aspect is In the program of the seventh aspect, The report function also creates a simulation result of the disclosure rate of the one piece of transmitted information when the precondition is changed, based on the report for the administrator. The communication system of the first aspect is A server, A plurality of terminals capable of communicating with the server via a communication network, The program of the third aspect, is provided with Along with the processing of the program, the storage function, the transmission function, the reception function, the determination function, the notification function, and the disclosure function are executed. The communication system of the second aspect is A server, Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, The program of the fourth aspect, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, disclosure function, and proposal function are executed. Communication system. The communication system of the third embodiment is Server and Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, A program of the fifth or sixth aspect, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, disclosure function, reply function, and proposal function are executed. The communication system of the fourth aspect is Server and Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, A program of the 7th or 8th aspect, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, disclosure function, reply function, and report function are executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the programs of the first and second embodiments, when transmitting information from a server to multiple terminals, it is possible to transmit appropriate information to each terminal without requiring the server to manage information (personal information) of multiple users or to specify which terminal to send the information to. According to the program of the third embodiment, the transmitted information can be disclosed only to the terminal of the user who needs the transmitted information. According to the programs of the fourth and fifth embodiments, after a predetermined number of (or periods) of users who have not been notified of the receipt of transmitted information, it is possible to propose updating their personal information and make more transmitted information viewable on the terminals of users who have updated their personal information. According to the program of the sixth aspect, it is possible to suggest to users who have not entered appropriate personal information that they update their personal information, and to make more transmitted information viewable on the terminal of the user who has updated their personal information. According to the program of the seventh aspect, the relationship between the personal information of multiple users and the number of transmitted information disclosed can be made to the server administrator. According to the program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to propose to the server administrator changes the conditions for the personal information of multiple users requested by the transmitted information in order to improve the disclosure rate of the transmitted information. According to the communication systems of the first to fourth embodiments, when transmitting information from a server to multiple terminals, it is possible to transmit appropriate information without requiring the server to manage information (personal information) of multiple users or to specify which of the multiple terminals to send the information to. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic diagram of the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1B] This is a detailed diagram of the management server and one terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 1C] This is a flowchart of the initial setup of the communication program in the first embodiment. [Figure 1D] This is a flowchart of the communication program to be executed by the communication system of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the communication program to be executed by the communication system of the second embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the communication program to be executed by the communication system of the third embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the communication system for the first modified example. [Figure 5]This is a flowchart of the communication program to be executed in the second modified communication system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] ≪Overview≫ The first to third embodiments and several modifications will be described below in the order they are described. Note that in the description of the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the names and reference numerals of the previous embodiments will be used mutatis mutandis for constituent elements that are equivalent or nearly equivalent to those described in the previous embodiments.

[0010] ≪First Embodiment≫ The communication system CS1 of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1A to 1D, divided into (1) configuration and function, (2) operation and (3) effect, in the order of these descriptions.

[0011] <Functions and Configuration of the Communication System in the First Embodiment> As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system CS1 comprises multiple terminals 10, a management server 20 (an example of a server), and a communication network 30 (the internet is an example). The multiple terminals 10 and the management server 20 are connected to each other via the communication network 30 so that they can communicate with one another. Furthermore, the multiple terminals 10 and the management server 20 are able to exchange information with each other using a communication program PG1 (an example of a program, see Figures 1C and 1D), which will be described later.

[0012] The communication system CS1, in accordance with the communication program PG1, has the function of performing multiple functions of the first embodiment described later, and providing information suitable for each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... using each of the multiple terminals 10 from the management server 20 (see Figures 1C and 1D). Here, the communication system CS1 is used by the administrator (information provider) of the management server 20 to provide information to each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... Table 1 summarizes examples of the types of administrators and users who utilize the CS1 communication system, and their relationship to their purpose.

[0013] [Table 1]

[0014] [Multiple devices] Each of the multiple terminals 10 is, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone, as shown in Figure 1. Here, the multiple terminals 10 refers to the collective set of terminals 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, etc., used by each user UA, UB, UC, UD, etc. Each terminal 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, etc., runs the communication program PG1 using application AP1 (a dedicated application that has been installed), for example. The essential configuration or functional requirements for each terminal 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ... are: (1) the ability to communicate with the management server 20; (2) the ability for each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... to input information such as text, images, and voice; and (3) the ability to display, notify, and otherwise transmit information. Therefore, the type of terminal 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ... does not matter as long as it can communicate with the management server 20 via the communication network 30. Examples of terminals other than smartphones include smartwatches, mobile phones, tablets, personal computers, and other information and communication terminals.

[0015] Figure 1B is a detailed view of the management server 20 and one terminal (terminal 10A as an example) according to the first embodiment. This paragraph describes terminal 10A, but the description in this paragraph can also be applied to other terminals such as terminal 10B. Terminal 10A has a processing unit 12 (a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one example) and a storage unit 14 (a RAM (Random Access Memory) is one example). The processing unit 12 reads the data stored in the storage unit 14 and performs calculations. This data includes, as an example, application AP1. Application AP1 consists of a part of the communication program PG1, a data file DF1, and various libraries LB1. The data file DF1 contains the personal information PI of the user UA, which will be described later.

[0016] [Management server and communication network] As mentioned above, the management server 20 is connected to multiple terminals 10 via the communication network 30, enabling communication (Figures 1A and 1B). As shown in Figure 1B, the management server 20 has a processing unit 22 (a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one example) and a storage unit 24 (a RAM (Random Access Memory) is one example). The processing unit 22 reads the data stored in the storage unit 24 and performs calculations. This data includes, as an example, application AP2. Application AP2 consists of a part of the communication program PG1, a data file DF2, and various libraries LB2. The data file DF2 contains address information MI for receiving information from multiple users UA, UB, UC, UD, ...

[0017] [Communication Program] The communication program PG1 has the function of performing multiple functions of the first embodiment in order to provide information suitable for each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... using each of the multiple terminals 10 from the management server 20.

[0018] The following describes the various functions of the first embodiment, explaining each of the functions that constitute them. However, each function works in conjunction with the others to exert an organic technical significance as a whole. For more information on this point, please refer to the description of the operation of the communication system CS1, which will be discussed later.

[0019] (Memory function) The memory function includes (1) a function to store personal information PI entered by each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... via an interface (not shown) to each of the multiple terminals 10 using the communication program PG1 in a memory unit 14 managed by each of the multiple terminals 10, and (2) a function to store address information MI (email addresses are one example) of each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... transmitted from each of the multiple terminals 10 via the communication network 30 in a memory unit 24 managed by the management server 20 in conjunction with the registration of personal information PI of each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... In the former case, each personal information PI is stored in the data file DF1 of each storage unit 14, and in the latter case, the address information MI of each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... is stored in the data file DF2 of each storage unit 24 (see Figure 1B).

[0020] (Sending function) The transmission function is a function that causes the management server 20 to send each of the multiple transmission information SIs to multiple terminals 10 at different times via the communication network 30 (see Figure 1B). For example, if the administrator of the management server 20 is a government office (local government), information on multiple administrative services as multiple transmission information SIs will be sent from the management server 20 to the terminals of registered residents under the jurisdiction of that government office. Also, for example, if the administrator of the management server 20 is a restaurant, information on multiple menus, discounts, etc. as multiple transmission information SIs will be sent from the management server 20 to the terminals of registered customers.

[0021] (Receiving function) The receiving function is a function that allows multiple terminals 10 to receive each of the multiple transmission information SI sent from the management server 20. Here, Figure 1B illustrates that the multiple transmission information SI sent from the management server 20 are received by terminal 10A, but please note that in reality, the multiple transmission information SI are also received by other terminals such as terminals 10B and 10C, just like terminal 10A.

[0022] (judgment function) The judgment function is a function that causes each user UA, UB, UC, UD, ... of multiple terminals 10, which have received a single transmission information SI (meaning any transmission information SI from among multiple transmission information SIs) received by the aforementioned receiving function, to determine whether the single transmission information SI is information to be disclosed, based on the personal information PI stored in the memory unit 14 of each terminal. The specific method of judgment by the judgment function will be explained in the description of the operation of the communication system CS1, which will be described later.

[0023] (Notification function) The notification function is a function that (1) if the judgment result of the aforementioned judgment function is a positive judgment, notifies the terminal that made the positive judgment that it has received a transmission information SI, and (2) if the judgment result is a negative judgment, does not notify the terminal that made the negative judgment that it has received a transmission information SI. Here, one example of a notification method is so-called push notification. In this example, the push notification display will show a title that represents the content of the transmitted information SI. Examples of titles include "New Store Opening Announcement," "Health Checkup Announcement," "Half-Price Sale Announcement," and "Store Closure Announcement."

[0024] (Disclosure function) The disclosure function is a function that allows a terminal that has been notified by the aforementioned notification function that it has received a transmission information SI to disclose that transmission information SI. For example, if the notification method is push notification, when a user presses the push notification (when the push notification display area on the screen is touched by a finger), the transmission information SI is disclosed on the screen of that user's terminal (not shown in the diagram).

[0025] The above describes the functions and configuration of the communication system CS1 of the first embodiment.

[0026] <Operation of the communication system in the first embodiment (flow of the communication program)> Next, after explaining the initial setup of the communication system CS1, we will describe the specific operation of the communication system CS1 (flow S100 of the communication program PG1).

[0027] [Initial setup of the communication system] The initial setup of the CS1 communication system refers to the setting of personal information (PI) performed by each user (UA, UB, UC, UD, ...) for their respective terminals (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ...) as a prerequisite for the operation of the CS1 communication system. Setting personal information (PI) corresponds to the execution of some of the functions of the aforementioned memory function. The following describes the initial setup flow S10 of the communication system CS1, referring to Figure 1C. Here, we will explain using the case where a user UA sets up personal information PI as an example.

[0028] (S11) First, the user UA downloads application AP1 to terminal 10A from the application AP1 storage server (not shown) via the communication network 30.

[0029] (S12) Next, user UA launches application AP1, which was downloaded on S11, on terminal 10A. Then, the screen on terminal 10A displays the input screen for user UA's personal information PI (not shown in the diagram). The input fields for personal information (PI) consist of (1) at least one required information (RI) that each user is required to input, and (2) multiple optional information (OI) that each user may or may not input. Table 2 summarizes examples of administrator and user combinations using the communication system CS1, and their relationships with the content of the multiple required information (RI) and multiple optional information (OI). On the terminal 10A's screen, an input screen for required information RI is first displayed along with instructions to enter the required information. Then, when the user UA enters the required information and presses the input completion button (not shown in the diagram), S12 ends.

[0030] [Table 2]

[0031] (S13) Next, in S13, it is determined whether the input of the required information RI in S12 is appropriate. Whether it is appropriate or not is determined by whether, for example, an incorrect number has been entered in the date of birth, or if there is no input in a field that should be filled in, it will be considered incorrect (negative judgment). Then, if the judgment is positive in S13, the process proceeds to S14; if the judgment is negative, it returns to S12.

[0032] (S14) If the process proceeds to S14, that is, if an affirmative judgment was made in S13, the screen of terminal 10A will display multiple input screens for optional information OI (which are not yet available for input at this point), along with instructions to choose whether or not to input the information. If the user UA presses the button to select what to input (not shown), S14 ends and the process proceeds to S15. Conversely, if the user UA presses the button to select what not to input (not shown), S14 ends and the process proceeds to S16.

[0033] (S15) If the process proceeds to S15, the screen of terminal 10A will become available for inputting multiple optional information fields (OI). When the user UA enters some or all of the information from the multiple optional information fields and presses the input completion button (not shown in the diagram), S15 will end.

[0034] (S16) Next, in S16, the information including the required information RI entered in S12 and the optional information OI entered in S15 (only in the case of S14), i.e., the personal information PI after input, is displayed again on the terminal 10A screen, and the user UA is asked to select whether correction is unnecessary (whether to save it) using a selection button. If the user UA presses the "no correction needed" button, the process proceeds to S17. On the other hand, if the user UA presses the "correction needed" button, the process returns to S12 and correction of part or all of the personal information PI begins.

[0035] (S17, S18 and S19) Next, in S17, the personal information PI after input is stored (written) to the data file DF1 in the storage unit 14 of terminal 10A. In addition, in S18, in conjunction with S17, the email address of user UA is sent from terminal 10A to the management server 20. Furthermore, in S19, the email address sent in S18 is stored (written) to the data file DF2 in the storage unit 24 of the management server 20.

[0036] The above is an explanation of the initial setup of the CS1 communication system.

[0037] [Specific operation of the communication system (flow of the communication program)] Next, the specific operation of the communication system CS1 (the flow of the communication program S100) will be explained with reference to Figure 1D.

[0038] (S110) First, the management server 20 sends transmission information SI to the email addresses of all registered users (all users stored in the storage unit 24). In this case, if the administrator is a food and beverage business, an example of transmitted information SI would be limited-time new menu information, discount information, etc. If the administrator is a government office (local government), an example of transmitted information SI would be administrative service information. Furthermore, the transmitted information SI also includes disclosure criteria, which determine whether or not the information should be disclosed to each terminal 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ... The disclosure criteria can be set by the administrator of the management server 20. For example, some disclosure criteria include being above a certain age, being female, or being located in a specific designated area. S110 corresponds to the process of executing the aforementioned transmission function.

[0039] (S120) Next, in S120, the transmission information SI sent from the management server 20 by S110 is made to be received by multiple terminals 10 (terminals of all registered users). S110 corresponds to the process of executing the aforementioned receiving function.

[0040] (S130) Next, in S130, it is determined whether the transmitted information SI is information to be disclosed to each of the multiple terminals 10 (terminals of all registered users). S130 corresponds to the step of executing the aforementioned determination function. The specific method for making this decision is as follows: As mentioned above, the transmitted information SI includes disclosure criteria. For example, if the transmitted information SI originates from a management server 20 managed by a retailer and its disclosure criteria target individuals aged 50 or older, each terminal 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ... calculates the user's age from the date of birth and the date and time of reception stored in the essential information RI in their respective storage units 14, and determines whether the calculated age is 50 or older. Also, for example, if the transmitted information SI originates from a management server 20 managed by a service provider and its disclosure criteria target only women, each terminal 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ... determines whether each user is female based on the gender of the essential information RI stored in their respective storage units 14. Based on the above results, if the outcome of each judgment is affirmative, proceed to S140; if the outcome is negative, proceed to S145.

[0041] (S140 and S145) If the judgment result in S130 is positive and the process proceeds to S140, that is, if a terminal that has transmitted information SI from the management server 20 and received by all registered user terminals 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D has been judged positive in S130, then that terminal will notify its users, for example, via push notification that it received the transmitted information SI in S120. In contrast, if the judgment result in S130 is negative and the process proceeds to S145, the terminal that made the negative judgment will not be notified that it received the transmission information SI in S120. Then, the user of the terminal that proceeds to S145 will not be notified that the transmission information SI has been received, and the flow of the communication program PG1 related to this transmission information SI will end.

[0042] (S150) When the user clicks the push notification display area (not shown) of a terminal that has been notified by S140 that it has received the transmission information SI, a selection button (not shown) appears on the terminal's display screen to indicate whether or not to disclose the transmission information SI. If the user selects to disclose, the process proceeds to S160. On the other hand, if the user selects not to disclose, the transmission information SI will not be displayed on the user's terminal's display screen, and the flow of the communication program PG1 related to this transmission information SI will end.

[0043] (S160) If the user presses the option button to disclose in S150, that is, if the judgment result in S150 is a positive judgment, the transmission information SI is displayed on the user's terminal screen. Consequently, the flow of the communication program PG1 related to this transmission information SI is terminated.

[0044] The above describes the specific operation of the communication system CS1 (flow S100 of the communication program PG1). The above also describes the operation of the communication system CS1 in the first embodiment.

[0045] <Effects of the First Embodiment> Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0046] [First effect] As mentioned above, the network system described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as the comparative configuration) is a so-called client (multiple terminals)-server type system. In the comparative configuration, information about multiple users is managed by the server. Furthermore, the server also selects which terminal to send information to. Because of the method described above, in the comparative configuration, the more registered users there are, the greater the amount of information about multiple users that the server has to manage, meaning that the burden on the server's information management increases. In contrast, in the case of the communication system CS1 of the first embodiment, registered user information (personal information PI) is managed at each registered user's terminal (see Figure 1B). Furthermore, the selection of which terminal should receive the transmission information SI sent from the management server 20 is determined by each terminal using the personal information PI stored at each registered user's terminal (see S130 in Figure 1D). Therefore, according to the first embodiment, when sending transmission information SI from the management server 20 to multiple terminals 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, ..., it is possible to send appropriate information to each terminal without requiring the management server 20 to manage information (personal information PI) of multiple users UA, UB, UC, UD, ... and to specify which terminal to send the transmission information SI to. [Second effect] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, (1) the determination function determines whether or not the disclosure target conditions are met, (2) the notification function notifies that the transmission information SI has been received, and (3) the disclosure function causes the transmission information SI to be disclosed only to terminals that have selected to have the transmission information SI disclosed (see S240, S150, and S160 in Figure 1D). Alternatively, if a certain transmission information SI does not meet the disclosure target conditions in relation to a terminal's personal information PI, the terminal is not notified that it has received the transmission information SI (see S145 in Figure 1D). As described above, the first embodiment means that even though the management server 20 sends the transmission information SI to all registered users' terminals without selecting which terminal to send it to, the transmission information SI can be disclosed only to the terminals of users who require it.

[0047] The above describes the effects of the first embodiment. The above also describes the first embodiment.

[0048] ≪Second Embodiment≫ Next, the communication system CS2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. The description of the second embodiment will only cover the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0049] <Function and configuration of the second embodiment> The differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are (1) the initial settings (setting of personal information PI), and (2) the operation flow P100 of program PG1 and communication program PG1 has been changed to the operation flow P200 of program PG2 and communication program PG2. In accordance with the above changes, the functions of the communication system CS2 in the second embodiment include all the functions of the first embodiment, plus the following two additional functions. Furthermore, the decision-making function in the second embodiment is configured to determine the following preconditions as a basis for making a decision based on the disclosure conditions, compared to the first embodiment. The following describes the initial settings of the second embodiment (setting of personal information PI), as well as an overview of the judgment function and two additional functions of the second embodiment. The specific execution methods of each function will be explained later in the description of the operation of the communication system CS2.

[0050] [Initial settings of the second embodiment] The initial settings for the second embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 1C, which shows the initial settings for the first embodiment. In the initial setup of the second embodiment, at S17 in Figure 1C, the terminal's memory unit 14 stores both personal information PI and input presence / absence information IW. Here, input presence / absence information IW refers to information regarding whether or not input has been entered for each of the multiple pieces of arbitrary information OI.

[0051] [Decision-making function of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether a certain transmission information SI sent from the management server 20 is information to be disclosed to each user of multiple terminals 10, provided that there is input to at least one of the multiple arbitrary information OIs requested by the transmission information SI. For example, if the transmitted information SI is sent from a management server 20 with a service provider as the administrator, and the transmitted information SI is based on the premise that there is input in the occupation field, which is arbitrary information OI, then the terminal of a user who has input in the occupation field is determined to satisfy the premise. Then, in the second embodiment, the determination function of the first embodiment is executed.

[0052] [Reply function] The reply function allows a terminal that has received notification via the notification function that it has received transmission information SI to disclose the said transmission information SI via the disclosure function, and then sends back input presence / absence information IW from that terminal to the management server 20 via the communication network 30 (see Figure 1B).

[0053] [Suggestion Function] The suggestion function is as follows: (1) If the management server 20 compares the preconditions of another transmission information SI different from the above-mentioned transmission information SI with the input presence / absence information IW returned by the reply function, and there is a satisfying condition that would satisfy the preconditions of the other transmission information SI if input is made in the arbitrary information OI which has not been input, (2) the management server 20 sends the satisfying condition to the terminal that returned the input presence / absence information IW and proposes updating the input presence / absence information IW.

[0054] <Operation of the communication system in the second embodiment> Next, the specific operation of the communication system CS2 (communication program flow S200) will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Here, the communication program flow S200 of the second embodiment (see Figure 2) differs from that of the first embodiment (see Figure 1D) in the following respects: S130, which executes the decision function in the first embodiment, is changed to S230 in the second embodiment; and while the first embodiment terminates after S160, the second embodiment terminates after S210, S220, S240-S270 are executed.

[0055] (S230) S230 is a step in which the decision-making function of the second embodiment described above is executed.

[0056] (S210) S210 is executed after S160. In S210, the terminal that disclosed the transmission information SI in S160 sends back the input presence / absence information IW to the management server 20. S210 is the process of executing the aforementioned reply function.

[0057] (S220, S240 and S250) In S220, the management server 20, which received the input presence / absence information IW from the terminal in S210, compares the input presence / absence information IW with the preconditions for other transmission information SI. As a result, in S240, if there is a condition that would satisfy the preconditions for other transmission information SI if the arbitrary information OI that has not been input had been input, an affirmative judgment is made and the process proceeds to S250. If there is no condition that satisfies the precondition, a negative judgment is made and the flow of the communication program PG2 related to this transmission information SI ends. Then, if the process proceeds to S250 following an affirmative judgment, the management server 20 sends a satisfaction condition to the terminal that returned the input status information IW. The display screen of the terminal that received the satisfaction condition is notified that the satisfaction condition has been received, and the user is offered the option to update several pieces of optional information OI. Specifically, the suggestion is made that if the user inputs into one of the pieces of optional information OI, they will be able to receive other pieces of received information SI.

[0058] (S260 and S270) S260 asks the user, who has received updates to multiple optional information OIs in S250, whether to update the multiple optional information OIs via the terminal's display screen. If the user chooses to update (positive judgment in S260), a personal information input screen is displayed on the terminal's display screen, and the personal information becomes editable (applying the initial setup flow in Figure 1C). Once the editing of the personal information is complete, the flow of communication program PG2 ends. On the other hand, if the user does not choose to update (negative judgment in S260), the personal information is not edited and the flow of communication program PG2 ends.

[0059] <Effects of the second embodiment> According to the second embodiment, users who have not entered appropriate personal information (PI) are prompted to update their personal information (PI), and users who have updated their personal information (PI) are allowed to view more transmitted information (SI) on their terminals.

[0060] The above concludes the description of the second embodiment.

[0061] ≪Third Embodiment≫ Next, the communication system CS3 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. The description of the third embodiment will only cover the differences from the second embodiment described above.

[0062] <Function and configuration of the third embodiment> The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that the operation flow P200 of program PG2 and communication program PG2 has been changed to the operation flow P300 of program PG3 and communication program PG3. Specifically, the flow S300 (see Figure 3) of the communication program PG3 in the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, while in the second embodiment S210, S220, and S240-S270 are executed before termination, in the third embodiment S310, S320, and S330 are executed before termination. In accordance with the above changes, the communication system CS3 of the third embodiment executes the storage function, reply function, and report function (S310, S320, and S330) described below, without executing the reply function and suggestion function (S210, S220, S240~S270) of the second embodiment. The following describes the general overview of the storage function, reply function, and reporting function of the third embodiment. The specific execution methods of each function will be explained later in the description of the operation of the communication system CS3.

[0063] [Storage function] The storage function is a mechanism in which, when a terminal that has been notified by the notification function that it has received the transmission information SI is prompted to disclose the transmission information SI by the disclosure function, the terminal's storage unit 14 stores a record of the disclosure of the transmission information SI as part of the personal information PI.

[0064] [Reply function] The reply function allows the terminal to send back information about whether or not each of the multiple pieces of arbitrary information OI has been entered, along with the stored disclosure records, to the management server 20 via the communication network 30 after the disclosure records have been stored using the storage function.

[0065] [Reporting function] The reporting function generates an administrator report for the management server 20 regarding the relationship between input status information (IW) and disclosure records sent back from the terminal to the management server 20 via the reply function. Specifically, the administrator report quantifies the content of transmitted information (SI) that is easily or difficultly disclosed from each user's input status information (IW). Furthermore, as an optional feature, the reporting function may also generate simulation results of the disclosure rate of transmitted information SIs when the preconditions are changed, based on the administrator report. This allows administrators to be informed of how the disclosure rate of transmitted information SIs changes when they change the preconditions that they can set.

[0066] <Operation of the communication system in the third embodiment> Next, the specific operation of the communication system CS3 (communication program flow S300) will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Here, we will explain S310 to S330, which differ from the case of the second embodiment (see Figure 2).

[0067] (S310) S310 is the process of executing the aforementioned storage function.

[0068] (S320) Next, in S320, the terminal that disclosed the transmission information SI in S160 returns the input presence / absence information IW and the disclosure record to the management server 20. S320 is the process of executing the aforementioned reply function.

[0069] (S330) Next, S330 is the process of creating an administrator report for the management server 20 regarding the relationship between the input presence / absence information IW and the disclosure record, based on the input presence / absence information IW and disclosure record returned by S320. Furthermore, as an option, the port function may also create simulation results of the disclosure rate of transmitted information SI when the preconditions are changed, based on the administrator report. S330 is the process of executing the aforementioned reporting function. The generated administrator report is sent from the management server 20 to the terminal used by the administrator (not shown in the diagram), and the specific operation of the communication system CS3 (communication program flow S300) is completed.

[0070] <Effects of the Third Embodiment> According to the third embodiment, the relationship between the number of personal information PIs of multiple users and the number of transmission information SIs to be disclosed can be communicated to the administrator of the management server 20. Furthermore, according to the aforementioned optional function, it is possible to propose to the administrator of the management server 20 changes to the conditions for the personal information PIs of multiple users requested by the transmission information SIs in order to improve the disclosure rate of the transmission information SIs.

[0071] The above is a description of the third embodiment.

[0072] ≪Multiple Variations≫ As described above, the present invention has been explained with reference to the first to third embodiments, but the forms included in the technical scope of the present invention are not limited to these examples. For example, the following modifications are also included.

[0073] For example, although the second and third embodiments were described as being separate forms in the above explanation, they may also be forms that combine these two.

[0074] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the communication programs PG1 to PG3 used in terminals 10A, etc., are described as applications that are downloaded and used. However, the communication programs PG1 to PG3 may also be provided as so-called web applications using a web browser. In addition, it may be possible to select between a downloadable type and a browser-based type for each terminal.

[0075] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the destination information for the transmission information SI to each terminal managed by the management server 20 is an email address, but the destination information may be a telephone number, individual registration information set in the program, etc., as long as the transmission information can be delivered to each terminal.

[0076] Furthermore, although each embodiment assumes that transmission information SI is sent to all terminals of registered users, the transmission information SI may be configured to be deleted from each terminal after a certain period of time has elapsed since receipt.

[0077] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, analysis for each terminal, such as reporting functions, is performed by the management server 20. However, as shown in the first modified example of Figure 4, the communication system CS4 may be configured to perform functions other than information transmission functions such as analysis on a physically different server (for example, an external server 20A).

[0078] Alternatively, the communication program P500 of the communication system CS5, as shown in the second modified example in Figure 5 (flow S500), may be used. Here, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment (see Figure 1D) will be explained. For example, multiple judgment results from the judgment functions performed by each of the multiple terminals 10 are stored in a storage unit 14 managed by each of the multiple terminals 10. Specifically, if the result of S130 is an affirmative judgment, that is, if the transmission information SI received by a terminal is the transmission information SI to be disclosed for that terminal, then in S510, the storage unit 14 of that terminal is stored to record that the transmission information SI to be disclosed has been received. On the other hand, if the result of S130 is a negative judgment, that is, if the transmission information SI received by a terminal is not the transmission information SI to be disclosed for that terminal (i.e., if it is the transmission information SI not to be disclosed), then in S515, the storage unit 14 of that terminal is stored to record that the transmission information SI not to be disclosed has been received. Then, as a result of S145, using the information stored in the terminal's memory unit 14, if the transmitted information SI received this time has been subject to non-disclosure for a predetermined number of consecutive times from the past, that is, if a certain number of non-notifications have occurred (if a positive judgment is made in S520), the terminal proposes to the user via the screen that they correct or update their personal information PI (proposal function of the second modified example, S530). Here, a positive judgment in S520 means, in other words, that a terminal that has not been notified by the notification function that it has received a certain number of transmitted information has not been notified for a predetermined number of consecutive times before receiving the transmitted information SI. The predetermined number (predetermined number of times) can be arbitrarily set by the administrator of the management server 20. In the second variation, if a negative result is determined in S520, the process terminates without executing S530. If S530 is executed, the process terminates regardless of whether the user has made any corrections or updates to their personal information (PI). According to the second modification, it is possible to propose updating personal information PI to users who have not been notified of the receipt of transmitted information SI within a specified number of times (or period), and to make more transmitted information SI available on the terminals of users who have updated their personal information PI.

[0079] Furthermore, when executing S530 in the second modified example (Figure 5), some of the reply function and elements of the proposed function of the second embodiment may be combined with the second modified example. Specifically, if the result of S520 is an affirmative judgment, the terminal sends input presence / absence information IW back to the management server 20 via the communication network 30 (see Figure 1B). In other words, in this modified example, if a terminal that has not been notified by the notification function that it has received a certain transmission information SI has not been notified that it has received a predetermined number of transmission information SIs consecutively before receiving the transmission information SI, the terminal sends input presence / absence information IW for each of the multiple arbitrary information OIs back to the management server 20 via the communication network 30. Then, the communication system is made to execute the proposed function of the second embodiment. The effect of this modification example is the same as in the case of the second modification.

[0080] The above is an explanation of several variations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 10. Multiple devices 10A terminal 10B terminal 10C terminal 10D terminal 12 Processing Units 14 Storage section 20 Management Server 22 Processing Units 24 Memory section 30 Communication Networks AP1 Application AP2 Application CS1 Communication System CS2 Communication System CS3 Communication System CS4 Communication System PG1 Communication Program PG2 Communication Program PG3 Communication Program PG4 Communication Program PI personal information UA User UB users UC users UD User SI transmission information MI Address Information OI optional information RI Required Information

Claims

1. A program that operates in a communication system including a server and multiple terminals, In the aforementioned communication system, A storage function that stores personal information entered by each user via an interface on each of the aforementioned multiple terminals in a storage unit managed by each of the aforementioned multiple terminals, A transmission function that causes the server to send multiple pieces of information at different times, A receiving function that causes each of the multiple pieces of transmission information transmitted from the server to be received by the multiple terminals, A determination function that causes each of the multiple terminals that have received a single transmission piece of information received by the receiving function to determine whether the said transmission piece of information is information subject to disclosure, based on the personal information stored in the memory of each terminal, If the judgment result from the aforementioned judgment function is a positive judgment, a notification function is provided to notify the terminal that made the positive judgment that it has received the aforementioned transmission information. To execute program.

2. The notification function, if the judgment result is negative, does not cause the terminal that made the negative judgment to notify that it has received the transmission information mentioned above. The program according to claim 1.

3. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, A disclosure function that enables a terminal that has been notified by the notification function that it has received the transmission information to disclose the transmission information, To execute The program according to claim 2.

4. The memory function stores the multiple decision results made by the decision function performed by each of the multiple terminals in the memory unit managed by each of the multiple terminals. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, If a terminal that has not been notified by the notification function that it has received the aforementioned transmission information has not been notified that it has received a predetermined number of transmission information consecutively before receiving the aforementioned transmission information, the terminal shall be given a suggestion function that proposes the correction or update of the aforementioned personal information. To execute The program according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned personal information consists of (1) at least one required piece of information that each user is required to input, and (2) several optional pieces of information that each user is not required to input. The determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether the one transmitted piece of information is the information to be disclosed to each user of the multiple terminals, on the condition that there is input to at least one of the multiple pieces of optional information requested by the one transmitted piece of information. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, A reply function is provided to cause a terminal that has not been notified by the notification function that it has received the first transmission information to send back information about whether or not each of the multiple arbitrary pieces of information has been input to the server via the communication network if the terminal has not been notified that it has received a predetermined number of transmission pieces of information consecutively before receiving the first transmission information. If, as a result of having the server compare the preconditions in other transmitted information with the input presence / absence information returned by the reply function, there is a satisfying condition that would satisfy the preconditions in the other transmitted information if input were provided for the arbitrary information that has not been entered, the server shall send the satisfying condition to the terminal that returned the input presence / absence information and propose an update to the input presence / absence information, and To execute The program according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned personal information consists of (1) at least one required piece of information that each user is required to input, and (2) several optional pieces of information that each user is not required to input. The determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether the one transmitted piece of information is the information to be disclosed to each user of the multiple terminals, on the condition that there is input to at least one of the multiple pieces of optional information requested by the one transmitted piece of information. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, When a terminal that has been notified by the notification function that it has received the transmission information of the first item causes the disclosure function to disclose the transmission information of the first item, the terminal sends a reply function via the communication network to the server, which causes the server to send back information regarding whether or not input was received for each of the multiple arbitrary pieces of information. If, as a result of having the server compare the preconditions in other transmitted information with the input presence / absence information returned by the reply function, there is a satisfying condition that would satisfy the preconditions in the other transmitted information if input were provided for the arbitrary information that has not been entered, the server shall send the satisfying condition to the terminal that returned the input presence / absence information and propose an update to the input presence / absence information, and To execute The program according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned personal information consists of (1) at least one required piece of information that each user is required to input, and (2) several optional pieces of information that each user is not required to input. The determination function causes each user's terminal to determine whether the one transmitted piece of information is the information to be disclosed to each user of the multiple terminals, on the condition that there is input to at least one of the multiple pieces of optional information requested by the one transmitted piece of information. moreover, In the aforementioned communication system, When a terminal that has been notified by the notification function that it has received the transmission information of the first type causes the transmission information of the first type to be disclosed by the disclosure function, the storage function stores a record of the disclosure of the transmission information of the first type to be disclosed as part of the personal information in the storage unit of the terminal. After the aforementioned storage function has stored the disclosure records, the terminal sends back to the server via the communication network information regarding whether or not each of the multiple pieces of arbitrary information has been entered, and the stored disclosure records, A reporting function that generates a report for the server administrator regarding the relationship between the input status information returned by the reply function and the disclosure record, To execute The program according to claim 3.

8. The reporting function also generates simulation results of the disclosure rate of the transmitted information when the preconditions are changed, based on the administrator report. The program according to claim 7.

9. Server and Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, The program described in claim 3, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, and disclosure function are executed. Communication system.

10. Server and Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, The program described in claim 4, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, disclosure function, and proposal function are executed. Communication system.

11. Server and Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, The program according to claim 5 or 6, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, disclosure function, reply function, and proposal function are executed. Communication system.

12. Server and Multiple terminals that can communicate with the aforementioned server via a communication network, The program according to claim 7 or 8, Equipped with, In conjunction with the processing of the program, the storage function, transmission function, reception function, judgment function, notification function, disclosure function, reply function, and report function are executed. Communication system.

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