Terminal device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a terminal device, control method, and control program that can improve the efficiency of ad delivery. [Solution] The terminal device according to the present invention comprises an extraction unit that extracts search queries from user conversation information in a chat service, a generation unit that generates advertising links that display advertisements based on the extracted search queries, and a display processing unit that displays the generated advertising links in the chat service.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a control method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for providing advertisements linked to a search query input by a user together with search results is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, since the user inputting a search query in a search service is used as a condition for advertisement distribution, there is room for improvement in more efficiently distributing advertisements.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a terminal device, a control method, and a control program capable of improving the advertisement distribution efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The terminal device according to the present application includes an extraction unit that extracts a search query from conversation information of a user in a chat service, a generation unit that generates an advertisement link for displaying an advertisement based on the extracted search query, and a display processing unit that displays the generated advertisement link in the chat service.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an effect of being able to improve the advertisement distribution efficiency is achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the process performed by the terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of user information. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of app information. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of LLM information. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the user terminal executed by the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a hardware configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, embodiments for implementing the terminal device, control method, and control program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). Note that these embodiments do not limit the terminal device, control method, and control program according to the present application. Furthermore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each of the following embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment) First, the processing performed by the terminal device according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the processing performed by the terminal device according to this embodiment. Note that Figure 1 shows an example of the operation of the information processing system S including the terminal device (user terminal 100) according to this embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system S according to this embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a user terminal 100.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system S according to this embodiment extracts search queries from user conversation information in the chat service, generates advertising links that display advertisements based on the extracted search queries, and displays the generated advertising links in the chat service.

[0013] Specifically, first, the user terminal 100 extracts search queries from the user's conversation information in the chat service (step S1). Specifically, the user terminal 100 has pre-stored Large Language Models (LLMs) that have been trained to extract search queries from conversation information. For example, the user terminal 100 trains the LLM with search queries entered by the user when using the search service. In other words, the user terminal 100 uses the trained LLM to extract search queries that the user has entered in the past from the conversation information. Alternatively, the user terminal 100 may train the LLM with search queries entered by the user when they converted to an advertisement displayed in search advertising. In other words, the user terminal 100 extracts search queries from the conversation information that are likely to display advertisements that will lead to a conversion.

[0014] Furthermore, conversation information may include not only the utterances entered by the user, but also the utterances of the person the user is talking to.

[0015] Subsequently, the user terminal 100 generates an advertisement link for displaying an advertisement based on the extracted search query (step S2). Specifically, the user terminal 100 generates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that specifies the search result screen displayed when the search query is input in the search service as the advertisement link. Note that this search result screen includes advertisements associated with the search query. Also, the advertisement link is not limited to the URL that specifies the search result screen including the advertisement, and may be a URL that specifies the advertisement page to which the user moves when selecting an advertisement displayed in conjunction with the search query. That is, the advertisement link may be at least a URL on which an advertisement associated with the search query is displayed.

[0016] Subsequently, the user terminal 100 displays the generated advertisement link (step S3). For example, the user terminal 100 displays the advertisement link in the chat room with the conversation partner in the chat service. The advertisement link is displayed as a statement of a third party other than the user and the conversation partner. The advertisement link is displayed only for the user among the user and the conversation partner. Also, the advertisement link may be displayed to the conversation partner when permitted by the user. Also, the advertisement link may be displayed in a form that interrupts the conversation between the user and the conversation partner, or may be displayed at the timing when the conversation between the user and the conversation partner is interrupted (the timing when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the last statement). Also, the advertisement link may be displayed at the timing when the user permits the display of the advertisement link.

[0017] Subsequently, when the user performs an operation of selecting the advertisement link, the user terminal 100 requests the information processing device 1 for the search result by the search query associated with the advertisement link (step S4). Specifically, the user terminal 100 transmits the URL displayed as the advertisement link to the information processing device 1. Note that the user terminal 100 may, for example, hold in advance the search results (excluding advertisements) displayed when the user inputs a search query in the past, and request only the advertisements displayed by the search query to the information processing device 1.

[0018] Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 1 generates search result content including search results based on a search query and advertisement content based on the search query (step S5). Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 generates search result content which is a search result screen including search results retrieved by the search query and advertisements associated with the search query. Note that when only an advertisement is requested from the user terminal 100, the information processing apparatus 1 generates the advertisement as the search result content.

[0019] Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 1 provides the generated search result content to the user terminal 100 (step S6).

[0020] Subsequently, the user terminal 100 displays the search result content (step S7). For example, the user terminal 100 displays the search result content in a chat room with a conversation partner in a chat service. The search result content is displayed as a speech of a third party other than the user and the conversation partner. The search result content is displayed only for the user among the user and the conversation partner. Also, the search result content may be displayed for the conversation partner if permitted by the user. Further, the search result content may be displayed in a form that interrupts the conversation between the user and the conversation partner, or may be displayed at the timing when the conversation between the user and the conversation partner is interrupted (the timing when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the last speech). Also, the search result content may be displayed at the timing when the user is permitted to display the search result content.

[0021] As described above, according to the user terminal 100 according to the present disclosure, by extracting a search query from the user's conversation information and displaying search result content including an advertisement, an advertisement can be distributed from the information processing apparatus 1 by an action (conversation) other than the user's search action. That is, according to the present disclosure, the distribution efficiency of the advertisement can be improved.

[0022] Next, an example of the configuration of the information processing system S according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system S according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, in the information processing system S according to the embodiment, the information processing device 1 and a plurality of user terminals 100 are connected to a network N by wire or wireless. The network N is, for example, a network such as the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0023] The information processing device 1 is a server device that executes the information processing method according to the embodiment. Based on the search query transmitted from the user terminal 100, the information processing device 1 generates search results and search result content including advertising content, and provides it to the user terminal 100.

[0024] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 is an information processing device that interacts with multiple user terminals 100 and provides various API (Application Programming Interface) services for various applications (hereinafter referred to as "apps") and various data to the multiple user terminals 100, and is realized by a server device or a cloud system.

[0025] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may be an information processing device that provides some kind of web service online to multiple user terminals 100. For example, the information processing device 1 may provide services such as internet connection, search services, SNS (Social Networking Service), e-commerce (EC), 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 web services. In practice, the information processing device 1 may cooperate with various servers that provide the above-mentioned web services and act as an intermediary for web services, or it may be responsible for processing web services.

[0026] User terminal 100 is a terminal device owned by the user. User terminal 100 can be any type of terminal device, such as a smartphone, desktop PC, notebook PC, or tablet PC. User terminal 100 transmits various information to information processing device 1, etc., and receives information provided by information processing device 1, etc. User terminal 100 extracts search queries from the user's conversation information in the chat service, generates advertising links that display advertisements based on the extracted search queries, and displays the generated advertising links in the chat service.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 3, an example configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described.

[0028] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 2, a control unit 3, and a storage unit 4. The control unit 3 includes a receiving unit 31, a generation unit 32, and a providing unit 33. The storage unit 4 stores user information 41.

[0029] The communication unit 2 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 2 is connected to the network by wire or wireless connection.

[0030] The control unit 3 is a controller and is implemented by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in the memory device inside the information processing device 1, using RAM or the like as a working area. Alternatively, the control unit 3 is a controller and may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or GPGPU (General Purpose Graphic Processing Unit).

[0031] The memory unit 4 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash memory, or by storage devices such as hard disks and optical discs.

[0032] User information 41 is information about the user.

[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of user information 41. As shown in Figure 4, user information 41 includes items such as "User ID," "Attribute Information," and "Behavioral Information."

[0034] "User ID" is identification information that identifies a user. "Attribute information" is information about the user's attributes. Attribute information includes, for example, psychographic attributes and demographic attributes. "Behavioral information" is information about the user's behavioral history, including search behavior, purchasing behavior, visiting behavior, viewing behavior such as news articles and posted information, and conversation information in chat services.

[0035] Next, we will describe the functions of the control unit 3 of the information processing device 1 (reception unit 31, generation unit 32, and provision unit 33).

[0036] The reception unit 31 receives various types of information. When a user selects an advertising link from the user terminal 100, the reception unit 31 receives a request for search results based on the search query associated with the advertising link.

[0037] When the generation unit 32 receives a request from the user terminal 100, it generates search result content that includes search results based on the search query and advertising content based on the search query. Specifically, the generation unit 32 generates search result content, which is a search results screen that includes the search results obtained by the search query and advertisements linked to the search query. If only advertisements are requested from the user terminal 100, the generation unit 32 generates advertisements as search result content.

[0038] The provisioning unit 33 provides the generated search result content to the user terminal 100.

[0039] Next, with reference to Figure 5, an example configuration of the user terminal 100 will be described.

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example configuration of a user terminal 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the user terminal 100 has a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130. The control unit 120 includes an application execution unit 121, an extraction unit 122, a generation unit 123, a display processing unit 124, and a request unit 125. The storage unit 4 stores application information 131 and LLM information 132.

[0041] The communication unit 110 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 110 is connected to a network by wire or wireless connection.

[0042] The control unit 120 is a controller and is implemented by a processor such as a CPU or MPU executing various programs (corresponding to an example of a control program) stored in the storage device inside the user terminal 100 using RAM or the like as a working area. Alternatively, the control unit 120 is a controller and may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC, FPGA, or GPGPU.

[0043] The memory unit 130 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM and flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks and optical discs.

[0044] Application information 131 is information about applications installed on the user terminal 100.

[0045] Figure 6 shows an example of application information 131. As shown in Figure 6, application information 131 includes items such as "Application ID," "Application Content," and "Program Information." When the user terminal 100 downloads an application from the information processing device 1, etc., in accordance with the user's operation, it issues a new application ID and updates the application information 131.

[0046] "App ID" is identification information that identifies the application that user terminal 100 can run. "App Content" is information that indicates the content of the services provided by the app. "Program Information" is information about the app's program.

[0047] LLM information 132 is information about LLMs (Large Language Models) that generate advertising links from search queries. Figure 7 shows an example of LLM information 132. As shown in Figure 7, LLM information 132 includes items such as "Model ID," "Output," and "Model Parameters."

[0048] "Model ID" is identification information that identifies the trained model. "Output" is information that indicates what the model outputs. "Model Parameters" is information that indicates the parameters of the model.

[0049] Next, we will describe the functions of the control unit 120 of the user terminal 100 (application execution unit 121, extraction unit 122, generation unit 123, display processing unit 124, and request unit 125).

[0050] The application execution unit 121 executes the application according to the user's operation. Specifically, the application execution unit 121 reads the program information of the application selected by the user's operation from the application information 131 and executes it.

[0051] The extraction unit 122 extracts search queries from user conversation information in the chat service. For example, the extraction unit 122 trains the LLM with search queries entered by the user when using the search service. In other words, the extraction unit 122 uses the trained LLM to extract search queries that the user has entered in the past from the conversation information. The extraction unit 122 may also train the LLM with search queries entered by the user when they converted to an advertisement displayed in search advertising. In other words, the extraction unit 122 extracts search queries from the conversation information that are likely to display advertisements that will lead to conversion. Note that the conversation information is not limited to the content of what the user has said, but may also include the content of what the user has said to their conversation partner.

[0052] The generation unit 123 generates an ad link that displays an ad based on the extracted search query. Specifically, the generation unit 123 generates an ad link that specifies a URL that identifies the search results screen displayed when a search query is entered in the search service. This search results screen includes an ad linked to the search query. Furthermore, the ad link is not limited to a URL that identifies a search results screen containing an ad, but may also be a URL that identifies an ad page to which the user is redirected when an ad displayed in conjunction with the search query is selected. In other words, the ad link may be a URL that displays at least an ad linked to the search query.

[0053] The display processing unit 124 displays the generated advertising link. For example, the display processing unit 124 displays the advertising link in a chat room with a conversation partner in a chat service. The advertising link is displayed as an utterance by a third party other than the user and the conversation partner. The advertising link is displayed only to the user, of the two parties. The advertising link may also be displayed to the conversation partner if permitted by the user. The advertising link may also be displayed in a way that interrupts the conversation between the user and the conversation partner, or it may be displayed when the conversation between the user and the conversation partner is interrupted (when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the last utterance). The advertising link may also be displayed when the user has given permission for the display of the advertising link.

[0054] The display processing unit 124 displays the search result content. For example, the display processing unit 124 displays the search result content in a chat room with a conversation partner in a chat service. The search result content is displayed as an utterance by a third party other than the user and the conversation partner. The search result content is displayed only to the user, of the two parties. The search result content may also be displayed to the conversation partner if permitted by the user. The search result content may also be displayed in a way that interrupts the conversation between the user and the conversation partner, or it may be displayed when the conversation between the user and the conversation partner is interrupted (when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the last utterance). The search result content may also be displayed when the user has given permission to display the search result content.

[0055] When a user selects an advertising link, the request unit 125 requests the information processing device 1 for the search results associated with the advertising link. Specifically, the request unit 125 sends the URL displayed as the advertising link to the information processing device 1. Alternatively, the request unit 125 may, for example, pre-store search results (excluding advertisements) displayed when the user has previously entered a search query, and request only the advertisements displayed by that search query from the information processing device 1.

[0056] Next, the processing procedure of the user terminal 100 executed according to the embodiment will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the user terminal 100 executed according to the embodiment.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the control unit 120 first executes the chat application (step S101).

[0058] Next, the control unit 120 acquires user conversation information from the chat service provided by the chat application (step S102).

[0059] Next, the control unit 120 extracts a search query from the conversation information (step S103).

[0060] Next, the control unit 120 uses the LLM information 132 to generate advertising links from the extracted search queries (step S104).

[0061] Next, the control unit 120 displays the generated advertising link (step S105) and determines whether the user has selected the advertising link (step S106).

[0062] If an advertising link is selected (step S106: Yes), the control unit 120 displays the search result content transmitted from the information processing device 1 (step S107) and terminates the process. If an advertising link is not selected (step S106: No), the control unit 120 terminates the process.

[0063] Furthermore, some of the processes described as being performed automatically in the above embodiments can be performed manually. Alternatively, 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 various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown.

[0064] 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.

[0065] For example, some or all of the storage unit 4 shown in Figure 3 may be stored in a storage server or the like, rather than being held by each device. In this case, each device obtains various information by accessing the storage server.

[0066] [Hardware configuration] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 and user terminal 100 according to the above-described embodiment are realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a 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 IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0067] 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 executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, 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 is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc.

[0068] Output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010, which output various types of information such as monitors and printers. It is implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and scanners. It is implemented using, for example, USB.

[0069] 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), tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory stick.

[0070] Network IF1080 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to the arithmetic unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic unit 1030 to other devices via network N.

[0071] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 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.

[0072] For example, when computer 1000 functions as an information processing device 1 or a user terminal 100, the arithmetic unit 1030 of computer 1000 realizes the functions of control unit 3 or control unit 120 by executing a program loaded on the primary storage device 1040.

[0073] 〔effect〕 As described above, the terminal device (user terminal 100) according to the embodiment includes an extraction unit 122 that extracts search queries from the user's conversation information in the chat service, a generation unit 123 that generates advertising links that display advertisements based on the extracted search queries, and a display processing unit 124 that displays the generated advertising links in the chat service.

[0074] This configuration allows the user terminal 100 to improve the efficiency of ad delivery.

[0075] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure section of the invention.

[0076] 〔others〕 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 various data and parameters shown in the above document and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown.

[0077] 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.

[0078] Furthermore, each of the processes described in the embodiments above can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content does not contradict each other.

[0079] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" used above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, control unit 3 can be replaced with control means or control circuit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Information Processing Device 2 Communications Department 3. Control Unit 4 Storage section 31 Reception Department 32 Generation part 33 Providing Department 41 User Information 100 user terminals 110 Communications Department 120 Control Unit 121 Application Execution Unit 122 Extraction part 123 Generation part 124 Display Processing Unit 125 Request part 130 Storage section 131 App Information 132 LLM information S Information Processing System

Claims

1. An extraction unit that extracts search queries from user conversation information in a chat service, A generation unit that generates ad links to display ads based on the extracted search queries, A display processing unit that displays the generated advertising link in the chat service and A terminal device equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a request unit that requests advertising content based on the search query from an information processing device when the advertising link is selected by the user. The display processing unit, Display the advertising content transmitted from the information processing device in accordance with the request. The terminal device according to claim 1.

3. The display processing unit, Display search results content that includes the aforementioned advertising content and the search results based on the aforementioned search query. The terminal device according to claim 2.

4. The above search results are, These are the search results from when the aforementioned user previously performed the aforementioned search query. The terminal device according to claim 3.

5. The above search results are, The information processing device, upon receiving a request for the advertising content from the request unit, performs a search based on the search query, and the results are the search results obtained. The terminal device according to claim 3.

6. The display processing unit, Display the search results content at the timing specified by the user. The terminal device according to claim 3.

7. The display processing unit, Share the search results content with the user's conversation partner in the chat service. The terminal device according to claim 3.

8. The display processing unit, If the user grants permission, the search results content will be shared with the conversation partner. The terminal device according to claim 7.

9. The extraction unit is A model trained to take the aforementioned conversation information as input and the aforementioned search query as output is used, and the search query output from the model is used as the extraction result. The terminal device according to claim 1.

10. A control method performed by a terminal device, An extraction process for extracting search queries from user conversation information in a chat service, A generation process that generates ad links that display ads based on the extracted search queries, A display processing step in which the generated advertising link is displayed in the chat service. A control method including

11. Extraction procedure for extracting search queries from user conversation information in a chat service, A generation procedure for generating ad links that display ads based on the extracted search queries, A display processing procedure for displaying the generated advertising link in the chat service. A control program that causes a terminal device to execute a command.

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