Content processing system, content processing method, and content processing program

Abstract

The right to distribute content in each of multiple broadcasts will be acquired through a single bid. [Solution] The ad provider server 100 performs the following actions: S15 to send an ad bidding request; S18 to obtain a bid response in response to the bidding request by S15; S19 to determine, based on the bid response obtained by S18, a first bid that will be awarded for a first ad that fits the first ad slot for first distribution, and a second bid that will be awarded for a second ad that fits the second ad slot for second distribution, which is different from the first distribution; S28 to obtain the first ad image related to the first bid and the second ad image related to the second bid determined by S19; and S30 to distribute a first distribution image based on the first ad image obtained by S28, and a second distribution image based on the second ad image obtained by S28. The printer 200 prints print data based on the first distribution image and prints print data based on the second distribution image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content processing system, a content processing method, and a content processing program that perform a process of distributing content provided by a content provider.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a technique for distributing content is known. A service provider that has received a media purchase request from a user determines the number and size of advertisement information according to an electronic copy of the media received from the content provider, and solicits bids from advertisement information providers. The service provider determines the advertisement information to be inserted into the media for the bids from the advertisement information providers, and transmits the media with the advertisement information inserted to the purchaser.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a content provider wants to distribute content in each of multiple media distributions, it is necessary to participate in and win the bid for the content for each distribution, which is inconvenient.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a content processing system, a content processing method, and a content processing program that can acquire the right to distribute content in each of multiple distributions by a single bid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure relates to the following technologies. The content processing system is a content processing system that outputs content provided by a content provider, and comprises: a first bid request unit that transmits a bid request for the content; a bid acquisition unit that acquires a bid response in response to the bid request by the first bid request unit; a determination unit that determines, based on the bid response acquired by the bid acquisition unit, a first specific bid that will be awarded for a first content that fits into a first content slot for first distribution, and a second specific bid that will be awarded for a second content that fits into a second content slot for second distribution different from the first distribution; a content acquisition unit that acquires a specific first content related to the first specific bid and a specific second content related to the second specific bid determined by the determination unit; a first distribution unit that distributes first distribution data based on the specific first content acquired by the content acquisition unit; a second distribution unit that distributes second distribution data based on the specific second content acquired by the content acquisition unit; and an output unit that outputs data based on the first distribution data in response to receiving the first distribution data distributed by the first distribution unit, and outputs data based on the second distribution data in response to receiving the second distribution data distributed by the second distribution unit.

[0007] In this disclosure, the bid acquisition unit acquires bid responses in response to the bid request in the first bid request unit. Based on the acquired bid responses, the decision unit determines two successful bids, the first specified bid and the second specified bid. The first specified bid is a bid for the first content that fits the first content slot to be distributed in the first distribution, and the second specified bid is a bid for the second content that fits the second content slot to be distributed in the second distribution, which is a different distribution timing from the first distribution. The content acquisition unit acquires two pieces of content related to the two successful bids: Specific Content 1 and Specific Content 2. The 1st distribution unit distributes the 1st distribution data based on Specific Content 1 to the output unit, and the 2nd distribution unit distributes the 2nd distribution data based on Specific Content 2 to the output unit. As a result of the above, if a content provider submits a bid in response to the bidding request and the bid falls under the First and Second Specific Bids, they will obtain the right to distribute two pieces of content, two distribution data based on the First and Second Specific Content, and the First and Second Distribution Data. According to the present disclosure, the right to distribute content in multiple distributions can be acquired in a single bid, thereby improving convenience for content providers.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the content processing method is a content processing method executed by a content processing system that outputs content provided by a content provider, and comprises: a first bidding step of transmitting a bidding request for the content; a bid acquisition step of obtaining a bid response in response to the bidding request in the first bidding step; a decision step of determining, based on the bid response obtained in the bid acquisition step, a first specific bid that is awarded for the first content that fits the first content slot for the first distribution, and a second specific bid that is awarded for the second content that fits the second content slot for the second distribution, which is different from the first distribution; and the content processing method determined in the decision step The system includes: a content acquisition step for acquiring specific first content related to the first specific bid and specific second content related to the second specific bid; a first distribution step for distributing first distribution data based on the specific first content acquired in the content acquisition step; a second distribution step for distributing second distribution data based on the specific second content acquired in the content acquisition step; and an output step for outputting data based on the first distribution data in response to receiving the first distribution data distributed in the first distribution step, and outputting data based on the second distribution data in response to receiving the second distribution data distributed in the second distribution step.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the content processing program causes the computer to execute: a first bidding process that transmits a bidding request for content provided by a content provider; a bid acquisition process that acquires a bid response in response to the bidding request in the first bidding process; a decision process that determines, based on the bid response acquired in the bid acquisition process, a first specific bid that is awarded for a first content that fits into a first content slot for first distribution, and a second specific bid that is awarded for a second content that fits into a second content slot for second distribution, which is different from the first distribution; a content acquisition process that acquires the specific first content related to the first specific bid and the specific second content related to the second specific bid determined in the decision process; a first distribution process that distributes first distribution data based on the specific first content acquired in the content acquisition process; and a second distribution process that distributes second distribution data based on the specific second content acquired in the content acquisition process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, the right to distribute content in each of multiple distributions can be acquired with a single bid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the content processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This sequence diagram illustrates the coordinated control performed by the ad provider server, ad management server, and terminal device when an advertiser sets up the purchase of multiple ad slots. [Figure 3] This is an example of a screen for setting up the purchase of multiple advertising slots displayed on the terminal device's display. [Figure 4] This is an example of an image selection screen displayed on the terminal device's display unit. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the coordinated control performed by the ad delivery server, ad management server, and printer. [Figure 6]It is a sequence diagram showing the control executed in cooperation by an advertisement providing server, an advertisement management server, and a printer. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a pattern in which an advertiser's terminal device transmits an advertisement image file to an advertisement management server and a pattern in which an advertisement providing server acquires an advertisement image file from the advertisement management server. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of information indicating that a plurality of advertisement images are a set. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing another example of information indicating that a plurality of advertisement images are a set. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing that the printing positions of advertisement images on printing paper are the same for each of multiple deliveries. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing that the printing positions of advertisement images on printing paper are the same for each of multiple deliveries. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing a case where advertisement frames related to reserved advertisements after the second time and advertisement frames related to normal advertisements that are not reserved are arranged on one sheet of printing paper. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram showing variations of a notification method from an advertisement providing server to an advertisement management server. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory diagram showing variations of a notification method from an advertisement providing server to an advertisement management server. [Figure 15] It is an explanatory diagram showing variations of a notification method from an advertisement providing server to an advertisement management server. [Figure 16] It is a sequence diagram showing the control executed in cooperation by an advertisement providing server, an advertisement management server, and a terminal device when an advertiser cancels a reserved advertisement frame.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to a content processing system that distributes content provided by a content provider.

[0013] <Overall Configuration of Content Processing System> FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a content processing system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the content processing system 1 includes an advertising server (SSP: Supply Side Platform) 100, a printer 200, a terminal device 300, a user management server (DMP: Data Management Platform) 400, an advertising management server (DSP: Demand Side Plartform) 500, and a terminal device 600. The plurality of servers 100, 400, 500, the printer 200, and the plurality of terminal devices 300, 600 each include a communication unit and can communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT includes one or more of the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication unit may be configured to include a plurality of types of communication circuits for connecting to the network NT. In this case, a device connected to the network NT may communicate with other plurality of devices using different communication circuits. In the present embodiment, a general term for the plurality of types of communication circuits is described as a communication unit.

[0014] <Advertising Server> The ad provider server 100 requests bids for printing advertisements, receives bids in response to the bid request, determines which bids will be awarded, and acquires the advertisement images provided by the winning bidders of the bids determined to be awarded. Specifically, the ad provider server 100 sends an advertisement bid request and receives bid responses in response to the bid request. Based on the acquired bid responses, the ad provider server 100 determines a first bid that will be awarded for the first advertisement that fits the first advertisement slot for the first distribution, and a second bid that will be awarded for the second advertisement that fits the second advertisement slot for the second distribution, which is different from the first distribution. The ad provider server 100 acquires the first advertisement image related to the determined first bid and the second advertisement image related to the second bid, distributes the first distribution image based on the acquired first advertisement image in the first distribution, and distributes the second distribution image based on the acquired second advertisement image in the second distribution. An advertisement is an example of content, the first advertisement is an example of first content, and the second advertisement is an example of second content. Furthermore, the first ad slot is an example of the first content slot, the second ad slot is an example of the second content slot, the first bid is an example of the first specific bid, and the second bid is an example of the second specific bid. Also, the first ad image is an example of specific first content, the second ad image is an example of specific second content, the first delivery image is an example of first delivery data, and the second delivery image is an example of second delivery data.

[0015] The advertising server 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 115, a communication unit 140, etc. A bus 105 connects the control unit 110, the storage unit 115, and the communication unit 140, etc. The storage unit 115 is, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, etc. The storage unit 115 stores various programs 120 and various data 130. The various programs 120 include content processing programs executed by the advertising server 100 as shown in the flows in Figures 2, 5-6, and 16 described later. The various data 130 include the printer ID of the printer 200, user ID, advertising images, etc.

[0016] The control unit 110 is a device that performs data processing, such as a processor like a CPU. The control unit 110 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 115. The control unit 110 performs various processes, including data communication with the printer 200, terminal devices 300 and 600, user management server 400, and advertising management server 500, all connected to the network NT. The communication unit 140 includes hardware such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting to Ethernet. The communication unit 140 is connected to the network NT and communicates with the printer 200, terminal devices 300 and 600, user management server 400, and advertising management server 500. The control unit 110 is an example of a computer.

[0017] <Ad management server> The advertising management server 500 is a server managed and operated by, for example, an advertising company. The advertising management server 500 sends advertising images for printing on the printer 200 to the advertising provision server 100. The advertising management server 500 has a control unit, storage unit, and communication unit, etc., similar to the advertising provision server 100, and receives bid requests from the advertising provision server 100 via the communication unit. Network NT connects the advertising management server 500 to terminal devices 600 or servers of multiple advertisers. The advertising management server 500 has previously acquired information such as advertising images, bid prices indicating the desired purchase price of advertising space, target users to whom the advertising images should be delivered, and purchase setting information for multiple advertising slots from the terminal devices 600, etc., of multiple advertisers. The acquired information is then stored and managed in the storage unit. The control unit of the advertising management server 500 executes an advertising auction and solicits bids in response to a bid request from the advertising provision server 100. The advertising management server 500 acquires bids from advertisers who have responded to the solicitation of bids. The ad management server 500 sends the acquired bids to the ad provider server 100 as a bid response to the bid request. At this time, the ad management server 500 may send bids that meet the bidding conditions included in the bid request as a bid response. The ad provider server 100 receives the bid response sent from the ad management server 500 and selects the most suitable bid from among the bids included in the bid response. For example, the ad provider server 100 selects the bid with the highest price. The ad provider server 100 then retrieves the ad image of the bidder of the selected bid, i.e., the successful bidder, from among the multiple ad images managed by the ad management server 500. The ad provider server 100 sends a distribution image based on the acquired ad image to the printer 200. The printer 200 prints the image based on the received distribution image onto the paper.

[0018] <Printer> The printer 200 prints an image based on the first distributed image when it receives the first distributed image delivered by the advertising server 100, and prints an image based on the second distributed image when it receives the second distributed image delivered by the advertising server 100. The printer 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication unit 260, a printing mechanism 270, etc. The bus 205 connects the control unit 210, the storage unit 215, the display unit 240, the operation unit 250, the communication unit 260, and the printing mechanism 270 to each other. The printer 200 is an example of an output unit, the printing paper is an example of an output medium, and printing is an example of an output.

[0019] The storage unit 215 is, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, etc. The storage unit 215 stores various programs 220 and various data 230. The various programs 220 include, for example, a program that executes the control contents of the printer 200 according to the flow shown in Figures 5 to 6 below. The various data 230 include the aforementioned printer ID, advertising images received from the advertising server 100, etc. The advertising server 100 may store some or all of the above various data in the storage unit 115. Alternatively, one of the printer 200 and the advertising server 100 may store some or all of the original data of the various data, and the other of the printer 200 and the advertising server 100 may store a copy of that original data.

[0020] The control unit 210 is a data processing device, such as a processor like a CPU. The control unit 210 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 215. The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a touch panel, etc., and can display various information. The operation unit 250 is, for example, a keyboard, buttons, etc., and accepts user input. The user can input various instructions to the printer 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication unit 260 is connected to the network NT and can communicate with servers 100, 400, 500 and terminal devices 300, 600.

[0021] The printing mechanism 270 includes a carriage on which a print head is mounted, a motor and belts that drive the carriage, and a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism picks up the printing paper on which the advertising image will be printed from the paper tray and transports it. The printing mechanism 270 forms and prints the image using an inkjet method, ejecting ink from the print head onto the printing paper transported by the transport mechanism.

[0022] The printer 200 has multiple cartridge holders 280, each holding one cartridge 285. The cartridges 285 are cartridges containing multiple ink colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0023] The printing mechanism 270 performs printing while consuming ink from one or more cartridges 285. The cartridge holder 280 is equipped with a reader / writer 290. The reader / writer 290 reads and writes cartridge information to an IC chip provided in the cartridge 285 housed in the cartridge holder 280. For example, the reader / writer 290 detects the type of cartridge 285 housed in the cartridge holder 280 by reading the cartridge information from the IC chip. The printer 200 may also obtain the amount of ink used or remaining ink stored in the IC chip within the cartridge 285 by reading the above information by the reader / writer 290.

[0024] <User's terminal device> The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user of the printer 200, and in this example connects to the network NT via wireless communication. The terminal device 300 can be any suitable terminal other than the printer 200, and may be a tablet PC, notebook PC, desktop PC, etc., in addition to a smartphone. Alternatively, the terminal device 300 may be a portable terminal or a stationary terminal installed in karaoke boxes or various stores for song selection, menu selection, product browsing, etc. The terminal device 300 has a display unit, control unit, operation unit, memory unit, communication unit, etc. (not shown). The memory unit stores various programs. The control unit executes the various programs stored in the memory unit. The user can input various instructions to the terminal device 300 by operating the operation unit.

[0025] <User Management Server> The user management server 400 manages user information via the terminal device 300. The user management server 400 includes a control unit (not shown), a storage unit, a communication unit, and the like.

[0026] <Advertiser's terminal device> The terminal device 600 is, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone owned by the advertiser, and in this example connects to the network NT via wireless communication. The terminal device 600 may also be a tablet PC, notebook PC, desktop PC, etc., in addition to a smartphone. The terminal device 600 has a display unit 640, a control unit 610, an operation unit 650, a storage unit 615, a communication unit, etc. The storage unit 615 stores various programs. The control unit 610 executes the various programs stored in the storage unit 615. The various programs include, for example, a program that executes the control contents of the terminal device 600 according to the flow shown in Figures 2 and 16 described later. The advertiser can input various instructions to the terminal device 600 by operating the operation unit 650.

[0027] Furthermore, a single "server" may constitute each of the above servers 100, 400, and 500, or multiple "servers" may constitute each of the above servers 100, 400, and 500. Alternatively, a single "server" may possess two or more functions from among those servers 100, 400, and 500.

[0028] <Features of the Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, the advertising server 100 requests bids for printing advertisements, receives bids in response to the bidding request, determines which bids to win from the received bids, and acquires the advertisement images provided by the winning bidder of the determined winning bid. However, if an advertiser wants to distribute advertisements over multiple distributions, it is inconvenient because they have to participate in and win the bidding for each advertisement for each distribution. The feature of this embodiment is that the right to distribute advertisements over multiple distributions can be acquired with a single bid. The details of this process will be described below.

[0029] <Settings for advertisers to purchase multiple ad slots> Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the control performed collaboratively by the ad provider server 100, the ad management server 500, and the terminal device 600 when an advertiser sets up the purchase of multiple ad slots. In Figure 2, the entities that execute each process are the control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100, the control unit of the ad management server 500, and the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600.

[0030] In Figure 2, in S1, the ad provider server 100 sends setting screen information for setting up the purchase of multiple ad slots to the terminal device 600.

[0031] In S2, the terminal device 600 displays the purchase settings screen for multiple ad slots on its display unit, based on the settings screen information received from the ad provision server 100.

[0032] In S3, the terminal device 600 accepts the purchase settings for multiple ad slots based on the advertiser's input on the settings screen displayed in S2. The purchase settings for multiple ad slots include setting the delivery interval for multiple deliveries, setting the number of deliveries for multiple deliveries, and setting the delivery timing for multiple deliveries.

[0033] In S4, the terminal device 600 sends the purchase setting information for multiple ad slots received in S3 to the ad management server 500.

[0034] In S5, the advertising management server 500 stores the purchase setting information received from the terminal device 600 in its storage unit and terminates processing.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of a screen for setting the purchase of multiple advertising slots that the terminal device 600 displays on its display in step S2. In the example shown in Figure 3, the setting screen has a pattern setting area 641 for setting the delivery pattern for multiple deliveries and a period setting area 642 for setting the delivery period.

[0036] The pattern setting area 641 is an area that receives input from the advertiser via the operation unit 650 regarding the delivery interval of multiple delivery images. The control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 sets the delivery interval according to the input from the advertiser to the pattern setting area 641. Multiple delivery images include, for example, the first delivery image and the second delivery image if there are two deliveries. The pattern setting area 641 is an area that receives input from the advertiser via the operation unit 650 regarding the delivery timing of multiple deliveries. The control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 sets the delivery timing according to the input from the user to the pattern setting area 641. Multiple deliveries include, for example, the first delivery and the second delivery if there are two deliveries. The control unit 610 of the terminal device 600, which receives input from the advertiser to the pattern setting area 641 and executes settings according to said input, is an example of a delivery interval setting unit and a delivery timing setting unit. The advertiser is an example of a content provider.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the pattern setting area 641 includes, for example, multiple selection buttons 641a for selecting the period unit of the delivery interval, an input field 641b for entering a numerical value for the delivery interval, multiple checkboxes 641c for setting the day of the week, and multiple input fields 641d for entering a numerical value for the delivery time. The selection buttons 641a allow selection of one of the period units: day, week, month, or year. The input fields 641b and 641d allow input of any period and time. In the example shown in Figure 3, the pattern setting area 641 is set to deliver every Wednesday between 13:00 and 15:00.

[0038] The period setting area 642 is an area that accepts input from the advertiser via the operation unit 650 for the period during which multiple delivery images will be delivered. In the period setting area 642, the advertiser specifies the start and end dates, the number of deliveries for multiple deliveries, or that the end date is undecided, and the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 accepts the delivery period. Multiple deliveries include, for example, the first and second deliveries if there are two deliveries. The control unit 610 of the terminal device 600, which receives setting operations from the advertiser for the period setting area 642 and executes the setting of the period according to said setting operations, is an example of a delivery count setting unit.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the period setting area 642 has input fields 642a, 642b, 642c, and a selection button 642d. Input field 642a is for inputting the start date of the delivery period. Input field 642b is for inputting the end date of the delivery period. Input field 642c is for inputting the number of deliveries. The selection button 642d is for selecting "end date undecided". Input fields 642a and 642b allow specifying the start and end dates. Input field 642c allows entering any number of deliveries. The advertiser can set the end of the period as the end date specified in input field 642b, the number of deliveries specified in input field 642c, or an undecided end date specified in the selection button 642d. In the example shown in Figure 3, the period setting area 642 is set to deliver for the period from Wednesday, September 25, 2024 to Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

[0040] Upon the advertiser's operation of the OK button 643, the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 confirms the input contents in the pattern setting area 641 and the period setting area 642, and transmits the confirmed purchase setting information from the terminal device 600 to the advertising management server 500. Upon the advertiser's operation of the Cancel button 644, the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 cancels the input contents in the pattern setting area 641 and the period setting area 642.

[0041] Figure 4 shows an example of an image selection screen for selecting advertising images to be delivered, as one of the purchase settings screens. Users can display the image selection screen in Figure 4 by performing appropriate operations on the purchase settings screen in Figure 3, for example. In the example shown in Figure 4, the image selection screen has a schedule display area 645, a file selection area 646, and a button display area 647. The schedule display area 645 is the area that displays the delivery schedule set on the purchase settings screen in Figure 3. The file selection area 646 is the area for selecting advertising image files for each delivery schedule. The button display area 647 is the area that displays a preview button 647a that displays a preview of the selected advertising image file, and a delete button 647b that deletes the selected advertising image file.

[0042] Advertisers can select an ad image file by operating the select button 646a in the file selection area 646. Advertisers can display a preview of the selected ad image file by operating the preview button 647a in the preview display area 647. Advertisers can delete the selected ad image file by operating the delete button 647b in the preview display area 647. In the example shown in Figure 4, advertisers can set the ad images to be delivered for each Wednesday delivery schedule from September 25, 2024 (Wednesday) to March 12, 2025 (Wednesday), as set on the purchase settings screen in Figure 3.

[0043] Upon the advertiser's operation of the OK button 648, the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 confirms the selection of the advertising image file in the file selection area 646 and sends the selected advertising image file from the terminal device 600 to the advertising management server 500. In this embodiment, sending the advertising image file from the terminal device 600 to the advertising management server 500 is appropriately referred to as "submission". Upon the advertiser's operation of the Cancel button 649, the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 cancels the selection of the advertising image file in the file selection area 646. When the advertiser has selected advertising image files for all delivery dates and operates the OK button 648, the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 submits all advertising image files to the advertising management server 500 in a single batch. In this embodiment, submitting advertising image files related to all delivery dates to the advertising management server 500 in a single batch is appropriately referred to as "batch submission". When an advertiser repeatedly selects advertising image files related to a portion of multiple delivery schedules and operates the OK button 648, the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 submits the advertising image files to the advertising management server 500 each time a delivery schedule is scheduled. In this embodiment, the act of submitting advertising image files related to multiple delivery schedules to the advertising management server 500 each time a delivery schedule is scheduled is appropriately referred to as "submission each time".

[0044] <Content Processing System Control Details> Figures 5 and 6 are sequence diagrams showing the control performed collaboratively by the ad delivery server 100, the ad management server 500, and the printer 200. In Figures 5 and 6, the main entities executing each process are the control unit 110 of the ad delivery server 100, the control unit of the ad management server 500, and the control unit 210 of the printer 200.

[0045] In Figure 5, in S11, the ad provider server 100 determines whether the pre-set delivery time for the ad image has arrived. This determination is made, for example, based on the delivery schedule set by the advertiser on the settings screen in Figure 3, and if the current time matches the said delivery schedule, it is determined that the delivery time has arrived. Alternatively, the ad provider server 100 may determine that the delivery time has arrived if the current time matches a predetermined time before the delivery schedule set by the advertiser, based on the time required from the start of ad bidding until the printing of the delivered ad image is completed. The ad provider server 100 repeats S11 with a No determination until the delivery time arrives, and then proceeds to S12 with a Yes determination once the delivery time has arrived.

[0046] In S12, the ad delivery server 100 obtains information about the destination printer 200 from the storage unit 115. This information includes, for example, the printer ID.

[0047] In S13, the ad provider server 100 identifies one ad slot to be processed. An ad slot is the area on a sheet of paper where the ad image is printed when the printer 200 prints an ad on the paper. There may be one or more ad slots on a single sheet of paper.

[0048] In S14, the ad provider server 100 determines whether the ad slot identified in S13 is a reserved ad slot. A reserved ad slot refers to an ad slot that is included in a set of multiple ad slots that an advertiser has already successfully bid on based on the purchase settings for multiple ad slots set in the settings screen in Figure 3 above. If the ad slot identified in S13 is not a reserved ad slot, the ad provider server 100 determines it is No and proceeds to S15.

[0049] In S15, the ad provider server 100 sends a bidding request for the ad slot identified in S13 to the ad management server 500. The ad provider server 100 sends the bidding request with bidding conditions that allow both a bulk bid for multiple deliveries and an individual bid for a single normal deliveries. Multiple deliveries include, for example, the first and second deliveries if there are two deliveries. The bidding request includes, for example, information about the size of the ad slot identified in S13, a bid price that is equal to or greater than the minimum bid price, that it matches the interests of the printer 200 users, and predetermined conditions such as the delivery interval, delivery time, delivery period, and number of deliveries. S15 is an example of the first bidding step and an example of the first bidding process. The control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S15 is an example of the first bidding request unit.

[0050] In S16, the ad management server 500 performs bidding, which is an auction for advertisements, in response to the bid request received from the ad provision server 100. In the bidding process, the ad management server 500 solicits bids that meet the bidding conditions and predetermined conditions, and acquires bids that respond to the solicitation.

[0051] In S17, the ad management server 500 sends the bid responses from the auction executed in S16 to the ad provider server 100. The bid responses include any bulk bids that satisfy the bidding conditions requested in the bid request. The bid responses also include any individual bids that satisfy the bidding conditions requested in the bid request and are for a single normal delivery. If there are no bids that satisfy the bidding conditions requested in the bid request, the bid responses include information indicating that fact. The bid responses may also include any bulk bids or individual bids that satisfy the bidding conditions and meet the predetermined conditions. In this case, the ad management server 500 includes in the bid responses any bids from the solicited bids whose delivery interval and delivery time, set by the input to the pattern setting area 641 in Figure 3, meet the predetermined conditions. The ad management server 500 also includes in the bid responses any bids whose number of deliveries, set by the input to the period setting area 642 in Figure 3, meets the predetermined conditions.

[0052] In S18, the ad provider server 100 receives a bid response from the ad management server 500 in response to the bid request in S15. The bid response includes information such as the URL of the ad image file. S18 is an example of a bid acquisition step and an example of a bid acquisition process. The control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S18 is an example of a bid acquisition unit.

[0053] In S19, the ad provider server 100 determines the successful bidders based on the bid responses obtained in S18, selecting the bids that meet the successful bid conditions. For example, if the ad provider server 100 decides to accept a combined bid for two deliveries, it will determine a first successful bid for the first ad that fits the first ad slot for the first deliveries, and a second successful bid for the second ad that fits the second ad slot for the second deliveries, which is different from the first deliveries. In this case, the ad provider server 100 may determine the successful first and second bids based on the delivery interval included in the bid responses obtained in S18 and the delivery interval between the first and second deliveries. Alternatively, the ad provider server 100 may determine the successful first and second bids based on the number of deliveries included in the bid responses obtained in S18 and the number of deliveries for multiple deliveries including the first and second deliveries. Furthermore, the ad provider server 100 may determine the winning bids for the first and second bids based on the delivery timings included in the bid responses obtained in S18 and the delivery timings of the first and second deliveries. In the case of a single bid, the first and second bids are considered a single bid. The ad provider server 100 determines the winning bid based on either the bid responses from a single bid or the bid responses from individual bids. S19 is an example of a decision step and an example of a decision process. The control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S19 is an example of a decision unit.

[0054] The winning bid condition is, for example, the highest bid price. If the bid response includes a bulk bid, the ad provider server 100 calculates the price per delivery for the bulk bid and determines which ad to win. For example, if the bid price for individual bids is 15 yen and the bid price for a bulk bid for two deliveries is 20 yen, the bid price per delivery for the bulk bid becomes 10 yen, so the individual bid is selected as the winning bid.

[0055] Furthermore, if the ad provider server 100 wins a bulk bid, it may set a higher minimum bid price per delivery than for a normal individual bid. This is because bulk bids reflect the advertiser's wishes, offer the value of securing ad slots in advance, and incur costs for maintaining reservation slot information. For example, if the bid price for an individual bid is 10 yen and the bid price for a bulk bid for two deliveries is 22 yen, the bid price per delivery in the bulk bid becomes 11 yen. Therefore, if the server simply chooses the higher price, the bulk bid will be awarded. However, for the reasons mentioned above, the server may also decide to award the individual bid. In this case, the ad provider server 100 may apply a correction when awarding the bulk bid. For example, in the above example, the bid price per delivery in the bulk bid of 11 yen may be multiplied by a correction value of 0.9 to become 9.9 yen, and the server may decide to award the individual bid. The ad provider server 100 may change the above correction value depending on the number of deliveries in the bulk bid. For example, you could set the correction value to 0.9 if there are 2 deliveries, and 0.6 if there are 5 deliveries, setting the correction value lower as the number of deliveries increases, thus increasing the price required to win the bid.

[0056] In S20, the ad provider server 100 sends a "hold notification" to the ad management server 500. A "hold notification" is a notification to the advertiser who has submitted a bid that meets the bidding conditions, i.e., the successful bidder, informing them that processing of their bid will be temporarily suspended until the bid is accepted and an invoice notification is sent. If the ad provider server 100 has determined in S19 that a bulk bid for multiple delivery periods will be successful, it will send the hold notifications all at once. Details of the notification method will be described later. The hold notification is a notification that the first and second bids have been determined to be successful in S19. The ad management server 500 sends the received hold notifications to the successful bidder's terminal device 600, etc. If there are multiple bids that meet the bidding conditions, the ad provider server 100 may send multiple hold notifications. The control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S20 is an example of a notification unit.

[0057] In S21, the ad provider server 100 sends a "defeat notification" to the ad management server 500. A "defeat notification" is a notification to advertisers who have submitted bids that do not meet the winning conditions, i.e., non-winning bidders, informing them that their bids will not be accepted because there is another winning bidder. If the ad provider server 100 has determined in S19 above that a bulk bid for multiple distributions has been awarded as a winning bid, it will send defeat notifications all at once. Details of the notification method will be described later. The ad management server 500 sends the received defeat notifications to the terminal devices of the non-winning bidders. If there are multiple bids that do not meet the winning conditions, the ad provider server 100 may send multiple defeat notifications. After S21, the ad provider server 100 proceeds to S26, which will be described later.

[0058] On the other hand, in S14 above, if the ad slot identified in S13 above is a reserved ad slot, the ad provider server 100 determines it as Yes and proceeds to S22. In S22, the ad provider server 100 determines, based on the information about the destination printer 200 obtained in S12, whether the user of the printer 200 is subscribed to a predetermined delivery contract service. The predetermined delivery contract service is, for example, a contract related to an advertising delivery service. If the user has canceled the predetermined delivery contract service, the ad provider server 100 determines it is No and proceeds to S23.

[0059] In S23, the ad provider server 100 performs a refund process to refund the advertiser the payment for the undelivered portion of the reserved ad slots. Specifically, if the prescribed delivery contract for the printer 200 is terminated, the ad provider server 100 refunds part or all of the charges for the undelivered images among multiple delivery images. More precisely, the ad provider server 100 sends a refund notification to the ad management server 500 to the advertiser who won the reserved ad slot, in order to refund the payment for the undelivered portion of the ad slots. Based on the refund notification received from the ad provider server 100, the ad management server 500 sends a refund notification to the relevant advertiser's terminal device 600, etc. Multiple delivery images include, for example, the first delivery image and the second delivery image if there are two deliveries. After S23, the ad provider server 100 terminates its processing.

[0060] On the other hand, in S22 above, the ad delivery server 100 determines Yes if the user is subscribed to a predetermined delivery contract service and proceeds to S24. In S24, the ad provider server 100 determines whether the ad image file for the reserved ad slot for which the delivery date has arrived has been submitted. That is, the ad provider server 100 determines whether the advertiser has sent the ad image file for the reserved ad slot for which the delivery date has arrived from the terminal device 600 to the ad management server 500. For example, the ad provider server 100 accesses the URL of the ad image file for the reserved ad slot and determines whether the ad image file can be obtained at that URL. If the ad image file has not been submitted, the ad provider server 100 determines No and proceeds to S25.

[0061] In S25, the ad provider server 100 performs billing processing to charge advertisers a cancellation fee for reserved ad slots for which ad image files have not been submitted. Specifically, the ad provider server 100 sends a billing notification to the ad management server 500 to the advertiser who won the bid for the reserved ad slot, requesting them to pay a cancellation fee for the ad slot for which ad image files have not been submitted. Based on the billing notification received from the ad provider server 100, the ad management server 500 sends a billing notification to the relevant advertiser's terminal device 600, etc.

[0062] After S25, the ad provider server 100 proceeds to process S15 and sends a bid request to the ad management server 500 for the ad slot in which no ad image file was submitted. In other words, if the ad provider server 100 cannot obtain an ad image because no ad image file was submitted, it requests a re-bid for an alternative ad image to the unobtainable ad image. An example of an alternative ad image is an alternative specific content, and the control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S15 in this case is an example of a re-bid request unit.

[0063] On the other hand, in S24 above, if an advertising image file has been submitted, the advertising server 100 determines it as Yes and proceeds to S26. In S26, the ad provider server 100 sends an ad image request to the ad management server 500 requesting the ad image of the successful bidder who sent a hold notification in S20. Alternatively, the ad provider server 100 sends an ad image request to the ad management server 500 requesting the ad image for a reserved ad slot for which the ad image file was determined to have been submitted in S24. If there are multiple successful bidders, the ad provider server 100 may send multiple ad image requests.

[0064] In S27, the ad management server 500 responds to the ad image request received from the ad provider server 100 and sends the ad image of the winning bidder to the ad provider server 100. For example, if the ad provider server 100 has decided in S19 to win the bid for a combined bid for two distributions, the ad management server 500 sends the first ad image related to the first bid and the second ad image related to the second bid.

[0065] In S28, the ad provider server 100 acquires the ad images sent by the ad management server 500 in S27. For example, if a combined bid for two deliveries is awarded in S19, the ad provider server 100 acquires the first ad image related to the first bid and the second ad image related to the second bid. S28 is an example of a content acquisition step and an example of a content acquisition process. The control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S28 is an example of a content acquisition unit.

[0066] Furthermore, if the ad provider server 100 has determined in S19 that a bulk bid for multiple deliveries has been awarded, and the advertiser has submitted all ad image files to the ad management server 500 in a single batch, then in S28, the ad provider server 100 will acquire multiple ad images in a single batch. That is, for example, depending on whether the first bid and second bid have been determined in S19, the ad provider server 100 will acquire the first ad image and the second ad image in a single batch. On the other hand, if the advertiser submits ad image files to the ad management server 500 before each delivery date, the ad provider server 100 will acquire the corresponding ad images before each delivery date in S28. That is, the ad provider server 100 will acquire the first ad image before the delivery of the first delivery image in S30 described later in the first delivery, and will acquire the second ad image before the delivery of the second delivery image in S30 described later in the second delivery.

[0067] Figure 7 shows the relationship between the patterns of sending advertising image files from the advertiser's terminal device 600 to the advertising management server 500 and the patterns of obtaining advertising image files from the advertising management server 500 by the advertising provider server 100. In Figure 7, the sending of advertising image files from the advertiser's terminal device 600 to the advertising management server 500 is referred to as "submission," and the acquisition of advertising image files from the advertising management server 500 by the advertising provider server 100 is referred to as "download." As shown in Figure 7, there are two patterns for submission: bulk submission, where all advertising image files related to the delivery schedule are submitted at once, and individual submission, where each advertising image file is submitted for each delivery schedule. Similarly, there are two patterns for download: bulk download, where all advertising image files related to the delivery schedule are downloaded at once, and individual download, where each advertising image file is downloaded for each delivery schedule. As shown in Figure 7, when the advertiser performs bulk submission, both bulk download, shown as pattern "1" in Figure 7, and individual download, shown as pattern "3," are possible. On the other hand, if the advertiser submits the ads each time, downloading them individually as shown in pattern "4" in Figure 7 is possible, but bulk downloading as shown in pattern "2" is not possible.

[0068] Returning to Figure 5, in S29, the ad provider server 100 determines whether or not there are any unprocessed ad slots. If there are unprocessed ad slots, the ad provider server 100 determines Yes and returns to S13. In this case, the ad provider server 100 identifies one ad slot to be processed separately in S13 and executes the processes in S14-S15, S19-S26, and S28 again. In this way, once the processes in S14-S15, S19-S26, and S28 have been completed for all ad slots included in the printed paper, the ad provider server 100 determines Yes and proceeds to S30.

[0069] In Figure 6, in S30, the advertising server 100 creates a distribution image based on the advertising image acquired in S28 and sends a print instruction including the created distribution image to the printer 200. For example, if the advertising server 100 has decided in S19 to win a bid for two distributions, in S30 for the first distribution, it distributes the first distribution image based on the first bid to the printer 200, and in S30 for the second distribution, it distributes the second distribution image based on the second bid. The distribution image is distributed to the printer 200. S30 in the first distribution is an example of the first distribution step and an example of the first distribution process. S30 in the second distribution is an example of the second distribution step and an example of the second distribution process. Furthermore, the control unit 110 of the advertising server 100 that executes S30 in the first distribution is an example of the first distribution unit, and the control unit 110 of the advertising server 100 that executes S30 in the second distribution is an example of the second distribution unit. Note that instead of the advertising server 100 creating the distribution image, the advertising management server 500 may create the distribution image and the advertising server 100 may acquire that distribution image. Alternatively, instead of distributing the distribution image to the printer 200, the advertising server 100 may send the page description language for printing the distribution image and the link destination of the distribution image to the printer 200. Note that in S30, the advertising server 100 may distribute the distribution image to the printer 200 via another relay device.

[0070] In S31, the printer 200 receives a print command from the advertising server 100 and prints the distributed image included in the print command onto the paper. For example, if the advertising server 100 has decided in S19 to win a combined bid for two distributions, the printer 200 will print an image based on the first distributed image, which it has received in S30 for the first distribution. The printer 200 will also print an image based on the second distributed image, which it has received in S30 for the second distribution. S31 is an example of an output step. If the print command pertains to multiple distributions, the printer 200 may print information indicating this. For example, if the advertising server 100 delivers the first delivery image based on the first bid or the second delivery image related to the second bid to the printer 200 in S30 above, the printer 200 prints the first advertisement image based on the first delivery image and the second advertisement image based on the second delivery image, along with information indicating that the first advertisement image and the second advertisement image are a set.

[0071] Figures 8 and 9 show specific examples of information indicating that the above set is being printed. In the example shown in Figure 8, it is an example of printing the first advertisement from a reserved advertisement that will be delivered three times. The printer 200 prints the advertisement image Ai along with the information Si indicating that it is part of a set, such as "Reserved advertisement: 1st / 3rd time," on the printing paper S. In the example shown in Figure 9, it is an example of printing a regular advertisement that will be delivered during October and on Wednesdays. The printer 200 prints the advertisement image Ai along with the information Si indicating that it is part of a set, such as "Regular advertisement: Wednesday in October," on the printing paper S. Printing paper S is an example of the output medium.

[0072] Furthermore, in S31, if the printer 200 is issuing print instructions for multiple deliveries, it prints so that the print positions on the paper are the same for each deliverie. For example, if the advertising server 100 sends the first delivery image based on the first bid to the printer 200 in S30 of the first deliverie, and delivers the second delivery image related to the second bid to the printer 200 in S30 of the second deliverie, the printer 200 prints so that the print positions on the paper for the first advertisement image based on the first delivery image and the second advertisement image based on the second delivery image are the same for each other.

[0073] Figures 10 and 11 show examples of printing at the same position as described above. In the examples shown in Figures 10 and 11, four advertising images Ai1 to Ai4 are placed on the printing paper S, of which advertising image Ai1 is an advertising image related to a reserved advertisement with a delivery number of 3 times. The other advertising images Ai2 to Ai4 are advertising images related to regular advertisements that are not reserved advertisements. Figure 10 shows the case where advertising image Ai1 is printed for the first time, and Figure 11 shows the case where advertising image Ai1 is printed for the second time. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the printer 200 prints advertising image Ai1 so that its printing position on the printing paper S is the same upper left position for both the first and second deliveries. In addition, in the examples shown in Figures 10 and 11, the printer 200 prints the text "Reserved Advertisement: * times / 3 times" as information Si indicating that advertising image Ai1 is part of a set near advertising image Ai1.

[0074] Returning to Figure 6, in S32, the printer 200 sends a print success / failure notification to the advertising server 100 indicating whether the print performed in S31 was successful or unsuccessful.

[0075] In S33, the ad provider server 100 determines whether the print success / failure notification received from the printer 200 is a notification indicating "printing successful". If the ad provider server 100 determines that the print success / failure notification indicates "printing successful", it determines Yes and proceeds to S34.

[0076] In S34, the ad provider server 100 sends an invoice to the ad management server 500 to request payment for advertising printing from the advertiser, who is the successful bidder and provided the advertising images included in the distributed images sent to the printer 200 in S30. If the ad provider server 100 has determined in S19 that a bulk bid for multiple distributions has been successfully awarded, it issues the invoice in a single notification. Details of the notification method will be described later. The invoice is a notification of charges for the distribution of the first distributed image and the second distributed image, based on the first and second bids determined in S19, respectively. The part of the control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S34 is an example of a notification unit. The ad provider server 100 requests payment by executing S34. For example, if the ad provider server 100 has determined in S19 that a bulk bid for two distributions has been successfully awarded, it charges for the distribution of the first distributed image and the second distributed image, based on the first and second advertising images, respectively. The part of the control unit 110 of the advertising server 100 that executes S34 is an example of a billing unit.

[0077] In S35, the advertising management server 500 sends a billing notice to the terminal device 600 of the relevant successful bidder based on the billing notice received from the advertising provision server 100.

[0078] In S36, the advertising server 100 stores the distributed image sent to the printer 200 in S30 in the storage unit 115 as a success history, linking it with the printer ID of the corresponding printer 200, the user ID of the corresponding user, the current time information, and the bidding conditions when the advertising image contained in the distributed image was successfully bid on, and then terminates processing.

[0079] On the other hand, in S33 above, if the advertisement server 100 determines it to be No if it is a print success / failure notification indicating "printing failed", it proceeds to S37.

[0080] In S37, the ad provider server 100 executes a refund process to refund the advertiser the amount charged for the portion of the reserved ad slots that failed to print. Specifically, if, for example, in S19 the ad provider server 100 has won a bulk bid for two delivery slots, and the delivery of the first or second delivery image in S30 fails, the ad provider server 100 will refund part or all of the charged amount. More precisely, the ad provider server 100 sends a refund notification to the ad management server 500 to the advertiser who won the reserved ad slots, in order to refund the amount paid for the portion of the reserved ad slots that failed to print. If the ad provider server 100 has won a bulk bid for multiple delivery slots in S19 the ad provider server 100 will send the refund notification all at once.

[0081] In S38, the advertising management server 500 sends a refund notification to the relevant advertiser's terminal device 600, etc., based on the refund notification received from the advertising provision server 100.

[0082] The ad provider server 100 may determine the refund amount in S37 above as follows. For example, consider a case where an advertiser wins a combined bid of 40 yen for two ad deliveries on Monday and Tuesday, and the Monday ad printout is successful, but the Tuesday ad printout fails. In this case, the ad provider server 100 may refund the full amount of the reservation. That is, in the above example, it may refund the full bid price of 40 yen. This method of refund is effective, for example, when multiple ads have related content and the failure to print one ad would invalidate the effects of the other ads, and it is the most honest way to refund the advertiser.

[0083] Furthermore, the ad provider server 100 may refund only for deliveries that failed to print. In other words, regardless of whether the advertisements are sold as a set, the ad provider server 100 may charge for deliveries that were successfully printed and refund for deliveries that failed to print. In this case, the ad provider server 100 will refund the price per delivery, calculated, for example, (winning bid price) ÷ (number of deliveries). In the example above, 40 yen ÷ 2 deliveries = 20 yen will be refunded.

[0084] Furthermore, the ad provider server 100 may refund not only the ad deliveries that could not be printed, but also a portion of the ad deliveries that were successfully printed. This refund method is effective when it can be assumed that the advertising effect of the successfully printed ad was reduced to a certain extent by the ad deliveries that failed to print. In this case, the ad provider server 100 may refund the ad price per delivery multiplied by a predetermined multiplier. For example, if the predetermined multiplier is 50%, in the above example, the full amount of 20 yen for Tuesday's ad that failed to print, plus 10 yen (50% of Monday's ad that was successfully printed), could be added to refund a total of 30 yen. The ad provider server 100 may also predetermine the scope of partial refunds, for example, by refunding 50% only for the two ad deliveries before and after the specified date.

[0085] In the example above, if the first ad print on Monday fails, the ad provider server 100 may determine the refund amount in the same manner as described above. The ad provider server 100 may also notify the advertiser that the Monday ad print failed and accept a free cancellation of the Tuesday ad print.

[0086] In S39, the ad provider server 100 stores the delivered image for which a refund was processed in S37 in the storage unit 115 as a failure history, linking it with historical information such as the bidding conditions, failure reason information, and failure confirmation date and time when the ad image contained in the delivered image was successfully bid on, and then terminates the process.

[0087] Furthermore, if the printing of an advertisement for the first delivery in a multi-delivery campaign fails, or if the printing of a regular advertisement that is not a reserved advertisement fails and payment has not been made, the advertising management server 500 may send a bid cancellation notice in S37 to withdraw the aforementioned successful bid determined in S19. In this case, in S38, the advertising management server 500 will notify the advertiser, who is the successful bidder for the advertisement in question, of the cancellation of the successful bid based on the bid cancellation notice received from the advertising provider server 100.

[0088] Furthermore, if the ad provider server 100 has decided to win the bid for multiple delivery periods in S19, it will execute the control contents shown in Figures 5 and 6 for the timing of the second and subsequent deliveries. In this case, ad slots for the second and subsequent reserved ads and ad slots for regular ads that are not reserved ads may be placed on a single sheet of paper. For example, in the example shown in Figure 12, four ad slots As1 to As4 are placed on the sheet of paper S, of which ad slot As1 is an ad slot for a reserved ad, and the other ad slots As2 to As4 are ad slots for regular ads that are not reserved ads.

[0089] In this case, the ad provider server 100 determines Yes for ad slot As1 in S14, while determining No for each of the ad slots As2 to As4 in S14, and proceeds to S15. The following describes the case where ad slot As2 is the target of processing. The same processing applies to ad slots As3 and As4. In S15, the ad provider server 100 sends a bid request for an ad that fits ad slot As2 to the ad management server 500. An ad that fits ad slot As2 is an example of a third content. In this case, the part of the control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100 that executes S15 is an example of a second bid request unit.

[0090] In S18, the ad provider server 100 obtains a bid response in response to the bid request for an ad that matches the ad slot As2, sent by the ad management server 500 in S15.

[0091] In S19, the ad provider server 100, based on the bid response obtained in S18, determines the winning bid for an ad that fits ad slot As2, which is different from ad slot As1, and will be delivered at the same time as the reserved ad for ad slot As1. Note that this winning bid is an example of a third-party specific bid.

[0092] In S28, the ad provider server 100 retrieves the ad image related to the winning bid determined in S19. This ad image is an example of a specific third-party content.

[0093] In S30, the ad delivery server 100 delivers to the printer 200 the delivery image related to the reserved ad for ad slot As1 and the delivery images based on the ad images that are suitable for each of the ad slots As2 to As4, which were acquired in S28. The delivery image related to the reserved ad for ad slot As1 is an example of the second delivery data, the ad images that are suitable for each of the ad slots As2 to As4 are an example of the specific third content, and the delivery images based on the ad images that are suitable for each of the ad slots As2 to As4 are an example of the third delivery data.

[0094] <How the ad provider server notifies the ad management server> The variations in the notification method from the ad delivery server 100 to the ad management server 500 in S20, S21, S34, etc., will be explained using Figures 13 to 15. Figures 13 to 15 illustrate, for example, the case where a single bid for three delivery periods is selected as the winning bid.

[0095] In the example shown in Figure 13, the ad management server 500 sends a bid response containing the details of a combined bid for three deliveries: delivery 1, delivery 2, and delivery 3, in response to a bid request from the ad provider server 100. The bid response includes information about delivery 1, such as image URL 1, hold notification URL 1, defeat notification URL 1, and billing notification URL 1. The bid response also includes information about delivery 2, such as image URL 2, hold notification URL 2, defeat notification URL 2, and billing notification URL 2. The bid response also includes information about delivery 3, such as image URL 3, hold notification URL 3, defeat notification URL 3, and billing notification URL 3. If the ad provider server 100 determines that the combined bid for the three deliveries is successful, it individually notifies the ad management server 500 of hold notification 1 for delivery 1 using hold notification URL 1, hold notification 2 for delivery 2 using hold notification URL 2, and hold notification 3 for delivery 3 using hold notification URL 3. Furthermore, the ad delivery server 100 individually notifies the ad management server 500 of billing notification 1 for delivery 1 using billing notification URL 1, billing notification 2 for delivery 2 using billing notification URL 2, and billing notification 3 for delivery 3 using billing notification URL 3.

[0096] Although not shown in the diagram, if the ad provider server 100 determines that a bid other than a single bid for three deliveries has been awarded, it individually notifies the ad management server 500 of defeat notification 1 for deliveries using defeat notification URL 1, defeat notification 2 for deliveries using defeat notification URL 2, and defeat notification 3 for deliveries using defeat notification URL 3.

[0097] The ad provider server 100 executes notifications corresponding to deliveries 1, 2, and 3 in a batch, for example, at the time when the delivery image related to delivery 1 is delivered to the printer 200. Alternatively, the ad provider server 100 may execute notifications corresponding to deliveries 1, 2, and 3 at the time each of deliveries 1, 2, and 3 is performed. In this case, the ad provider server 100 executes a hold notification 1 and a billing notification 1, or a failure notification 1, for delivery 1 at the time when the delivery image related to delivery 1 is delivered to the printer 200. The ad provider server 100 also executes a hold notification 2 and a billing notification 2, or a failure notification 2, for delivery 2 at the time when the delivery image related to delivery 2 is delivered to the printer 200. The ad provider server 100 also executes a hold notification 3 and a billing notification 3, or a failure notification 3, for delivery 3 at the time when the delivery image related to delivery 3 is delivered to the printer 200.

[0098] In the example shown in Figure 14, the ad management server 500 sends a bid response containing the details of a bulk bid for three delivery periods: delivery 1, delivery 2, and delivery 3, in response to a bid request from the ad provider server 100. The bid response includes a bulk hold notification URL, a bulk defeat notification URL, and a bulk invoice notification URL as information common to delivery periods 1-3. The bid response also includes image URL 1 as information related to delivery period 1, image URL 2 as information related to delivery period 2, and image URL 3 as information related to delivery period 3. If the ad provider server 100 determines that the bulk bid for the three delivery periods is successful, it notifies the ad management server 500 of a bulk hold notification for delivery periods 1-3 using the bulk hold notification URL. The ad provider server 100 also notifies the ad management server 500 of a bulk invoice notification for delivery periods 1-3 using the bulk invoice notification URL. Although not shown in the diagram, if the ad provider server 100 determines that a bid other than the bulk bid for the three delivery periods is successful, it notifies the ad management server 500 of a bulk defeat notification for delivery periods 1-3 using the bulk defeat notification URL. The ad delivery server 100 executes a batch hold notification and a batch billing notification, or a batch failure notification, for deliveries 1 to 3, for example, at the time when the delivery image related to delivery 1 is delivered to the printer 200.

[0099] In the example shown in Figure 15, the ad management server 500 sends a bid response containing the details of a combined bid for three delivery periods: delivery 1, delivery 2, and delivery 3, in response to a bid request from the ad provider server 100. The bid response includes a combined common notification URL, which is common to delivery periods 1-3 and to each type of notification: hold notification, defeat notification, and billing notification. The bid response also includes image URL1 for delivery 1, image URL2 for delivery 2, and image URL3 for delivery 3. If the ad provider server 100 determines that the combined bid for the three delivery periods is successful, it notifies the ad management server 500 of a combined common notification for delivery periods 1-3 using the combined common notification URL. The combined common notification includes a combined hold notification and a combined billing notification. Although not shown in the diagram, if the ad provider server 100 determines that a bid other than the combined bid for the three delivery periods is successful, it also notifies the ad management server 500 of a combined common notification for delivery periods 1-3 using the combined common notification URL. In this case, the combined common notification includes a combined defeat notification. The ad delivery server 100 executes a common notification for the above deliveries 1 to 3, for example, at the time when the delivery image related to delivery 1 is delivered to the printer 200.

[0100] <Cancellation of reserved ad slots by advertisers> Figure 16 is a sequence diagram showing the control performed collaboratively by the ad provider server 100, the ad management server 500, and the terminal device 600 when an advertiser cancels a reserved ad slot. In Figure 16, the entities that execute each process are the control unit 110 of the ad provider server 100, the control unit of the ad management server 500, and the control unit 610 of the terminal device 600.

[0101] In Figure 16, at S51, the ad provider server 100 sends setting screen information for canceling a reserved ad slot to the terminal device 600.

[0102] In S52, the terminal device 600 displays a settings screen on its display unit for canceling a reserved advertising slot, based on the settings screen information received from the advertising server 100.

[0103] In S53, the terminal device 600 accepts the cancellation of a reserved advertising slot based on the advertiser's input on the settings screen displayed in S52. For example, if a reserved advertising slot includes two deliveries, the terminal device 600 accepts the cancellation of either the delivery of the first or second delivery image. The control unit 610 of the terminal device 600 that executes S53 is an example of a receiving unit.

[0104] In S54, the terminal device 600 transmits the cancellation information received in S53 to the advertising management server 500.

[0105] In S55, the advertising management server 500 updates the reserved advertising slot information based on the cancellation information received from the terminal device 600.

[0106] In S56, the ad management server 500 executes a refund process to return the fees charged to the advertiser for the canceled reserved ad slots, and then terminates the process. At this time, the server may deduct a portion of the fees charged for the canceled slots from the refund to the advertiser, so that the advertiser pays a portion of the fee as a cancellation fee.

[0107] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, the ad provider server 100 obtains a bid response in S18 in response to the bid request sent in S15. Based on the obtained bid response, the ad provider server 100 determines multiple successful bids in S19, such as a first bid and a second bid. The first bid is for a first ad that fits the first ad slot to be delivered in the first delivery, and the second bid is for a second ad that fits the second ad slot to be delivered in the second delivery, which is a different delivery timing from the first delivery. In S28, the ad provider server 100 acquires multiple ad images related to multiple successful bids, such as the first ad image and the second ad image. In S30 of the first distribution, the ad provider server 100 delivers the first distribution image based on the first ad image to the printer 200, and in S30 of the second distribution, it delivers the second distribution image based on the second ad image to the printer 200. As a result, if an advertiser submits a single bid for multiple deliveries in response to a bidding request and wins the bid, they can obtain the right to deliver multiple advertisements at once, for example, two first and second delivery images based on the first and second advertisement images. According to this embodiment, the right to deliver advertisements in multiple distributions can be acquired with a single bid, thereby improving convenience for advertisers.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ad delivery server 100 sends a bid request in S15 with bidding conditions that allow both a bulk bid for multiple delivery periods and individual bids for a single delivery period. This allows for flexible solicitation of bids, regardless of whether they are bulk bids for multiple delivery periods or individual bids for a single delivery period.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 600 accepts input from the advertiser regarding the delivery interval in the pattern setting area 641 of the setting screen displayed on the display unit. This allows the advertiser to set the desired delivery interval for multiple deliveries and place bids.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 600 accepts input from the advertiser for the number of deliveries for multiple deliveries in the period setting area 642 of the setting screen displayed on the display unit. This allows advertisers to set the desired number of deliveries for multiple deliveries and place bids.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 600 accepts the advertiser's setting of the delivery timing for multiple deliveries in the pattern setting area 641 of the setting screen displayed on the display unit. This allows the advertiser to set the desired delivery timing for multiple deliveries and place bids.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the advertising server 100 can deliver images related to regular advertisements that are not reserved advertisements to the printer 200 at the same time as the delivery of images related to reserved advertisements. In S15, the ad delivery server 100 can send a bid request that allows both a bulk bid for multiple deliveries and an individual bid for a single normal deliveries, and in S19, it can award a bid for an ad that fits a normal ad slot different from a reserved ad slot. In S28, the ad delivery server 100 retrieves an ad image that fits a normal ad slot, and in S30, it delivers that image. As a result, according to this embodiment, when the ad delivery server 100 delivers multiple ads using multiple ad slots in S30, if, for example, not all ad slots are filled even when it is time to deliver a reserved ad, it can request bids for regular ads other than reserved ads in the bid request. This allows bidding to be performed only for undecided ad slots without having to perform bids again for ad slots that have already been decided, thereby reducing unnecessary processing.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in response to the advertising server 100 deciding in S19 to have won a bulk bid for multiple deliveries, if the advertiser has submitted all advertising image files in a single batch, the server acquires all the advertising images for multiple deliveries at once in S28. This shortens the time until the advertisement is delivered compared to acquiring the advertising images before each delivery. It also becomes possible to perform processing based on the acquired advertising images, such as ink consumption prediction.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the advertiser submits the ad image file each time before the delivery schedule for each distribution, the ad provider server 100 acquires the ad image in S28 before each of the multiple distributions. This means that the advertiser only needs to prepare the ad image before each distribution.

[0115] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the ad provider server 100 is unable to obtain an ad image for a reserved ad due to the advertiser's failure to submit the ad image, it requests a re-bid for an alternative ad for that ad slot in S15. This prevents the ad slot corresponding to the unobtainable ad image from going to waste and allows for effective utilization.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ad delivery server 100 performs billing for multiple deliveries in a single step (S34). This clarifies the correspondence between bidding and billing, making it easier to manage billing for advertisers.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ad delivery server 100 refunds part or all of the charged fee in S37 if printing fails during multiple delivery attempts. This allows for proper billing management to advertisers and avoids disadvantages for advertisers.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user has already entered into a predetermined distribution contract. If the user cancels the contract during the period of multiple distributions to the printer 200 related to the distribution contract, the advertising server 100 refunds the charges incurred for the undelivered portion in S23. As a result, billing management for advertisers can be properly performed, and disadvantages to advertisers can be avoided.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 600 accepts cancellations of reserved advertising slots by advertisers. This allows advertisers to cancel multiple advertising deliveries even if they have won bids for multiple deliveries.

[0120] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the printer 200 prints corresponding advertising images in each of the multiple deliveries, it also indicates that these advertising images are a set. This makes it possible to show in the print results that the advertising images printed in each of the multiple deliveries are related to each other.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer 200 prints the corresponding advertising images on the paper in each of the multiple deliveries, outputting them at the same position. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the relationship between the advertising images printed in each of the multiple deliveries.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ad delivery server 100 issues a hold notification or billing notification in a batch when it has decided to accept a bid for multiple delivery periods. This reduces the processing load on the ad delivery server 100 when executing the notification process.

[0123] <Variation> This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical concept.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the ad provider server 100 sent a bid request in S15 with bidding conditions that allowed both bulk bids for multiple delivery periods and individual bids for a single delivery period, but is not limited to this. For example, the ad provider server 100 may send a bid request in S15 with the condition that the bid is a bulk bid for multiple delivery periods. In this case, bids can be solicited on the condition of bulk bids for multiple delivery periods, rather than individual bids for a single delivery period. Alternatively, the ad provider server 100 may send a bid request in S15 with the condition that the bid is an individual bid for a single delivery period. In this case, bids can be solicited on the condition of individual bids for a single delivery period, rather than bulk bids for multiple delivery periods.

[0125] In the above embodiment, printing an image based on a distributed image was given as an example of outputting data based on distributed data, but the invention is not limited to this, and an image may also be displayed on a display based on a distributed image.

[0126] Furthermore, although the advertising server 100 was configured as a single device in the above description, multiple devices may work together to perform the function of the advertising server 100.

[0127] Furthermore, the sequence diagrams shown in Figures 2, 5, 6, and 16 are not intended to limit this disclosure to the procedures shown in the above flow chart. Procedures may be added, deleted, or their order changed, as long as they do not deviate from the intent and technical concept of the disclosure.

[0128] In addition to what has already been described above, the methods described in the above embodiments and their variations may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0129] In addition, although not to be exemplified hereby, this disclosure may be implemented with various modifications, provided that it does not deviate from its intended purpose. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0130] 1. Content Processing System 100 Ad Provider Servers 110 Control Unit (Example of a Computer) 200 Printers (an example of an output device) 210 Control Unit 300 terminal devices 400 User Management Server 500 Ad Management Server 600 terminal devices 610 Control Unit (Example of a distribution interval setting unit, distribution timing setting unit, and distribution count setting unit) 641 Pattern setting area 642 Period setting area S Printing paper (an example of the output medium) Information indicating that it is an Si set.

Claims

1. A content processing system that outputs content provided by a content provider, A first bidding request unit that transmits a bidding request for the aforementioned content, A bid acquisition unit that acquires bid responses in response to the bid request issued by the first bid request unit, Based on the bid responses obtained by the bid acquisition unit, a determination unit determines a first specific bid that will be awarded for the first content that fits the first content slot for the first distribution, and a second specific bid that will be awarded for the second content that fits the second content slot for the second distribution, which is different from the first distribution. A content acquisition unit that acquires the specified first content related to the first specified bid and the specified second content related to the second specified bid determined by the aforementioned determination unit, A first distribution unit distributes first distribution data based on the specified first content acquired by the content acquisition unit, A second distribution unit distributes second distribution data based on the specified second content acquired by the content acquisition unit, An output unit that, upon receiving the first distribution data distributed by the first distribution unit, outputs data based on the first distribution data, and upon receiving the second distribution data distributed by the second distribution unit, outputs data based on the second distribution data, A content processing system equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned first bidding request section is: The content processing system according to claim 1, which transmits the bid request, the bid condition being a bulk bid for multiple distributions including the first distribution and the second distribution.

3. The aforementioned first bidding request section is: The content processing system according to claim 1, which transmits the bid request, with the bid condition being individual bids for the first distribution and the second distribution, respectively.

4. The aforementioned first bidding request section is: The bid request is submitted with bidding conditions that allow both a single bid for multiple distributions, including the first and second distributions, and individual bids for each of the first and second distributions. The aforementioned determination unit, The content processing system according to claim 1, which determines the first specific bid and the second specific bid based on either the bid response based on the lump-sum bid or the bid response based on the individual bid.

5. The system further includes a delivery interval setting unit that accepts delivery interval settings from the content provider. The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein the bid acquisition unit acquires bid responses including the distribution interval set by the distribution interval setting unit.

6. The system further includes a distribution count setting unit that accepts the setting of the number of distributions for multiple distributions by the aforementioned content provider, The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein the bid acquisition unit acquires bid responses that include the number of deliveries set by the number of deliveries setting unit.

7. The system further includes a distribution timing setting unit that accepts the setting of distribution timings for multiple distributions, including the first distribution and the second distribution, by the content provider. The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein the bid acquisition unit acquires a bid response that includes a delivery timing set by the delivery timing setting unit.

8. The aforementioned content processing system further, The system includes a second bid request unit that transmits a bid request for a third content different from the second content, The aforementioned bid acquisition unit further, The second bidding request unit obtains a bid response in response to the bidding request, The aforementioned determination unit further, Based on the bid responses obtained by the bid acquisition unit, the third specific bid that will be awarded for the third content, which is suitable for a third content slot different from the second content slot and to be distributed in the second distribution, is determined. The aforementioned content acquisition unit further, The specified third content related to the third specified bid, determined by the aforementioned determination unit, is acquired. The second distribution section is, The content processing system according to claim 1, which distributes the second distribution data and the third distribution data based on the specific third content acquired by the content acquisition unit to the output unit.

9. The aforementioned content acquisition unit, The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein, in accordance with the determination of the first specific bid and the second specific bid by the determination unit, the specific first content and the specific second content are acquired together.

10. The aforementioned content acquisition unit, The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first distribution unit acquires the specific first content before distributing the first distribution data, and the second distribution unit acquires the specific second content before distributing the second distribution data.

11. The content processing system according to claim 10, further comprising a re-bidding request unit that requests a re-bidding for alternative specific content to replace the specific content that could not be acquired if the content acquisition unit is unable to acquire the specific first content or the specific second content.

12. The content processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a billing unit that charges for the distribution of the first distribution data and the second distribution data based on the specific first content and the specific second content determined by the determination unit.

13. The content processing system according to claim 12, wherein if the distribution of the first distribution data by the first distribution unit or the distribution of the second distribution data by the second distribution unit fails, the billing unit refunds part or all of the charged fee.

14. The content processing system according to claim 12, wherein if a prescribed distribution contract is terminated, the billing unit refunds part or all of the charges for the undistributed distribution data among the first distribution data and the second distribution data.

15. The content processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a reception unit for receiving cancellations of the distribution of the first distribution data or the distribution of the second distribution data.

16. The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a first image based on the first distribution data and a second image based on the second distribution data, along with information indicating that the first image and the second image are a set.

17. The content processing system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs such that the output position on the output medium is the same for the first image based on the first distribution data and the second image based on the second distribution data.

18. The content processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that collectively notifies that the determination unit has determined the specified first content and the specified second content, or notifies of charges for the distribution of the first distribution data and the second distribution data based on the specified first content and the specified second content determined by the determination unit.

19. A content processing method executed by a content processing system that outputs content provided by a content provider, A first bidding step involves submitting a request for bidding on the aforementioned content, A bid acquisition step to obtain a bid response in response to the bid request in the first bidding step, Based on the bid responses obtained in the bid acquisition step, a decision step is made to determine a first specific bid that will be awarded for the first content that fits the first content slot for the first distribution, and a second specific bid that will be awarded for the second content that fits the second content slot for the second distribution, which is different from the first distribution. A content acquisition step in which the specified first content related to the first specified bid and the specified second content related to the second specified bid determined in the aforementioned decision step are acquired, A first distribution step which distributes first distribution data based on the specified first content acquired in the content acquisition step, A second distribution step which distributes second distribution data based on the specific second content acquired in the content acquisition step, An output step which outputs data based on the first distribution data in response to receiving the first distribution data distributed in the first distribution step, and outputs data based on the second distribution data in response to receiving the second distribution data distributed in the second distribution step, A content processing method having the following characteristics.

20. For computers, The first bidding process involves submitting a bidding request for content provided by the content provider, A bid acquisition process that acquires a bid response in response to the bid request in the first bidding process, Based on the bid responses obtained in the bid acquisition process, a decision process is performed to determine a first specific bid that will be awarded for the first content that fits the first content slot for the first distribution, and a second specific bid that will be awarded for the second content that fits the second content slot for the second distribution, which is different from the first distribution. A content acquisition process that acquires the specified first content related to the first specified bid and the specified second content related to the second specified bid determined in the aforementioned determination process, A first distribution process that distributes first distribution data based on the specific first content acquired in the content acquisition process, A second distribution process that distributes second distribution data based on the specific second content acquired in the content acquisition process, A content processing program to execute [the specified action].

Images