Server device, service providing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server device or the like that enables a user to experience a service without violating a usage agreement even before user registration. [Solution] A determination unit 241 determines whether or not a user terminal has signed in to a service. If it is determined that the user terminal has signed in, an acquisition unit 242 acquires regular location information indicating the location of the user terminal, and if it is determined that the user terminal has not signed in, an acquisition unit 242 acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal. A generation unit 243 generates content (for example, a digital flyer) based on the regular location information or the dummy location information. An addition unit 244 adds notification information to the content that notifies the user that the content is based on dummy location information only if it is determined that the user has not signed in. A presentation unit 245 presents the content generated by the generation unit 243 or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit 244 to the user terminal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a service providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various services that can provide a user terminal with content carefully selected according to the user's current location have become widespread. For example, in a service that provides digital flyers (electronic flyers) informing users of special sales at actual stores, location information indicating the current location of the user terminal is obtained from the user terminal or a communication infrastructure (for example, a mobile communication base station). Based on the location information, nearby stores are identified, and digital flyers for the identified stores are provided to the user terminal.

[0003] As an example of such a service, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of an information processing system that can provide product prices in a comparative manner for digital flyers from multiple stores close to the current location of a user terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-18266 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to use services that utilize the location information of a user (user terminal), including the information processing system described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, it is necessary for the user to agree to the terms of use from the perspective of protecting personal information. For example, when a service is provided through a dedicated app (application), when a user registers through the dedicated app, the user is presented with terms of use that state that location information of the user's device will be acquired in order to provide the service. By agreeing to these terms of use, user registration is completed, and the user who signs in through the dedicated app can use the service.

[0006] Before registering as a user, many users wanted to try out the dedicated app to get a feel for what the actual service was like. However, as mentioned above, at present, users cannot experience the service using the dedicated app unless they register as a user (sign in).

[0007] As a result, many users installed the dedicated app on their devices, but when they realized that they could not experience the service with that alone, they deleted the dedicated app without registering as a user, which prevented the service from becoming more widespread.

[0008] Given this situation, there was a need for technology that would allow users to experience the service even before they registered (even if they were not signed in) without violating the terms of use, thereby encouraging them to register.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a server device, a service providing method, and a program that allow a user to experience a service without violating the terms of use even before user registration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A server device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A server device that provides a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, a determination unit that determines whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition unit that acquires regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has signed in, and acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has not signed in; a generation unit that generates content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an adding unit that adds, to the content generated by the generating unit, notification information that notifies the user that the content is based on the dummy location information only when the determining unit determines that the user has not signed in; a presentation unit that presents, on the user terminal, the content generated by the generation unit or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0011] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The acquisition unit may acquire, as the dummy location information, location information randomly selected from a predetermined location information group.

[0012] In addition, the server device according to the above aspect comprises: A reception unit that receives a designated area designated from the user terminal, The acquisition unit may acquire, as the dummy location information, location information corresponding to the designated area accepted by the acceptance unit.

[0013] In addition, the server device according to the above aspect comprises: a counting unit that counts the frequency of each designated area that has been accepted by the accepting unit within a recent predetermined period, The acquisition unit may select one of the designated areas based on a result of the counting by the counting unit, and acquire location information indicating the selected designated area as the dummy location information.

[0014] A service providing method according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: A service providing method executed by a server device that provides a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, comprising the steps of: a determination step of determining whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition step of acquiring regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when it is determined in the determination step that the user terminal has signed in, and acquiring dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when it is determined in the determination step that the user terminal has not signed in; a generating step of generating content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired in the acquiring step; an adding step of adding, to the content generated in the generating step, notification information notifying that the content is based on the dummy location information only when it is determined in the determining step that the user has not signed in; a presenting step of presenting, to the user terminal, the content generated in the generating step or the content to which the notification information is added in the adding step; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0015] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: A computer that provides a service that allows users to sign in from their terminals, a determination unit that determines whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition unit that acquires regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has signed in, and acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has not signed in; a generation unit that generates content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an adding unit that adds, to the content generated by the generating unit, notification information notifying the user that the content is based on the dummy location information only when the determining unit determines that the user has not signed in; a presentation unit that presents, on the user terminal, the content generated by the generation unit or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit; The present invention is characterized in that it functions as a

[0016] The above program may be distributed or sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. Furthermore, the information recording medium on which the above-mentioned program is recorded is a non-transitory recording medium, and can be distributed and sold independently of a computer. Here, the non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of non-transitory recording media include compact discs, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, and semiconductor memories. Also, the transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagation signal) itself. Examples of the transitory recording medium include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. In addition, the temporary storage area refers to an area for temporarily storing data and programs, and is, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a user can experience a service even before user registration without violating the terms of use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a typical information processing device in which a server device or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention is realized; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of flyer management information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of session management information. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a flyer screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a flyer screen to which notice information has been added. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a digital flyer distribution process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a selection screen. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a digital flyer distribution process according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiment of the present invention, a digital flyer (electronic flyer) will be described as an example of content provided in response to location information, but the present invention is not limited to such digital flyers and can be applied to cases where other content such as local news, local topics, and local songs are provided in response to location information. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, a case where a dedicated app (application) is used to present content on a user terminal will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to cases where a general-purpose app such as a browser is used instead of such a dedicated app. In other words, the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0020] (Overall composition) The information providing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system for realizing a service that provides users with content (as an example, a digital flyer) according to location information, and is configured to include a server device 200 and a user terminal 300, as shown in FIG. 1. The server device 200 and the user terminal 300 are communicatively connected via the Internet 900. Although only a few user terminals 300 are shown in Fig. 1, this is for ease of understanding of the invention, and in reality, a huge number of user terminals 300 are included depending on the number of users.

[0021] The server device 200 is, for example, a computer for a server, and acquires location information of a signed-in user terminal 300, and provides the user terminal 300 with digital flyers of stores in the vicinity of the user terminal 300. Note that, as will be described later, the server device 200 does not acquire location information of the user terminal 300 from a user terminal 300 that has not signed in, but acquires location information indicating a dummy location, and provides the user terminal 300 with digital flyers of stores in the vicinity of the dummy location.

[0022] The user terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, and is used by a user who wishes to use a digital flyer service. As will be described later, in the case where location information of the user terminal 300 is obtained from a mobile communication base station or the like, the user terminal 300 may be a tablet terminal or a notebook PC (Personal Computer) not equipped with a GPS function. A dedicated application for viewing digital flyers is installed in the user terminal 300. It is assumed that the users who use the user terminal 300 include both users who have agreed to the terms of use and completed user registration, and users who have not completed user registration (have not agreed to the terms of use). Therefore, a user who has completed user registration can use the service after starting the dedicated app on the user terminal 300 and signing in. On the other hand, a user who has not completed user registration can use the service after starting the dedicated app on the user terminal 300 and not signing in.

[0023] (General configuration of information processing device) A typical information processing device 400 in which the server device 200 according to the present embodiment is realized will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 404, an image processing unit 405, an audio processing unit 406, an auxiliary memory unit 407, an interface 408, an operation unit 409, a display unit 410, and a positioning unit 411.

[0025] A CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 400, and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data.

[0026] The ROM 402 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after power is turned on. When this IPL is executed, a program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 407 is read into the RAM 403 and execution of the program by the CPU 401 begins.

[0027] The RAM 403 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407, as well as other data necessary for communication.

[0028] The NIC 404 is used to connect the information processing device 400 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and may be configured as a 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used in constructing a LAN (Local Area Network), an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, or the like.

[0029] The image processing unit 405 processes image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like using an image calculation processor (not shown) provided in the CPU 401 or the image processing unit 405, and then records the processed image data in a frame memory (not shown) provided in the image processing unit 405. The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronous timing, and is output to the display unit 410 via the interface 408 or the like. In other words, under the control of the CPU 401, the image processing unit 405 generates images required in the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 400, and causes the display unit 410 to display the images.

[0030] The audio processing unit 406 converts audio data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like into an audio signal, and outputs it to an external speaker via the interface 408. In other words, under the control of the CPU 401, the audio processing unit 406 generates audio to be generated during the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 400, and outputs the audio from the speaker.

[0031] The auxiliary storage unit 407 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and various data necessary for controlling the operation of the entire information processing device 400. For example, the auxiliary storage unit 407 stores a program for realizing the server device 200 according to the present embodiment. Then, under the control of the CPU 401, the auxiliary storage unit 407 appropriately reads out the stored programs and data, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 403 or the like.

[0032] An operation unit 409 and a display unit 410 are connected to the interface 408. Note that the interface 408 may also transmit and receive necessary information to and from other connected external devices.

[0033] The operation unit 409 accepts operation inputs from an operator or the like who uses the information processing device 400 .

[0034] The display unit 410 renders an image according to the image data output by the image processing unit 405 and displays it to an operator or the like who uses the information processing device 400 .

[0035] The positioning unit 411 receives, for example, GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites, and measures the current position of the information processing device 400 at each predetermined timing. Instead of using such a GPS signal, the positioning unit 411 may measure the current position of the information processing device 400 using the radio wave strength (reception strength, etc.) from a plurality of base stations.

[0036] Additionally, the information processing device 400 may include a drive unit such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM instead of the auxiliary storage unit 407. In this case, the information processing device 400 reads out programs and data from a DVD-ROM or the like that is loaded into the drive unit, and operates in the same manner as described above.

[0037] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the server device 200 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 7. This server device 200 is realized by the above-mentioned information processing device 400. For example, when the information processing device 400 is powered on, a program that causes the information processing device 400 to function as the server device 200 is executed, and the server device 200 according to the first embodiment is realized. Similarly, the user terminal 300 is realized by an information processing device 400, but a description thereof will be omitted and the server device 200, which is the most characteristic feature of the first embodiment, will be described below.

[0038] (Functional configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment) 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server device 200 according to embodiment 1. As shown in the figure, the server device 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0039] The receiving unit 210 receives various information sent from the user terminal 300 . For example, the receiving unit 210 receives request information sent from the user terminal 300 requesting a flyer screen (a screen for viewing a digital flyer).

[0040] The above-mentioned NIC 404 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 210.

[0041] The transmitting unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 240 and transmits necessary information to the user terminal 300 . For example, the transmission unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 240 (the presentation unit 245 described later) to transmit a flyer screen to the user terminal 300.

[0042] The above-mentioned NIC 404 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 220.

[0043] The storage unit 230 stores various information for providing a digital flyer to the user terminal 300. For example, the storage unit 230 stores flyer management information 231 and session management information 232.

[0044] First, flyer management information 231 is information for managing digital flyers to be distributed according to location information (either regular location information described later or dummy location information). Specifically, flyer management information 231 includes flyer ID 231a, distribution period 231b, distribution destination 231c, and store ID 231d, as shown in FIG.

[0045] The flyer ID 231a is identification information for identifying the digital flyer. The data constituting the digital flyer is stored in the storage unit 230 in association with the flyer ID 231a.

[0046] The distribution period 231b is information that specifies the period (start date and end date) during which the digital flyer is distributed. The distribution period 231b may also include the start time and end time.

[0047] Distribution destination 231c is information that specifies the target area to which the digital flyer is distributed. Note that instead of specifying an area in this way, distribution destination 231c may be an area specified by latitude and longitude (for example, a rectangular area or a circular area).

[0048] The store ID 231d is identification information for identifying a store that requests distribution of a digital flyer. It is assumed that information about such a store is also stored in the storage unit 230 in association with the store ID 231d.

[0049] Next, the session management information 232 is information for managing a series of communications between the user terminal 300 and the server device 200. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the session management information 232 includes a session ID 232a, a user ID 232b, an authentication status 232c, a regular position 232d, and a dummy position 232e.

[0050] The session ID 232a is identification information for identifying a session between the user terminal 300 and the server device 200. The session ID 232a is assigned when a session between the user terminal 300 and the server device 200 is established.

[0051] The user ID 232b is identification information for identifying a user who has registered. Since an ID is not given to a user who has not registered, the user ID 232b is left blank. Even if a user has registered, the user ID 232b is left blank if the user has not signed in. Moreover, information on the user who has performed user registration is stored in the storage unit 230 in association with this user ID 232b.

[0052] The authentication status 232c is information indicating whether the user is signed in. For example, when the user is authenticated by the ID and password input from the user terminal 300 where the user registration has been performed, the authentication status 232c becomes "signed in."

[0053] The regular location 232d is location information indicating the current location of the user terminal 300. For example, location information acquired from the user terminal 300 by the control unit 240 (the acquisition unit 242 described later) is set in this regular location 232d.

[0054] The dummy position 232e is position information different from (unrelated to) the actual current position of the user terminal 300. For example, position information randomly acquired from a predetermined group of position information by the control unit 240 (the acquisition unit 242 described later) is set to this dummy position 232e.

[0055] In addition, the storage unit 230 stores data (images, text, etc.) that constitutes a digital flyer. The storage unit 230 also stores a group of position information (for example, a collection of standard position information corresponding to each region) used to select a dummy position, which will be described later. Furthermore, the storage unit 230 also stores a dummy position flag for determining whether or not the position is a dummy position, which will be described later.

[0056] The above-mentioned auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like can function as such a storage unit 230.

[0057] 3, the control unit 240 controls the entire server device 200. The control unit 240 includes, for example, a determination unit 241, an acquisition unit 242, a generation unit 243, an addition unit 244, and a presentation unit 245.

[0058] The determination unit 241 determines whether or not the user terminal 300 has already signed in to a service that distributes digital flyers. For example, the discrimination unit 241 refers to the session management information 232 shown in FIG. 5 described above, and determines that the user terminal 300 has signed in if “Signed in” is set in the authentication status 232c in a session with the user terminal 300 (corresponding to the session ID 232a), and determines that the user terminal 300 has not signed in if “Signed in” is not set (if the field is blank, etc.). In addition, when the authentication status 232c is not managed in the session management information 232 shown in FIG. 5, the discrimination unit 241 may determine whether or not the user terminal 300 has signed in depending on whether or not the user ID 232b is blank.

[0059] The acquisition unit 242 acquires location information regarding the user terminal 300 . For example, when the determination unit 241 determines that the user terminal 300 has signed in, the acquisition unit 242 acquires location information (regular location information) indicating the current location of the user terminal 300 from the user terminal 300. Note that the acquisition unit 242 may acquire the location information of the user terminal 300 not from the user terminal 300 but from a base station of mobile communication or the like. Furthermore, when the determining unit 241 determines that the user terminal 300 has not signed in (has not signed in), the acquiring unit 242 acquires dummy location information. For example, location information randomly selected from a group of location information (for example, a collection of standard location information corresponding to each region) stored in the storage unit 230 is acquired as the dummy location information.

[0060] The generation unit 243 generates a flyer screen based on the location information (either regular location information or dummy location information) acquired by the acquisition unit 242. For example, when the generation unit 243 identifies the area corresponding to the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 242, it refers to the flyer management information 231 shown in Figure 4 described above, reads out flyer data from the memory unit 230 in which the identified area is included in the distribution destination 231c and today is in the distribution period 231b, and generates a flyer screen. Specifically, the generating unit 243 generates a flyer screen TG1 as shown in Fig. 6. In this flyer screen TG1, nearby stores are shown by icons IC1 to IC3, and recommended products are shown by product information SJ. Note that the product information SJ in Fig. 6 shows recommended products at the store (XX Electric) of icon IC2, but when icon IC1 or icon IC2 is touched, it switches to recommended products at the store that was touched.

[0061] Returning to Figure 3, only when the above-mentioned discrimination unit 241 determines that the user has not signed in, the addition unit 244 adds notification information to the flyer screen generated by the above-mentioned generation unit 243, informing the user that the position is based on a dummy position. Specifically, the adding unit 244 adds the notification information KJ to a flyer screen TG2 as shown in Fig. 7. Note that the notification information KJ shown in Fig. 7 is an example, and other text may be used to notify that the position is based on the dummy position. The adding unit 244 may also notify that the position is based on the dummy position by changing the saturation or brightness of the flyer screen TG2.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 3, the presentation unit 245 presents, to the user terminal 300, the flyer screen generated by the generation unit 243 described above, or the flyer screen to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit 244 described above. That is, when a flyer screen is generated based on regular location information, the presentation unit 245 presents a flyer screen TG1 as shown in Fig. 6 to the user terminal 300. Conversely, when a flyer screen is generated based on dummy location information, the presentation unit 245 presents a flyer screen TG2 to which notification information KJ is added as shown in Fig. 7 to the user terminal 300.

[0063] The above-mentioned CPU 401 and the like can function as the control unit 240 having such a configuration.

[0064] (Operation of the Server Device According to the First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the operation of server device 200 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of digital flyer distribution processing executed by server device 200. This digital flyer distribution processing is started in response to an access from user terminal 300, for example.

[0065] First, the server device 200 determines whether or not a flyer screen has been requested by the user terminal 300 (step S11). That is, the control unit 240 determines whether or not a flyer screen has been requested by the user terminal 300 that is executing the dedicated application. When the server device 200 determines that there has been no request for the flyer screen from the user terminal 300 (step S11; No), the server device 200 waits until there is a request for the flyer screen.

[0066] On the other hand, when it is determined that a request for a flyer screen has been made from the user terminal 300 (step S11; Yes), the server device 200 determines whether or not the user has signed in (step S12). For example, the control unit 240 (discrimination unit 241) refers to the session management information 232 shown in FIG. 5, and determines that the user has signed in if “Signed in” is set in the authentication status 232c in a session with the user terminal 300, and determines that the user has not signed in if “Signed in” is not set.

[0067] When the server device 200 determines that the user terminal 300 has signed in (step S12; Yes), it turns off the dummy position flag (step S13). In other words, since the user has signed in (has agreed to the terms of use and has registered as a user), the control unit 240 resets the dummy position flag and sets the state to one in which the dummy position information is not used (the regular position information is used).

[0068] The server device 200 acquires the location information from the user terminal 300 (step S14). That is, the control unit 240 (acquisition unit 242) acquires location information (regular location information) indicating the current location of the user terminal 300 from the user terminal 300. Note that the control unit 240 may acquire the location information of the user terminal 300 not from the user terminal 300 but from a base station for mobile communication or the like.

[0069] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S12 that the user terminal 300 has not signed in (step S12; No), the server device 200 turns on the dummy location flag (step S15). That is, since the user has not signed in (since it is considered that the user has not agreed to the terms of use and has not completed user registration), the control unit 240 sets the dummy location flag and makes the state in which dummy location information is used.

[0070] The server device 200 acquires randomly selected location information (step S16). That is, the control unit 240 (acquisition unit 242) acquires location information randomly selected from the group of location information stored in the storage unit 230 as dummy location information.

[0071] The server device 200 identifies the area corresponding to the location information (step S17). That is, the control unit 240 specifies which area the location information (either regular location information or dummy location information) acquired in step S14 or step S16 described above corresponds to.

[0072] The server device 200 collects flyer data that matches the distribution period and distribution destination from the storage unit 230, and generates a flyer screen (step S18). For example, the control unit 240 (generation unit 243) refers to the flyer management information 231 shown in FIG. 4, reads out from the memory unit 230 flyer data in which the area identified in step S17 above is included in the distribution destination 231c and today is in the distribution period 231b, and generates a flyer screen. Specifically, the control unit 240 generates a flyer screen TG1 as shown in FIG.

[0073] The server device 200 determines whether the dummy position flag is ON or not (step S19). That is, the control unit 240 determines whether or not dummy position information is being used.

[0074] If the server device 200 determines that the dummy position flag is not ON (is OFF) (step S19; No), the server device 200 advances the process to step S21, which will be described later.

[0075] On the other hand, when it is determined that the dummy position flag is ON (step S19; Yes), the server device 200 adds notification information to the flyer screen (step S20). That is, the control unit 240 (addition unit 244) adds notification information notifying that the position is based on a dummy position to the handbill screen generated in step S18 above. Specifically, the control unit 240 adds notification information KJ to a flyer screen TG2 as shown in Fig. 7. Note that the notification information KJ shown in Fig. 7 is an example, and other text may be used to notify that the display is based on the dummy position. The control unit 240 may also change the saturation or brightness of the flyer screen TG2 to notify that the display is based on the dummy position.

[0076] The server device 200 presents the flyer on the user terminal 300 (step S21). That is, the control unit 240 (presentation unit 245) presents to the user terminal 300 the flyer screen as it was generated in the above-mentioned step S18, or the flyer screen to which the notification information has been added in the above-mentioned step S20. That is, when a flyer screen is generated based on regular location information, the control unit 240 presents a flyer screen TG1 as shown in Fig. 6 to the user terminal 300. Conversely, when a flyer screen is generated based on dummy location information, the control unit 240 presents a flyer screen TG2 to which notification information KJ is added as shown in Fig. 7 to the user terminal 300.

[0077] This kind of digital flyer distribution process allows users who have not yet registered to try out the dedicated app to get a feel for what the actual digital flyer service is like. In this case, the location information of the user (user device) is not used, so the service can be provided without violating the terms of use. This is expected to encourage users who experience the service and are convinced to register.

[0078] As a result, even before user registration, the user can experience the service without violating the terms of use.

[0079] (Embodiment 2) In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, we have described the case where the server device 200 randomly selects from a predetermined group of location information when a user is not signed in, but it is also possible to allow a user who is not signed in to freely select a region (dummy location). A second embodiment will be described below, which is characterized in that a user who is not signed in can arbitrarily specify a region.

[0080] (Functional configuration of the server device according to the second embodiment) 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server device 200 according to embodiment 2. As shown in the figure, the server device 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 250. The receiving unit 210, the transmitting unit 220, and the storage unit 230 have the same configuration as the server device 200 shown in FIG.

[0081] The control unit 250 includes, for example, a determination unit 241, a reception unit 251, an acquisition unit 252, a generation unit 243, an addition unit 244, and a presentation unit 253. The determination unit 241, the generation unit 243, and the addition unit 244 have the same configuration as the control unit 240 shown in FIG.

[0082] The receiving unit 251 receives an area selected arbitrarily from the user terminal 300 . For example, when the determining unit 241 determines that the user has not signed in, the presenting unit 253 presents a selection screen on the user terminal 300, and the accepting unit 251 accepts the region selected on the selection screen. Specifically, the presenting unit 253 presents a selection screen SG as shown in Fig. 10 to the user terminal 300. In this selection screen SG, for example, cities and wards are indicated by icons IC4 to IC6, and each area constituting the city or ward is indicated by area information TJ. Note that the area information TJ in Fig. 10 indicates seven areas (areas A to F) constituting the city or ward (XX city) of icon IC5, but when icon IC4 or icon IC6 is touched, it is switched to the area constituting the city or ward that was touched. Then, when the selection button BT of any of the regions in the region information TJ is touched, the reception unit 251 receives it as the region selected from the user terminal 300.

[0083] 9, when the determination unit 241 determines that the user terminal 300 has signed in, the acquisition unit 252 acquires location information (regular location information) indicating the current location of the user terminal 300 from the user terminal 300, similar to the acquisition unit 242 in Fig. 3. Note that the acquisition unit 252 may acquire the location information of the user terminal 300 from a mobile communication base station or the like, instead of from the user terminal 300. Furthermore, when the determining unit 241 determines that the user terminal 300 has not signed in, the acquiring unit 252 acquires standard location information corresponding to the area accepted by the accepting unit 251 described above.

[0084] As described above, when the determining unit 241 determines that the user has not signed in, the presenting unit 253 presents a selection screen SG as shown in FIG. In addition, presentation section 253, like presentation section 245 in FIG. 3, presents, to user terminal 300, the flyer screen generated by generation section 243 or the flyer screen to which notification information has been added by addition section 244.

[0085] The above-mentioned CPU 401 and the like can function as the control unit 250 having such a configuration.

[0086] (Operation of the Server Device According to the Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, the operation of server device 200 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of digital flyer distribution processing executed by server device 200. Note that the digital flyer distribution processing in Fig. 11 is obtained by deleting step S16 from the digital flyer distribution processing shown in Fig. 8 described above, and instead adding steps S31 to S33. Therefore, in the following explanation, processing that is the same as the digital flyer distribution processing in Fig. 8 will be described briefly.

[0087] First, the server device 200 determines whether or not a request for a flyer screen has been made from the user terminal 300 (step S11), and if it determines that a request for a flyer screen has not been made (step S11; No), it waits until a request for a flyer screen is made.

[0088] On the other hand, when it is determined that a request for a flyer screen has been made from the user terminal 300 (step S11; Yes), the server device 200 determines whether or not the user has signed in (step S12).

[0089] When the server device 200 determines that the user terminal 300 has signed in (step S12; Yes), it turns off the dummy location flag (step S13) and acquires location information from the user terminal 300 (step S14).

[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user terminal 300 has not signed in (step S12; No), the server device 200 presents to the user terminal 300 a selection screen for allowing the user to select a region (step S31). For example, the control unit 250 (presentation unit 253) presents a selection screen SG as shown in FIG.

[0091] The server device 200 determines whether or not a selection has been made on the selection screen (step S32). If the server device 200 determines that no selection has been made (step S32; No), the server device 200 waits until a selection is made.

[0092] On the other hand, if it is determined that a selection has been made (step S32; Yes), the server device 200 turns on the dummy position flag (step S15).

[0093] The server device 200 acquires location information corresponding to the selected area (step S33). For example, the control unit 250 (acquisition unit 252) acquires standard location information corresponding to the area selected in the above step S32.

[0094] Server device 200 identifies the area corresponding to the location information (step S17), collects flyer data with matching distribution period and distribution destination from storage unit 230, and generates a flyer screen (step S18).

[0095] The server device 200 determines whether or not the dummy position flag is ON (step S19), and if it determines that the dummy position flag is not ON (step S19; No), the server device 200 advances the process to step S21.

[0096] On the other hand, when it is determined that the dummy position flag is ON (step S19; Yes), the server device 200 adds notification information to the flyer screen (step S20).

[0097] Then, the server device 200 presents the flyer on the user terminal 300 (step S21).

[0098] This digital flyer distribution process allows users who have not yet registered to try out the dedicated app to experience what the actual digital flyer service is like. In this case, location information corresponding to the area where the user has visited is used, so the service can be provided without violating the terms of use. This is expected to encourage users who experience the service and are convinced to register.

[0099] As a result, even before user registration, the user can experience the service without violating the terms of use.

[0100] In addition, in the digital flyer distribution process of Figure 11 described above, after obtaining location information corresponding to an area in step S33, the area corresponding to the location information is identified in step S17, so this can be said to be a somewhat redundant process. Therefore, step S33 may be deleted, and the process may proceed from step S15 to step S18 (skipping step S17).

[0101] (Other embodiments) In the above-mentioned second embodiment, a case has been described in which the area received from the user terminal 300 is used only as the dummy location of that user, but it may be possible to make it available as a dummy location for other users. For example, the regions accepted from the user terminal 300 are sequentially accumulated and stored in the storage unit 230. A counting unit is further added to the control unit 250 to count the accepted regions. More specifically, the counting unit counts the frequency of each area that was accepted by the accepting unit 251 within the most recent predetermined period. Then, the acquiring unit 252 selects one of the regions based on the tallying result by the tallying unit. For example, the acquiring unit 252 selects the city area that has received the most applications within a predetermined period. Finally, the acquiring unit 252 acquires the location information indicating the selected region as dummy location information.

[0102] In this case, once a certain number of areas are received from multiple user terminals 300, the popular areas become clear, and the service can be provided using the popular areas as dummy locations even if the user does not specify an area.

[0103] In the above embodiments 1 and 2, a digital flyer has been described as an example of content to be provided in response to location information, but this is not limited to digital flyers and can also be applied to cases where other content such as local news, local topics, and local songs are provided in response to location information.

[0104] In addition, in the above embodiments 1 and 2, an example has been described in which a dedicated app is used to present a digital flyer on a user terminal, but the present invention is also applicable to the case in which a general-purpose app such as a browser is used instead of such a dedicated app.

[0105] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server device, a service providing method, and a program that allow a user to experience a service without violating the terms of use even before user registration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 100 Information provision system 200 Server device 210 Receiving unit 220 Transmitter 230 Storage section 231 Flyer Management Information 232 Session Management Information 240,250 Control section 241 Discrimination part 242,252 Acquisition Department 243 Generation part 244 Addition 245,253 Presentation section 251 Reception 300 User terminals 400 Information processing device 401 CPU 402 ROM 403 RAM 404 NIC 405 Image Processing Unit 406 Audio Processing Unit 407 Auxiliary storage 408 Interface 409 Operation Unit 410 Display unit 411 Positioning Unit 900 Internet

Claims

1. A server device that provides content according to location information in a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition unit that acquires regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has signed in, and acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has not signed in; a generation unit that generates content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an adding unit that adds, to the content generated by the generating unit, notification information that notifies the user that the content is based on the dummy location information only when the determining unit determines that the user has not signed in; a presentation unit that presents, on the user terminal, the content generated by the generation unit or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit; The acquisition unit acquires location information randomly selected from a predetermined group of location information as the dummy location information. A server device comprising:

2. A server device that provides content according to location information in a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition unit that acquires regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has signed in, and acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has not signed in; a generation unit that generates content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an adding unit that adds, to the content generated by the generating unit, notification information that notifies the user that the content is based on the dummy location information only when the determining unit determines that the user has not signed in; a presentation unit that presents, on the user terminal, the content generated by the generation unit or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit; a reception unit that receives a designated area designated from the user terminal; a counting unit that counts the frequency of each designated area that has been accepted by the accepting unit within a recent predetermined period, the acquiring unit selects one of the designated areas based on a result of the counting by the counting unit, and acquires location information indicating the selected designated area as the dummy location information; A server device comprising:

3. A service providing method executed by a server device that provides content according to location information in a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, comprising the steps of: a determination step of determining whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition step of acquiring regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when it is determined in the determination step that the user terminal has signed in, and acquiring dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when it is determined in the determination step that the user terminal has not signed in; a generating step of generating content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired in the acquiring step; an adding step of adding, to the content generated in the generating step, notification information notifying that the content is based on the dummy location information only when it is determined in the determining step that the user has not signed in; a presentation step of presenting, to the user terminal, the content generated in the generation step or the content to which the notification information is added in the addition step; In the acquiring step, location information randomly selected from a predetermined location information group is acquired as the dummy location information. A service providing method comprising:

4. A service providing method executed by a server device that provides content according to location information in a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, comprising: a determining step of determining whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition step of acquiring regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when it is determined in the determination step that the user terminal has signed in, and acquiring dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when it is determined in the determination step that the user terminal has not signed in; a generating step of generating content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired in the acquiring step; an adding step of adding, to the content generated in the generating step, notification information notifying that the content is based on the dummy location information only when it is determined in the determining step that the user has not signed in; a presenting step of presenting, to the user terminal, the content generated in the generating step or the content to which the notification information is added in the adding step; a receiving step of receiving a designated area designated from the user terminal; a counting step of counting the frequency of each designated area accepted in the accepting step within a most recent predetermined period, In the acquiring step, a designated area is selected based on a result of the counting step, and location information indicating the selected designated area is acquired as the dummy location information. A service providing method comprising:

5. A computer that provides content according to location information in a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, a determination unit that determines whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition unit that acquires regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has signed in, and acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has not signed in; a generation unit that generates content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an adding unit that adds, to the content generated by the generating unit, notification information notifying the user that the content is based on the dummy location information only when the determining unit determines that the user has not signed in; a presentation unit that presents, on the user terminal, the content generated by the generation unit or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit; The acquisition unit acquires location information randomly selected from a predetermined group of location information as the dummy location information. The program is characterized by causing the program to function as follows.

6. A computer that provides content according to location information in a service that allows a user to sign in from a user terminal, a determination unit that determines whether the user terminal has signed in to the service; an acquisition unit that acquires regular location information indicating a location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has signed in, and acquires dummy location information unrelated to the location of the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the user terminal has not signed in; a generation unit that generates content based on the regular location information or the dummy location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an adding unit that adds, to the content generated by the generating unit, notification information notifying the user that the content is based on the dummy location information only when the determining unit determines that the user has not signed in; a presentation unit that presents, on the user terminal, the content generated by the generation unit or the content to which the notification information has been added by the addition unit; a reception unit that receives a designated area designated from the user terminal; a counting unit that counts the frequency of each designated area that has been accepted by the accepting unit within a recent predetermined period; the acquiring unit selects one of the designated areas based on a result of the counting by the counting unit, and acquires location information indicating the selected designated area as the dummy location information; The program is characterized by causing the program to function as follows.

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