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

Abstract

To provide useful information for investigating the potential demands of target users. [Solution] The information processing device according to the present application includes an identification unit and a providing unit. The identification unit identifies, from among search words searched by users that match a predetermined condition, search words for which a first index value evaluating the strength of relevance to the predetermined condition is less than a first threshold and a second index value indicating relevance to the predetermined condition is equal to or greater than a second threshold. The providing unit provides statistical information obtained by statistically processing information linked to the search words identified by the identification unit.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for analyzing huge amounts of data exchanged over the Internet from various aspects, with the aim of utilizing the data in business situations, etc. For example, a technique is known that analyzes customers by taking into account seasonal trends using purchase history data, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-146145 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology cannot provide useful information for investigating the potential demands of target users. For example, in customer analysis that takes trends into account, it is difficult to identify the potential demands of customers that are hidden behind the trends. For this reason, the conventional technology cannot provide the information required by a user when the user needs an analysis of the potential demands of customers.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can provide useful information for investigating the latent demands of target users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present application includes an identifying unit and a providing unit. The identifying unit identifies, from among search words searched for by users matching a predetermined condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of relevance to the predetermined condition that is less than a first threshold value and a second index value indicating relevance to the predetermined condition that is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The providing unit provides statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search words identified by the identifying unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide information that is useful for investigating potential demands of target users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of statistical information according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of statistical information according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of statistical information according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of statistical information according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of statistical information according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of providing statistical information according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application are not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory. Furthermore, the same parts in the embodiments described below are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. Overview of information processing] An example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. Note that in FIG. 1, a user U01 is illustrated as an example of a user of a terminal device 10, but the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can execute the information processing described below in parallel for any number of terminal devices and any number of users. Also, the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment may be in a form including more service providing devices 20 and other devices than the example shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment includes a terminal device 10, a service providing device 20, and an information processing device 100. The terminal device 10, the service providing device 20, and the information processing device 100 are each connected to a network N (for example, see FIG. 7) by wire or wirelessly. The network N is a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a telephone network (such as a mobile phone network or a landline telephone network), a regional IP (Internet Protocol) network, or the Internet. The network N may include a wired network or a wireless network. The terminal device 10, the service providing device 20, and the information processing device 100 can communicate with each other through the network N.

[0012] 1 is an information processing device used by a user U01. The terminal device 10 is realized by a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or an arbitrary personal computer such as a desktop PC (Personal Computer) or a notebook PC.

[0013] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 can display information provided by the information processing device 100 or the like using a web browser or an application. When the terminal device 10 receives control information for implementing information display processing from the information processing device 100 or the like, the terminal device 10 implements the display processing in accordance with the control information.

[0014] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 accepts, from the user U01, designation of target information for receiving statistical information from the information processing device 100. The target information is a predetermined condition for identifying a target user group (user segment), and includes, for example, demographic attributes, psychographic attributes, location information, and the like.

[0015] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 outputs the statistical information received from the information processing device 100. The user U01 can refer to the statistical information output by the terminal device 10.

[0016] The service providing device 20 is an information processing device that provides various services on the Internet through online content such as a portal site. The services provided by the service providing device 20 include various services provided through web pages related to search engine sites, news sites, technology commentary sites, shopping sites, finance sites (stock price sites), route search sites, map providing sites, travel sites, restaurant introduction sites, web blogs, and the like. The service providing device 20 can also provide information to be displayed on various applications (e.g., portal applications, news applications, auction applications, weather forecast applications, shopping applications, finance (stock prices) applications, route search applications, map providing applications, travel applications, restaurant introduction applications, blog browsing applications, and the like) installed on the terminal device 10. The service providing device 20 can also provide information to be displayed on various applications (e.g., portal applications, news applications, auction applications, weather forecast applications, shopping applications, finance (stock prices) applications, route search applications, map providing applications, travel applications, restaurant introduction applications, blog browsing applications, and the like) installed on the terminal device 10.

[0017] Furthermore, the service providing device 20 collects user attributes (e.g., demographic attributes such as age, sex, region, etc., and psychographic attributes estimated based on the usage history of online content of various services) based on the user's operations and browsing of various services provided to the terminal device 10, and the user's behavior history in various services, and stores them in association with the user ID. Furthermore, the service providing device 20 can receive search words from the terminal device 10 via these various services. Furthermore, the service providing device 20 can accumulate the received search words as a search history (search log).

[0018] Furthermore, the service providing device 20 may be a device that distributes information to be displayed on applications related to various services installed in the terminal device 10 to the terminal device 10. Furthermore, the service providing device 20 may be a server that distributes application data itself. The service providing device 20 may function as a distribution device that distributes control information to the terminal device 10. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) or a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). The application itself distributed from the service providing device 20 may be regarded as the control information. The service providing device 20 is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system.

[0019] 1 is an information processing device that performs information processing for providing statistical information matching target information to a user U01 who is a user of a terminal device 10. For example, the information processing device 100 is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like. As described below, the information processing device 100 performs information processing for providing statistical information to the user U01.

[0020] First, the information processing device 100 identifies users who match the target information (an example of a "predetermined condition") received from the terminal device 10, and samples data for performing information processing according to the embodiment (step S11). Specifically, the information processing device 100 transmits an inquiry request to the service providing device 20 to inquire about the number of users (number of people) who match the target information (for example, "likes fortune telling"). In response to the inquiry request from the information processing device 100, the service providing device 20 segments a user group (user segment) that matches the target information from a database in which information on service users related to various services is stored, and counts the number of users included in the user group that matches the target information. The service providing device 20 notifies the information processing device 100 of the counted number of users.

[0021] Here, when the number of users notified from the service providing device 20 is less than a predetermined threshold Z (an example of a third threshold), the information processing device 100 expands the target information so that the number of users is equal to or greater than the threshold Z (a predetermined number of people). For example, the information processing device 100 finds similar users similar to the users matching the target information, and expands the target information using conditions for identifying the similar users found. Then, the information processing device 100 transmits a query request to the service providing device 20 again to inquire about the number of users matching the expanded target information. Then, when the number of users matching the target information is equal to or greater than the threshold Z, the information processing device 100 acquires data associated with the users matching the target information from the service providing device 20. Note that the information processing device 100 can dynamically change the aforementioned threshold Z according to the contents of the target information. For example, the information processing device 100 can dynamically select and use a threshold corresponding to the number of conditions designated as the target information from among a plurality of thresholds defined in advance. More specifically, it is conceivable that the threshold conditions are relaxed as the number of conditions specified as the target information increases so that the necessary number of data samples can be secured.

[0022] When the sampling is completed, the information processing device 100 extracts search words searched by each user of the user group matching the target information from the data acquired from the service providing device 20, and scores the extracted search words (step S12). Specifically, the information processing device 100 calculates a feature level (an example of a "first index value") that evaluates the strength of relevance with the target information for each search word. For example, the information processing device 100 calculates a lift value as the feature level based on the occurrence probability of the search word in a first user group matching the target information and the occurrence probability of the search word in a second user group including the first user group. In addition, the information processing device 100 counts the number of searches for each search word. The number of searches is an example of information that functions as a second index value indicating the relevance with the target information.

[0023] When the scoring is completed, the information processing device 100 identifies search words corresponding to the potential layer (potential user layer) among the search words searched by each user of the user group matching the target information (step S13). Specifically, the information processing device 100 identifies each search word whose characteristic degree is less than a threshold X (an example of a "first threshold") and whose number of searches is equal to or greater than a threshold Y (an example of a "second threshold") among the search words searched by each user matching the target information. That is, the information processing device 100 identifies each search word whose relevance to the target information (for example, "likes fortune telling") is not so strong but has a certain relevance to the target information. This allows the information processing device 100 to highlight another aspect of the user matching the target information and provide the user U01 with information that is useful for investigating the potential demand of the target user.

[0024] Then, the information processing device 100 generates statistical information by statistically processing information associated with each identified search word (step S14), and transmits the generated statistical information to the terminal device 10 (step S15) to provide it to the user U01. FIGS. 2 to 6 are diagrams showing an overview of the statistical information according to the embodiment. Note that FIGS. 2 to 6 show an example of the statistical information provided by the information processing device 100 to the user U01, and information other than that shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, such as a word cloud, may be provided to the user U01.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 100 can provide the user U01 with statistical information (keyword map) J1 obtained by statistically processing the characteristic degree and the number of searches associated with each identified search word. The statistical information J1 shown in FIG. 2 is composed of nodes ND indicating search words and links LK connecting the nodes. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a node ND111 corresponding to the search word: "W111" is connected to a node ND222 corresponding to the search word: "W222" by a link LK12, and the node ND222 is connected to a node ND333 corresponding to the search word: "W333" by a link LK23. In addition, the node ND is configured so that the area increases as the number of searches corresponding to the search word increases. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the area of ​​the node ND111 is larger than the area of ​​the node ND222. In other words, it is shown that the number of searches for the search word: "W111" corresponding to the node ND111 is greater than the number of searches for the search word: "W222" corresponding to the node ND222.

[0026] Furthermore, when the information processing device 100 connects nodes of the statistical information J1 with a link LK, the information processing device 100 can reflect the classification result of the search words based on the similarity between the search words in the statistical information J1. For example, the information processing device 100 uses an algorithm such as Word2vec to generate vector information from the search words using a search history including the search words. Then, the information processing device 100 calculates the distance between the vectors using the generated vector information. The information processing device 100 evaluates the semantic similarity between the search words based on the distance between the vectors. For example, the information processing device 100 can use cosine similarity, Euclidean distance, distance in a non-Euclidean space such as a hyperbolic space, Manhattan distance, Mahalanobis distance, etc. as a measure for evaluating the distance between the vectors. The information processing device 100 can connect nodes corresponding to similar search words with a link LK to classify them, and change the display mode for each classified cluster. This allows the information processing device 100 to easily allow the user U01 to understand the relationship between the search words corresponding to the potential layer (potential user layer).

[0027] 3, the information processing device 100 can provide the user U01 with statistical information (scatter plot) J2 obtained by statistically processing each identified search word based on the characteristic degree and the number of users. This allows the information processing device 100 to allow the user U01 to easily understand the relationship between the search word corresponding to the potential layer (potential user layer) and the number of users.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, the information processing device 100 can provide the user U01 with statistical information J3 in which the identified search words are ranked based on the characteristic degree. The statistical information J3 shown in Fig. 4 has a "ranking" item, a "search word" item, a "male / female ratio" item, and an "age distribution" item. Fig. 4 shows an example of the statistical information J3 according to the embodiment, and is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 4. The statistical information J3 may include information different from the example shown in Fig. 4, or may be expressed in a manner different from the example shown in Fig. 4.

[0029] The "Rank" field of statistical information J3 shown in FIG. 4 indicates, for example, the rank of the characteristic degree corresponding to a search word. The "Search Word" field of statistical information J3 shown in FIG. 4 indicates the corresponding search word. The "Male / Female Ratio" field of statistical information J3 shown in FIG. 4 indicates information that abstractly represents the ratio between the number of men (number of people) and the number of women (number of people) who entered the corresponding search word. The "Age Distribution" field of statistical information J3 shown in FIG. 4 indicates information that abstractly represents the age group who entered the corresponding search word. According to FIG. 4, the number one ranked search word is "W111," which is shown to be more frequently entered by women than men, and more often by people in their 20s and 30s.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing device 100 can extract information on the number of purchases of products or services from the purchase history of a group of users associated with each identified search word, and provide the user U01 with ranked statistical information J4. The statistical information J4 is information obtained by analyzing the purchase relevance of users associated with each identified search word. The statistical information J4 shown in FIG. 5 has a "ranking" item, a "product" item, a "male / female ratio" item, and an "age distribution" item. FIG. 5 shows an example of the statistical information J4 according to the embodiment, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5, and may include information different from the example shown in FIG. 5, or may be expressed in a manner different from the example shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] The "Rank" field of the statistical information J4 shown in FIG. 5 indicates, for example, the ranking of the number of purchases of a product or service. The "Product / Service" field of the statistical information J4 shown in FIG. 5 indicates the corresponding product or service. The "Gender Ratio" field of the statistical information J4 shown in FIG. 5 indicates information that abstractly represents the ratio between the number of men (number of people) and the number of women (number of people) who purchased the corresponding product / service. The "Age Distribution" field of the statistical information J4 shown in FIG. 5 indicates information that abstractly represents the age group that purchased the corresponding product / service. According to FIG. 5, the number one ranked product or service is "Product 111," which is purchased more by men than women, and the purchasers are in their 40s to 60s.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the information processing device 100 can extract information on interest categories of a group of users associated with each identified search word, and provide the user U01 with ranked statistical information J5. The statistical information J5 is information obtained by analyzing the interest relevance of users associated with each identified search word. The statistical information J5 shown in FIG. 6 has an item of "ranking", an item of "interest category", an item of "male / female ratio", and an item of "age composition". FIG. 6 shows an example of the statistical information J5 according to the embodiment, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6. The statistical information J5 may include information different from the example shown in FIG. 6, or may be expressed in a manner different from the example shown in FIG. 6.

[0033] The "rank" item of the statistical information J5 shown in FIG. 6 indicates the rank of the number of people who fall under the corresponding interest category. The "interest category" item of the statistical information J5 shown in FIG. 6 indicates information on the corresponding interest category. The information processing device 100 can acquire information on the interest category from the service providing device 20 that analyzes and manages the psychographic attributes of the service users, for example. The "male / female ratio" item of the statistical information J5 shown in FIG. 6 indicates information that abstractly expresses the ratio between the number of men (number of people) and the number of women (number of people) to whom the corresponding interest category is assigned. The "age distribution" item of the statistical information J5 shown in FIG. 6 indicates information that abstractly expresses the age group of people who fall under the corresponding interest category. According to FIG. 6, the interest category ranked first is "interest category 111", and it is shown that there are more males than females, and the ages of the people who fall under the interest category are in their 20s to 40s.

[0034] [2. Configuration of information processing device] The configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 7, the information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that Fig. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100, and is not limited to the form shown in Fig. 7, and may include other functional units than those shown in Fig. 7.

[0036] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is connected to a network N, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N. The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) or an antenna. The network N is a communication network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network (such as a mobile phone network or a landline telephone network), a regional Internet Protocol (IP) network, or the Internet. The network N may include a wired network or a wireless network.

[0037] The communication unit 110 receives target information from the terminal device 10. The target information includes a predetermined condition for identifying a target user group (user segment). The target information includes, for example, demographic attributes, psychographic attributes, location information, and the like.

[0038] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 120 stores programs and data for realizing information processing executed by each part of the control unit 130.

[0039] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller that controls the information processing device 100. The control unit 130 is realized by a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or the like executing various programs (e.g., information processing programs) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 130 has a specification unit 131 and a provision unit 132. The control unit 130 realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below by using these units. The internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, and may be other configurations as long as they perform information processing described below. For example, the control unit 130 may include an acquisition unit that acquires target information from the terminal device 10 or acquires data of users matching the target information from the service providing device 20. Furthermore, the connection relationship between the units of the control unit 130 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in FIG. 7, and may be other connection relationships.

[0041] (Specific Section 131) The identification unit 131 identifies, from among search words searched by users that match the target information, search words whose first index value (e.g., distinctiveness) evaluating the strength of relevance to the target information is less than a first threshold value and whose second index value (e.g., number of searches) indicating the relevance to the target information is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0042] First, the identification unit 131 identifies users matching the target information received from the terminal device 10, and samples data for information processing according to the embodiment. Specifically, the identification unit 131 transmits an inquiry request for inquiring the service providing device 20 about the number of users matching the target information. Here, when the result of counting the number of users matching the target information does not reach a predetermined number (for example, threshold Z), the identification unit 131 expands the target information so that the number of users (number of people) becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number. For example, the information processing device 100 finds similar users similar to the users matching the target information, and expands the target information using conditions for identifying the similar users found. The identification unit 131 transmits a new inquiry request for inquiring the service providing device 20 about the number of users matching the expanded target information. Then, when the number of users (number of people) matching the target information becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the identification unit 131 acquires data (for example, search history in various services) associated with the users matching the target information from the service providing device 20.

[0043] Next, the identification unit 131 extracts search words searched by each user that match the target information from the acquired search history, and performs scoring on the extracted search words. Specifically, the identification unit 131 calculates a characteristic degree that evaluates the strength of relevance to the target information for each search word. For example, the identification unit 131 calculates a lift value based on the occurrence probability of the search word in a first user group that matches the target information and the occurrence probability of the search word in a second user group including the first user group as the characteristic degree. As the second user group, for example, all service users of various services provided by the service providing device 20 are exemplified. The identification unit 131 may take the logarithm of the calculated lift value. In addition, the information processing device 100 counts the number of searches for each search word.

[0044] After the scoring is completed, the identification unit 131 identifies search words corresponding to a potential demographic (potential user demographic) from among the search words searched by each user matching the target information. Specifically, the information processing device 100 identifies each search word whose characteristic degree is less than a threshold value X and whose number of searches is equal to or greater than a threshold value Y from among the search words searched by each user matching the target information. The identification unit 131 sends information on each identified search word to the provision unit 132.

[0045] The identification unit 131 can dynamically change the threshold Z according to the contents of the target information. For example, the identification unit 131 may dynamically select and use a threshold corresponding to the number of conditions specified as the target information from among a plurality of thresholds defined in advance. The identification unit 131 may dynamically change the threshold X and threshold Y according to a change in the threshold Z or independently of the change in the threshold Z.

[0046] The providing unit 132 provides the user U01 with statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with each search word identified by the identifying unit 131. For example, when providing the statistical information to the user U01, the providing unit 132 provides anonymized statistical information as shown in the above-mentioned Figs. 2 to 6. This makes it possible to provide information in compliance with legal regulations.

[0047] [3. Processing Procedure] Hereinafter, a processing procedure by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure by the information processing device according to the embodiment. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 8 is executed by the control unit 130 of the information processing device 100. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 8 is repeatedly executed while the information processing device 100 is in operation.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, when the identification unit 131 acquires target information through the communication unit 110, the identification unit 131 transmits an inquiry notification to the service providing device 20 to inquire about the number of users (number of people) matching the acquired target information (step S101).

[0049] Furthermore, the identifying unit 131 counts the number of users (the number of people) notified from the service providing device 20, and determines whether the counted number of users (the number of people) is equal to or greater than a threshold value Z (step S102).

[0050] When the identifying unit 131 determines that the number of counted users is less than the threshold value Z (step S102; No), it expands the target information (step S103) and returns to the processing procedure of the above-mentioned step S101.

[0051] On the other hand, if the identification unit 131 determines that the number of users (number of people) notified by the service providing device 20 is greater than or equal to the threshold Z (step S102; Yes), it obtains search history in various services linked to users who match the target information from the service providing device 20 (step S104).

[0052] The identification unit 131 also extracts search words searched by each user from the acquired search history, and executes scoring of the extracted search words (step S105). Specifically, the identification unit 131 calculates a feature score that evaluates the strength of relevance to the target information for each search word. The identification unit 131 also counts the number of searches for each search word.

[0053] After the scoring is completed, the identification unit 131 identifies search words corresponding to the potential demographic from among the search words searched by each user matching the target information (step S106). Specifically, the identification unit 131 identifies each search word whose characteristic degree is less than a threshold value X and whose number of searches is equal to or greater than a threshold value Y from among the search words searched by each user matching the target information.

[0054] In addition, the providing unit 132 generates statistical information by statistically processing the information linked to each search word identified by the identifying unit 131 (step S107), transmits the generated statistical information to the terminal device 10 (step S108), and terminates the processing procedure shown in FIG. 8.

[0055] [4. Modifications] The information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment may be implemented in various different forms other than the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in the following, a modified example of the information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0056] (4-1. Examples of statistical information provided) When providing the user U01 with statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with search words corresponding to the potential demographic, the information processing device 100 may provide the statistical information for each condition constituting the target information in a comparable manner. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of providing statistical information according to a modified example.

[0057] For example, when the target information transmitted from the terminal device 10 is composed of condition 1 and condition 2, the information processing device 100 can provide the user U01 with statistical information J6-1 that displays the relationship between the distinctiveness of search words corresponding to each condition and the number of users in a comparable manner. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can also provide, in response to a request from the user U01, statistical information J6-2 that displays the relationship between the distinctiveness of search words corresponding to both condition 1 and condition 2 that constitute the target information and the number of users.

[0058] (4-2. Auxiliary functions for setting target information) The information processing device 100 may have a function of recommending candidates for target information to the user U01. For example, the information processing device 100 accepts registration of user information from the user U01 in advance, and recommends candidates for target information to the user U01 based on the registered user information. Assumed user information includes, for example, information on the occupation or industry to which the user U01 belongs, information on competitors, information on major products, and the like.

[0059] [5. Hardware configuration] The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment is realized, for example, by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0060] The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0061] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0062] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a network (communication network) N and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the network (communication network) N.

[0063] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0064] The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0065] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the function of the control unit 130. In addition, the data in the storage unit 120 is stored in the HDD 1400. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a network (communication network) N.

[0066] [6.Other] The information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example can provide information from various angles by setting target information. For example, the information processing device 100 can provide the user U01 with reference information for grasping the attributes of purchasers who have purchased the competitor's products by accepting from the user U01 users who have purchase histories of competitor's products as targets. In addition, the information processing device 100 can provide the user U01 with reference information for grasping the characteristics of potential customers who are comparing the company with the competitor by accepting from the user U01 users who have browsing histories of both the company's homepage and the competitor's homepage as targets.

[0067] Of the processes described in the above embodiments and modifications, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the process procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified.

[0068] In the above-described embodiments and variants, in order to realize the information processing method (see FIG. 8) by the information processing device 100, the processing functions corresponding to each part (the identification unit 131 and the provision unit 132) of the control unit 130 possessed by the information processing device 100 may be realized as an add-on to an information processing program pre-installed in the information processing device 100, or may be realized by flexibly writing it as a dedicated information processing program using a lightweight programming language or the like.

[0069] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads and usage conditions. For example, the identification unit 131 of the control unit 130 may be functionally distributed into a function of collecting data (search history) linked to users matching the target information and a function of identifying search words corresponding to the potential layer.

[0070] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory.

[0071] [7. Effects] The information processing device 100 according to the above embodiment includes a specification unit 131 and a provision unit 132. The specification unit 131 specifies, from among search words searched for by users matching the target information (predetermined condition), a search word for which a first index value evaluating the strength of relevance to the target information (predetermined condition) is less than a first threshold value and a second index value indicating the relevance to the target information (predetermined condition) is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The provision unit 132 provides statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word specified by the specification unit 131.

[0072] In this way, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can highlight other aspects of users who match the target information, and can provide useful information for investigating the potential needs of the target users.

[0073] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the identification unit 131 calculates a lift value as a characteristic degree (first index value) based on the appearance probability of a search word in a first user group matching the target information (predetermined condition) and the appearance probability of a search word in a second user group including the first user group. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to make search words searched for by users matching the target information as obvious as possible.

[0074] In addition, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the identification unit 131 uses the number of searches for the search word as the second index value. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to easily acquire information indicating the relevance between the target information and the search word.

[0075] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, when the number (number of people) of users matching the target information (predetermined condition) is less than a third threshold, the specification unit 131 expands the predetermined condition so that the number of users is equal to or greater than the third threshold. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to collect an appropriate amount of data samples for generating statistical information corresponding to the target information.

[0076] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the specification unit 131 dynamically changes the third threshold value depending on the contents of the target information (predetermined condition). This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to appropriately adjust the amount of data samples.

[0077] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the providing unit 132 provides statistical information reflecting the classification result of the search words based on the similarity between the search words. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to allow the user U01 to easily understand the relationship between the search words corresponding to the potential layer (potential user layer).

[0078] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the providing unit 132 provides anonymized statistical information. This allows the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment to provide information in compliance with legal regulations.

[0079] The above describes the embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to several drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

[0080] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit", etc. For example, a specific section can be read as a specific means or a specific circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10 Terminal Equipment 20 Service provision equipment 100 Information processing device 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 130 Control section 131 Specific part 132 Provision Department

Claims

1. An identification unit which identifies, from among search words searched by users who meet a first condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of relevance with the first condition that is less than a first threshold value and a second index value indicating the relevance with the first condition that is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, and which identifies, from among search words searched by users who meet a second condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of relevance with the second condition that is less than the first threshold value and a second index value indicating the relevance with the second condition that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; a providing unit that provides first statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to the first condition identified by the identifying unit and second statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to the second condition identified by the identifying unit in a comparable manner; An information processing device comprising:

2. The providing unit, providing statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to both the first condition and the second condition identified by the identification unit in response to a request from the user; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: a step of identifying, from among search words searched by users matching a first condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of association with the first condition that is less than a first threshold value and a second index value indicating the association with the first condition that is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, and identifying, from among search words searched by users matching a second condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of association with the second condition that is less than the first threshold value and a second index value indicating the association with the second condition that is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; a providing step of providing first statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to the first condition specified by the specifying step and second statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to the second condition specified by the specifying step in a manner that allows comparison; 13. An information processing method comprising:

4. On the computer, a step of identifying, from among search words searched by users matching a first condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of association with the first condition that is less than a first threshold value and a second index value indicating the association with the first condition that is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, and identifying, from among search words searched by users matching a second condition, search words having a first index value evaluating the strength of association with the second condition that is less than the first threshold value and a second index value indicating the association with the second condition that is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; a provision step of providing first statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to the first condition specified by the specification step and second statistical information obtained by statistically processing information associated with the search word corresponding to the second condition specified by the specification step in a manner that allows comparison; An information processing program characterized by causing the program to execute the above steps.

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