Information management device, information management system, information management method and program

Abstract

To provide an information management device, information management system, information management method and program capable of promoting users to permit push notification.SOLUTION: An information management device includes a permission request transmission part for transmitting, to a user, a permission request to provide a push notification from a site to the user; and a reward assignment information transmission part, when acquiring a result of a user's permission operation for the permission request, transmitting, to a reward management part, reward assignment information representing assignment of the reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, an information management device has been disclosed that sends push notifications to users from a website. In such an information management device, a reward is given by viewing the content of the website from link information displayed at the time of the push notification. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-1111 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such information management devices do not provide an opportunity to reward users who have not permitted push notifications. Therefore, it is desirable to encourage users to permit push notifications in order to make push notifications more beneficial. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information management device that solves the above problem includes a permission request sending unit that sends a permission request to a user for the provision of push notifications from a site to the user, and a reward granting information sending unit that, when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, sends reward granting information to a reward management unit that indicates the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.

[0006] An information management system that solves the above problem includes a permission request sending unit that sends a permission request to a user for the provision of push notifications from a site to the user, and a reward granting information sending unit that, when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, sends reward granting information to a reward management unit that indicates the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.

[0007] An information management method that solves the above problem involves one or more computers sending a request to a user for permission to provide push notifications from a site to the user, and when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, sending reward grant information to a reward management unit indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.

[0008] A program that solves the above problem causes one or more computers to send a permission request to a user for the site to provide push notifications to the user, and when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, send reward grant information to a reward management unit indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, permission for push notifications can be promoted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the user terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the web server of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the reward management server of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the push notification server of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the setting control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the permission request control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the permission request control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display state of the user terminal display unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the rejection operation control process of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the permission request control process of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the permission request control process of the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the permission request control process of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [First embodiment] An information management device, an information management system, an information management method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information management system is a system for providing information to a user. In particular, the information management system is a system for managing information related to push notifications.

[0012] Push notifications are a system that notifies users of information regardless of whether the user has requested the information. In particular, push notifications are a function that notifies users of information depending on whether the user has permitted the notification or not depending on whether the user has refused the notification. Push notifications may be web push notifications that can be sent in a browser that can view a website, or they may be sent in an application.

[0013] <Configuration of Information Management System 10> 1, the information management system 10 includes a web server 11. The information management system 10 may also include a push notification server 12, a reward management server 13, and an e-commerce server 14. The information management system 10 may also include one or more user terminal devices 15.

[0014] The web server 11, push notification server 12, reward management server 13, e-commerce server 14, and one or more user terminal devices 15 are communicatively connected via a network 16. At least any combination of the web server 11, push notification server 12, reward management server 13, and e-commerce server 14 may be communicatively connected directly without via the network 16. Hereinafter, a description of communication between each device via the network 16 will be omitted.

[0015] The web server 11 is a server that provides information to users. The push notification server 12 is a server that sends push notifications to users. The reward management server 13 is a server that manages rewards for users. The e-commerce server 14 is a server that manages e-commerce transactions.

[0016] The reward may be points that can be used in the information management system 10. The reward value may be the number of points. As a specific example, the reward may be used in the e-commerce server 14. The reward may be used in a system other than the information management system 10. The reward may be used in a system that can provide travel. The reward may be used in a system that can provide services. The reward may be used between multiple systems with the same administrator, or between multiple systems with different administrators. The reward may be a benefit for the user.

[0017] <Configuration of User Terminal Device 15> 2, the user terminal device 15 is a terminal device used by a user who uses the information management system 10. In particular, the user terminal device 15 is a terminal device that acquires information from the web server 11 in response to a request for information provision in the information management system 10. The user terminal device 15 is a terminal device that receives push notifications from the push notification server 12 in the information management system 10. The user terminal device 15 is composed of one or more computers. The user terminal device 15 may also be a portable terminal device that can be carried by the user.

[0018] The user terminal device 15 comprises a terminal control unit 20, a terminal storage unit 21, a terminal communication unit 22, a terminal input unit 23, and a terminal display unit 24. The terminal control unit 20 is configured to control the user terminal device 15. The terminal control unit 20 includes a calculation unit and a main storage medium. The calculation unit loads an OS (Operating System) and programs from the terminal storage unit 21 to the main storage medium and executes instructions retrieved from the main storage medium. The calculation unit is one or more circuits. The circuit may be a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural network Processing Unit).

[0019] The terminal storage unit 21 is a secondary storage medium that stores information about the user. The terminal storage unit 21 may store a program that can send and receive information about push notifications. The program may be a dedicated application for using the information management system 10.

[0020] The device communication unit 22 is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The device communication unit 22 transmits and receives data between the web server 11, the push notification server 12, the reward management server 13, and the e-commerce server 14. The device input unit 23 is configured to input information in response to a user operation. The device input unit 23 may be a touch panel integrated with the device display unit 24. The device input unit 23 may be a pointing device with operation buttons. The device display unit 24 displays information in response to an output instruction from the device control unit 20.

[0021] <Configuration of Web Server 11> As shown in FIG. 3, the web server 11 is a server that provides information to users through communication with a user terminal device 15. The web server 11 is a server that provides content on a website to users. The web server 11 may also be a server that requests permission for push notifications. The web server 11 is managed by a website administrator. The web server 11 corresponds to an example of an information management device.

[0022] The web server 11 comprises a first control unit 30, a first storage unit 31, and a first communication unit 32. The first control unit 30 is configured to control the web server 11. The first control unit 30 includes a calculation device and a main storage medium. The first control unit 30 has a similar configuration to the terminal control unit 20, and therefore a description of the calculation device and the main storage medium will be omitted. The first storage unit 31 is a secondary storage medium and stores information for managing the web server 11.

[0023] The first communication unit 32 is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The first communication unit 32 transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal device 15. The first communication unit 32 transmits and receives data to and from the push notification server 12 and the reward management server 13. The web server 11 may be provided with an operation unit that allows the website administrator to perform input operations, and may be provided with a display unit that displays information.

[0024] In the web server 11, the first control unit 30 configures a processing circuit by executing a program. The first control unit 30 includes, as its processing circuit, an information providing unit 30A, a permission request sending unit 30B, an authentication information obtaining unit 30C, a push notification information sending unit 30D, a reward granting information sending unit 30E, and a setting unit 30F.

[0025] The information providing unit 30A provides information to the user terminal device 15 in response to a request for information from the user terminal device 15. In particular, the information providing unit 30A provides the content of a website to the user terminal device 15 in response to a request for information from the user terminal device 15. The content of the website is based on content information 31A. The content information 31A is stored in the first storage unit 31. The content information 31A is information indicating the content of the website.

[0026] The permission request sending unit 30B sends a permission request for push notification to the user terminal device 15. The permission request is sent when a permission request condition is met based on the permission request condition information 31B. The permission request condition information 31B is stored in the first storage unit 31. The permission request condition information 31B is information that indicates the permission request condition for push notification.

[0027] The permission request condition may include a request for information provision to a website. In particular, the permission request condition is met when a request for information provision is made from the user terminal device 15 to a website specified by the setting information. As a specific example, the permission request condition may be met when a request for information provision is made to the top content of the website. The permission request condition may be met when a request for information provision is made to any special content of the website. The permission request condition may be met when a request for information provision is made from the user terminal device 15 for a website that is not stored as a cookie in the user terminal device 15. In other words, the permission request condition may be met when the website is viewed for the first time. Hereinafter, a website that is set so that the permission request condition can be met may be referred to as a predetermined website.

[0028] The authentication information acquisition unit 30C acquires the authentication information of the user. The authentication information acquisition unit 30C receives the authentication information transmitted from the user terminal device 15, thereby acquiring the authentication information of the user.

[0029] The push notification information sending unit 30D sends information related to the push notification to the push notification server 12 and the user terminal device 15. In particular, the push notification information sending unit 30D sends terminal identification information to the push notification server 12 and the user terminal device 15. The terminal identification information is information that makes it possible to identify the user terminal device 15 that sends the push notification. The terminal identification information may be a registration ID. The push notification information sending unit 30D sends delivery identification information to the push notification server 12 and the user terminal device 15. The delivery identification information is information that makes it possible to identify the deliverer of the push notification when sending the push notification. The delivery identification information may be information that makes it possible to identify the administrator of the web server 11. In other words, the delivery identification information may be information that makes it possible to identify the web server 11.

[0030] The reward granting information transmitting unit 30E transmits information regarding the granting of a reward to the reward management server 13. In particular, the reward granting information transmitting unit 30E transmits the reward granting information to the reward management server 13 based on the result of the push notification permission operation. The reward granting information is based on reward granting condition information 31C. The reward granting information may include information indicating that a reward will be granted, user identification information to which the reward will be granted, and a reward value. The reward granting condition information 31C is stored in the first memory unit 31. The reward granting condition information 31C includes the reward value to be granted based on the result of the push notification permission operation.

[0031] The setting unit 30F can set information related to push notification. The setting unit 30F can set permission request condition information 31B. The setting unit 30F can set reward granting condition information 31C.

[0032] <Configuration of reward management server 13> As shown in FIG. 4, the reward management server 13 is a server that manages information regarding rewards for users. The reward management server 13 allows users to use rewards corresponding to the users in e-commerce transactions performed in the e-commerce server 14. The reward management server 13 can grant rewards to users based on the results of e-commerce transactions performed in the e-commerce server 14. The reward management server 13 can grant rewards to users based on the results of push notification permission operations. The reward management server 13 is managed by a reward system administrator. The reward management server 13 may be managed by the e-commerce system administrator together with the e-commerce server 14.

[0033] The reward management server 13 comprises a second control unit 40, a second memory unit 41, and a second communication unit 42. The second control unit 40 is configured to control the reward management server 13. The second control unit 40 includes a calculation device and a main memory medium. The second control unit 40 has a similar configuration to the terminal control unit 20, and therefore a description of the calculation device and the main memory medium will be omitted. The second memory unit 41 is a secondary memory medium and stores information for managing the reward management server 13.

[0034] The second communication unit 42 is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The second communication unit 42 transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal device 15. The second communication unit 42 transmits and receives data to and from the web server 11, the push notification server 12, and the e-commerce server 14. The reward management server 13 may include an operation unit that allows the administrator of the reward management server 13 to perform input operations, and may also include a display unit that displays information.

[0035] In the reward management server 13, the second control unit 40 configures a processing circuit by executing a program. The second control unit 40 includes, as processing circuits, a user information management unit 40A, a user authentication unit 40B, and a reward management unit 40C.

[0036] The user information management unit 40A manages user information 41A. The user information 41A is stored in the second storage unit 41. The user information 41A is information about a user who uses the reward management server 13 and the e-commerce server 14. The user information 41A includes user identification information that can identify the user and a password.

[0037] Based on the user information 41A, the user authentication unit 40B authenticates users who use the reward management server 13 and the e-commerce server 14. In particular, the user authentication unit 40B authenticates users to whom rewards are to be granted based on the result of the push notification permission operation.

[0038] The reward management unit 40C manages rewards corresponding to users. The reward management unit 40C manages rewards corresponding to users by updating the reward management information 41C corresponding to the user when the reward granting condition corresponding to the reward granting condition information 41B is met. The reward granting condition information 41B is stored in the second memory unit 41. Like the reward granting condition information 31C, the reward granting condition information 41B includes information indicating a reward value to be granted based on the result of the push notification permission operation. The reward granting condition information 41B may include information indicating a reward value to be granted based on the result of an e-commerce transaction. The reward management information 41C is stored in the second memory unit 41. The reward management information 41C is information indicating a reward value corresponding to the user. The reward management unit 40C manages rewards used in e-commerce transactions. The reward management unit 40C can grant a reward to a user based on the result of the push notification permission operation.

[0039] <Configuration of Push Notification Server 12> 5, the push notification server 12 is a server that provides push notifications to users through communication with the user terminal device 15. The push notification server 12 is a server that provides push notifications to users who have performed an operation to permit push notifications. The push notification server 12 is managed by a system administrator related to push notifications.

[0040] The push notification server 12 includes a third control unit 50, a third storage unit 51, and a third communication unit 52. The third control unit 50 is configured to control the push notification server 12. The third control unit 50 includes a calculation device and a main storage medium. The third control unit 50 has a similar configuration to the terminal control unit 20, and therefore a description of the calculation device and the main storage medium will be omitted. The third storage unit 51 is a secondary storage medium and stores information for managing the reward management server 13.

[0041] The third communication unit 52 is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The third communication unit 52 transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal device 15. The third communication unit 52 transmits and receives data to and from the web server 11. The third communication unit 52 may transmit and receive data to and from the reward management server 13 and the e-commerce server 14. The push notification server 12 may include an operation unit that allows an administrator of the push notification server 12 to perform input operations, and may include a display unit that displays information.

[0042] In the push notification server 12, the third control unit 50 executes a program to configure a processing circuit. The third control unit 50 includes, as the processing circuit, a push notification management unit 50A and a push notification processing unit 50B.

[0043] The push notification management unit 50A manages push notification management information 51A. The push notification management information 51A is stored in the third storage unit 51. The push notification management information 51A is information related to push notifications. The push notification management information 51A may include delivery identification information and terminal identification information. A push request is information requesting that a push notification of specified content be sent to a user terminal device 15 that has performed an operation to permit push notification. The push notification management information 51A manages delivery identification information and terminal identification information in association with each other.

[0044] The push notification processing unit 50B issues a push notification to the user terminal device 15. In particular, the push notification processing unit 50B issues a push notification to the user terminal device 15 in response to a push request based on the push notification management information 51A.

[0045] <Settings control process> The setting control process will now be described with reference to Fig. 6. The setting control process is a process for making settings related to a push notification permission request. The setting control process may include a first setting control process executed by the first control unit 30 at predetermined intervals, and a second setting control process executed by the second control unit 40 at predetermined intervals.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, in step S10, the first control unit 30 of the web server 11 determines whether a setting operation has been performed. The setting operation is an operation of instructing setting information related to a push notification permission request. Specifically, the setting information may include permission request condition information 31B. The setting information may also include reward granting condition information 31C.

[0047] If the first control unit 30 determines that the setting operation has not been performed, it skips step S11 and proceeds to step S12. If the first control unit 30 determines that the setting operation has been performed, it proceeds to step S11.

[0048] In step S11, the first control unit 30 executes a setting information transmission process. In the setting information transmission process, the first control unit 30 acquires setting information in response to a setting operation. The first control unit 30 transmits the acquired setting information to the reward management server 13. When the setting information transmission process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S12.

[0049] In the reward management server 13, in step S50, the second control unit 40 executes a setting information receiving process. In the setting information receiving process, the second control unit 40 waits to receive setting information from the web server 11. When the setting information receiving process is completed, the second control unit 40 proceeds to step S51.

[0050] In step S51, the second control unit 40 determines whether or not the setting information has been received from the web server 11. If the second control unit 40 determines that the setting information has not been received from the web server 11, it terminates the second setting control process without executing steps S52 and S53. If the second control unit 40 determines that the setting information has been received from the web server 11, it proceeds to step S52.

[0051] In step S52, the second control unit 40 determines whether the setting permission condition is met. The setting permission condition is a condition that permits setting based on the setting information. The setting permission condition may be determined based on contract information with the website administrator. In particular, the setting permission condition may include an upper limit on the reward value that is granted when an allowed operation is performed in response to a push notification permission request.

[0052] If the second control unit 40 determines that the setting permission condition is not met, it ends the second setting control process without executing step S53. In this case, the second control unit 40 may send setting rejection information indicating that the setting permission condition is not met to the web server 11. If the second control unit 40 determines that the setting permission condition is met, it proceeds to step S53.

[0053] In step S53, the second control unit 40 executes a setting permission information transmission process. In the setting permission information transmission process, the second control unit 40 transmits setting permission information indicating that the setting permission condition is met to the web server 11. The second control unit 40 may store the setting information for which the setting permission condition is met in the second storage unit 41 in association with the distribution identification information corresponding to the web server 11. In other words, the second control unit 40 may store the reward granting condition information 41B for which the setting permission condition is met in association with the web server 11 in the second storage unit 41. When the setting permission information transmission process has ended, the second control unit 40 ends the second setting control process.

[0054] In step S12, the first control unit 30 of the web server 11 executes a setting permission information receiving process. In the setting permission information receiving process, the first control unit 30 waits to receive setting permission information from the reward management server 13. When the setting permission information receiving process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S13.

[0055] In step S13, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not setting permission information has been received from the reward management server 13. If the first control unit 30 determines that setting permission information has not been received from the reward management server 13, it terminates the first setting control process without executing step S14. If the first control unit 30 determines that setting permission information has been received from the reward management server 13, it proceeds to step S14.

[0056] In step S14, the first control unit 30 executes a setting process. In the setting process, the first control unit 30 stores the setting information for which the setting permission condition is met in the first storage unit 31. As a result, the first control unit 30 sets the setting information when setting information for which the setting permission condition is met is input, and does not set the setting information when setting information for which the setting permission condition is not met is input.

[0057] Specifically, when permission request condition information 31B in which the set permission condition is satisfied is input, the first control unit 30 sets the permission request condition information 31B in the first storage unit 31. In particular, by setting the permission request condition information 31B in the first storage unit 31, the first control unit 30 incorporates JavaScript (registered trademark) for requesting permission for push notification into the content information of a predetermined website included in the permission request condition information 31B. In this way, the first control unit 30 can set permission request conditions for a permission request.

[0058] When the first control unit 30 receives reward granting condition information 31C that satisfies the set permission condition, the first control unit 30 sets the reward granting condition information 31C in the first storage unit 31. In this way, the first control unit 30 can set the reward granting condition to be granted to the user. In particular, by setting the reward granting condition information 31C in the first storage unit 31, the first control unit 30 incorporates JavaScript that displays a reward image indicating the reward value included in the reward granting condition information 31C in the content information of the predetermined website included in the permission request condition information 31B. The reward image is an image that can identify that a reward will be granted to the user depending on the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request. The reward image is an image indicating the reward value that will be granted when the permission operation is performed in response to the permission request. When the setting process is completed, the first control unit 30 ends the first setting control process.

[0059] <Permission request control process> Next, the permission request control process will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The permission request control process is a process for controlling a permission request for a push notification. The permission request control process may include a first permission request control process executed by the first control unit 30 at predetermined intervals, and a second permission request control process executed by the second control unit 40 at predetermined intervals. The permission request control process may include a third permission request control process executed in the push notification server 12, and a terminal permission request control process executed by the terminal control unit 20.

[0060] 7, in the web server 11, the first control unit 30 determines whether the permission request condition is met in step S20. Specifically, the first control unit 30 determines that the permission request condition is met when there is a request for providing information about content information of a predetermined website that incorporates JavaScript.

[0061] If the first control unit 30 determines that the permission request condition is not met, it skips step S21 and proceeds to step S22. If the first control unit 30 determines that the permission request condition is met, it proceeds to step S21.

[0062] In step S21, the first control unit 30 executes a permission request transmission process. In the permission request transmission process, the first control unit 30 transmits a permission request to the user terminal device 15 for which the permission request condition is met. That is, the first control unit 30 transmits to the user a permission request for providing a push notification from a predetermined website to the user.

[0063] More specifically, the first control unit 30 transmits content information in which JavaScript is embedded to the user terminal device 15. In this way, the first control unit 30 causes the user terminal device 15 to execute JavaScript, thereby causing the user terminal device 15 to execute control related to a request for permission to send a push notification.

[0064] In particular, the first control unit 30 causes the user terminal device 15 to execute JavaScript, thereby displaying a permission request image on the terminal display unit 24. The permission request image is an image related to a permission request. Specifically, the permission request image may include an image indicating a permission request. The permission request image may include a reward image. In this way, when transmitting a permission request, the first control unit 30 transmits information to the user to display the reward image. When the permission request transmission process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S22.

[0065] In the user terminal device 15, in step S80, the terminal control unit 20 executes a permission request reception process. In the permission request reception process, the terminal control unit 20 waits to receive a permission request from the web server 11. More specifically, the terminal control unit 20 waits to receive content information incorporating JavaScript for requesting permission for push notification. When the permission request reception process ends, the terminal control unit 20 proceeds to step S81.

[0066] In step S81, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether or not a permission request has been received from the web server 11. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that a permission request has not been received from the web server 11, it terminates the terminal permission request control process without executing steps S82 to S88. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that a permission request has been received from the web server 11, it proceeds to step S82.

[0067] In step S82, the terminal control unit 20 executes a permission request image display process. In the permission request image display process, the terminal control unit 20 causes a permission request image to be displayed on the terminal display unit 24. In detail, the terminal control unit 20 executes JavaScript for requesting permission for push notification, thereby displaying the permission request image on the terminal display unit 24. Note that the terminal control unit 20 executes JavaScript for requesting permission for push notification, thereby executing steps S82 to S88. When the permission request image display process has ended, the terminal control unit 20 proceeds to step S83.

[0068] In step S83, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether or not an allow operation has been input via the terminal input unit 23. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that an allow operation has not been input, it executes step S83 again. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that a reject operation has been input, it may proceed to step S85 without executing step S84. In this case, the terminal control unit 20 may transmit the reject operation to the web server 11. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that an allow operation has been input, it proceeds to step S84.

[0069] In step S84, the terminal control unit 20 executes an permission operation transmission process. In the permission operation transmission process, the terminal control unit 20 transmits the result of the permission operation to the web server 11. When the permission operation transmission process ends, the terminal control unit 20 proceeds to step S85.

[0070] In step S85, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether or not authentication information is held. Specifically, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether or not authentication information is held as a cookie. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that authentication information is held, it skips steps S86 and S87 and proceeds to step S88. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that authentication information is not held, it proceeds to step S86.

[0071] In step S86, the terminal control unit 20 executes an authentication information image display process. In the authentication information image display process, the terminal control unit 20 displays an authentication information image for inputting authentication information on the terminal display unit 24. When the authentication information image display process ends, the terminal control unit 20 proceeds to step S87.

[0072] In step S87, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether or not authentication information has been input by the terminal input unit 23. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that authentication information has not been input, it executes step S87 again. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that authentication information has been input, it proceeds to step S88.

[0073] In step S88, the terminal control unit 20 executes authentication information transmission processing. In the authentication information transmission processing, the terminal control unit 20 transmits the acquired authentication information to the web server 11. When the authentication information transmission processing is completed, the terminal control unit 20 terminates the terminal permission request control processing.

[0074] In step S22, the first control unit 30 of the web server 11 executes a permission operation reception process. In the permission operation reception process, the first control unit 30 waits to receive a result of the permission operation from the user terminal device 15. When the permission operation reception process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S23.

[0075] In step S23, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not the result of the permission operation has been received from the user terminal device 15. If the first control unit 30 determines that the result of the permission operation has not been received from the user terminal device 15, it skips step S24 and proceeds to step S25. If the first control unit 30 determines that the result of the permission operation has been received from the user terminal device 15, it proceeds to step S24.

[0076] In step S24, the first control unit 30 executes an allowed operation storage process. In the allowed operation storage process, the first control unit 30 stores the result of the allowed operation in the first storage unit 31. When the allowed operation storage process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S25.

[0077] In step S25, the first control unit 30 executes an authentication information receiving process. In the authentication information receiving process, the first control unit 30 waits to receive authentication information from the user terminal device 15. When the authentication information receiving process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S26 in FIG. 8.

[0078] 8, in step S26, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not authentication information has been received from the user terminal device 15. If the first control unit 30 determines that authentication information has not been received from the user terminal device 15, it skips step S27 and proceeds to step S28. If the first control unit 30 determines that authentication information has been received from the user terminal device 15, it proceeds to step S27.

[0079] In step S27, the first control unit 30 executes an authentication information transmission process. In the authentication information transmission process, the first control unit 30 acquires authentication information from the user terminal device 15 by receiving the authentication information from the user terminal device 15. In this way, when the first control unit 30 acquires the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request, it acquires the user's authentication information managed by the reward management server 13. The first control unit 30 transmits the acquired authentication information to the reward management server 13. When the authentication information transmission process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S28.

[0080] In the reward management server 13, in step S60, the second control unit 40 executes an authentication information receiving process. In the authentication information receiving process, the second control unit 40 waits to receive authentication information from the web server 11. When the authentication information receiving process is completed, the second control unit 40 proceeds to step S61.

[0081] In step S61, the second control unit 40 determines whether or not authentication information has been received from the web server 11. If the second control unit 40 determines that authentication information has not been received from the web server 11, it skips steps S62 and S63 and proceeds to step S64. If the second control unit 40 determines that authentication information has been received from the web server 11, it proceeds to step S62.

[0082] In step S62, the second control unit 40 executes user authentication processing. In the user authentication processing, the second control unit 40 performs user authentication based on authentication information from the web server 11. Specifically, the second control unit 40 determines that the user authentication is successful when the authentication information from the web server 11 matches the combination of user identification information and password stored in the second storage unit 41 as user management information. When the user authentication processing is completed, the second control unit 40 proceeds to step S63.

[0083] In step S63, the second control unit 40 executes an authentication result transmission process. In the authentication result transmission process, the second control unit 40 transmits the result of the user authentication to the web server 11. When the authentication result transmission process is completed, the second control unit 40 proceeds to step S64.

[0084] In the web server 11, in step S28, the first control unit 30 executes an authentication result receiving process. In the authentication result receiving process, the first control unit 30 waits to receive the authentication result from the reward management server 13. When the authentication result receiving process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S29.

[0085] In step S29, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not an authentication result has been received from the reward management server 13. If the first control unit 30 determines that an authentication result has not been received from the reward management server 13, it terminates the first permission request control process without executing steps S30 to S32. If the first control unit 30 determines that an authentication result has been received from the reward management server 13, it proceeds to step S30.

[0086] In step S30, the first control unit 30 determines whether the authentication result received from the reward management server 13 is normal authentication. If the first control unit 30 determines that the authentication result received from the reward management server 13 is not normal authentication, it terminates the first permission request control process without executing steps S31 and S32. If the first control unit 30 determines that the authentication result received from the reward management server 13 is normal authentication, it proceeds to step S31.

[0087] In step S31, the first control unit 30 executes a reward granting information transmission process. In the reward granting information transmission process, the first control unit 30 transmits the reward granting information to the reward management server 13.

[0088] In this way, when the first control unit 30 obtains the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request, it transmits reward granting information indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation to the reward management server 13. In particular, when the first control unit 30 obtains the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request and user authentication is successfully performed based on the user's authentication information, it transmits the reward granting information to the reward management server 13. When the reward granting information transmission process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S32.

[0089] In step S32, the first control unit 30 executes a notification permission information transmission process. In the notification permission information transmission process, the first control unit 30 generates notification permission information. The first control unit 30 transmits the notification permission information to the push notification server 12 and the user terminal device 15. The notification permission information may include terminal identification information that has permitted the push notification and delivery identification information that is the target of the permitted push notification. When the notification permission information transmission process has ended, the first control unit 30 ends the first permission request control process.

[0090] In the reward management server 13, the second control unit 40 executes a reward granting information receiving process in step S64. In the reward granting information receiving process, the second control unit 40 waits to receive reward granting information from the web server 11. When the reward granting information receiving process is completed, the second control unit 40 proceeds to step S64.

[0091] In step S65, the second control unit 40 determines whether or not reward granting information has been received from the web server 11. If the second control unit 40 determines that reward granting information has not been received from the web server 11, it terminates the second permission request control process without executing steps S66 to S68. If the second control unit 40 determines that reward granting information has been received from the web server 11, it proceeds to step S66.

[0092] In step S66, the second control unit 40 determines whether or not the reward granting condition is met based on the received reward granting information. The reward granting condition may be met when no reward granting history in which a reward was previously granted is stored in the second storage unit 41. In particular, the reward granting condition may be met when no reward granting history corresponding to the same permission request condition and the same user identification information is stored in the second storage unit 41.

[0093] If the second control unit 40 determines that the reward granting condition is not met, it ends the second permission request control process without executing steps S67 and S68. If the second control unit 40 determines that the reward granting condition is met, it proceeds to step S67.

[0094] In step S67, the second control unit 40 executes a reward granting process. In the reward granting process, the second control unit 40 updates the reward information corresponding to the user identification information so as to add a reward value based on the reward granting information. When the second control unit 40 ends the reward granting process, the process proceeds to step S68.

[0095] In step S68, the second control unit 40 executes a reward granting history storage process. In the reward granting history storage process, the second control unit 40 stores the reward granting history in the second storage unit 41. The reward granting history may include user identification information to which the reward was granted, the reward value, the reward date and time, and distribution identification information. When the reward granting history storage process ends, the second control unit 40 ends the second permission request control process.

[0096] In the push notification server 12, in step S70, the third control unit 50 executes a notification permission information reception process. In the notification permission information reception process, the third control unit 50 waits to receive notification permission information from the web server 11. When the notification permission information reception process ends, the third control unit 50 proceeds to step S71.

[0097] In step S71, the third control unit 50 determines whether or not notification permission information has been received from the web server 11. If the third control unit 50 determines that notification permission information has not been received from the web server 11, it terminates the third permission request control process without executing step S72. If the third control unit 50 determines that notification permission information has been received from the web server 11, it proceeds to step S72.

[0098] In step S72, the third control unit 50 executes a notification permission information setting process. In the notification permission information setting process, the third control unit 50 sets the notification permission information by storing the notification permission information in the third storage unit 51. When the notification permission information setting process ends, the third control unit 50 ends the third permission request control process.

[0099] In the user terminal device 15, similarly to the push notification server 12, when the terminal control unit 20 determines that notification permission information has been received from the web server 11, the terminal control unit 20 sets the notification permission information by storing the notification permission information in the terminal memory unit 21.

[0100] In this way, the third control unit 50 can set the notification permission information. As a result, when the third control unit 50 receives a push request from the web server 11, it sends a push notification based on the notification permission information. In more detail, when the third control unit 50 receives a push request from the web server 11, it reads out the notification permission information corresponding to the website included in the push request from the third storage unit 51. The third control unit 50 sends a push notification of the content included in the push request to the user terminal device 15 corresponding to the read notification permission information.

[0101] <Operation of the First Embodiment> The operation of the first embodiment will be described. 9, a first screen 24A may be displayed on the terminal display unit 24. The first screen 24A is a screen that displays a first website WS1. The first screen 24A displays a first content C1 of the first website WS1. The first screen 24A also displays an image linking to a second website WS2.

[0102] When the user specifies a link image to the second website WS2, the second screen 24B is displayed on the terminal display unit 24. The second website WS2 is a site for which permission request conditions are set. A permission request image is displayed on the second screen 24B. The permission request image includes an image requesting permission for push notification. The permission request image includes a permission button image and a rejection button image. The permission request image includes a reward image.

[0103] When the user selects the allow button, a third screen 24C is displayed on the terminal display unit 24 based on the result of the permission operation in response to the push notification permission request. An authentication information image is displayed on the third screen 24C. The authentication information image includes an input area for inputting authentication information. More specifically, the authentication information image includes an input area for inputting user identification information and an input area for inputting a password.

[0104] When the user inputs the authentication information and the user is successfully authenticated, a fourth screen 24D is displayed on the terminal display unit 24. An image indicating that a reward has been awarded is displayed on the fourth screen 24D.

[0105] After that, the fifth screen 24E is displayed on the terminal display unit 24. The fifth screen 24E is a screen that displays the second website WS2. The second content C2 of the second website WS2 is displayed on the fifth screen 24E. An image of a link to the first website WS1 is displayed on the fifth screen 24E.

[0106] In this way, when push notification is permitted, the sixth screen 24F is displayed on the terminal display unit 24 at a predetermined timing. The sixth screen 24F is a screen that shows a push notification from a website. A push notification image is displayed on the sixth screen 24F. The push notification image includes an image showing the site name, an image related to the time the push notification was received, and an image showing the content of the push notification.

[0107] <Effects of the first embodiment> The effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The first control unit 30 transmits to the user a request for permission to provide push notifications from a website to the user. When the first control unit 30 obtains the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request, the first control unit 30 transmits reward grant information indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation to the reward management server 13. As a result, a reward is granted in response to the permission operation in response to the push notification permission request. This can encourage permission for push notifications.

[0108] (1-2) When the first control unit 30 obtains the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request, it obtains the user's authentication information managed by the reward management server 13. When user authentication is successfully performed based on the user's authentication information, the first control unit 30 transmits reward granting information to the reward management server 13. Therefore, it is possible to grant a reward to a user who performed a permission operation in response to the permission request when user authentication is successfully performed. This increases the reliability of the granting of rewards. Therefore, it is possible to promote permission for push notifications. In addition, it is possible to provide an opportunity to obtain user identification information to grant a reward.

[0109] (1-3) When transmitting a push notification permission request, the first control unit 30 transmits information to the user terminal device 15 to display a reward image. Therefore, by displaying the reward image, the user can be made aware that a reward will be given to the user depending on the result of the user's permission operation. Therefore, permission for push notification can be promoted.

[0110] (1-4) The first control unit 30 can set permission request conditions. This allows for a variety of permission request conditions, and allows the website administrator to set the permission request conditions that he or she desires. This improves the convenience of the website administrator.

[0111] (1-5) The first control unit 30 can set the reward value to be given to the user. This allows for a variety of reward values to be given to the user, and also allows the website administrator to set the reward value desired. This improves the convenience for the website administrator.

[0112] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, conditions for granting a reward may be defined other than the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the already described embodiment, and redundant description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0113] <Rejection operation control process> The rejection operation control process will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The rejection operation control process is a process for controlling the rejection operation of a push notification. The rejection operation control process may include a first rejection operation control process executed by the first control unit 30 at predetermined intervals. The rejection operation control process may include a third rejection operation control process executed by the push notification server 12 and a terminal rejection operation control process executed by the terminal control unit 20.

[0114] 10, in the user terminal device 15, in step S90, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether a rejection operation has been input via the terminal input unit 23. In this case, the terminal control unit 20 determines whether a rejection operation has been input both in the case of a rejection operation for a push notification permission request and in the case of other rejection operations. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that a rejection operation has not been input, it does not execute step S91 and ends the terminal rejection operation control process. If the terminal control unit 20 determines that a rejection operation has been input, it proceeds to step S91.

[0115] In step S91, the terminal control unit 20 executes a rejection operation transmission process. In the rejection operation transmission process, the terminal control unit 20 transmits the result of the rejection operation to the web server 11. When the rejection operation transmission process ends, the terminal control unit 20 ends the terminal rejection operation control process.

[0116] In step S33, the first control unit 30 of the web server 11 executes a rejection operation reception process. In the rejection operation reception process, the first control unit 30 waits to receive the result of the rejection operation from the user terminal device 15. When the rejection operation reception process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S34.

[0117] In step S34, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not the result of the reject operation has been received from the user terminal device 15. If the first control unit 30 determines that the result of the reject operation has not been received from the user terminal device 15, it terminates the first reject operation control process without executing step S35. If the first control unit 30 determines that the result of the reject operation has been received from the user terminal device 15, it proceeds to step S35.

[0118] In step S35, the first control unit 30 executes a notification rejection information transmission process. In the notification rejection information transmission process, the first control unit 30 stores a rejection operation history indicating the result of the rejection operation in the first storage unit 31. The rejection operation history may include the identification information of the terminal that transmitted the result of the rejection operation. The first control unit 30 transmits the notification rejection information to the push notification server 12 and the user terminal device 15. The notification rejection information may include the identification information of the terminal that rejected the push notification and the delivery identification information of the push notification that was rejected. When the notification rejection information transmission process has ended, the first control unit 30 ends the first rejection operation control process.

[0119] In step S73, the third control unit 50 of the push notification server 12 executes a notification rejection information reception process. In the notification rejection information reception process, the third control unit 50 waits to receive notification rejection information from the web server 11. When the notification rejection information reception process ends, the third control unit 50 proceeds to step S74.

[0120] In step S74, the third control unit 50 determines whether or not notification rejection information has been received from the web server 11. If the third control unit 50 determines that notification rejection information has not been received from the web server 11, it terminates the third rejection operation control process without executing step S75. If the third control unit 50 determines that notification rejection information has been received from the web server 11, it proceeds to step S75.

[0121] In step S75, the third control unit 50 executes a notification rejection information setting process. In the notification rejection information setting process, the third control unit 50 sets the notification rejection information by storing the notification rejection information in the third storage unit 51. When the notification rejection information setting process ends, the third control unit 50 ends the third rejection operation request control process.

[0122] In the user terminal device 15, similarly to the push notification server 12, when the terminal control unit 20 determines that notification rejection information has been received from the web server 11, the terminal control unit 20 sets the notification rejection information by storing the notification rejection information in the terminal memory unit 21.

[0123] <Permission request control process> The permission request control process will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In particular, the permission request control process, which is a first permission request control process executed by the first control unit 30 at predetermined intervals, will be described.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 11, in step S30, in the web server 11, if the first control unit 30 determines that the authentication result received from the reward management server 13 is normal authentication, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0125] In step S36, the first control unit 30 executes a reward grant setting process. In the reward grant setting process, the first control unit 30 sets a reward grant flag in the first storage unit 31. The reward grant flag is a flag for sending reward grant information to the reward management server 13. The reward grant flag may include time information when it is determined that the user authentication is successful. When the reward grant setting process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S32. When the notification permission information transmission process is completed in step S32, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S37.

[0126] In step S37, the first control unit 30 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the setting of the reward granting flag, based on the reward granting flag. If the first control unit 30 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the setting of the reward granting flag, it ends the first permission request control process without executing steps S38 and S31. If the first control unit 30 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed since the setting of the reward granting flag, it proceeds to step S38.

[0127] In step S38, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not there is a refusal operation history. If the first control unit 30 determines that there is no refusal operation history, it does not execute step S31 and ends the first permission request control process. If the first control unit 30 determines that there is a refusal operation history, it proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the first control unit 30 executes a reward granting information transmission process.

[0128] In this way, the first control unit 30 transmits the reward granting information to the reward management server 13 when it does not obtain the result of a refusal operation for a predetermined period after obtaining the result of the user's permission operation in response to a permission request.

[0129] <Effects of the second embodiment> The effects of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) The first control unit 30 transmits reward granting information to the reward management server 13 when it does not obtain the result of a rejection operation for a predetermined period of time after obtaining the result of the permission operation. Therefore, no reward is granted for temporarily permitting push notifications, such as performing a rejection operation before the predetermined period of time has elapsed after performing a permission operation. A reward is granted for permitting push notifications for a predetermined period of time after performing a permission operation. This makes it possible to encourage continued permission of push notifications.

[0130] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the permission request condition may be any condition.

[0131] <Permission request control process> The permission request control process will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In particular, the permission request control process, which is a first permission request control process executed by the first control unit 30 at predetermined intervals, will be described.

[0132] 12, in the web server 11, in step S40, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not there has been a request to provide information to a predetermined website. If the first control unit 30 determines that there has been no request to provide information to a predetermined website, it skips steps S41 to S44 and proceeds to step S22. If the first control unit 30 determines that there has been a request to provide information to a predetermined website, it proceeds to step S41.

[0133] In step S41, the first control unit 30 determines whether the user terminal device 15 that requested the provision of information to the predetermined website has performed the permission operation. Specifically, the first control unit 30 acquires user identification information when the user terminal device 15 that requested the provision of information to the predetermined website is a terminal device that has been successfully user-authenticated. The first control unit 30 may determine whether the user terminal device 15 has performed the permission operation based on whether the acquired user identification information is user identification information stored as a result of the permission operation.

[0134] If the first control unit 30 determines that the user terminal device 15 has performed the permission operation, it skips steps S42 to S44 and shifts the process to step S22. As a result, the first control unit 30 does not request permission for push notification from the user terminal device 15 that has already performed the permission operation. If the first control unit 30 determines that the user terminal device 15 has not performed the permission operation, it shifts the process to step S42. In this way, the conditions in steps S41 and S42 correspond to permission request conditions.

[0135] In step S42, the first control unit 30 determines whether a predetermined number of requests for information provision have been made to the predetermined website within a predetermined period. When the first control unit 30 requests information provision to the predetermined website, the first control unit 30 stores a history of the information provision requests in the first storage unit 31. The history of the information provision requests includes the date and time of the information provision request and the user identification information of the user who requested the information provision. Based on the history of the information provision requests, the first control unit 30 determines whether a predetermined number of requests for information provision have been made to the predetermined website within a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be, for example, one day. The predetermined number of times is one or more times. The predetermined number of times may be, for example, three times.

[0136] If the first control unit 30 determines that there has not been a predetermined number of requests to provide information to the predetermined website within the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S43. If the first control unit 30 determines that there has been a predetermined number of requests to provide information to the predetermined website within the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0137] In step S43, the first control unit 30 executes a first permission request transmission process. In the first permission request transmission process, the first control unit 30 transmits a first permission request to the user terminal device 15 for which the permission request condition is met. That is, the first control unit 30 transmits to the user a permission request for providing a push notification from the website to the user. More specifically, the first control unit 30 transmits to the user terminal device 15 content information incorporating JavaScript for requesting permission for the push notification.

[0138] The first control unit 30 causes the user terminal device 15 to execute JavaScript, thereby causing the terminal display unit 24 to display a first permission request image. The first permission request image is an image that includes a reward image. When the first permission request transmission process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S22.

[0139] In step S44, the first control unit 30 executes a second permission request transmission process. In the second permission request transmission process, the first control unit 30 transmits a second permission request to the user terminal device 15 for which the permission request condition is met. That is, the first control unit 30 transmits to the user a permission request for providing a push notification from the website to the user. In detail, the first control unit 30 transmits to the user terminal device 15 content information embedded with JavaScript for requesting permission for the push notification.

[0140] The first control unit 30 causes the user terminal device 15 to execute JavaScript, thereby causing the terminal display unit 24 to display a second permission request image. The second permission request image is an image that does not include a reward image. When the second permission request transmission process is completed, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S22.

[0141] In this way, the first control unit 30 switches the display mode of the reward image depending on the user's predetermined behavior on the website within a predetermined period of time. In particular, the first control unit 30 switches whether or not to display the reward image depending on the user's predetermined behavior on the website within a predetermined period of time. The first control unit 30 displays the reward image when the frequency of requests for information provision to the website is equal to or less than a threshold, but does not display the reward image when the frequency of requests for information provision to the website is higher than the threshold. The threshold is the request frequency at which a predetermined number of requests for information provision to the predetermined website are made within a predetermined period of time.

[0142] <Effects of the third embodiment> The effects of the third embodiment will be described. (3-1) The first control unit 30 can switch the display mode of the reward image depending on the user's predetermined behavior on the website within a predetermined period of time. This allows for a variety of display modes for the push notification permission request, and the push notification permission request can be made in a display mode that corresponds to the user's behavior. This can therefore encourage permission for push notifications.

[0143] (3-2) The first control unit 30 displays the reward image when the frequency of requests to provide information to the website is low, but does not display the reward image when the frequency of requests to provide information to the website is high. This allows the request for permission to send push notifications to be displayed in a display format that corresponds to the frequency of requests to provide information to the website. This can therefore encourage permission to send push notifications.

[0144] (3-3) The first control unit 30 can recognize a predetermined behavior of a user on a website within a predetermined period based on the user identification information. This reduces the possibility of misidentifying a first visit to a website due to the deletion or disappearance of cookies.

[0145] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, when a permission operation is input, the terminal control unit 20 may transmit a result of the permission operation to the push notification server 12. In this case, notification permission information may be transmitted from the push notification server 12 to the web server 11.

[0146] <Permission request control process> The permission request control process will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In particular, the permission request control process will be described, including a first permission request control process executed by the first control unit 30 at predetermined intervals and a third permission request control process executed by the third control unit 50 at predetermined intervals.

[0147] In step S84, the terminal control unit 20 transmits the result of the permission operation to the push notification server 12. In particular, the terminal control unit 20 transmits the result of the permission operation to the push notification server 12 by executing JavaScript.

[0148] In step S76, the third control unit 50 of the push notification server 12 executes a permission operation reception process. In the permission operation reception process, the third control unit 50 waits to receive a result of the permission operation from the user terminal device 15. When the permission operation reception process ends, the third control unit 50 proceeds to step S77.

[0149] In step S77, the third control unit 50 determines whether or not the result of the permission operation has been received from the user terminal device 15. If the third control unit 50 determines that the result of the permission operation has not been received from the user terminal device 15, it terminates the third permission request control process without executing steps S72 and S78. If the third control unit 50 determines that the result of the permission operation has been received from the user terminal device 15, it proceeds to step S72.

[0150] In step S72, the third control unit 50 executes a notification permission information setting process. In the notification permission information setting process, the third control unit 50 sets the notification permission information by storing the notification permission information in the third storage unit 51. When the notification permission information setting process ends, the third control unit 50 proceeds to step S78.

[0151] In step S78, the third control unit 50 executes a notification permission information transmission process. In the notification permission information transmission process, the third control unit 50 generates notification permission information. The third control unit 50 transmits the notification permission information to the web server 11 and the user terminal device 15. When the notification permission information transmission process ends, the third control unit 50 ends the third permission request control process.

[0152] In step S45, the first control unit 30 of the web server 11 executes a notification permission information reception process. In the notification permission information reception process, the first control unit 30 waits to receive notification permission information from the push notification server 12. When the notification permission information reception process ends, the first control unit 30 proceeds to step S46.

[0153] In step S46, the first control unit 30 determines whether or not notification permission information has been received from the push notification server 12. If the first control unit 30 determines that notification permission information has not been received from the push notification server 12, it ends the first permission request control process without executing step S47. If the first control unit 30 determines that notification permission information has been received from the push notification server 12, it proceeds to step S47.

[0154] In step S47, the first control unit 30 executes a notification permission information setting process. In the notification permission information setting process, the first control unit 30 sets the notification permission information by storing the notification permission information in the first storage unit 31. When the notification permission information setting process ends, the first control unit 30 ends the first permission request control process.

[0155] In the user terminal device 15, similarly to the web server 11, when the terminal control unit 20 determines that notification permission information has been received from the push notification server 12, it sets the notification permission information by storing the notification permission information in the terminal memory unit 21.

[0156] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0157] In the setting control process of Fig. 6, the first control unit 30 may be able to set the predetermined period. This allows for a variety of predetermined periods, and allows the website administrator to set a desired predetermined period. This improves convenience for the website administrator.

[0158] In the setting control process of FIG. 6, the first control unit 30 may be able to set the predetermined action. This allows for diversity in the predetermined actions, and allows the website administrator to set the predetermined action desired. This improves convenience for the website administrator. In this way, the first control unit 30 may be able to set at least one of the predetermined period and the predetermined action.

[0159] 6, the first control unit 30 may be able to set a predetermined time period for which the result of the permitted operation continues as a reward granting condition. In other words, the first control unit 30 may be able to set a reward granting condition for granting a reward to a user.

[0160] When receiving a result of the permission operation from the user terminal device 15, the first control unit 30 may execute the communication permission information transmission process before determining whether the user authentication is successful. When receiving a result of the permission operation from the user terminal device 15, the first control unit 30 may execute the communication permission information transmission process regardless of whether the user authentication is successful.

[0161] The first control unit 30 may transmit a request for permission to send a push notification to the user terminal device 15 without causing the user terminal device 15 to execute JavaScript. In this case, when the first control unit 30 receives a result of the permission operation from the user terminal device 15, it may request the user terminal device 15 to input authentication information.

[0162] When a permission operation is input, the terminal control unit 20 may set the terminal identification information in the terminal storage unit 21 and transmit the terminal identification information to the web server 11. When a permission operation is input, the terminal control unit 20 may set the terminal identification information in the terminal storage unit 21 and transmit the terminal identification information to the push notification server 12 without going through the web server 11. In this case, when the third control unit 50 receives the terminal identification information, it may transmit the terminal identification information to the web server 11.

[0163] When an authorization operation is input, the terminal control unit 20 may set the delivery identification information in the terminal storage unit 21 and transmit the delivery identification information to the web server 11. When an authorization operation is input, the terminal control unit 20 may set the delivery identification information in the terminal storage unit 21 and transmit the delivery identification information to the push notification server 12 without going through the web server 11. In this case, when the third control unit 50 receives the delivery identification information, it may transmit the delivery identification information to the web server 11.

[0164] The terminal control unit 20 may send authentication information to the reward management server 13 without going through the web server 11. The terminal control unit 20 may send reward granting information to the reward management server 13 without going through the web server 11.

[0165] The terminal control unit 20 may transmit authentication information to the push notification server 12 without going through the web server 11. In this case, the third control unit 50 may transmit the authentication information to the reward management server 13 when it receives the authentication information. The terminal control unit 20 may transmit reward granting information to the push notification server 12 without going through the web server 11. In this case, the third control unit 50 may transmit the reward granting information to the reward management server 13 when it receives the reward granting information.

[0166] When the second control unit 40 receives the reward granting information, the second control unit 40 may grant the reward when a predetermined time has elapsed since the receipt of the reward granting information. The first control unit 30 may transmit the result of the rejection operation to the reward management server 13. In this case, when the second control unit 40 receives the reward granting information, the second control unit 40 may grant the reward if the result of the rejection operation has not been received until a predetermined time has elapsed since the receipt of the reward granting information.

[0167] The permission request condition may be satisfied when a request for information provision is made to a site other than the website. The permission request condition may be satisfied when a request for information provision is made to a site by an application installed on the user terminal device 15. In other words, the permission request condition may be satisfied as long as it is a request for information provision to a site.

[0168] The permission request condition may be set in the web server 11, rather than being set in the JavaScript itself. In this case, the terminal control unit 20 may execute the JavaScript to inquire of the web server 11 whether the permission request condition is met.

[0169] The push request may be made by a client terminal device other than the web server 11. In this case, the push request including the delivery identification information and the terminal identification information is sent from the client terminal device to the push notification server 12.

[0170] The permission request image may be displayed in any display mode, for example, a web page, a pop-up, or an interstitial. The push notification may include link information for a website. In this case, the first control unit 30 may transmit reward granting information to the reward management server 13 when a request for information is made to the website based on the link information in the push notification. As a result, a reward may be granted to the user when a request for information is made to the website based on the link information in the push notification. In this case, when a request for information is made to the website based on the link information in the push notification, information indicating that the request is based on the link information in the push notification may be transmitted from the user terminal device 15 to the web server 11.

[0171] The reward given to a user may not be a predetermined reward value, but may be a reward value obtained by dividing the total reward value by the number of users to whom the reward is given. In this case, there may be an upper limit to the reward value given to a user.

[0172] The information management system 10 may be a system capable of storing a user's behavior history. In particular, the e-commerce server 14 may be a system capable of storing a user's behavior history. The user's behavior history may be a purchase of a product. The user's behavior history may also be at least one of a travel offer and a service offer.

[0173] The second control unit 40 may, for example, grant a discount coupon as a reward to the user. The discount coupon may be, for example, a discount on at least one of the purchase of a product, a travel offer, or a service offer, or may be a coupon that can be used at an affiliated store. The second control unit 40 may also, for example, grant the product itself, the travel offer itself, or the service offer itself as a reward to the user. The second control unit 40 may grant the user a type of reward based on the user's behavioral history.

[0174] At least any combination of the web server 11, push notification server 12, reward management server 13, and e-commerce server 14 may be managed by different or the same administrator. As a specific example, the web server 11, reward management server 13, and e-commerce server 14 may be managed by a first administrator, and the push notification server 12 may be managed by a second administrator. The reward management server 13 and e-commerce server 14 may be managed by a first administrator, the push notification server 12 may be managed by a second administrator, and the web server 11 may be managed by a third administrator. In this case, the first administrator may provide the third administrator with a development environment for incorporating JavaScript into content on the web server 11 to request permission for push notifications. The reward management server 13 and e-commerce server 14 may be managed by the first administrator, and the web server 11 and push notification server 12 may be managed by the second administrator. In this way, the web server 11 may be managed by the same administrator as the push notification server 12, or by a different administrator from the push notification server 12. The web server 11 may be managed by the same administrator as the reward management server 13, or by a different administrator from the reward management server 13.

[0175] The functions of one of the web server 11, the push notification server 12, the reward management server 13, and the e-commerce server 14 may be implemented as the functions of the other servers.

[0176] The information management system 10 may be configured with at least one of a web server 11, a push notification server 12, a reward management server 13, and an e-commerce server 14. In other words, the information management system 10 does not have to include at least one of the web server 11, the push notification server 12, the reward management server 13, and the e-commerce server 14. The information management device may include at least one of the web server 11, the push notification server 12, the reward management server 13, and the e-commerce server 14.

[0177] The phrase "at least any" used herein means one or more of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or both options. As another example, when the number of options is three or more, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or any combination of two or more options.

[0178] [Note] The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0179] (A) The information management device includes a permission request sending unit that sends a permission request to a user for the provision of push notifications from a site to the user, and a reward granting information sending unit that, when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, sends reward granting information to a reward management unit that indicates the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.

[0180] (B) The information management device described in (A) includes an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires the authentication information of the user managed by the reward management unit when the result of the permission operation is obtained, and the reward granting information transmission unit transmits the reward granting information to the reward management unit when user authentication is successfully performed based on the user authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit.

[0181] In the information management device described in (C)(A) or (B), the reward granting information sending unit sends the reward granting information to the reward management unit when the result of the permission operation is obtained and the result of the refusal operation is not obtained for a predetermined period of time.

[0182] (D) In the information management device described in any one of (A) to (C), when sending the permission request, the permission request sending unit sends to the user information to display a reward image that can identify that a reward will be granted to the user depending on the result of the permission operation, and switches the display mode of the reward image depending on the user's specified behavior on the site within a specified period of time.

[0183] (E) The information management device described in any one of (A) to (D) includes a setting unit that can set a permission request condition for making the permission request. (F) The information management device described in any one of (A) to (E) includes a setting unit that can set a reward granting condition for granting a reward to a user.

[0184] (G) The information management device according to any one of (A) to (F) includes a setting unit that can set at least one of the predetermined period and the predetermined action. (H) The information management system includes a permission request sending unit that sends a permission request to a user for the provision of push notifications from a site to the user, and a reward granting information sending unit that, when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, sends reward granting information to a reward management unit indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.

[0185] (I) An information management method includes one or more computers sending a request to a user for permission to provide push notifications from a site to the user, and, when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, sending reward grant information to a reward management unit indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation.

[0186] (J) The program causes one or more computers to send a request for permission to a user to provide push notifications from a site to the user, and when the result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, send reward grant information to a reward management unit indicating the granting of a reward to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 10...information management system, 11...web server, 12...push notification server, 13...reward management server, 14...electronic commerce server, 15...user terminal device, 20...terminal control unit, 30...first control unit, 30B...permission request sending unit, 30C...authentication information acquisition unit, 30E...reward granting information sending unit, 30F...setting unit 40...second control unit, 40C...reward management unit.

Claims

1. a setting unit that can set reward conditions including the granting of a reward to a user and the reward value to be granted to the user in accordance with a setting operation; a permission request sending unit that sends a permission request for providing a push notification from the site to the user terminal device to the user terminal device; an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires user authentication information; a push notification information sending unit that, when acquiring a result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request, sends information capable of identifying the user terminal device corresponding to the result of the permission operation to a push notification server; a reward granting information sending unit that sends, when user authentication is normally performed based on the user authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquiring unit and a result of the permission operation is acquired, reward granting information indicating that the reward value set by the setting unit will be granted to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation to a reward management server; Equipped with the permission request includes a first permission request and a second permission request; the first permission request includes information for displaying a first permission request image; the second permission request includes information for displaying a second permission request image; the first permission request image is an image related to the permission request including a reward image that can specify that the reward value set by the setting unit will be granted to the user depending on a result of the permission operation, The second permission request image is an image related to the permission request that does not include the reward image, When transmitting the permission request in a state in which the user authentication has been successfully performed and the result of the permission operation for the permission request has not yet been obtained, the permission request transmitting unit transmits the first permission request to the user terminal device if, as a predetermined action of the user on the site within the predetermined period, the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within the predetermined period is less than a predetermined number, and transmits the second permission request to the user terminal device if the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within the predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Information management device.

2. 2. The information management device according to claim 1, the reward granting information transmitting unit transmits the reward granting information to the reward management server when a result of the permission operation is not obtained for a predetermined period of time after the result of the permission operation is obtained. Information management device.

3. 2. The information management device according to claim 1, The setting unit is capable of setting a permission request condition for making the permission request. Information management device.

4. 2. The information management device according to claim 1, the setting unit is capable of setting at least one of the predetermined period and the predetermined action, the permission request sending unit switches the display mode of the reward image depending on the predetermined behavior of the user on the site within the predetermined period. Information management device.

5. In the information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an information providing unit that provides information to the user terminal device in response to a request for information provided by a user to the site; the reward granting information sending unit sends the reward granting information to the reward management server when the user requests the site to provide information based on link information included in the push notification sent from the push notification server to the user terminal device; Information management device.

6. a setting unit that can set reward conditions including the granting of a reward to a user and the reward value to be granted to the user in accordance with a setting operation; a permission request sending unit that sends a permission request for providing a push notification from the site to the user terminal device to the user terminal device; an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires user authentication information; a push notification information sending unit that, when acquiring a result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request, sends information capable of identifying the user terminal device corresponding to the result of the permission operation to a push notification server; a reward granting information sending unit that sends, when user authentication is normally performed based on the user authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquiring unit and a result of the permission operation is acquired, reward granting information indicating that the reward value set by the setting unit will be granted to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation to a reward management server; Equipped with the permission request includes a first permission request and a second permission request; the first permission request includes information for displaying a first permission request image; the second permission request includes information for displaying a second permission request image; the first permission request image is an image related to the permission request including a reward image that can specify that the reward value set by the setting unit will be granted to the user depending on a result of the permission operation, The second permission request image is an image related to the permission request that does not include the reward image, When transmitting the permission request in a state in which the user authentication has been successfully performed and the result of the permission operation for the permission request has not yet been obtained, the permission request transmitting unit transmits the first permission request to the user terminal device if, as a predetermined action of the user on the site within the predetermined period, the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within the predetermined period is less than a predetermined number, and transmits the second permission request to the user terminal device if the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within the predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Information management system.

7. One or more computers Granting a reward to a user and setting a reward granting condition including a reward value to be granted to the user in accordance with a setting operation; Sending a request for permission to provide push notifications from the site to the user terminal device; When a result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, transmitting information capable of identifying the user terminal device corresponding to the result of the permission operation to a push notification server; Obtaining user authentication information; When user authentication is successfully performed based on the user's authentication information and a result of the permission operation is obtained, sending reward granting information to a reward management server, the reward granting information indicating that the reward value will be granted to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation; Run the permission request includes a first permission request and a second permission request; the first permission request includes information for displaying a first permission request image; the second permission request includes information for displaying a second permission request image; The first permission request image is an image related to the permission request including a reward image that can specify that the set reward value will be granted to the user depending on a result of the permission operation, The second permission request image is an image related to the permission request that does not include the reward image, when transmitting the permission request in a state in which the user authentication has been successfully performed and the result of the permission operation in response to the permission request has not yet been obtained, if the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within a predetermined period of time is less than a predetermined number, as a predetermined action of the user on the site within the predetermined period of time, transmitting the first permission request to the user terminal device, and if the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within the predetermined period of time is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, transmitting the second permission request to the user terminal device; To execute Information management method.

8. On one or more computers, Granting a reward to a user and setting a reward granting condition including a reward value to be granted to the user in accordance with a setting operation; Sending a request for permission to provide push notifications from the site to the user terminal device; When a result of the user's permission operation in response to the permission request is obtained, transmitting information capable of identifying the user terminal device corresponding to the result of the permission operation to a push notification server; Obtaining user authentication information; When user authentication is successfully performed based on the user's authentication information and a result of the permission operation is obtained, sending reward granting information to a reward management server, the reward granting information indicating that the reward value will be granted to the user corresponding to the result of the permission operation; Execute the permission request includes a first permission request and a second permission request; the first permission request includes information for displaying a first permission request image; the second permission request includes information for displaying a second permission request image; The first permission request image is an image related to the permission request including a reward image that can specify that the set reward value will be granted to the user depending on a result of the permission operation, The second permission request image is an image related to the permission request that does not include the reward image, when transmitting the permission request in a state in which the user authentication has been successfully performed and the result of the permission operation in response to the permission request has not yet been obtained, if the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within a predetermined period of time is less than a predetermined number, as a predetermined action of the user on the site within the predetermined period of time, transmitting the first permission request to the user terminal device, and if the number of times the user has requested the site to provide information within the predetermined period of time is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, transmitting the second permission request to the user terminal device; Execute program.

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