Leaflet distribution request reception device, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for accepting a flyer distribution request from a user. [Solution] The flyer distribution request reception device includes an address data reception unit 1 that receives address data of market targets from the user, an area presentation unit 5 that presents a predetermined number of areas with the highest acquisition rates, assuming that the acquisition rate of an area is higher the greater the number of locations of market targets identified by address data included in the area and lower the greater the value related to the number of people belonging to the area, and a request reception unit 6 that receives requests from the user to distribute flyers for the presented areas, and the user can add and delete areas where they wish to distribute flyers from the presented areas, and the request reception unit 6 can accept requests from the user to distribute flyers for the areas after they have been added and deleted by the user.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a technology for accepting requests to distribute flyers. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a technology for supporting the posting of advertising flyers more effectively and without waste (see Patent Document 1, for example). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-182338 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 focuses on determining the optimum method for distributing advertising flyers, and does not actually accept flyer distribution requests from users.

[0005] The disclosed technology aims to provide a flyer distribution request receiving device, method, and program for receiving flyer distribution requests from users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A flyer distribution request reception device according to one aspect of the disclosed technology includes: an address data receiving unit that receives address data of the user's customers from the user; an estimated distribution number receiving unit that receives an estimated number of flyers to be distributed from the user; a distance zone setting unit that sets a distance zone centered on a predetermined location, the distance zone being such that the ratio of the number of customer locations included in the distance zone to the number of all customer locations specified from the address data is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio; a calculation unit that calculates the acquisition rate of each area using the address data received from the user, assuming that the acquisition rate of an area is the degree to which customers have been acquired in the area and is a value defined by an equation that includes in the numerator the number of customer locations included in the area specified by the address data and includes in the denominator a value related to the number of people belonging to the area; The area presentation unit presents a predetermined number of areas selected by the calculation unit, from among areas included in the set distance range, in descending order of acquisition rate so that the target number of flyers to be distributed approaches the target number of flyers to be distributed. The area presentation unit presents a predetermined number of areas selected by the calculation unit. The user can add or delete areas to which the user wishes to distribute flyers from the presented areas by operating the input means, and a request receiving unit receives a request for distribution of flyers for the presented areas or areas after the addition or deletion by the user by operating the input means. Distribution target information, which is information about distribution targets of flyers, is received by operating the input means, and a planned number of flyers to be distributed is associated in advance with each area for each piece of distribution target information. The calculation unit calculates the number of areas using the planned number of flyers to be distributed associated with each area specified by the distribution target information. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to accept a flyer distribution request from a user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a flyer distribution request receiving device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure of a method for accepting a flyer distribution request. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] [Device and method for accepting requests for leaflet distribution] As shown in Fig. 1, the flyer distribution request reception device includes, for example, an address data reception unit 1, a distribution target number reception unit 2, a distance zone setting unit 3, a calculation unit 4, an area display unit 5, and a request reception unit 6. The flyer distribution request reception device may also include a display device 100 shown by a dashed line in Fig. 1. In this case, the address data reception unit 1, the distribution target number reception unit 2, the area display unit 5, and the request reception unit 6 may be realized by display on the display device 100. The display device 100 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an LED display, a plasma (PDP) display, or electronic paper.

[0011] The flyer distribution request acceptance method is realized, for example, by each component of the flyer distribution request acceptance device performing the processes of steps S1 to S6 shown in FIG.

[0012] Flyer distribution is basically carried out by posting, which is a method of directly dropping flyers into mailboxes of homes and offices.

[0013] <Address Data Reception Unit 1> The address data receiving unit 1 receives address data of market targets from a user (step S1). The address data of market targets received from the user is output to the calculation unit 4.

[0014] The target market may be, for example, the user's customers, but may also include at least one of potential customers, prospective customers, and consumers to be developed, in addition to the user's customers.

[0015] Address data does not necessarily need to include an exact address, and may be simplified geographic information. Examples of simplified geographic information include only a postal code, only the city / ward / town / village name, information down to the town name and block, GPS coordinates, and area codes. By making it possible to accept such simplified geographic information, information processing can be performed while taking into consideration the protection of personal information.

[0016] The user is a user of the leaflet distribution request acceptance device and method.

[0017] For example, the address data reception section 1 is an address data reception area R1 displayed on the display device 100. An example of the address data reception area R1 is shown in Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 3 was created by Nakao International Patent Office based on the blank map of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan Map Vector. The same applies to Fig. 4.

[0018] The user selects address data of the market target using input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, tablet, etc. The address data reception unit 1 receives the address data selected by the user. In the example of FIG. 3, the user can upload address data by clicking the "Upload" button included in the address data reception area R1.

[0019] Hereinafter, input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, pen tablet, etc. will be referred to simply as "input means." User operations such as input, selection, clicking, and checking checkboxes will be performed using, for example, this input means.

[0020] <Distribution guideline reception section 2> The estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 receives the estimated number of flyers to be distributed from the user (step S2).

[0021] The estimated number of flyers to be distributed received from the user is output to the calculation unit 4.

[0022] For example, the estimated distribution number receiving section 2 is an estimated distribution number receiving area R2 displayed on the display device 100. An example of the estimated distribution number receiving area R2 is shown in FIG.

[0023] The user can input or select the estimated number of flyers to be distributed using the input means. The estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 receives the estimated number of flyers to be distributed input or selected by the user. In the example of Figure 4, the user can input the estimated number of flyers to be distributed in the text area below "Estimated number of copies (in units of 1,000 copies)".

[0024] If the user has previously used the flyer distribution request receiving device and method and knows the estimated number of flyers to be distributed for the previously received request, the estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 may present the estimated number of flyers to the user. In this case, the user may be able to change the presented estimated number of flyers to be distributed using the input means. The user may also be able to select the presented estimated number of flyers to be distributed or a changed estimated number of flyers to be distributed as needed using the input means.

[0025] <Distance range setting unit 3> The distance range setting unit 3 receives the address data accepted by the address data accepting unit 1 as input.

[0026] The distance zone setting unit 3 sets a distance zone within a predetermined distance from a predetermined location, which includes a predetermined percentage or more of the locations of each target market person identified from the address data (step S3). Information about the set distance zone is output to the calculation unit 4.

[0027] The predetermined location is, for example, the location of the user's store. The user may be able to set the predetermined location using an input means. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the predetermined location may be represented by a pin P. The predetermined location may be the center of the location of the market target identified from the address data accepted by the address data accepting unit 1.

[0028] When setting the distance range, it is set in 1km increments.

[0029] The predetermined percentage is a value within the range of 50% or more and less than 100%. A specific value of the predetermined percentage is 70%. In many cases, effective flyer distribution is possible by setting the predetermined percentage closer to 70%.

[0030] The user may be able to set the predetermined ratio using the input means.

[0031] The user may also be able to set the distance range itself using the input means. For example, the user may be able to set the distance range itself by changing the value in the text box below "Area Information" in Fig. 4. In this case, the value entered in this text box becomes the distance range.

[0032] The set width of the distance range is, for example, L km, where L is a predetermined positive number. For example, L may be 1 or 0.5.

[0033] The distance zone C may be displayed on a map as shown in Fig. 4. The user may be able to use the input means to change whether or not the distance zone C is displayed on the ground.

[0034] <Calculation section 4> The calculation unit 4 receives address data accepted by the address data accepting unit 1. The calculation unit 4 may also receive the estimated number of flyers to be distributed accepted by the estimated distribution number accepting unit 2 and the distance radius set by the distance radius setting unit 3.

[0035] The calculation unit 4 performs calculations necessary for at least the area presentation unit 5 to perform presentation (step S4).

[0036] An example of calculation by the calculation unit 4 is the acquisition rate of an area, which will be described later. The calculation of the acquisition rate of an area, which the calculation unit 4 performs, will be described in the explanation of the area presentation unit 5.

[0037] The calculation unit 4 may perform other calculations necessary to realize the device and method for accepting requests for leaflet distribution.

[0038] <Area Display Section 5> The area presentation unit 5 receives the calculation result from the calculation unit 4.

[0039] The area presentation unit 5 presents a predetermined number of areas in descending order of the acquisition rate by performing a display based on the calculation result of the calculation unit 4 (step S5).

[0040] 3 and 4, a predetermined number of areas with the highest winning rates are surrounded by thick lines. These areas may be hatched.

[0041] An area is an area divided based on a predetermined criterion. The predetermined criterion is, for example, a predetermined administrative division such as a chome, city, ward, town, or village, or a prefecture. An area may be an area based on a chome unit, a city, ward, town, or village unit, or an prefecture unit. An area may also be an area based on a street block unit, an address unit, or a predetermined regional block unit. In some areas, the area in which each flyer distributor is allowed to distribute flyers is specified. In this case, an area may be an area based on the area in which each flyer distributor is allowed to distribute flyers. In this way, there may be multiple units of an area. In other words, there may be multiple methods of dividing an area. Processing is performed based on an area determined by one of multiple division methods.

[0042] Here, the acquisition rate of an area is higher the more locations of market targets identified by address data contained in the area, and is lower the larger the value related to the number of people belonging to the area.

[0043] If the number of market locations identified by address data in an area is x, and y is a value related to the number of people in the area, then the acquisition rate for that area = f(x,y), where f is a function that is monotonically non-decreasing with respect to x and monotonically non-increasing with respect to y. An example of f is f(x,y) = x / y.

[0044] An example of a value related to the number of people belonging to an area is the number of households or the population in that area. The value related to the number of people belonging to an area may also be the number of households or the population having a predetermined attribute that belongs to that area. Examples of attributes are male, female, age, and annual household income.

[0045] The user may be able to set attributes using an input means. The calculation unit 4 may also be able to estimate attributes. For example, if the attributes of the target market individuals can be estimated from address data, the calculation unit 4 may estimate the attributes of the target market individuals from the address data. For example, the calculation unit 4 may set at least one of the attributes possessed by A% or more of the target market individuals estimated from the address data as the attribute of the estimation result. A is a predetermined value included in the range of 50≦A≦100.

[0046] The “predetermined number” which is the number of areas presented by the area presentation unit 5 may be a number determined according to the estimated number of flyers to be distributed received by the estimated number of flyers to be distributed reception unit 2 .

[0047] For example, each area is associated with a planned number of flyers to be distributed. In this case, the predetermined number may be the number of areas selected in descending order of acquisition rate so that the total planned number of flyers to be distributed associated with each area to be selected approaches the estimated number of flyers to be distributed received by estimated distribution number receiving unit 2. This selection is performed, for example, by calculation unit 4.

[0048] For example, suppose there are areas A, B, C, D, and E, and the acquisition rate and planned number of distributions for each area are as follows: [Table 1] Here, let us assume that the estimated number of flyers to be distributed accepted by the estimated distribution number accepting unit 2 is 1000. In this case, the total number of flyers to be distributed in area A, area B, and area C is 300 + 400 + 300 = 1000, which matches the estimated number of flyers to be distributed, 1000, accepted by the estimated distribution number accepting unit 2. In this case, the predetermined number is 3.

[0049] On the other hand, suppose the estimated number of flyers to be distributed received by estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 is 1,100. In this case, the total number of planned distributions for area A, area B, area C, and area D is 300 + 400 + 300 + 200 = 1,200, which exceeds the estimated distribution number of flyers of 1,100 received by estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 and is close to 1,200. In this case, the predetermined number is 4. As in this example, the predetermined number may be the number of areas when the total number of planned distributions of flyers associated with each area to be selected exceeds the estimated distribution number of flyers received by estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 for the first time when areas are selected in order of the highest acquisition rate.

[0050] The predetermined number may be, for example, a predetermined natural number. The predetermined number may be the number of areas whose acquisition rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined acquisition rate. The predetermined number may be the number of areas that include the locations of N or more target market participants. N is a predetermined positive integer.

[0051] In this example, the flyer distribution order receiving device includes a distance range setting unit 3. Therefore, the calculation unit 4 selects a predetermined number of areas from the areas included in the distance range set by the distance range setting unit 3 by the method described above. As a result, the area presentation unit 5 presents a predetermined number of areas selected from the areas included in the distance range set by the distance range setting unit 3. Here, the area included in the distance range means an area in which B% or more of the area is included in the distance range. B is a predetermined value included in the range of 0 < B ≤ 100.

[0052] By presenting a predetermined number of areas selected from the areas included in the distance range set by the distance range setting unit 3, effective flyer distribution becomes possible.

[0053] Note that, as will be described later, the flyer distribution order receiving device may not include the distance range setting unit 3. In this case, the calculation unit 4 selects a predetermined number of areas from all the areas by the method described above.

[0054] The flyer distribution order receiving device may be able to receive distribution target information, which is information about the distribution target of the flyer, from the user. In this case, the planned number of flyers to be distributed associated with each area may be determined according to the distribution target information received by the user.

[0055] In the example of FIG. 4, the user can select desired distribution target information from the box under "Distribution Method" included in the distribution standard number receiving area R2.

[0056] For example, suppose that the following options are available for flyer distribution information: "standard distribution," "detached house / single-family home," "specified apartment complex," and "excludes companies / stores." Furthermore, suppose that when "standard distribution" is accepted, the planned number of flyers to be distributed in each area is associated with a value based on the number of households belonging to each area multiplied by a predetermined percentage. This predetermined percentage is a value greater than 0 and less than 1. This predetermined percentage may be a value between 0.5 and 0.8. Here, X is an arbitrary value, and the value based on X is a value obtained by rounding X up, down, or up to a predetermined number of digits.

[0057] Furthermore, when "detached houses" are accepted, the planned number of flyers to be distributed in each area corresponds to the number of detached houses that belong to each area.

[0058] Furthermore, when "apartment complex designation" is accepted, the planned number of flyers to be distributed in each area is assumed to correspond to the number of apartment complexes that belong to that area. Examples of apartment complexes are condominiums and apartment buildings.

[0059] Furthermore, when "exclusion of companies and stores" is accepted, the planned number of flyers to be distributed in each area is assigned a value obtained by subtracting the number of companies and stores belonging to each area from the number of households belonging to that area, and multiplying this value by a predetermined percentage.

[0060] The area presentation unit 5 may display each area using a different visual representation method based on the acquisition rate. For example, by applying different hatching to each area depending on the value of the acquisition rate, a predetermined number of areas may be visually distinguished from the highest acquisition rate, and the difference in acquisition rate between each area may be intuitively identified. The visual representation method is not limited to hatching, and may also be a combination of methods such as using color shading or gradation, or pointillism.

[0061] <Request Reception Department 6> The request receiving unit 6 receives a request from the user to distribute flyers in the presented area (step S6).

[0062] The user may be able to add or delete areas where the user wishes to distribute flyers to the presented areas. In this case, the request receiving unit 6 may be able to receive from the user a request to distribute flyers for the areas after the areas have been added or deleted by the user.

[0063] In the examples of Figures 3 and 4, the user can add and delete areas by clicking on them.

[0064] For example, the request receiving section 6 is a request receiving area R3 displayed on the display device 100. Examples of the request receiving area R3 are shown in FIGS.

[0065] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the user may be presented with the number of copies available for distribution, the number of confirmed copies, and an estimated price based on the areas presented by the area presentation unit 5 and added or deleted by the user. The number of copies available for distribution is the total number of flyers scheduled to be distributed corresponding to the area. The number of confirmed copies is a round number equal to or less than the number of copies available for distribution. The number of confirmed copies can be calculated, for example, by rounding down the number of copies available for distribution to a predetermined number of digits. In this example, the estimated price is calculated based on the confirmed number of copies. Calculating the price based on the confirmed number of copies eliminates unnecessary fractions, enabling efficient flyer printing and distribution.

[0066] [Variations] The specific configurations of the embodiments of the disclosed technology are not limited to those described above, and the specific configurations of the embodiments of the disclosed technology can be appropriately modified in design, etc., within the scope of the spirit of the embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0067] The flyer distribution request receiving device does not necessarily have to include at least one of the estimated distribution number receiving unit 2 and the distance zone setting unit 3.

[0068] There may be multiple modes of flyer distribution. One mode of flyer distribution is posting. Other modes of flyer distribution include newspaper inserts, street distribution, in-store installation and distribution, direct mail, and online distribution (digital flyers). In this case, the user may be able to select a desired mode from these multiple modes. Note that flyers may be distributed in the desired mode selected by the user for only a portion of the number of flyers to be distributed, rather than for all of the number of flyers to be distributed.

[0069] The request receiving unit 6 may also be capable of receiving a request from a user to include a flyer in a mailing to be sent to a predetermined apartment complex included in at least one of the area presented by the area presentation unit 5 and the area after being added or deleted by the user. The predetermined apartment complex is, for example, an apartment complex such as a tower apartment building where flyers cannot be posted.

[0070] "Including a flyer in a mailing" may mean attaching a flyer separate from the booklet included in the mailing, or may mean printing a flyer on the booklet included in the mailing.

[0071] In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the user can make the above request by checking the checkbox "Enclose in lifestyle posting magazine" included in the request receiving area R3.

[0072] As mentioned above, there may be multiple ways to divide the area.

[0073] In this case, the user may be able to select one of a plurality of division methods using the input means. In this case, the processing of the flyer distribution request accepting device and method is performed based on the area determined by the division method selected by the user. Furthermore, the calculation unit 4 and the area display unit 5 may perform calculation and display based on the area selected by the user. In other words, the area may be determined by a division method selected by the user from a plurality of division methods.

[0074] In the example of FIG. 3, the user can select a desired area unit, in other words, a division method, from the box under "area unit" included in the estimated distribution number reception area R2.

[0075] The area may be determined by a division method selected from a plurality of division methods based on at least one of address data received from the user and a predetermined location that is a reference for setting the distance range. This selection is performed, for example, by the calculation unit 4.

[0076] For example, if at least one of the address data received from the user and the specified location that serves as the basis for setting the distance radius is included in a specified area, processing of the flyer distribution request reception device and method may be performed based on the area divided by the method that corresponds to the specified area.

[0077] For example, in some regions, it may be better to perform processing based on the area-based area in which each flyer distributor can distribute flyers. Assume that such an area is defined as a predetermined area. Assume that an area division method for dividing the area into areas in which each flyer distributor can distribute flyers is associated with the predetermined area. In this case, for example, the calculation unit 4 determines whether at least one of the address data received from the user and a predetermined location that serves as a reference for setting the distance zone is included in the predetermined area. If it is determined that the address data is included in the predetermined area, the flyer distribution request receiving device and method performs processing based on the area-based area in which each flyer distributor can distribute flyers.

[0078] As illustrated in the address data reception area R1 of Figure 3, the user may be able to select between "select an area that covers 70% of customers" and "automatically select areas by quantity from areas with a high proportion of customers."

[0079] If "Select an area that covers 70% of customers" is checked, a distance zone is set that includes 70% or more of the locations of each target market person identified from the address data. The number of areas included in this distance zone that have at least one target market person identified from the address data is set as the "predetermined number." In other words, the area presentation unit 5 presents areas included in this distance zone that have at least one target market person identified from the address data.

[0080] If "Automatically select areas by quantity from areas with high customer ratios" is checked, a distance zone is set that contains 70% or more of the locations of each target market identified from address data. Then, a predetermined number of areas within this distance zone with high acquisition rates are presented.

[0081] The user may be able to display the location of each target market person identified from the address data. The location of each target market person is indicated, for example, by a pin icon. In the example of FIG. 3, the user can select whether or not to display the location of each target market person identified from the address data by clicking the "Display Address List" button at the bottom of the address data reception area R1. This allows the user to intuitively grasp the distribution status of the target market person and optimize their flyer distribution strategy.

[0082] The user may be able to set the expected delivery date and desired distribution completion date. In the example of Figure 4, the user can select the desired date and time by clicking the calendar icon to the left of the text box below "Expected delivery date and desired distribution completion date" in the estimated distribution quantity reception area R2. This allows the user to manage their schedule based on their requirements, improving work efficiency.

[0083] The user may be able to save the quotation conditions. In the example of Figure 4, the user can save the quotation conditions by clicking the "Save quotation conditions" button at the bottom of the estimated distribution quantity reception area R2. This allows the user to refer to or reuse past quotation conditions.

[0084] The user may be able to issue an estimate. In the example of FIG. 4, the user can issue an estimate by clicking the "Issue estimate" button at the bottom of the request receiving area R3. This allows the user to create an estimate as needed and print it, send it electronically, etc.

[0085] When the mouse pointer is hovered over an area on the map in Figures 3 and 4, the name of the area and / or the planned number of flyers to be distributed associated with that area may be displayed. This allows the user to intuitively check the distribution plan for each area on the map and easily adjust the distribution strategy.

[0086] The address data receiving unit 1, estimated distribution number receiving unit 2, distance zone setting unit 3, calculation unit 4, area display unit 5, request receiving unit 6, and display device 100, which may be included in the flyer distribution request receiving device, may each be implemented on a different device. For example, the address data receiving unit 1, estimated distribution number receiving unit 2, area display unit 5, and request receiving unit 6, which may be included in display device 100, may be implemented on the screen of a client terminal such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet owned by a user, while the distance zone setting unit 3 and calculation unit 4, which are other components, may be implemented on a server. Examples of the client terminal screen include the screen of a web browser on the client terminal and the screen of an app on the client terminal. In this case, communication between the client terminal and the server is performed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0087] The various processes described in the embodiments of the disclosed technology may not only be performed chronologically in the order described, but may also be performed in parallel or individually depending on the processing capacity of the device performing the processes or as needed.

[0088] For example, data may be exchanged directly between the components of the leaflet distribution request acceptance device, or may be exchanged via a storage unit (not shown).

[0089] Furthermore, a device (terminal) for using the device, system, or method of the present invention via a network (telecommunications line) may also be provided. The "device (terminal) for use" may be provided with functions (e.g., control function, decoding function, restoration function, input / output function, etc.) necessary to obtain the effects of implementing the device, system, or method of the present invention.

[0090] It goes without saying that other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0091] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0092] [Programs, recording media] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory.

[0093] In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0094] If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of the hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0095] The various processes described above can be implemented by loading a program that executes each step of the above method into the recording unit 2020 of the computer 2000 shown in Figure 5 and operating the control unit 2010, input unit 2030, output unit 2040, display unit 2050, etc.

[0096] The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, which may be, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any other suitable recording medium.

[0097] The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, lending, etc. a portable recording medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM on which the program is recorded. Furthermore, the program may be stored in a storage device of a server computer, and then transferred from the server computer to another computer via a network, thereby distributing the program.

[0098] A computer that executes such a program may first temporarily store the program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server computer in its own storage device. Then, when executing a process, the computer reads the program stored on its own recording medium and executes the process in accordance with the read program. Alternatively, the computer may read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute the process in accordance with the program. Furthermore, the computer may execute the process in accordance with the program each time a program is transferred from a server computer to the computer. The server computer may not transfer the program to the computer, but may instead execute the process through a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) service, which realizes the processing function by issuing an execution instruction and obtaining the results. Furthermore, the server computer may execute the process on a terminal using a so-called SaaS (Software as a Service) service, which allows users to use part of the server computer along with the program. In this embodiment, the program includes information used for computer processing that is equivalent to a program (such as data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has properties that define computer processing).

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device is configured by executing a predetermined program on a computer, but at least a part of the processing contents may be realized by hardware.

Claims

1. an address data receiving unit that receives address data of the user's customers from the user; a distribution target number receiving unit that receives a target number of flyers to be distributed from a user; a distance zone setting unit that sets a distance zone having a predetermined location as its center, the distance zone being such that the ratio of the number of customer locations included in the distance zone to the number of all customer locations identified from the address data is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio; a calculation unit that calculates the acquisition rate of each area using the address data received from the user, where the acquisition rate of an area is the degree to which customers are acquired in the area, and is a value defined by an equation that includes, in the numerator, the number of customer locations that are included in the area and are identified by the address data, and includes, in the denominator, a value related to the number of people who belong to the area; an area presentation unit which presents the predetermined number of areas selected by the calculation unit, the predetermined number being the number of areas selected by the calculation unit from among the areas included in the set distance zone in descending order of acquisition rate so that the total number of flyers to be distributed associated with each area selected by the calculation unit approaches the estimated number of flyers to be distributed; a request receiving unit that allows a user to add or delete areas to which the user wishes to distribute flyers from the presented areas by operating an input means, and that receives a request for distribution of flyers for the presented areas or areas after the user has added or deleted them by operating the input means; receiving distribution target information, which is information about distribution targets of the flyer, through an operation using a user's input means; For each distribution target information, the planned number of flyers to be distributed is associated with each area in advance. The calculation unit calculates the number of areas using the planned number of flyers to be distributed associated with each area, which is specified by the distribution target information. A device for accepting requests for leaflet distribution.

2. The flyer distribution request receiving device of claim 1, There are a plurality of modes for distributing flyers, and a desired mode is selected from the plurality of modes by a user's operation using an input means. A device for accepting requests for leaflet distribution.

3. The flyer distribution request receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, The request receiving unit further receives, through an operation by the user using an input means, a request to include a flyer in a mailing to be sent to a specified apartment complex to which a flyer included in at least one of the presented area and the area after addition and deletion by the user cannot be posted. A device for accepting requests for leaflet distribution.

4. The flyer distribution request receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, the area is an area divided by a division method selected by a user's operation using an input means from among a plurality of area division methods, or an area divided by a division method selected by the calculation unit from among the plurality of area division methods based on the predetermined position, A device for accepting requests for leaflet distribution.

5. an address data receiving step in which an address data receiving unit of the flyer distribution request receiving device receives address data of the user's customer from the user; a distribution estimate number receiving step in which an estimated distribution number receiving unit of the flyer distribution request receiving device receives an estimated distribution number of flyers from a user; a distance sphere setting step in which a distance sphere setting unit of the flyer distribution request receiving device sets a distance sphere having a predetermined position as a center, the distance sphere being such that the ratio of the number of customer locations included in the distance sphere to the number of all customer locations identified from the address data is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio; a calculation step in which a calculation unit of the flyer distribution request receiving device calculates the acquisition rate of each area using the address data received from the user, where the acquisition rate of a certain area is the degree to which customers have been acquired in the certain area, and is a value defined by an equation including, in the numerator, the number of customer locations included in the certain area and identified by the address data, and including, in the denominator, a value related to the number of people belonging to the certain area; an area presentation step in which an area presentation unit of the flyer distribution request receiving device presents a predetermined number of areas selected by the calculation unit, where each area is associated with a planned number of flyers to be distributed, and the predetermined number is the number of areas selected by the calculation unit from among the areas included in the set distance zone in descending order of acquisition rate so that the total planned number of flyers associated with each area selected by the calculation unit approaches the estimated number of flyers to be distributed that has been received; a step in which a request receiving unit of the flyer distribution request receiving device allows a user to add or delete areas where the user wants to distribute flyers to the presented areas by operating an input means, and receives a flyer distribution request for the presented areas or areas after the user has added or deleted them by operating the input means, receiving distribution target information, which is information about distribution targets of the flyer, through an operation using a user's input means; For each distribution target information, the planned number of flyers to be distributed is associated with each area in advance. The calculation unit calculates the number of areas using the planned number of flyers to be distributed associated with each area, which is specified by the distribution target information. How to accept flyer distribution requests.

6. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the leaflet distribution request receiving device of claim 1.

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