Provision device, provision method, and provision program

Abstract

To provide a providing apparatus, providing method, and providing program, capable of providing useful information on a target user while ensuring anonymity of the user.SOLUTION: A providing apparatus includes a generation unit, an estimation unit, and a providing unit. The generation unit generates a cluster of users having a predetermined commonality on the basis of a group of users designated by a client. The estimation unit estimates, on the basis of user information on the users included in the generated cluster, interest information on interests of each of users included in the cluster. The providing unit provides statistical information of the interest information in the cluster, based on the estimated interest information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-146145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional techniques have room for improvement in terms of providing useful information about target users while ensuring the anonymity of users.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a providing device, a providing method, and a providing program that can provide useful information about target users while ensuring the anonymity of the users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The providing device according to the present application includes a generating unit, an estimating unit, and a providing unit. The generating unit generates a cluster of users having a predetermined commonality based on a group of users designated by a client. The estimating unit estimates interest information related to the interests of each user included in the generated cluster based on user information of each user included in the cluster. The providing unit provides statistical information of the interest information in the cluster based on the estimated interest information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide useful information about a target user while ensuring the anonymity of the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a process executed by a providing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a provision system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the providing process executed by the providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of a provision device, a provision method, and a provision program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as an "embodiment") with reference to the drawings. Note that the provision device, the provision method, and the provision program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment) First, a process executed by a providing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process executed by a providing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the operation of a providing system S including a providing device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the providing system S according to an embodiment includes a first provider terminal 100 and a second provider terminal 1. The first provider terminal 100 is a terminal device handled by a first provider (client) that requests information provision from the providing device. The second provider terminal 1 is a terminal device handled by a second provider that provides information to the client, and includes a providing device. In the following, the first provider terminal 100 will be referred to as a client terminal 100, and the second provider terminal 1 will be referred to as a providing device 1.

[0011] Furthermore, the first business operator and the second business operator each independently conduct business of providing products or services to users. The first business operator terminal 100 collects user information about a first user who has used the business conducted by the first business operator. The second business operator terminal 1 collects user information about a second user who has used the business conducted by the second business operator. Furthermore, the first business operator terminal 100 and the second business operator terminal 1 manage the user information collected by each of them using the same user ID if the user is the same. Note that there are users who are only included in the first user group and users who are only included in the second user group.

[0012] In the provision system S according to the embodiment, the provision device 1 receives a designation of a first user group from a client via the client terminal 100 (step S1). For example, the provision device 1 receives the designation of the user group by the user ID of the first user.

[0013] Next, the providing device 1 generates a cluster of second users having a predetermined commonality based on the user IDs (step S2). The generated cluster includes second users having the same user ID as the first user and second users having similar attribute information, etc. to the second users. The providing device 1 ensures that the number of users included in the cluster satisfies k-anonymity.

[0014] Next, the providing device 1 generates interest information related to the interests of each second user included in the generated cluster (step S3). In the example shown in Fig. 1, the providing device 1 calculates a score (interest score) indicating an interest in a predetermined subject for each second user. The interest score can be calculated based on, for example, the behavior history of the second user in a business conducted by the second business operator, attribute information of the user, etc.

[0015] Furthermore, the providing device 1 may estimate a multidimensional vector relating to the interest of each second user, rather than using the interest score, and generate the vector as interest information.

[0016] Next, the providing device 1 generates statistical information of the interest information for each cluster based on the generated interest information of each user (step S4). In the example shown in Fig. 1, the providing device 1 generates the average value of the interest scores (average interest score) of each second user as the statistical information.

[0017] Then, the providing device 1 provides the generated statistical information to the client via the client terminal 100 (step S5).

[0018] In other words, by providing the client with statistical information on information of interest to multiple users, including a group of users specified by the client, the providing device 1 can provide useful information for users who are the client's target while ensuring the anonymity of the users.

[0019] Next, a configuration example of a providing system S according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a providing system S according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, in the providing system S according to an embodiment, a providing device 1 and a plurality of client terminals 100 are connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly. The network N is, for example, a network such as the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0020] The providing device 1 is an information processing device managed by a second business operator that independently and repeatedly provides various services on the Internet to users. For example, the providing device 1 is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like.

[0021] The providing device 1 may also be an information processing device that provides some kind of online web service to each user. For example, the providing device 1 may provide services such as internet connection, search service, SNS (Social Networking Service), electronic commerce (EC), electronic payment, online games, online banking, online trading, hotel and ticket reservations, video and music distribution, news, maps, route search, route guidance, line information, operation information, and weather forecasts as web services. In practice, the providing device 1 may cooperate with various servers that provide the above-mentioned web services and act as an intermediary for the web services or be responsible for processing the web services.

[0022] The client terminal 100 is an information processing device managed by a first business. For example, the first business independently and repeatedly operates a business of providing predetermined products or services to consumers. The client terminal 100 is typically a desktop or notebook personal computer. Note that the client terminal 100 may be realized by any information processing terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0023] Furthermore, the client terminal 100 can display information provided by the providing device 1 using a web browser or an application.

[0024] Next, a configuration example of the providing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a providing device 1 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the providing device 1 includes a communication unit 2, a control unit 3, and a storage unit 4. The control unit 3 includes a reception unit 31, a generation unit 32, an estimation unit 33, and a providing unit 34. The storage unit 4 stores user information 41.

[0026] The communication unit 2 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 2 is connected to a network by wire or wirelessly.

[0027] The control unit 3 is a controller, and is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs (corresponding to an example of a providing program) stored in a storage device inside the providing device 1 using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 3 is also a controller, and may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a GPGPU (General Purpose Graphic Processing Unit).

[0028] The storage unit 4 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0029] The user information 41 is information about a user who has used the business of the second business operator. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user information 41. As shown in Fig. 4, the user information 41 includes items such as "user ID," "attribute information," and "interest information."

[0030] "User ID" is identification information that identifies a user. "Attribute information" is information about the user's attributes, including psychographic attributes and demographic attributes. "Interest information" is information generated by the generation unit 32, which will be described later, and is information about the user's interests.

[0031] In addition to the above, the user information 41 may also include, for example, information on the behavior history when using the business of the second business operator.

[0032] Next, the functions of the control unit 3 of the providing device 1 (the reception unit 31, the generation unit 32, the estimation unit 33, and the providing unit 34) will be described.

[0033] The reception unit 31 receives the designation of a user group from a client via the client terminal 100. The designation of the user group is performed, for example, by designating the user ID of a first user who has used the business of the first business operator, who is the client.

[0034] As described above, the user ID is shared between the first business operator and the second business operator, and the same user ID is assigned. The same user ID can be assigned, for example, when registering for use with the business of the first business operator or the second business operator, by obtaining from the user a user ID that is already being used with the business of the first business operator or the second business operator.

[0035] In addition, if the receiving unit 31 receives a notification from the generating unit 32 that the number of users included in the received user group is not enough to generate a cluster with a number of users that satisfies k-anonymity, the receiving unit 31 may request the client to add a user.

[0036] The generation unit 32 generates a cluster of second users having a predetermined commonality based on the user group specified by the client. Specifically, the generation unit 32 first identifies a second user having the same user ID as the user ID of the first user accepted by the acceptance unit 31.

[0037] Then, the generation unit 32 generates a cluster of second users similar to the identified second user. That is, the cluster generated by the generation unit 32 includes second users (sometimes referred to as identical users) who have the same user ID as the user ID of the first user accepted by the acceptance unit 31, and second users (sometimes referred to as similar users) who are similar to the second users.

[0038] For example, the generation unit 32 specifies clusters so as to satisfy k-anonymity. That is, the generation unit 32 selects similar users so that the total number of identical users and similar users is k.

[0039] This makes it difficult to identify the user designated by the client, thereby protecting the user's privacy.

[0040] Furthermore, the generation unit 32 groups second users having similar attribute information (an example of commonality) in advance, and generates, as a cluster, users included in a group corresponding to a user group designated by a client.

[0041] Specifically, the generation unit 32 generates mesh-like groups (groups of similar users) in advance, for example, by grouping by category, and generates groups (including overlapping groups) that include users from a specified user group as clusters.

[0042] If the number of users included in a cluster is less than a threshold (if k-anonymity is not satisfied), the generation unit 32 may generate a cluster by expanding the range of commonality. Specifically, the generation unit 32 expands (generates a higher-level concept) the range of attribute information used in generating the cluster and generates the cluster again.

[0043] Alternatively, the generating unit 32 may create layers according to the range of commonality, and generate a cluster for each commonality in each layer.

[0044] The attribute information may be specified by a client. That is, when the client specifies characteristic attribute information, the generation unit 32 generates, as a cluster, users included in a group corresponding to the specific attribute information from among the mesh-like groups.

[0045] The estimation unit 33 estimates interest information related to the interests of each user included in the generated cluster based on the user information of each user included in the cluster. For example, the estimation unit 33 estimates a vector related to the interests. Specifically, the estimation unit 33 estimates a multidimensional vector in which the interests in each subject are the dimensions. The vector can be estimated based on, for example, the user's attribute information and usage history when using a service. The usage history includes, for example, search behavior, purchasing behavior, purchase history, location history, etc.

[0046] The estimation unit 33 is not limited to vectors, and may generate statistical information in which scores (interest scores) related to interests in predetermined targets are used as interest information, as shown in Fig. 1. The predetermined targets are, for example, products and services handled by the client in its business, products and services specified by the client, etc. Note that the predetermined targets are not limited to specific products and services, and may also be attribute information such as fields and categories.

[0047] The providing unit 34 provides statistical information on the interest information in the cluster to the client via the client terminal 100 based on the estimated interest information. Specifically, the providing unit 34 generates, as the statistical information, an average vector or an average interest score obtained by averaging the generated vectors or interest scores. The providing unit 34 may also generate, as the statistical information, a weighted average vector or interest score obtained by weighting the generated vectors or interest scores by the similarity with the same user.

[0048] Alternatively, the providing unit 34 may create a histogram for each dimension of the vector, and generate, as statistical information, a vector in which the median or most frequent value of each histogram is the value of each dimension.

[0049] The statistical information is not limited to the above values, but any information obtained by aggregating or statistically processing the information of interest, such as minimum values ​​and maximum values, can be used.

[0050] Next, a procedure of the provision process executed by the providing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the provision process executed by the providing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 receives a user group designation from a client via the client terminal 100 (step S101).

[0052] Next, the control unit 3 generates a cluster of second users having a predetermined commonality based on the specified user group (step S102).

[0053] Next, the control unit 3 estimates interest information of each user included in the generated cluster (step S103).

[0054] Next, the control unit 3 generates statistical information on the interesting information in the cluster (step S104).

[0055] Next, the control unit 3 provides the statistical information to the client (step S105), and ends the process.

[0056] 〔others〕 Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, some of the processes described as being performed automatically can also be performed manually. Alternatively, all or some of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0057] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0058] 3 may be held in a storage server or the like, rather than being held by each device. In this case, each device obtains various pieces of information by accessing the storage server.

[0059] [Hardware configuration] The providing device 1 according to the embodiment described above is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which a calculation device 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected via a bus 1090.

[0060] The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and secondary storage device 1050, programs read from the input device 1020, and the like, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as a RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like.

[0061] The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 that outputs various types of information, such as a monitor or a printer, and is realized by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), etc. The input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc., and is realized by a USB, etc.

[0062] The input device 1020 may be a device that reads information from, for example, an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0063] The network IF 1080 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the arithmetic device 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

[0064] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0065] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the providing device 1, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto the primary storage device 1040, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 3.

[0066] 〔effect〕 As described above, the providing device 1 according to the embodiment includes a generating unit 32, an estimating unit 33, and a providing unit 34. The generating unit 32 generates a cluster of users having a predetermined commonality based on a user group designated by a client. The estimating unit 33 estimates interest information related to the interests of each user included in the generated cluster based on the user information of each user included in the cluster. The providing unit 34 provides statistical information on the interest information in the cluster based on the estimated interest information. This configuration makes it possible to provide useful information related to target users while ensuring the anonymity of the users.

[0067] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0068] 〔others〕 Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0069] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0070] Furthermore, the processes described in the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the process contents.

[0071] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, the control unit 3 can be read as control means or a control circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Providing device 2. Communications Department 3. Control Unit 4 Storage section 31 Reception 32 Generation part 33 Estimation part 34 Providing Department 41 User information 100 client terminals N Network S provision system

Claims

1. a generation unit that generates a cluster of users having a predetermined commonality based on a group of users designated by a client; an estimation unit that estimates interest information related to interests for each user included in the cluster based on user information of each user included in the generated cluster; a providing unit that provides statistical information of the interest information in the cluster based on the estimated interest information; Equipped with The estimation unit For each user included in the cluster, a multidimensional vector having an interest in each subject as each dimension is estimated as the interest information; The providing unit A representative vector that is representative of the estimated multidimensional vectors for each user is provided as the statistical information. Providing device.

2. The generation unit The clusters are generated so that the number of users satisfies k-anonymity. The providing device of claim 1 .

3. The generation unit Users having similar attribute information are grouped in advance, and users included in a group corresponding to the user group designated by the client are generated as the cluster. The providing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The generation unit When specific attribute information is designated by a client, users included in a group corresponding to the specific attribute information are generated as the cluster. The providing device of claim 3 .

5. The generation unit If the number of users included in the generated cluster is less than a threshold, the range of commonality is expanded to generate the cluster. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The estimation unit a score indicating an interest in a predetermined subject for each user included in the cluster is estimated as the interest information; The providing unit Provides statistics based on each estimated score The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The generation unit classifying the data into layers according to the range of the commonality, and generating the cluster for each commonality in each layer; The estimation unit The interest information is estimated for each user for the clusters having a number of users equal to or greater than a threshold value among the generated clusters. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The providing unit Providing the statistical information of the clusters having a number of users equal to or greater than a threshold, and providing information of the clusters having a number of users less than a threshold. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 1. A computer-implemented method of providing, a generation step of generating a cluster of users having a predetermined commonality based on a group of users designated by a client; an estimation step of estimating interest information related to interests for each user included in the cluster based on user information of each user included in the generated cluster; providing statistical information of the interest information in the cluster based on the estimated interest information; Including, The estimation step includes: For each user included in the cluster, a multidimensional vector having an interest in each subject as each dimension is estimated as the interest information; The providing step includes: A representative vector that is representative of the estimated multidimensional vectors for each user is provided as the statistical information. How it is provided.

10. a generation step of generating a cluster of users having a predetermined commonality based on a group of users specified by a client; an estimation step of estimating interest information related to interests for each user included in the cluster based on user information of each user included in the generated cluster; a providing step of providing statistical information of the interest information in the cluster based on the estimated interest information; on the computer, The estimation procedure comprises: For each user included in the cluster, a multidimensional vector having an interest in each subject as each dimension is estimated as the interest information; The providing step comprises: A representative vector that is representative of the estimated multidimensional vectors for each user is provided as the statistical information. Programs offered.

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