Access processing device, program and direct mail processing system

Abstract

To provide an access processing device, program, and direct mail processing system for checking a state after a direct mail has been delivered to a customer.SOLUTION: An access processing server 1 includes: an individual information processing unit 12 that associates an individual ID as customer information identification data and customer information which is stored in a customer information storage unit 32, and generates an URL including both the individual ID and address information of a dedicated web page, the URL being to be added to a direct mail provided to a customer; an access acquisition unit 22 that obtains access information to the dedicated web page which is connected by the address information, the access information including the individual ID; an access analysis unit 23 that analyzes the access information obtained by the access acquisition unit 22; and a customer information output unit 25 that outputs a result of analysis by the access analysis unit 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an access processing device, a program, and a direct mail processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, businesses that print and send direct mail (DM) have performed the task of printing and sending direct mail sent by client companies to their customers on behalf of their clients, based on customer lists provided by the client companies. A system relating to such direct mail agency work has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-157954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, the customer side could know whether or not the direct mail was delivered to the customer. For example, if the direct mail did not arrive at the customer, the information was reflected on the customer side as a delivery result. However, after the direct mail was delivered to the customer, it was not possible to know whether the customer had opened the mail unless, for example, the customer made an inquiry.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an access processing device, a program, and a direct mail processing system for checking the status of direct mail after it has been delivered to a customer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following means. For ease of understanding, the following description will be given with reference numerals corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these. Furthermore, the configurations described with reference numerals may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configurations may be replaced with other components.

[0007] The first invention is an access processing device (1) comprising: an association means (12) for associating individual identification information, which is data for identifying customer information, with customer information, which is personal information of the customer, stored in a customer information storage unit; an individual information generation means (12) for generating individual information, including the individual identification information and connection information of a dedicated web page, to be attached to direct mail provided to the customer; an access acquisition means (22) for acquiring access information to the dedicated web page connected by the connection information, the access information including the individual identification information; an access analysis means (23) for analyzing the access information acquired by the access acquisition means; and a customer information output means (25) for outputting the analysis results by the access analysis means. A second invention is the access processing device (1) of the first invention, wherein the access acquisition means (22) acquires the access information further including page transition information in the dedicated web page. The third invention is an access processing device (1) of the second invention, wherein the dedicated web page includes video content or still content, a selection area that can be selected by the viewer is output while the video content or still content is being output, and upon detecting a selection operation on the selection area, video content or still content corresponding to the selection area is further output, and the page transition information is transition information of the video content or still content that has been output. A fourth invention is an access processing device in any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the access analysis means further uses the customer information in the customer information storage unit to analyze the access information. The fifth invention is an access processing device (1) according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, which is provided with an individual identification means (24) for identifying the individual identification information that satisfies a predetermined condition as an analysis result by the access analysis means (23), and the customer information output means (25) refers to the customer information storage unit (32) and outputs at least a portion of the customer information corresponding to the individual identification information identified by the individual identification means, together with the predetermined condition, to an external device (9) connected via a communication network (N). The sixth invention is an access processing device (1) of any of the first to fifth inventions, which is provided with an individual identification generation means (12) that generates the individual identification information, and the association means (12) associates the individual identification information generated by the individual identification generation means with the customer information in the customer information storage unit (32). A seventh invention is the access processing device (1) of the sixth invention, wherein the individual identification generating means (12) generates the individual identification information consisting of a random character string. An eighth aspect of the present invention is a program (31a, 31b) for causing a computer to function as any one of the access processing devices (1) according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention. The ninth invention is a direct mail processing system (100) comprising an access processing device (1) of any one of the first to seventh inventions and a mail creating and sending device (4) for creating and sending direct mail, wherein the access processing device comprises a code generating means (14) for generating code information that converts the individual information including the individual identification information into a code that can be read by a reading device, and a delivery creating means (15) for creating delivery information that includes the code information generated by the code generating means (14) and delivery destination information of the customer corresponding to the individual identification information obtained by referring to the customer information storage unit, and the mail creating and sending device comprises a means for creating direct mail on which the code information and the delivery destination information are printed using the delivery information created by the delivery creating means. A tenth invention is a direct mail processing system comprising: a mail creating and sending device having an association means for associating individual identification information, which is data for identifying customer information, with customer information, which is personal information of the customer stored in a customer information storage unit, and an individual information generation means for generating individual information, including the individual identification information and connection information of a dedicated web page, to be attached to direct mail to be provided to the customer; an access processing device having an access acquisition means for acquiring access information for the dedicated web page connected by the connection information, the access information including the individual identification information; an access analysis means for analyzing the access information acquired by the access acquisition means; and a customer information output means for outputting the analysis results by the access analysis means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an access processing device, a program, and a direct mail processing system for checking the status of direct mail after it has been delivered to a customer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a direct mail processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an access processing server according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage unit of the access processing server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing individual information generation processing of the access processing server according to the embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a direct mail according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of video content output to a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an access analysis process of the access processing server according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of conditions for access analysis according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this example. (Embodiment) [Direct mail processing system 100] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a direct mail processing system 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the access processing server 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the storage unit 30 of the access processing server 1 according to this embodiment.

[0011] In the direct mail processing system 100 shown in Fig. 1, an access processing server 1 (access processing device) generates delivery information for creating paper-based direct mail (DM) based on customer information, including personal information of the customer, obtained from a customer server 9 (external device). The delivery information has a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) (individual information) of a web server 6, which includes an individual ID (IDentification). The delivery information created by the access processing server 1 is sent to a DM creation server 4 (mail creation and delivery device), which creates direct mail and mails it to the customer of the customer.

[0012] When the customer opens the direct mail that has arrived at their home and accesses the URL from their user terminal 7, the user terminal 7 connects to the web server 6 listed in the URL and outputs video content or still content corresponding to the direct mail. The access processing server 1 acquires and analyzes the access information from the web server 6, and transmits information related to the customer as the analysis result to the customer server 9.

[0013] In this way, the direct mail processing system 100 is a system that performs a series of processes related to direct mail, such as creating direct mail based on customer information obtained from the customer server 9 and analyzing access information from the user terminal 7 to the web server 6 to check the situation after the direct mail has been delivered to the customer.

[0014] The direct mail processing system 100 includes an access processing server 1, a direct mail production server 4, a web server 6, a user terminal 7, and a customer server 9. The access processing server 1, the DM creation server 4, the web server 6, the user terminal 7, and the customer server 9 are connected to each other via a communication network N. The communication network N is a network between the access processing server 1, the DM creation server 4, the web server 6, the user terminal 7, and the customer server 9, and is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet. The communication network N may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, part of the communication network may be a dedicated line, etc.

[0015] [Access Processing Server 1] The access processing server 1 is, for example, a server managed and operated by a business that creates and delivers direct mail at the request of customers. The access processing server 1 generates delivery information for creating direct mail based on the customer information obtained from the customer server 9, and transmits the delivery information to the direct mail creation server 4. In this embodiment, all of the customer information obtained from the customer server 9 is information that may be used to send direct mail. By using only the information that may be sent, data processing can be made more efficient. The access processing server 1 also acquires and analyzes access information from the web server 6, and transmits the information relating to the customer to the customer server 9 as the analysis result.

[0016] The access processing server 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 30, and a communication interface unit 39. The control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire access processing server 1. The control unit 10 appropriately reads and executes the OS (Operating System) and application programs stored in the storage unit 30, thereby cooperating with the above-mentioned hardware and executing various functions.

[0017] The control unit 10 includes an individual information generation processing unit 11 and an access analysis processing unit 21. The individual information generation processing unit 11 creates delivery information for creating direct mail. The individual information generation processing unit 11 includes an individual information processing unit 12 (individual identification generation means, association means, individual information generation means), a code generation unit 14 (code generation means), and a delivery processing unit 15 (delivery creation means).

[0018] The individual information processing unit 12 generates an individual ID. Here, the individual ID is data for identifying customer information, and is represented by, for example, a character string that is different for each customer. The individual ID does not include customer information related to the customer, and is, for example, a character string that has no meaning. The individual ID may be, for example, a consecutive number or a random character string, and may be generated by the individual information processing unit 12 using random numbers or the like. Next, the individual information processing unit 12 associates the generated individual ID with one piece of customer information stored in the customer information storage unit 32, which will be described later. Then, individual information processing unit 12 generates a URL including the individual ID and address information (connection information) to a web page (dedicated web page) of web server 6. The URL includes, for example, the individual ID as an argument in the address information of the web page of web server 6. The web page of web server 6 is, for example, a page that outputs advertisements for clients or product introduction information. The web page may be composed of video content or still content, and the video content or still content may, for example, introduce the client's products.

[0019] The code generation unit 14 generates a two-dimensional code (code information) that encodes a URL including the customer's individual ID. The two-dimensional code can be read by a user terminal 7 (reader) equipped with a camera, and may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The delivery processing unit 15 creates delivery information including the two-dimensional code generated by the code generation unit 14 and delivery destination information such as the customer's address and name obtained from the customer information corresponding to the individual ID in the customer information storage unit 32. Then, the delivery processing unit 15 transmits the created delivery information to the direct mail production server 4.

[0020] The access analysis processing unit 21 acquires and analyzes access information from the web server 6, and performs various analytical processes in response to customer requests. The access analysis processing unit 21 includes an access acquisition unit 22 (access acquisition means), an access analysis unit 23 (access analysis means), an individual identification unit 24 (individual identification means), and a customer information output unit 25 (customer information output means).

[0021] The access acquisition unit 22 acquires access information for a web page accessed by a user terminal 7 connected by a URL from the web server 6. The access acquisition unit 22 then stores the acquired access information in the access information storage unit 34. Here, the access information includes an individual ID. The access information also includes page transition information for the web page. Furthermore, when a web page includes video content or still content, a selection area that can be selected by the user may be output while the video content or still content is being output, and video content or still content corresponding to the selection area may be further output upon detection of a selection operation on the selection area. In this case, the page transition information may include transition information of the output video content or still content.

[0022] The access analysis unit 23 analyzes the access information acquired by the access acquisition unit 22. The access analysis unit 23 analyzes the access information according to, for example, various conditions (predetermined conditions) designated by the client. The individual identification unit 24 identifies, as a result of the analysis by the access analysis unit 23, individual IDs that satisfy a predetermined condition. The customer information output unit 25 outputs the analysis results obtained by the access analysis unit 23. Furthermore, the customer information output unit 25 may refer to the customer information storage unit 32 and output customer information (at least a part of the customer information), such as a name corresponding to the individual ID identified by the individual identification unit 24, together with predetermined conditions. The customer information output unit 25 outputs the customer information, etc., to the customer server 9, for example. Furthermore, the customer information output unit 25 may output, for example, all of the customer information stored in the customer information storage unit 32 to the customer server 9 together with access information.

[0023] The storage unit 30 is a storage area such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 10 to execute various processes. The storage unit 30 includes a program storage unit 31, a customer information storage unit 32, a shipping information storage unit 33, and an access information storage unit . The program storage unit 31 is a storage area for storing various programs, including an individual information generation program 31a and an access analysis program 31b.

[0024] The individual information generation program 31a is, for example, a program for executing various functions related to the individual information generation processing unit 11 of the control unit 10 described above. The access analysis program 31b is a program for executing various functions related to the access analysis processing unit 21 of the control unit 10 described above, for example. The above programs are merely examples, and for example, one program may be configured to execute the various functions related to the control unit 10 described above, or a program may be provided for each of the various functions related to the control unit 10, and the various functions related to the control unit 10 described above may be executed by multiple programs.

[0025] The customer information storage unit 32 is a storage area for storing customer information received from the customer server 9. FIG. 3A shows an example of items in the customer information storage unit 32. The customer information storage unit 32 stores, for example, a customer ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, and a gender in association with each other. The customer ID is identification information that is assigned and managed by the customer server 9 and that uniquely identifies the customer. The name and address are part of the customer's personal information and are necessary for sending direct mail. The date of birth, gender, etc. are part of the customer's personal information. This information may be used, for example, when analyzing access information.

[0026] The shipping information storage unit 33 is a storage area for storing information relating to the shipping of direct mail. FIG. 3(B) illustrates items in the shipping information storage unit 33. The shipping information storage unit 33 stores, for example, an individual ID, a customer ID, and URL information in association with each other. The individual ID is generated by the individual information processing unit 12 to identify the customer, and does not contain any meaningful information for identifying the customer. The individual ID and the customer ID are different. The URL information stores an individual ID and a URL including address information indicating a web page of the web server 6.

[0027] The access information storage unit 34 is a storage area for storing the access information received from the web server 6. FIG. 3C shows an example of the access information storage unit 34. The access information storage unit 34 stores, for example, the individual ID as a key, the browsing situation, the number of times, and transition information in association with each other as the browsing history. The viewing status is stored as "viewing completed" or "viewing in progress." The number of times is the number of times the page has been viewed. The transition information is transition information of a web page, video content, or still content during browsing.

[0028] The above-described example of the storage unit 30 is merely an example. That is, the storage unit 30 has been described as storing the customer information storage unit 32, the shipping information storage unit 33, and the access information storage unit 34, but is not limited to this. For example, the customer information storage unit 32 and the shipping information storage unit 33 may further have a customer ID for identifying a customer. In this case, the storage unit 30 may have a customer information storage unit, and store the customer ID in association with information such as the customer name. Furthermore, the items in each storage unit of the storage unit 30 are merely examples, and other items may be present, or some items may not be present.

[0029] The communication interface unit 39 in FIG. 2 is a communication interface for communicating with each server included in the direct mail processing system 100. It should be noted that a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc., and the access processing server 1 is an information processing device equipped with a control unit 10, a storage unit 30, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of pieces of hardware that make up the access processing server 1. For example, the access processing server 1 may be configured with one or more pieces of hardware as needed, such as by dividing the hardware by function. Furthermore, the hardware of the access processing server 1 may be configured to include various servers such as a web server, a DB (database) server, and an application server as needed, and may be configured with one server or with separate servers for each. Furthermore, the access processing server 1 may be, for example, a cloud.

[0030] [DM Production Server 4] 1 is a server managed and operated by, for example, a business that prints and delivers direct mail. The DM production server 4 may also be operated by, for example, a business that has been commissioned by a business that produces and delivers direct mail. The direct mail production server 4 performs processing to produce direct mail and send the produced direct mail. The direct mail production server 4 receives delivery information from the access processing server 1 and produces direct mail.

[0031] The direct mail production server 4 is connected to a printer 5, which is used to print direct mail. Although not shown, the DM creation server 4 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication interface unit, and the like. The control unit (means for creating direct mail) of the direct mail creation server 4 uses the delivery information received from the access processing server 1 to create a direct mail enclosure 51 on which a two-dimensional code and delivery destination information are printed.

[0032] [Web Server 6] The web server 6 stores web pages and transmits them in response to access from, for example, a user terminal 7. The web pages include, for example, video content or still content. The video content or still content outputs a selection area that the user can select while playing the video content or still content, and upon detecting a selection operation on the selection area, further video content or still content corresponding to the selection area is output, resulting in a branching story. The web pages stored by the web server 6 may be web pages that can be accessed from any location, or may be dedicated web pages. Furthermore, the web server 6 transmits access information for the web page to the access processing server 1. Here, the web server 6 may transmit the access information to the access processing server 1 in response to a request from the access processing server 1, or may transmit the access information to the access processing server 1 at an appropriate timing. Although not shown, the web server 6 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication interface unit, and the like.

[0033] [User terminal 7] The user terminal 7 is a portable terminal owned by a customer, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The user terminal 7 may be, for example, a personal computer (PC), etc. A customer or the like obtains a URL by photographing the two-dimensional code printed on an enclosure 51 of the direct mail that has arrived at the customer's hand using the user terminal 7. Then, the customer or the like uses the URL to start a web browser, and the web page of the web server 6 corresponding to the URL is output to the user terminal 7. Although not shown, the user terminal 7 is equipped with a camera for capturing an image of a two-dimensional code, in addition to a control unit, a memory unit, an input unit, a display unit, a communication interface unit, etc., which are included in a general computer. Also, a web browser for outputting a web page is stored in the memory unit of the user terminal 7.

[0034] [Customer Server 9] The customer server 9 provides the access processing server 1 with customer information about customers who wish to send direct mail. Here, the customer information may be provided via the communication network N or by transporting a recording medium on which the customer information is recorded. The customer server 9 also receives at least a portion of the customer information based on the access information sent by the access processing server 1. Although not shown, the customer server 9 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication interface unit, and the like.

[0035] Note that a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a memory device, etc., and the DM production server 4, web server 6, user terminal 7, and customer server 9 are each information processing devices equipped with a control unit, a memory device, etc., and are included in the concept of a computer.

[0036] [Processing Description] Next, the processing of the access processing server 1 will be described. First, the process for sending direct mail to customers will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the individual information generation process of the access processing server 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a direct mail 50 according to this embodiment.

[0037] First, in the direct mail processing system 100, when a request for direct mail is received from a customer, the customer server 9 transmits customer information and address information of the web server 6 to the access processing server 1, for example. The control unit 10 of the access processing server 1 stores the received customer information in the customer information storage unit 32. Then, the control unit 10 (individual information generation processing unit 11) of the access processing server 1 performs the individual information generation process described below for each piece of customer information stored in the customer information storage unit 32.

[0038] In step S (hereinafter, "step S" will be simply referred to as "S") 11 in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 (individual information processing unit 12) of the access processing server 1 generates an individual ID. In S12, the control unit 10 (individual information processing unit 12) associates the individual ID with the customer information. More specifically, the control unit 10 generates a record in the shipping information storage unit 33 that associates the individual ID with the customer ID. In S13, the control unit 10 (individual information processing unit 12) generates a URL. Here, the generated URL includes the individual ID as an argument in the address information of the web page of the web server 6 received from the customer server 9. The control unit 10 adds the generated URL to the URL information of the corresponding record in the shipping information storage unit 33.

[0039] In S14, the control unit 10 (code generating unit 14) generates a two-dimensional code including the generated URL. In S15, the control unit 10 (delivery processing unit 15) creates delivery information and transmits it to the direct mail production server 4. The delivery information includes at least the two-dimensional code created in the process of S14 and the customer's shipping address information required to send the delivery on which the two-dimensional code is printed to the customer. Thereafter, the control unit 10 ends this process.

[0040] In the direct mail production server 4 that has received the delivery information, the control unit of the direct mail production server 4 uses the delivery information to produce direct mail 50. Specifically, the control unit of the direct mail production server 4 converts the delivery information into an appropriate format and sends it to the printer 5 (see Figure 1), which then prints, for example, an enclosure 51 as shown in Figure 5(A). The enclosure 51 shown in Figure 5(A) is a piece of paper folded in three with a destination section 51a and a two-dimensional code 51b printed on it. The destination section 51a is the section where the customer's shipping address information is printed. The two-dimensional code 51b was generated in the process of S15 in Figure 4 and includes the individual ID printed on the destination section 51a, which is unique for each customer, and a URL including the address information of a web page on the web server 6.

[0041] 5(B) shows direct mail 50. Direct mail 50 is an envelope 55 with enclosure 51 enclosed. In addition to enclosure 51, envelope 55 may contain other enclosures (not shown). The other enclosures are common to all customers, such as pamphlets about the customer's products. The envelope 55 has a window 55a through which the address part 51a of the enclosed item 51 folded in three can be seen.

[0042] Note that the enclosure 51 shown in FIG. 5(A) and the envelope 55 shown in FIG. 5(B) are merely examples. For example, the enclosure 51 does not have to be folded in three. Furthermore, the envelope 55 does not have to have the window 55a. In that case, the address and two-dimensional code may be printed directly on the envelope 55. Alternatively, an address label with the address and two-dimensional code written on it may be affixed to the envelope 55. Furthermore, instead of the envelope 55, the envelope may be in the form of a postcard, etc. Then, the direct mail 50 created by the direct mail creation server 4 is sent to each customer.

[0043] A customer or a family member living with the customer who receives the direct mail 50 can remove the enclosure 51 from the envelope 55, as shown in Figure 5(C), and have their own user terminal 7 read the two-dimensional code 51b printed on the enclosure 51. By doing so, the control unit of the user terminal 7 accesses the web server 6 using the URL included in the two-dimensional code 51b and outputs the web page.

[0044] Here, an example of video content will be described as an example of what is output to the user terminal 7 connected to the web server 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of video content output to the user terminal 7 according to this embodiment. The video content shown in Figure 6 outputs multiple selection areas within a video being played back. When a viewer selects one of the multiple selection areas, the video branches to different video content according to the selection.

[0045] First, product explanation video 71 is output to user terminal 7 as a web page of web server 6 corresponding to the URL. Then, the control unit of web server 6 stores access information including the individual ID and a notice that product explanation video 71 has been accessed in the storage unit of web server 6. After that, as the video being played approaches the end, selection areas 71a and 71b are output in product explanation video 71. Here, when the viewer selects the selection area 71a, the interesting video 72 is then output to the user terminal 7. Then, the control unit of the web server 6 stores access information including the individual ID and information that the interesting video 72 has been accessed in the storage unit of the web server 6.

[0046] For the interesting video 72, when the video being played approaches the end, selection areas 72a and 72b are also output. When the viewer selects selection area 72a, plan A video 73 is output to user terminal 7. Then, the control unit of web server 6 stores access information including the individual ID and information that plan A video 73 has been accessed in the storage unit of web server 6. Thereafter, as the video being played approaches the end, selection areas 73a to 73c are output to plan A video 73. On the other hand, when the viewer selects selection area 72b, Plan B video 77 is output to user terminal 7. Then, the control unit of web server 6 stores access information including the individual ID and a notice that Plan B video 77 has been accessed in the storage unit of web server 6. Thereafter, as the video being played approaches the end, selection areas 77a to 77c are output in Plan B video 77.

[0047] By selecting a selection area of ​​the video content in this way, the viewer determines the next video content to be output, and the viewer can view the selected and determined video content to the end. The viewer can also stop viewing the video content while it is being played. To stop viewing midway, the viewer can simply close the web browser or close the video.

[0048] Such transition information of the viewer in the video content is stored as access information in the web server 6. The access information includes an individual ID included in the URL and a browsing history. The browsing history also includes transition information of web pages and transition information of video content. By accessing the web server 6 using such an individual ID, the web server 6 can store transition information by passing around the individual ID, so there is no need to use, for example, a cookie or the like. Although the above description is given for video content, the same applies to still content.

[0049] Next, an analysis using the access information stored in the web server 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the access analysis process of the access processing server 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of conditions for access analysis according to this embodiment. The access analysis process in FIG. 7 is executed at an appropriate timing, for example, in response to instructions from a customer.

[0050] 7, the control unit 10 (access acquisition unit 22) of the access processing server 1 acquires access information from the web server 6. More specifically, the control unit 10, for example, requests the web server 6 for access information, and thereby receives the access information transmitted by the web server 6. In S32, the control unit 10 (access acquisition unit 22) stores the acquired access information in the access information storage unit .

[0051] In S33, the control unit 10 (access analysis unit 23) receives a predetermined condition. The control unit 10 may receive the predetermined condition from a terminal of a customer (not shown), etc. Then, the predetermined condition may be stored in the storage unit 30 as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a table that associates predetermined conditions with responses to customers with individual IDs that satisfy the predetermined conditions. For example, in the case of "there will be a screen transition for Plan A," that is, for customers to whom the Plan A video 73 shown in FIG. 6 has been output, it indicates that the next action to retain the customer will be to "send materials for Plan A by direct mail." Possible next actions include direct mail, a call by telephone, etc., as well as short messages, emails, etc., as shown in FIG. 8.

[0052] In S34, the control unit 10 (individual identification unit 24) extracts individual IDs that satisfy a predetermined condition. If the predetermined condition is, for example, related to browsing or transition information, the control unit 10 can extract individual IDs that satisfy the predetermined condition from the access information storage unit 34. Furthermore, if the predetermined condition is, for example, related to whether or not the information has been browsed, the control unit 10 can extract, based on the access information storage unit 34 and the shipping information storage unit 33, individual IDs that have records in the shipping information storage unit 33 but no records in the access information storage unit 34 as those that satisfy the predetermined condition.

[0053] In S35, the control unit 10 (customer information output unit 25) extracts customer information corresponding to the extracted individual ID. Here, if a name or the like is to be extracted as customer information, the control unit 10 refers to the shipping information storage unit 33 and extracts information from the customer information storage unit 32. Furthermore, if only a customer ID is to be extracted as customer information, the control unit 10 may refer to the shipping information storage unit 33 and extract the customer ID corresponding to the individual ID. In S36, the control unit 10 (customer information output unit 25) outputs the extracted customer information to the customer server 9. Here, the control unit 10 may transmit the customer information together with predetermined conditions to the customer server 9. Thereafter, the control unit 10 ends this process.

[0054] The control unit of the web server 6 may transmit the access information to the access processing server 1 at any time, for example, when the access information is stored. Alternatively, the control unit of the web server 6 may transmit the access information to the access processing server 1 at a predetermined timing, for example, once a day, once a week, or once a month. In this case, the control unit 10 may perform the processes up to S32 when it acquires the access information.

[0055] As described above, the present embodiment has the following advantages. (1) The access processing server 1 associates an individual ID, which is data for identifying customer information, with the customer information of the customer stored in the customer information storage unit 32, generates a URL including the individual ID and web page address information to be attached to direct mail provided to the customer, acquires access information including the individual ID, which is access information to the web page connected by the URL, analyzes the acquired access information, and outputs the analysis results. Therefore, the individual ID is used to analyze access information to the customer's web page and output the analysis results, so the access information can be used to confirm whether the customer has accessed the information provided to the customer. This makes it possible to check the situation after the direct mail has been delivered to the customer. In addition, a URL including the individual ID is generated and provided to the customer, so when accessing the web page, the generated URL can be used, making it easier for the customer to view the web page. Furthermore, the analysis results can provide information on customer trends.

[0056] (2) The access processing server 1 acquires access information that further includes page transition information on the web page. The web page also includes video content or still content, outputs a selection area that can be selected by the viewer while outputting the video content or still content, and further outputs video content or still content corresponding to the selection area upon detecting a selection operation on the selection area, and the page transition information is transition information for the output video content or still content. Therefore, the access information can include transition information of web pages and content. As a result, the transition information can be used to analyze the access information, allowing for more detailed analysis, such as analysis of individual customers or analysis of customer groups. In addition, video content and still content can be expected to deepen customers' understanding of, for example, a customer's products.

[0057] (3) The access processing server 1 identifies individual IDs that satisfy specified conditions as a result of the analysis, extracts at least a portion of the customer information corresponding to the identified individual ID from the customer information storage unit 32, and outputs it to the customer server 9 via the communication network N together with the specified conditions. Therefore, the customer server 9 can send further direct mail to customers who meet certain conditions, and can take more specialized actions for customers, such as retaining customers.

[0058] (4) The access processing server 1 generates an individual ID and associates the generated individual ID with the customer information in the customer information storage unit 32. Therefore, a customer can be identified by a unique individual ID used by the access processing server 1, rather than by a customer ID used by the client. Furthermore, by making the individual ID, for example, a random character string with no particular meaning, even if a third party reads the individual ID, the client or customer cannot be identified.

[0059] (5) The access processing server 1 generates a two-dimensional code by converting a URL including the individual ID into a code that can be read by the user terminal 7, and creates delivery information including the generated two-dimensional code and shipping address information of the customer corresponding to the individual ID obtained from the customer information storage unit 32.The direct mail production server 4 uses the created delivery information to create direct mail with the two-dimensional code and shipping address information printed on it. Therefore, since the access processing server 1 generates a code including a URL that can be read by the user terminal 7, the generated code can be easily used to connect to the URL on the user terminal 7 or the like. In addition, the access processing server 1 transfers delivery information to the direct mail production server 4, which can then print and produce the direct mail to be sent to the customer. Furthermore, the direct mail can include a two-dimensional code, so that the customer can easily access the web server 6 by reading the two-dimensional code with the user terminal 7.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Note that the above-described embodiments and the modified embodiments described below can be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] (Variations) (1) In this embodiment, the code printed on the direct mail has been described as a two-dimensional code, but this is not limiting. It may be any code that can be read by a reading device such as a user terminal, such as a barcode, or may have a recording medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip attached. Furthermore, it may be any code that has individual information printed on it, or variable information or codes printed on it, as long as information can be obtained by holding up a reading device or by wireless communication.

[0062] (2) In the present embodiment, the access processing server and the DM production server are separate devices, but this is not limiting. A single device may have both functions. Furthermore, the access processing server may perform processing related to the access analysis processing unit, for example, and the DM production server may perform processing related to the individual information generation processing unit, for example. Furthermore, the functionality of the web server may be provided by another server; for example, the functionality of the web server may be provided by an access processing server or a client server.

[0063] (3) In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a customer information storage unit is provided, and items in the customer information storage unit include personal customer information, but this is not limiting. For example, the customer information storage unit may store a customer ID, and personal information such as name and address may be obtained from the customer server 9 each time delivery information is created. The access processing server then deletes the received personal information upon creating delivery information. In this way, the access processing server retains the minimum necessary customer personal information only when necessary, thereby minimizing the management of personal information in the access processing server.

[0064] (4) In the present embodiment, the analysis is performed using the access information stored in the access information storage unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the access information may be further analyzed using customer information stored in the customer information storage unit. For example, the analysis may be limited to women in their 30s or customers living in Tokyo. In this way, it is possible to analyze access information using customer information such as age, address, and gender, and to perform more detailed analysis that is specific to what the customer wants to do.

[0065] (5) In the present embodiment, transition information of video content is used for access analysis, but this is not limiting. Page transitions of web pages may also be used for access analysis. The number of views may also be taken into consideration. Furthermore, it may be possible to check whether the viewer matches the name (customer name) listed in the direct mail recipient, and use the information on whether the viewer is the customer for access analysis. Whether the viewer is the customer himself / herself or a family member of the customer can be obtained by, for example, displaying a selection area in the video content asking whether the viewer is the customer himself / herself or a family member of the customer and letting the viewer select it. Alternatively, information on whether the viewer is the customer himself / herself or a family member of the customer can be obtained by performing other identity authentication. In this way, the access information can be analyzed, including whether the viewer who accessed the web page is the person corresponding to the individual ID included in the URL or someone else.

[0066] (6) In this embodiment, the processing for the direct mail delivery destination has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the access processing server may have direct mail delivery availability information for each customer, and the control unit may distribute the direct mail or email for each customer. The control unit may then obtain the email address of the customer that has been distributed to the email, and create and send an email with a URL including an individual ID in the body of the email, addressed to the obtained email address.

[0067] (7) In this embodiment, the shipping information storage unit is used to indicate that the direct mail has been sent to the customer for whom the delivery information was created, but this is not limiting. For example, the direct mail creation server may receive shipping information including an individual ID and information indicating that the direct mail has been sent, and store the shipping information in the shipping information storage unit. The control unit of the access processing server may then determine whether the shipping information has been received from the direct mail creation server 4, and if it has not been received within a predetermined period of time, may issue a notification indicating that the information has not been received. In this way, not only can delivery information be created, but also whether the direct mail has been sent to the customer can be confirmed by referring to the shipping information storage unit. Furthermore, whether or not a direct mail piece has been opened may be analyzed based on whether or not it has been accessed. More specifically, the control unit of the access processing server compares the individual ID stored in the shipping information storage unit as having been sent with the individual ID stored in the access information storage unit. This makes it possible to extract customers whose direct mail pieces have been sent but not yet been viewed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Access processing server 4 DM creation server 5. Printers 6 Web Server 7 User terminal 9 Customer Server 10 Control Unit 11 Individual information generation processing unit 12 Individual Information Processing Section 14 Code Generation 15. Shipping Processing Department 21 Access analysis processing unit 22 Access Acquisition Department 23 Access Analysis Department 24 Individual Identification Department 25 Customer information output section 30 Storage section 31a Individual information generation program 31b Access Analysis Program 32 Customer information storage section 33 Shipping information storage unit 34 Access information storage unit 50 Direct Mail 51 Enclosure 51a Recipient 51b 2D code 55 envelope 100 Direct Mail Processing System

Claims

1. an associating means for associating the individual identification information, which is data for identifying customer information, with customer identification information for identifying customers managed by the customer stored in the customer information storage unit; individual information generating means for generating individual information, which is to be attached to direct mail to be provided to the customer, including the individual identification information and connection information of a dedicated web page; access acquisition means for acquiring access information for the dedicated web page connected by the connection information, the access information including the individual identification information; access analysis means for analyzing the access information acquired by the access acquisition means; individual identification means for referring to a table that associates predetermined conditions with responses to customers who satisfy the predetermined conditions, and identifying the individual identification information that satisfies the predetermined conditions as an analysis result by the access analysis means; a customer information output means for referring to the customer information storage unit and outputting the customer identification information corresponding to the individual identification information identified by the individual identification means, together with the predetermined conditions, to an external device that is a customer device connected via a communication network; An access processing device comprising:

2. In the access processing device according to claim 1, a means for acquiring from the client the predetermined conditions and a response to a customer who satisfies the predetermined conditions; a means for registering the predetermined conditions acquired from the client and a response to the client who satisfies the predetermined conditions in the table; An access processing device comprising:

3. 3. The access processing device according to claim 1, the customer information storage unit further stores personal information of the customer; The access analysis means analyzes the access information by further using at least a part of the personal information in the customer information storage unit.

4. 4. The access processing device according to claim 1, The access acquisition means acquires the access information further including page transition information on the dedicated web page.

5. In the access processing device according to claim 4, the dedicated web page includes video content or still content, outputs a selection area selectable by a viewer while outputting the video content or still content, and further outputs video content or still content corresponding to the selection area upon detecting a selection operation on the selection area; The page transition information is transition information of the output video content or still content.

6. 6. The access processing device according to claim 1, an individual identification generating means for generating the individual identification information; The associating means associates the individual identification information generated by the individual identification generating means with the customer identification information in the customer information storage unit.

7. 7. The access processing device according to claim 6, The individual identification generating means generates the individual identification information consisting of a random character string.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as the access processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. an access processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a mail creating and sending device for creating and sending direct mail; A direct mail processing system comprising: the customer information storage unit of the access processing device further stores shipping destination information of the customer; The access processing device comprises: a code generating means for generating code information that converts the individual information including the individual identification information into a code that can be read by a reading device; a delivery creation means for creating delivery information including the code information generated by the code generation means and the shipping destination information of the customer corresponding to the individual identification information obtained by referring to the customer information storage unit; Equipped with The email creating and sending device A direct mail processing system comprising a means for creating direct mail on which the code information and the shipping destination information are printed using the delivery information created by the delivery creation means.

10. an associating means for associating the individual identification information, which is data for identifying customer information, with customer identification information for identifying customers managed by the customer stored in the customer information storage unit; individual information generating means for generating individual information, which is to be attached to direct mail to be provided to the customer, including the individual identification information and connection information of a dedicated web page; a mail creating and sending device having access acquisition means for acquiring access information for the dedicated web page connected by the connection information, the access information including the individual identification information; access analysis means for analyzing the access information acquired by the access acquisition means; individual identification means for referring to a table that associates predetermined conditions with responses to customers who satisfy the predetermined conditions, and identifying the individual identification information that satisfies the predetermined conditions as an analysis result by the access analysis means; a customer information output means for referring to the customer information storage unit and outputting the customer identification information corresponding to the individual identification information identified by the individual identification means, together with the predetermined conditions, to an external device that is a customer device connected via a communication network; an access processing device having A direct mail processing system comprising:

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