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

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program which can appropriately display information about visitors at each of a plurality of bases.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a specifying unit which specifies, on the basis of position information of visitors having visited each of a plurality of bases, departure places of the visitors for each area of a plurality of areas divided like a mesh on a map; a providing unit which provides, for each area, map content where absolute value icons visually representing magnitudes of absolute values of the number of visitors who have visited each of the plurality of bases from the areas are placed on the map; an accepting unit which accepts designation of an area from an operator terminal through the map content with respect to the plurality of areas divided like a mesh; and an updating unit which, with the number of visitors at the plurality of individual bases in the designated area as a reference, updates the map content into map content where relative value icons visually representing magnitudes of relative numerical values of the number of visitors at the plurality of individual bases in the other areas are replaced with the absolute value icons and are arranged on the map.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] It is considered that various useful findings can be obtained by using the position information measured by a smartphone or the like. For example, by utilizing the position information of users who have visited stores selling various products, it is conceivable that the operator of the store can use it to formulate the marketing strategy of the store.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a storage unit that stores the position information of each of the store and the customer, and based on the position information, among the customers who visited the store during the target period, the repeat customers who revisited the store during a specific period other than the target period, and the number of existing customers whose whereabouts can be confirmed during a specific period other than the target period are respectively specified, and by calculating the ratio of repeat customers among the existing customers, a calculation unit that calculates the customer retention rate regarding the store is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the data analysis apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can calculate the customer retention rate of a store, but cannot specify the departure location of the customers who visited the store and display the business area of the store.

[0006] In view of the above issues, this disclosure aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can appropriately display information about visitors to multiple locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the information processing device relating to this disclosure includes: an identification unit that identifies the starting point of a visitor for each of the multiple locations divided into multiple areas in a mesh-like manner on a map, based on the location information of the visitor who has visited each of the multiple locations; a provision unit that provides map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map for each of the multiple locations, visually representing the magnitude of the absolute value of the number of visitors who have visited each of the multiple locations from the area; a reception unit that receives the designation of multiple areas divided into a mesh-like manner from a business terminal via the map content; and an update unit that updates the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the magnitude of the relative numerical values ​​of the number of visitors for each of the multiple locations in other areas based on the number of visitors for each of the multiple locations in the designated area, with the absolute value icons and placing them on the map. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can appropriately display information about visitors to multiple locations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a graph illustrating the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to each location according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of information stored in the user information storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a carrier terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, the embodiments for implementing the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program relating to this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). However, these embodiments do not limit the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program relating to this disclosure.

[0011] (Embodiment) [1. Information processing according to the embodiment] [1-1. An example of information processing according to the embodiment] First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. In Figure 1, an example is shown in which information processing according to the embodiment is executed by the information processing device 100, the user terminal 200, and the business terminal 300. Hereinafter, the information processing according to the embodiment will be described step by step.

[0012] First, the information processing device 100 acquires user information from the user terminal 200 (step S1). Here, the user information includes information about the user and behavioral information indicating information about the user's actions. The behavioral information is information indicating the user's actions using a predetermined information service resulting from the user's use of that service, or payments at physical stores. Once the information processing device 100 has acquired the user information from the user terminal 200, it stores the acquired user information in the user information storage unit 122. Note that the user U and user terminal 200 shown in Figure 1 are examples, and the information processing device 100 may acquire user information from user terminals 200 of more users.

[0013] Next, the information processing device 100 identifies the departure point of each visitor for each area (step S2). The information processing device 100 refers to the map information DB storage unit 121 and the user information storage unit 122, which will be described later, and identifies the users who visited each base, i.e., visitors, based on the users' location information. The information processing device 100 may identify visitors who visited each base during a predetermined period, such as one month, one week, or one day. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 may determine whether or not a user visited a base based on the user's purchase history stored in the user information storage unit 122, and identify the visitors who visited each base. Then, based on the location information of the identified visitors, the information processing device 100 identifies the departure point of each visitor for each base, divided into multiple areas. That is, the information processing device 100 identifies the departure point of visitors for each base for each area. In addition to the visitor's place of residence, the visitor's departure point may also be the visitor's location a predetermined time before visiting each base, such as one hour prior. Furthermore, during the specified time, the service provider terminal 300 may receive communications from service provider M.

[0014] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 provides map content to the business operator terminal 300 (step S3). For example, based on information such as the departure location of the visitor identified in step S2, the information processing apparatus 100 generates map content and provides the generated map content to the business operator terminal 300. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may generate map content in a form such as the map content 50 in FIG. 1. Also, in the map content 50 shown in FIG. 1, a map 51 of the area including each base, an information column 52 for displaying information about each base, an attribute column 53 for receiving designation of the attributes of the visitor, and in the map 51, regions 54 divided into a mesh pattern of a predetermined size are displayed. The regions 54 may be displayed by being divided, for example, not for the entire map 51 but for the periphery of each base.

[0015] In the example of the map content 50 shown in FIG. 1, on the map 51, pins 55a to 58a corresponding to bases 55 to 58 and representing the positions of bases 55 to 58 are displayed. In the regions 54 around the pins 55a to 58a, absolute value icons 55b to 58b indicating the number of visitors who visited each of the bases 55 to 58 with the corresponding region 54 as the departure location are arranged.

[0016] The absolute value icons 55b to 58b may be arranged with their sizes changed so as to correspond, for example, to cases where the number of visitors is from 1 to 1000, from 1001 to 10000, and 10001 or more, that is, so that the larger the number of people, the larger the size of the absolute value icon.

[0017] Also, when there are visitors who visited a plurality of bases from the same region, the absolute value icons 55b to 58b corresponding to each are arranged within the same region 54. For example, in the map 51, when there are visitors who visited base 55 and base 56 within the same region 54, the absolute value icon 55b and the absolute value icon 56b are arranged within the same region 54. Also, in the map 51, when the attributes of the visitors are received in the attribute column 53, the absolute value icons 55b to 58b in each region are changed and displayed according to the received attributes.

[0018] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 receives a designation of an area from the business operator terminal 300 (step S4). For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may receive a designation of one of a plurality of areas 54 divided in a mesh shape of the map content 50 shown in FIG. 1 from the business operator terminal 300. For example, with respect to the map content displayed on the touch panel of the output unit 330 of the business operator terminal 300, the designation of the area received from the business operator may be received as the designation of the area of the business operator.

[0019] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 updates the map content provided to the business operator terminal 300 (step S5). For example, in step S4, the information processing apparatus 100 calculates a relative value of the number of visitors who visited bases 55 to 58 from other areas based on the area corresponding to the area designation received from the business operator terminal 300. Then, the information processing apparatus 100 generates relative value map content showing the map content in which relative value icons representing the relative magnitudes of the number of visitors who visited bases 55 to 58 calculated for each area are replaced with absolute value icons. Then, the information processing apparatus 100 updates the absolute value map content to the relative value map content by providing the relative value map content generated to the business operator terminal 300. Note that since the maximum value of the relative value changes depending on the number of visitors in the reference area for the relative value icon, the illustration of the relative value icon described above is merely an example, and the average value of the number of visitors in three arbitrarily designated areas may be used as a reference.

[0020] According to this, it is possible to receive a designation of an area as a reference for relative value display from a business operator, generate relative value map content in which relative value icons indicating the relative values of visitors who visited each base based on the received area are arranged in each area, and provide it to the business operator. Therefore, it is possible to provide the information processing apparatus 100 that can appropriately display information regarding visitors for each of a plurality of bases.

[0021] [1-2. Other examples of information processing according to the embodiment] The information processing device 100 receives the designation of multiple areas from the operator terminal 300, and updates the map content by replacing the relative value icons in the designated multiple areas with absolute value icons and placing them on the map.

[0022] This information processing will be explained step by step. First, the information processing device 100 performs the same processing as steps S1 to S5 shown in Figure 1. Steps S1 to S5 are the same as the processing described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0023] Next, the information processing device 100 receives the designation of multiple areas from the business operator terminal 300 (step S6). For example, the information processing device 100 may receive the designation of multiple areas from the business operator via the touch panel of the output unit 330 of the business operator terminal 300, out of the multiple areas 54 of the relative value map content displayed on the output unit 330 of the business operator terminal 300.

[0024] Next, the information processing device 100 generates map content for the received multiple regions by replacing the relative value icons placed in the received multiple regions with absolute value icons that show the absolute number of visitors to each location (step S7). For example, suppose in step S6 the information processing device 100 receives a designation for regions 541 to 543 as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the information processing device 100 generates map content by replacing the relative value icons placed in regions 541 to 543 as shown in the figure with absolute value icons, and provides the generated map content to the business terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to compare and understand the relative and absolute values ​​of the number of visitors to each location for each region.

[0025] According to this, the system can receive requests from businesses to specify areas in the relative value map content where absolute value icons representing the absolute number of visitors to each location should be placed, and then provide map content in the specified areas with relative value icons replaced by absolute value icons. As a result, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can appropriately display information about visitors to multiple locations.

[0026] [1-3. Other examples of information processing according to the embodiment] The information processing device 100 provides a graph showing the time-series changes in the absolute value of the number of visitors for each of several locations within a specified area.

[0027] This information processing will be explained step by step. First, the information processing device 100 performs the same processing as steps S1 to S5 shown in Figure 1. Steps S1 to S5 are the same as the processing described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0028] Next, the information processing device 100 generates a graph showing the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to each of the multiple locations in the specified area and provides it to the business terminal 300 (step S5-1). For example, suppose the information processing device 100 receives a designation of area 541 in step S4. In this case, the information processing device 100 calculates the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to each location, starting from area 541. Then, the information processing device 100 generates a graph showing the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to each location, starting from area 541. Then, the information processing device 100 provides the generated graph to the business terminal 300. The information processing device 100 may, for example, generate a graph like the one shown in Figure 2 and provide it to the business terminal 300. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a graph showing the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to each location according to the embodiment. Lines L1 to L4 in Figure 2 show the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to locations 55 to 58 shown in Figure 1, respectively. Thus, the information processing device 100 may generate a graph showing the time-series changes in the absolute value of the number of visitors for each of the multiple locations in a specified area.

[0029] According to this, the system can receive area designations from businesses, generate a graph showing the time-series changes in the absolute number of visitors to each location, using the designated area as the starting point, and provide it to the business terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can appropriately display information about visitors to multiple locations.

[0030] [2. Configuration of the Information Processing System] Next, the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment has an information processing device 100, a user terminal 200, a business terminal 300, and a network N. These configurations will be briefly described in order below.

[0031] The information processing device 100 may be, for example, a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a computer equipped with server functions. The information processing device 100 performs processing based on information transmitted from a user terminal 200 via the network N.

[0032] The user terminal 200 is an information processing device used by the user. The user terminal 200 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, desktop PC, notebook PC, mobile phone, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). In the example shown in Figure 1, the user terminal 200 is a smartphone.

[0033] The carrier terminal 300 is an information processing device used by the carrier. The carrier terminal 300 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, desktop PC, notebook PC, mobile phone, PDA, or other information processing device. In the example shown in Figure 1, the carrier terminal 300 is a notebook PC.

[0034] Network N connects the information processing device 100, the user terminal 200, and the service provider terminal 300 so that they can communicate with each other via wired or wireless connections. If Network N is wired, it may be implemented using Ethernet (registered trademark) as defined in IEEE 802.3. If Network N is wireless, it may be implemented using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) as defined in IEEE 802.11.

[0035] [3. Configuration of the Information Processing Device] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 100 will be explained using Figure 3.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0037] (Regarding Communications Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is implemented by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) card, etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wired or wireless connection and transmits and receives information with the user terminal 200, etc.

[0038] (Regarding memory unit 120) The storage unit 120 includes a main memory and an external storage device. The main memory stores programs executed by the control unit 130 or data processed by the control unit 130. The main memory may be implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory. The external storage device stores data processed by the control unit 130. The external storage device may be implemented using, for example, a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), magnetic tape, or optical disc.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 120 includes a map information DB storage unit 121 and a user information storage unit 122. These configurations will be described in detail below.

[0040] (Regarding the map information database storage unit 121) The map information database storage unit 121 stores map data and location information for various facilities and stores. For the map data, for example, map data that can be scaled from a residential map level to a world map level can be used. Location information includes information such as industry, store name, and business hours. Furthermore, the location information is stored in association with the map data.

[0041] (Regarding the user information storage unit 122) The user information storage unit 122 stores information about the user. Here, an example of the information stored in the user information storage unit 122 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the information stored in the user information storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 5, the user information storage unit 122 stores information related to the following items in association: "User ID," "Date of Birth," "Gender," "Occupation," "Location Information," "Search History," "Browsing History," "Purchase History," "Route Search History," and "Bulletin Board Posting History."

[0043] "User ID" is an identifier that identifies a user and is represented by a string of characters or a number. "Date of Birth" is information about the user's date of birth linked to the "User ID". "Gender" is information about the user's gender linked to the "User ID". "Occupation" is information about the user's occupation linked to the "User ID". "Location Information" is information indicating the location of the user linked to the "User ID". "Search History" is information including the search queries used by the user linked to the "User ID" and the time they were entered. "Browsing History" is information including the websites visited by the user linked to the "User ID" and the time they were visited. "Purchase History" is information including the products or services purchased by the user linked to the "User ID" at online shopping sites, designated service contract sites, physical stores, etc., and the time they were purchased. "Route Search History" is information including the route search results and search time of the user linked to the "User ID". "Bulletin Board Posting History" is information including the bulletin board posts and posting time of the user linked to the "User ID".

[0044] In other words, Figure 5 shows that the user identified by user ID "UID#1" has the following information: date of birth is "date of birth#U1", gender is "female", occupation is "occupation#U1", location information is "location information#U1", search history is "search history#U1", user browsing history is "browsing history#U1", purchase history is "purchase history#U1", route search history is "route search history#U1", and bulletin board posting history is "bulletin board posting history#U1".

[0045] Furthermore, the information stored in the user information storage unit 122 is not limited to information relating to the items "User ID," "Date of Birth," "Gender," "Occupation," "Location Information," "Search History," "Browsing History," "Purchase History," "Route Search History," and "Bulletin Board Posting History," but may also store any other information relating to the user.

[0046] (Regarding the control unit 130) Next, returning to Figure 3, the control unit 130 will be described. The control unit 130 is a controller that controls the information processing device 100, and is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) reading various programs stored in the memory unit 120 of the information processing device 100 and executing them using RAM as the working area. The control unit 130 is a controller and may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 130 includes an acquisition unit 131, a specification unit 132, a provision unit 133, a reception unit 134, and an update unit 135. The control unit 130 reads a program from the storage unit 120 and executes it using RAM as a work area, thereby realizing or executing the information processing functions and operations described below. These processes will be described in order below.

[0048] (Regarding acquisition unit 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires user information from the user terminal 200. After acquiring user information from the user terminal 200, the acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired user information in the user information storage unit 122. The acquisition unit 131 may acquire user information from the user terminals 200 of multiple users and store the acquired user information for each user in the user information storage unit 122.

[0049] (Regarding Section 132) The identification unit 132 identifies the origin of each visitor for each of the multiple locations, based on the location information of the visitor who visited each of the multiple locations. For example, the identification unit 132 refers to the map information DB storage unit 121 and the user information storage unit 122 and identifies users who have visited each base, i.e., visitors, based on the user's location information. The identification unit 132 may identify visitors who have visited each base during a predetermined period, such as one month, one week, or one day. Alternatively, the identification unit 132 may determine whether or not a user has visited a base based on the user's purchase history stored in the user information storage unit 122 and identify visitors who have visited each base. Then, based on the identified user's location information, the identification unit 132 identifies the departure point of visitors for each base, divided into multiple regions. That is, the identification unit 132 identifies the departure point of visitors for each base in each region. In addition to the visitor's place of residence, the visitor's departure point may also be the visitor's location one hour prior to visiting each base. This predetermined time may be received from the business operator M by the reception unit 341 of the business operator terminal 300.

[0050] (Regarding Section 133) The provisioning unit 133 provides various types of information to the business terminal 300. For example, the provisioning unit 133 provides map content for each region, in which absolute value icons are placed on the map to visually represent the relative magnitudes of the absolute number of visitors to each of the multiple locations within that region. For example, the provisioning unit 133 generates map content based on information such as the departure point of visitors to each location identified by the identification unit 132, and provides the generated map content to the business terminal 300. For example, the provisioning unit 133 may generate map content in the form of map content 50 shown in Figure 1. A detailed explanation of map content 50 shown in Figure 1 has been described above and will therefore be omitted.

[0051] Furthermore, the provisioning unit 133 may provide a graph showing the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors to each of the multiple locations within the specified area. For example, suppose the reception unit 134, which will be described later, receives a designation of area 541 from the business terminal 300. In this case, the provisioning unit 133 calculates the time-series change in the number of visitors who visited each location, with area 541 as the starting point. The provisioning unit 133 then generates a graph showing the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors who visited each location, with area 541 as the starting point. The provisioning unit 133 then provides the generated graph to the business terminal 300. For example, the provisioning unit 133 may generate a graph like the one shown in Figure 2 and provide it to the business terminal 300. A detailed explanation of the graph shown in Figure 2 is omitted here as it has been described above.

[0052] (Regarding reception desk 134) The reception unit 134 receives various information from the carrier terminal 300. For example, the reception unit 134 receives a designation of a region from the carrier terminal 300 for multiple regions divided in a mesh pattern via the map content. For example, the reception unit 134 may receive a designation of one of the multiple regions 54 divided in a mesh pattern in the map content 50 shown in Figure 1 from the carrier terminal 300. For example, the reception unit 134 may accept the designation of a region received from the carrier as the carrier's designation for the map content displayed on the touch panel of the output unit 330 of the carrier terminal 300.

[0053] Furthermore, the reception unit 134 may receive designations for multiple regions from the carrier terminal 300. For example, the reception unit 134 may receive designations for multiple regions 54 of the relative value map content displayed on the output unit 330 of the carrier terminal 300 from the carrier via the touch panel of the output unit 330. Specifically, the reception unit 134 may receive designations for regions 541 to 543 as shown in Figure 1, for example.

[0054] (Regarding update section 135) The update unit 135 updates the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the relative magnitude of the number of visitors to multiple locations in other areas, with absolute value icons, based on the number of visitors to multiple locations in a specified area, and placing them on the map. For example, the update unit 135 calculates the relative number of visitors who visited locations 55 to 58 from other areas, based on the area corresponding to the area specified by the reception unit 134 from the business terminal 300. The update unit 135 then generates relative value map content, which shows map content in which relative value icons, which represent the magnitude of the relative number of visitors to locations 55 to 58 calculated for each area by the size of the icons, have been replaced with absolute value icons. The update unit 135 then updates the absolute value map content to relative value map content by providing the generated relative value map content to the business terminal 300.

[0055] The update unit 135 updates the map content by replacing relative value icons in the specified multiple areas with absolute value icons and placing them on the map. For example, suppose the reception unit 134 receives a specification of multiple areas, namely areas 541 to 543 shown in Figure 1. In this case, the update unit 135 updates the map content by generating map content in which the relative value icons placed in areas 541 to 543 shown in Figure 1 have been replaced with absolute value icons, and providing the generated map content to the operator terminal 300.

[0056] [4. User terminal configuration] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 200 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the user terminal 200 has a communication unit 210, an input unit 220, an output unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0057] The communication unit 210 is implemented by, for example, a NIC, a wireless LAN card, etc. The communication unit 210 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing device 100 via the network N.

[0058] The input unit 220 receives various operation information from the user. For example, the input unit 220 may accept various operations from the user via a touch panel on a display surface (e.g., the output unit 230). Alternatively, the input unit 220 may accept various operations from buttons on the user terminal 200, or from a keyboard or mouse connected to the user terminal 200.

[0059] The output unit 230 is a display screen for a tablet terminal, for example, which is implemented using a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, if the input unit 220 of the user terminal 200 is a touch panel, the output unit 230, which is the display screen, accepts user input and also outputs to the user. The output unit 230 may also be a speaker, and may output sound through the speaker.

[0060] The control unit 240 is implemented, for example, by a CPU or MPU executing various programs stored in the user terminal 200 using RAM as a working area. Alternatively, the control unit 240 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 240 includes a reception unit 241.

[0062] The reception unit 241 receives user operations. For example, the reception unit 241 receives operations related to the user's access to a designated website and operations on content. For example, the reception unit 241 receives operations from the user such as clicking on links displayed on the website, entering text into text input boxes, swiping on scroll bars displayed next to content, and clicking on follow buttons displayed next to content.

[0063] [5. Configuration of the carrier terminal] Next, the configuration of the carrier terminal 300 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a carrier terminal according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the carrier terminal 300 has a communication unit 310, an input unit 320, an output unit 330, and a control unit 340.

[0064] The communication unit 310 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 310 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing device 100 via the network N.

[0065] The input unit 320 receives various operational information from the service provider. For example, the input unit 320 may receive various operations from the service provider via a keyboard or mouse connected to the service provider terminal 300. Alternatively, the input unit 320 may receive various operations from the service provider via a touch panel on a display surface (e.g., the output unit 330).

[0066] The output unit 330 is a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and is a display device for displaying various information. When the input unit 320 of the business terminal 300 receives various operations from the business operator via a touch panel, the output unit 330, which is the display screen, receives user input and also outputs to the user. The output unit 230 is a speaker and may output sound through the speaker.

[0067] The control unit 340 is implemented, for example, by a CPU or MPU executing various programs stored in the operator terminal 300 using RAM as a working area. Alternatively, the control unit 340 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 340 has a receiving unit 341 and a supply unit 342.

[0069] The reception unit 341 receives various operations from the business operator. For example, the reception unit 341 may receive a designation from the business operator for an area that will serve as the basis for relative display icons. Specifically, the reception unit 341 may receive a designation from the business operator for one of several areas on the map content displayed on the touch panel of the output unit 330. The reception unit 341 may also receive a designation for a predetermined time when the location of a visitor prior to a predetermined time before visiting each location will be used as the visitor's departure point.

[0070] The provisioning unit 342 provides map content to the business operator. For example, the provisioning unit 342 may provide map content to the business operator by displaying the map content on the touch panel of the output unit 330. In addition, if the map content is updated, the provisioning unit 342 may replace the map content displayed on the touch panel of the output unit 330 with the updated map content.

[0071] [6. Information Processing Flow] Next, the information processing procedure according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart of an example of information processing according to the embodiment. The information processing procedure according to the embodiment will be described below in accordance with the flowchart shown in Figure 8.

[0072] First, the information processing device 100 acquires user information (step S101). Next, the information processing device 100 identifies visitors for each area and identifies the visitors' starting point (step S102). Then, the information processing device 100 provides map content to the business terminal 300 (step S103). Then, the information processing device 100 accepts the designation of an area from the business terminal 300 (step S104). Finally, the information processing device 100 updates the map content provided to the business terminal 300 (step S105).

[0073] According to this, the system can receive a designation from the business operator for an area to be used as the basis for displaying relative values, generate relative value map content in which relative value icons indicating the relative values ​​of visitors who have visited each location are placed in each area based on the designated area, and provide this content to the business operator terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing method and information processing program that can appropriately display information about visitors for each of the multiple locations.

[0074] [7. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 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 by a bus 1090.

[0075] The arithmetic unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and the secondary storage device 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device that stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases, and is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc.

[0076] Output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010, which output various types of information such as monitors and printers. It is implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and scanners. It is implemented using, for example, USB.

[0077] The input device 1020 may also be a device that reads information from, for example, an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory stick.

[0078] Network IF1080 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to the arithmetic unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic unit 1030 to other devices via network N.

[0079] 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.

[0080] For example, when a computer 1000 functions as an information processing device 100, 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 130 of the information processing device 100.

[0081] [8. Structure and Effects] The information processing device 100 relating to this disclosure includes: an identification unit 132 that identifies the starting point of a visitor for each of the multiple locations divided into multiple areas in a mesh-like pattern on a map based on the location information of the visitor who has visited each of the multiple locations; a provision unit 133 that provides map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map for each area to visually represent the magnitude of the absolute number of visitors who have visited each of the multiple locations from that area; a reception unit 134 that receives the designation of multiple areas divided into a mesh-like pattern from a business terminal 300 via the map content; and an update unit 135 that updates the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the magnitude of the relative numbers of visitors for each of the multiple locations in other areas, with absolute value icons and placing them on the map based on the number of visitors for each of the multiple locations in the designated area.

[0082] This configuration allows the system to receive a designation from the business operator for an area to be used as the basis for displaying relative values, generate relative value map content in which relative value icons indicating the relative values ​​of visitors who have visited each location are placed in each area based on the designated area, and provide this content to the business operator terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can appropriately display information about visitors for each of multiple locations.

[0083] The receiving unit 134 of the information processing device 100 related to this disclosure receives the designation of multiple areas from the business terminal 300, and the updating unit 135 updates the map content by replacing the relative value icons in the designated multiple areas with absolute value icons and placing them on the map.

[0084] This configuration allows the system to receive requests from businesses to specify areas in the relative value map content where absolute value icons representing the absolute number of visitors to each location should be placed. The system then provides map content in the specified areas where relative value icons have been replaced with absolute value icons. As a result, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can appropriately display information about visitors to multiple locations.

[0085] The information processing device 100 provided by this disclosure provides a graph showing the time-series changes in the absolute value of the number of visitors for each of multiple locations in a designated area.

[0086] This configuration allows the system to receive area designations from businesses, generate a graph showing the time-series changes in the absolute number of visitors to each location, using the designated area as the starting point, and provide it to the business terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can appropriately display information about visitors to multiple locations.

[0087] The information processing method relating to this disclosure includes the steps of: identifying the starting point of a visitor for each of the multiple locations divided into multiple areas in a mesh pattern on a map, based on the location information of the visitor who visited each of the multiple locations; providing map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map for each area to visually represent the magnitude of the absolute number of visitors who visited each of the multiple locations from that area; receiving the designation of an area from a business terminal for the multiple areas divided into a mesh pattern via the map content; and updating the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the magnitude of the relative numbers of visitors for each of the multiple locations in other areas, with absolute value icons, based on the number of visitors for each of the multiple locations in the designated area, and placing them on the map.

[0088] This configuration allows the system to receive a designation from the business operator for an area to be used as the basis for displaying relative values, generate relative value map content in which relative value icons indicating the relative values ​​of visitors who have visited each location are placed in each area based on the designated area, and provide this content to the business operator terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing method that can appropriately display information about visitors for each of the multiple locations.

[0089] The information processing program relating to this disclosure causes a computer to perform the following steps: identify the starting point of a visitor for each of the multiple locations divided into multiple areas in a mesh pattern on a map, based on the location information of the visitor who visited each of the multiple locations; provide map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map for each area to visually represent the magnitude of the absolute number of visitors who visited each of the multiple locations from that area; receive the designation of an area from a business terminal for the multiple areas divided into a mesh pattern via the map content; and update the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the magnitude of the relative numbers of visitors for each of the multiple locations in other areas, with absolute value icons, based on the number of visitors for each of the multiple locations in the designated area, and placing them on the map.

[0090] This configuration allows the system to receive a designation from the business operator for an area to be used as the basis for displaying relative values, generate relative value map content by placing relative value icons in each area that indicate the relative values ​​of visitors who have visited each location, and provide this content to the business operator terminal 300. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing program that can appropriately display information about visitors for each of the multiple locations.

[0091] Although embodiments of the present application have been described in detail based on the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms, including those described in the disclosure section of the invention, based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0092] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" mentioned above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit." For example, the acquisition unit 131 can be replaced with acquisition means or acquisition circuit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 1. Information Processing System 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Map Information DB Storage Unit 122 User information storage unit 130 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Specific part 133 Provision Department 134 Reception Department 135 Update Department 200 user terminals 210 Communications Department 220 Input section 230 Output section 240 Control Unit 241 Reception Department 300 carrier terminals 310 Communications Department 320 Input section 330 Output section 340 Control Unit 341 Reception Department N Network

Claims

1. An identification unit that identifies the departure point of a visitor for each of the multiple locations, based on the location information of the visitor who visited each of the multiple locations, and divides the map into multiple regions in a mesh-like pattern. A providing unit that provides map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map to visually represent the magnitude of the absolute number of visitors who visited each of the multiple locations from the said area, for each of the said areas, A reception unit that receives requests for the designation of multiple areas divided into a mesh pattern via the aforementioned map content from a service provider's terminal, An update unit updates the map content, which is placed on a map by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the relative magnitude of the number of visitors to multiple locations in other areas based on the number of visitors to multiple locations in a specified area, with the aforementioned absolute value icons. Information processing device, including

2. The reception unit receives the designation of multiple areas from the carrier terminal. The update unit updates the map content by replacing the relative value icons in a specified number of areas with the absolute value icons and placing them on the map. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned provisioning unit provides a graph showing the time-series change in the absolute value of the number of visitors for each of multiple locations in a specified area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. Based on the location information of visitors who have visited each of the multiple locations, the steps include identifying the departure point of the visitor for each of the multiple regions divided into a mesh-like area on the map, The steps include providing map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map to visually represent the relative magnitudes of the absolute values ​​of the number of visitors who visited each of the multiple locations from the said region, for each of the said regions, The steps include receiving the designation of multiple areas divided into a mesh-like structure via the aforementioned map content from the operator's terminal, The steps include updating the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the relative magnitude of the number of visitors to multiple locations in other areas based on the number of visitors to multiple locations in a specified area, with the absolute value icons and placing them on the map, and then updating the map content. Information processing methods, including those mentioned above.

5. Based on the location information of visitors who have visited each of the multiple locations, the steps include identifying the departure point of the visitor for each of the multiple regions divided into a mesh-like area on the map, The steps include providing map content in which absolute value icons are placed on the map to visually represent the relative magnitudes of the absolute values ​​of the number of visitors who visited each of the multiple locations from the said region, for each of the said regions, The steps include receiving the designation of multiple areas divided into a mesh-like structure via the aforementioned map content from the operator's terminal, The steps include updating the map content by replacing relative value icons, which visually represent the relative magnitude of the number of visitors to multiple locations in other areas based on the number of visitors to multiple locations in a specified area, with the absolute value icons and placing them on the map, and then updating the map content. An information processing program that causes a computer to execute something.

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