Server, Program, and Information Processing Method

Abstract

To provide a server, a program, and an information processing method for generating a community site that allows users who participate through terminals to interact with each other on the Internet.SOLUTION: In a communication system 1, a server that communicates with a terminal includes a communication unit that receives from the terminal first information of information included in a community site provided by the server. The communication unit transmits second information based on the received first information to the terminal, and the terminal displays the received second information and advertisement information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, community sites (e.g., chat rooms) that allow users participating via terminals to interact with each other on the Internet are known (see, e.g., Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server that communicates with a terminal, comprising: a communication unit that receives, from the terminal, first information among information included in a community site provided by the server, wherein the communication unit transmits second information based on the received first information to the terminal, and the terminal displays the received second information and advertisement information. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal, wherein receiving, from the terminal by a communication unit of the server, first information among information included in a community site provided by the server, and transmitting second information based on the received first information to the terminal by the communication unit are executed by the server, and the terminal displays the received second information and advertisement information. According to a third aspect of the present invention, an information processing method for a server that communicates with a terminal, comprising: The communication unit of the server receives the first piece of information from the community site provided by the server from the terminal, This includes transmitting a second piece of information based on the received first piece of information to the terminal via the communication unit, The terminal displays the received second information and the advertising information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the relationship between community sites and aggregated information. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a function realized by the control unit of the server in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server's communication unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of information stored in the server in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the relationship between community sites and aggregated information. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in the first modified example (1). [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (1). [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of how participation information and second-party information are displayed on a terminal. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server in the first modified example (2). [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (2). [Figure 13]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of information for displaying participation information on a terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal when second information is divided into a plurality of groups. [Figure 15] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a first modification (4). [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions implemented by a control unit of a terminal in a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions implemented by a communication unit of a terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow executed by each device in the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a selection operation for each piece of input information on a community site. [Figure 21] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow executed by each device in a second modification (1). [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an input for switching from a first display to a second display in the second modification (1). [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an input for switching from a first display to a second display in a second modification (2). [Figure 24] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a second modification (3). [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a second modification (4). [Figure 26] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a second modification (5). [Figure 27] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a second modification (6). [Figure 28] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a second modification (7). [Figure 29] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a terminal in a second modification (8). [Figure 30] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third embodiment. [Figure 31] This is a diagram illustrating the linkage between the community site and the second information in the third embodiment. [Figure 32] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (1). [Figure 33] This diagram illustrates the linkage between the community site and the second piece of information in the third modified example (1). [Figure 34] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (2). [Figure 35] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (3). [Figure 36] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 37] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth modified example (1). [Figure 38] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth modified example (2). [Figure 39] This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server control unit in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 40] This figure shows an example of a function realized by the server's communication unit in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 41] This figure shows an example of information stored in the server's memory unit in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 42] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 43] This figure shows an example of the terminal display in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 44] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server's memory unit in the fifth modified example (1). [Figure 45] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (1). [Figure 46] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the server's memory unit in the fifth modified example (4). [Figure 47] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (4). [Figure 48] This figure shows an example of a predetermined distribution ratio in the fifth modified example (4). [Figure 49] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the terminal's memory unit in the fifth modified example (5). [Figure 50] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (5). [Figure 51] This figure shows an example of the distribution ratio setting screen displayed on the terminal's display unit in the fifth modified example (5). [Figure 52] This figure shows an example of the distribution ratio setting screen displayed on the terminal's display unit in the fifth modified example (5). [Figure 53] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (6). [Figure 54] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (10). [Figure 55] This figure shows an example of the terminal display in the fifth modified example (10). [Figure 56] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 57] This figure shows an example of the terminal display in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 58] This figure shows an example of the terminal display in the sixth modified example (1). [Figure 59] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the sixth modified example (2). [Figure 60]This figure shows an example of information regarding revenue information based on advertising information in the sixth modified example (2). [Figure 61] This figure shows an example of information regarding revenue information based on advertising information in the sixth modified example (3). [Figure 62] This figure shows an example of information regarding revenue information based on advertising information in the sixth modified example (4). [Figure 63] This figure shows an example of information regarding revenue information based on advertising information in the sixth modified example (5). [Figure 64] This is a diagram illustrating an example of its application to a chat room. [Figure 65] This is a diagram illustrating an example of its application to a chat room. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] <Compliance with legal matters> Please note that the disclosures described herein are subject to compliance with the laws of the implementing country, including the confidentiality of communications, which are necessary for the implementation of these disclosures.

[0007] Embodiments for implementing the server, information processing method, and program related to this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As disclosed in Figure 1, in the communication system 1, a server 10 and terminals 20 (terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C) are connected via a network 30. The server 10 provides a service to the terminals 20 owned by the user via the network 30 that enables the sending and receiving of messages between terminals 20. The number of terminals 20 connected to the network 30 is not limited.

[0009] Network 30 plays the role of connecting one or more terminals 20 with one or more servers 10. In other words, network 30 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that terminals 20 can send and receive data after connecting to servers 10.

[0010] One or more parts of network 30 may or may not be wired or wireless networks. Network 30 may include, but is not limited to, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), part of the internet, part of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a mobile phone network, integrated service digital networks (ISDN), wireless LAN, LTE (long term evolution), CDMA (code division multiple access), Bluetooth (registered trademark), satellite communications, or two or more combinations thereof. Network 30 may include one or more networks 30.

[0011] Terminal 20 (Terminal 20A, Terminal 20B, Terminal 20C) may be any information processing terminal capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment. Terminal 20 includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones (feature phones), computers (but is not limited to, for example, desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.), media computer platforms (but is not limited to, for example, cable, satellite set-top boxes, digital video recorders), handheld computer devices (but is not limited to, for example, PDAs (personal digital assistants), email clients, etc.), wearable devices (glasses-type devices, watch-type devices, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Terminal 20 may also be referred to as an information processing terminal.

[0012] Since the configurations of terminals 20A, 20B, and 20C are basically the same, the following explanation will focus on terminal 20. Furthermore, where necessary, the terminal used by user X will be referred to as terminal 20X, and user information associated with user X or terminal 20X in a given service will be referred to as user information X. User information refers to user information associated with the account used by the user in a given service. User information includes, but is not limited to, information associated with the user, such as the user's name, user icon image, user's age, user's gender, user's address, user's hobbies and preferences, and user identifier, which are entered by the user or assigned by the given service. It may include any one of these, a combination thereof, or not.

[0013] Server 10 has the function of providing predetermined services to terminal 20. Server 10 may be any information processing device capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment. Server 10 includes, but is not limited to, a server device, a computer (for example, a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (for example, a cable, satellite set-top box, digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (for example, a PDA, email client, etc.), or other types of computers or communication platforms. Server 10 may also be referred to as an information processing device. If it is not necessary to distinguish between Server 10 and terminal 20, Server 10 and terminal 20 may or may not be referred to as information processing devices.

[0014] <Hardware (HW) Configuration> The hardware configuration of each device included in communication system 1 will be explained using Figure 1.

[0015] (1) Terminal hardware configuration Terminal 20 comprises a control unit 21 (CPU: central processing unit), a storage unit 28, a communication unit 22, an input / output unit 23, a display unit 24, a microphone 25, a speaker 26, and a camera 27. The hardware components of terminal 20 are interconnected via bus B, not limited to but as an example. It is not mandatory for terminal 20's hardware configuration to include all components. Not limited to but as an example, terminal 20 may have a configuration in which individual components, or multiple components, such as the microphone 25 and camera 27, are removed, or it may not.

[0016] The communication unit 22 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 30. Communication may be performed via wired or wireless connection, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between the two units is possible. The communication unit 22 has the function of communicating with the server 10 via the network 30. The communication unit 22 transmits various types of data to the server 10 according to instructions from the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 also receives various types of data transmitted from the server 10 and transmits them to the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 may also be simply referred to as the communication unit. Furthermore, if the communication unit 22 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as the communication circuit.

[0017] The input / output unit 23 includes a device for inputting various operations to the terminal 20, and a device for outputting the processing results processed by the terminal 20. The input / output unit 23 may have an integrated input unit and an output unit, or it may have separate input and output units, or it may not have been integrated.

[0018] The input unit is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of receiving input from the user and transmitting the information related to the input to the control unit 21. The input unit includes, but is not limited to, hardware keys such as touch panels, touch displays, and keyboards, pointing devices such as mice, cameras (operation input via video), and microphones (operation input via voice).

[0019] The output unit is implemented by any or any combination of any type of device capable of outputting the processing results processed by the control unit 21. The output unit includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, speakers (for audio output), lenses (for, but is not limited to, 3D (three-dimensional) output or hologram output), printers, and the like.

[0020] The display unit 24 is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device capable of displaying data according to the display data written to the frame buffer. The display unit 24 includes, but is not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, monitors (including, but is not limited to, liquid crystal displays and OLEDs (organic electroluminescence displays)), head-mounted displays (HDMs), projection mapping, holograms, and devices capable of displaying images, text information, etc., in air (which may or may not be a vacuum). These display units 24 may or may not be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0021] If the input / output unit 23 is a touch panel, the input / output unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be arranged facing each other and have substantially the same size and shape.

[0022] The control unit 21 has physically structured circuitry to perform functions realized by code or instructions contained within the program, and is implemented, but is not limited to, by a data processing device built into the hardware. Therefore, the control unit 21 may or may not be described as a control circuit.

[0023] The control unit 21 includes, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), and an FPGA (field programmable gate array).

[0024] The storage unit 28 has the function of storing various programs and data necessary for the operation of the terminal 20. The storage unit 28 includes, but is not limited to, various storage media such as HDD (hard disk drive), SSD (solid state drive), flash memory, RAM (random access memory), and ROM (read-only memory). The storage unit 28 may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0025] Terminal 20 stores program P in storage unit 28, and by executing program P, the control unit 21 executes the processing of each part included in the control unit 21. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 28 enables terminal 20 to realize the various functions executed by the control unit 21. Furthermore, this program P may or may not be described as a program module.

[0026] Microphone 25 is used for inputting audio data. Speaker 26 is used for outputting audio data. Camera 27 is used for acquiring video data.

[0027] (2) Server hardware configuration Server 10 comprises a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 15, a communication unit 14 (interface), an input / output unit 12, and a display 13. The hardware components of Server 10 are interconnected via bus B, not as an example but as an example. It is not mandatory for Server 10's hardware configuration to include all components. For example but as an example, Server 10's hardware may or may not include the display 13.

[0028] The control unit 11 has physically structured circuitry to perform functions realized by code or instructions contained within the program, and is implemented, but is not limited to, by a data processing device built into the hardware.

[0029] The control unit 11 is typically a central processing unit (CPU), but may also be a microprocessor, processor core, multiprocessor, ASIC, FPGA, or otherwise. In this disclosure, the control unit 11 is not limited to these.

[0030] The storage unit 15 has the function of storing various programs and data necessary for the operation of the server 10. The storage unit 15 is implemented using various storage media such as HDDs, SSDs, and flash memory. However, in this disclosure, the storage unit 15 is not limited to these. Also, the storage unit 15 may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0031] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 30. Communication may be performed via wired or wireless connection, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between the units is possible. The communication unit 14 has the function of communicating with the terminal 20 via the network 30. The communication unit 14 transmits various types of data to the terminal 20 according to instructions from the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 also receives various types of data transmitted from the terminal 20 and transmits them to the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 may also be simply referred to as the communication unit. Furthermore, if the communication unit 14 is composed of a physically structured circuit, it may be referred to as the communication circuit.

[0032] The input / output unit 12 is implemented by a device that inputs various operations to the server 10. The input / output unit 12 is implemented by any or a combination of any type of device that can receive input from a user and transmit the information related to the input to the control unit 11. Typically, the input / output unit 12 is implemented by hardware keys such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input / output unit 12 may or may not include, for example, a touch panel, a camera (operation input via video), or a microphone (operation input via voice). However, in this disclosure, the input / output unit 12 is not limited to these.

[0033] The display 13 is typically implemented as a monitor (but is not limited to, examples include a liquid crystal display or an OLED (organic electroluminescence display)). The display 13 may also be a head-mounted display (HDM) or not. These displays 13 may or may not be capable of displaying data in 3D. However, the display 13 in this disclosure is not limited to these.

[0034] Server 10 stores program P in storage unit 15, and by executing program P, the control unit 11 performs the processing of each part included in the control unit 11. In other words, program P stored in storage unit 15 enables server 10 to realize each function executed by the control unit 11. This program P may or may not be described as a program module.

[0035] Each embodiment of this disclosure is described as being realized by the CPU of terminal 20 and / or server 10 executing program P.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 and / or the control unit 11 of server 10 may implement each process not only with a CPU having a control circuit, but also with logic circuits (hardware) or dedicated circuits formed on an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc., or they may not. Also, these circuits may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, and the multiple processes shown in each embodiment may be implemented by a single integrated circuit, or they may not. In addition, LSIs are sometimes called VLSI, Super LSI, Ultra LSI, etc., depending on the degree of integration. For this reason, the control unit 21 may or may not be described as a control circuit.

[0037] Furthermore, the program P of each embodiment of the present disclosure (not limited to, for example, a software program, a computer program, or a program module) may or may not be provided stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium is a “non-temporary tangible medium” capable of storing the program P. Also, the program P may or may not be for the purpose of implementing some of the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the program P may or may not be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions of each embodiment of the present disclosure in combination with a program P already recorded on the storage medium.

[0038] The storage medium may include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (for example, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards, or drives, any other suitable storage medium, or any two or more suitable combinations thereof. The storage medium may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, where appropriate. The storage medium is not limited to these examples and may be any device or medium capable of storing program P. The storage medium may or may not be referred to as memory.

[0039] The server 10 and / or terminal 20 can realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by reading the program P stored in the storage medium and executing the read program P.

[0040] Furthermore, the program PDD of this disclosure may or may not be provided to the server 10 and / or terminal 20 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting programs (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The server 10 and / or terminal 20 realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in each embodiment by executing the program P downloaded via the Internet or the like, for example, without limit.

[0041] Furthermore, each embodiment of this disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program P is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0042] At least part of the processing on server 10 and / or terminal 20 may or may not be implemented by cloud computing consisting of one or more computers.

[0043] The configuration may or may not involve the server 10 performing at least a portion of the processing on terminal 20. In this case, the configuration may or may not involve the server 10 performing at least a portion of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 21 of terminal 20.

[0044] The configuration may or may not involve the terminal 20 performing at least a portion of the processing on the server 10. In this case, the configuration may or may not involve the terminal 20 performing at least a portion of the processing of each functional unit of the control unit 11 of the server 10.

[0045] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the configuration of the determination in the embodiments of this disclosure is not mandatory, and a predetermined process may be performed if the determination condition is met, or if the determination condition is not met, or it may not be.

[0046] The programs disclosed herein may be implemented using, but are not limited to, scripting languages ​​such as ActionScript and JavaScript®, object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Objective-C and Java®, and markup languages ​​such as HTML5.

[0047] <First Embodiment> In recent years, community sites that allow users to interact with other users over the internet on their devices have begun to spread. Community sites are websites or applications that have functions for information exchange and interaction among users. As applications, they are installed on computer devices such as mobile devices and personal computers. On community sites, for example, users with common hobbies, interests, and values ​​can interact with each other via the internet, users who aim to have everyday conversations with each other, and users who aim to receive advice or sympathy for some kind of trouble.

[0048] A community site can be anything, such as a chat room, a community on a social networking service, or an electronic bulletin board, as long as it allows two or more users to communicate with each other by posting messages (including text, audio, images, and videos). A community site may also convert one user's voice into text and transmit it to another user, or convert a designated user's text input into the voice of a specific character or avatar and transmit it to other users. Furthermore, a community site may allow multiple users to share a user's voice.

[0049] Community sites contain a wealth of information due to the various interactions that take place among participating users. This information can only be accessed by users who participate in the community site.

[0050] The first embodiment is an embodiment in which the server 10 receives a message (not limited to, but an example of the first information) from the terminal 20, which is included in the community site provided by the server 10, performs control to associate the community site with summary information of the message (not limited to, but an example of the second information), which is not limited to, but an example of the message, and sends the associated summary information of the message and participation information to enable the user of terminal 20 to join the community site to terminal 20. The description of the first embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2A, if there is a community site where multiple messages (an example of the first information, not limited to this) are entered by multiple users, the first embodiment associates the community site with summary information of messages (an example of the second information, not limited to this, see Figure 2B), which is part of the multiple messages. The first embodiment then sends the summary information of messages and participation information to terminal 20 to enable the user of terminal 20 to join the community site. Figure 2A shows an example where messages entered by users 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20. Figure 2B shows an example where the messages entered by users 1, 2, 3, and 6 in Figure 2A are selected as the second information.

[0052] <Functional Configuration> (1) Server Functional Configuration Figure 3 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The control unit 11 includes, but is not limited to, a server main processing unit 111 and an association processing unit 112.

[0053] The server main processing unit 111 has the function of executing server main processing, which is processing for comprehensively controlling the server 10, according to the server main processing program 151 stored in the storage unit 15. For example, the server main processing unit 111 controls the reception of first information from the terminal 20 and the transmission of association information processed by the association processing unit 112 to the terminal 20.

[0054] The association processing unit 112 executes association processing, which is a process for controlling the association between a community site and second information, according to the association processing program 1511 stored in the storage unit 15.

[0055] Figure 4 shows an example of a function realized by the communication unit 14 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The communication unit 14 may include, but is not limited to, a communication main processing unit 141 and an association information transmission unit 142.

[0056] The communication main processing unit 141 has the function of executing a communication main process, which is the process of receiving input information (not limited to, but an example of first information) contained in the community site from the terminal 20 under the control of the control unit 11.

[0057] The association information transmission unit 142, under the control of the control unit 11, executes an association information transmission process to send to the terminal 20 the second information associated by the control unit 11 and participation information that allows the terminal 20 user to join the community site, in accordance with the association information transmission program 1512 stored in the storage unit 15.

[0058] Participation information may include, for example, a link, URL, or QR code to enter the community site, which allows the user of terminal 20 to enter or perform other operations to access the community site.

[0059] Figure 5 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in this embodiment. The memory unit 15 stores, for example, a server main processing program 151 that is read by the control unit 11 and executed as the server main processing. Furthermore, the server main processing program 151 includes, as an example and not an exhaustive, an association processing program 1511 as a subroutine program, which is read by the control unit 11 and executed as an association process. Furthermore, the server main processing program 151 includes, as an example (not limited to), an association information transmission program 1512 as a subroutine program, which is read by the control unit 11 and executed by the communication unit 14 as association information transmission processing.

[0060] Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores, for example, first information 152 received from terminal 20 and second information 153 associated with a community site.

[0061] <Information Processing> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in this embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B. Terminal A is, for example, the terminal of a user participating in the community site, and terminal B is the terminal of a non-participating user who is not participating in the community site.

[0062] The following flowchart illustrates the process of this embodiment. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, and additional steps may be inserted. The same applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0063] First, as shown in Figure 6, the user of terminal A inputs a message on the community site via the input / output unit 23 of terminal 20. As a result, the control unit 21 of terminal A transmits the message from the community site (not limited to, but an example of first information) to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S101).

[0064] For example, as shown in Figure 7A, suppose that various messages were posted by multiple users on a particular community site. The community site shown in Figure 7A is a site about food and drink (for example, yakiniku), and is exemplified by the name "Yakiniku Lovers Gather Here".

[0065] Figure 7A shows messages entered by users X1, X2, X3, X4, Y1, and Y2. Users X1, X2, X3, and X4 have posted messages about the store, while users Y1 and Y2 have posted messages about ingredients. For example, a message selected by the user of terminal A from among these messages is sent to server 10.

[0066] When server 10 receives a message from the community site, the control unit 11 of server 10 summarizes the received message as summary information and performs control to associate the community site with the summary information of the message (not limited to this, but an example of second information) (step S201).

[0067] The message summary information is not limited to, but may include, for example, messages received from terminal A (not limited to, but an example of the first information), or information that summarizes a portion of messages so that an unparticipating user on terminal B can view it. Specifically, the summary information may be, for example, a list of information (parts of messages) extracted by the control unit 11 of server 10 from multiple messages received from terminal A, or a list of the multiple messages themselves received from terminal A.

[0068] For example, if the message "○○ya's XX is delicious" from user X1, as shown in Figure 7A, is included in the summary information, then part of the message included in the summary information may be, for example, "○○ya is XX" rather than being limited. Also, the message itself included in the summary information may be, for example, "○○ya's XX is delicious" rather than being limited. Furthermore, when included in the summary information, it may be modified by adding characters such as "!" to make it, for example, "○○ya's XX is delicious!", or by simplifying the message to make it, for example, "○○ya's XX is delicious" rather than being limited.

[0069] Here, for example, server 10 associates a portion of the messages entered by users X1, X2, X3, X4, Y1, and Y2, who are participants in the community site as shown in Figure 7A (not limited to these, but as an example of messages selected by the users), with the community site shown in Figure 7A as summary information (not limited to these, but as an example of second information).

[0070] Furthermore, associating a community site with a summary of information is not limited to this; for example, it may or may not mean making the summary of information viewable on a medium that allows access to (participation in) the community site (e.g., a website, application, etc.).

[0071] After associating the community site with the summary information, the control unit 11 of the server 10 transmits the associated summary information and participation information to terminal B via the communication unit 14 (step S202).

[0072] When terminal 20 receives the summary information and participation information, for example, the control unit 21 of terminal B, a non-participating user, displays the summary information and participation information on the display unit 24 (step S102). The control unit 21 of terminal A, a participating user, may also display the summary information and participation information on the display unit 24. In other words, in step S202, the control unit 11 of server 10 may send the associated summary information and participation information to terminal A, in which case terminal A may also perform the processing in step S102.

[0073] For example, as shown in Figure 7B, summary information is displayed simultaneously with participation information on a website that includes links to join the community (participation information), such as the homepage of a community site, rather than being limited to a specific site.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 7B, the "Participate" section is a link to join the community site, and the information displayed in the "Summary Information" section is selected from the received messages.

[0075] The information selected as summary information (not limited to, but an example of second information) is not limited to, but may include information on the same type of topic or information on different types of topics. For example, the example of summary information shown in Figure 7B is information about stores, provided by users X1, X2, X3, and X4 as shown in Figure 7A, which are on the same type of topic.

[0076] For example, when a user checks the "summary information" and enters the "participate" button, the display on terminal 20 becomes accessible, allowing them to transition to the community site.

[0077] Furthermore, the summary information in Figure 7B shows messages about stores posted by users X1, X2, X3, and X4 in Figure 7A, but is not limited to these; it may also include messages about other topics, such as messages about ingredients posted by users Y1 and Y2.

[0078] Furthermore, the summary information may include, for example, messages based on specific topics (e.g., core topics of the community site, topics that are relatively popular or attract a lot of attention within the community site, the latest topics within the community site, etc.), messages that have received many reactions and comments, messages that have been quoted by many users, messages that have been randomly selected from among the messages, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, in Figure 7B, the summary information (not limited to, but an example of the second type of information) is displayed in a vertical list on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20, but it does not have to be displayed in a vertical list; for example, it may be displayed in a horizontal or diagonal list.

[0080] After steps S102 and S202, this control terminates. Although the control flowchart shown in Figure 6 is a control performed between terminal A, server 10, and terminal B, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the control may also be performed between terminal A and server 10. In this case, the processing in step S202 is performed on terminal A, and the processing in step S102 is performed on terminal A.

[0081] In Figures 6 and 7, messages entered by participating users on a community site (not limited to these, but merely examples of input information) were used as an example of the first information, but this is not limited to this. As an example, the first information may or may not include other input information.

[0082] For example, the input information can be anything other than text messages, such as audio, images, or videos, as long as it is information that participating users can input within the community site.

[0083] Furthermore, the first piece of information may include, but is not limited to, information related to the content of the community site. This may include information about the name of the community site (for example, "Gathering of Yakiniku Lovers" in Figure 7), information about the category to which the community site belongs (for example, "Yakiniku" and "Food and Drink" in Figure 7), and information about characters from creative works (e.g., manga, games, etc.) that are the theme of the community site.

[0084] Furthermore, the summary information described above is just one example of the second type of information, and is an enumeration of the first type of information itself, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the second type of information may be an enumeration of a part of the first type of information.

[0085] Furthermore, "part of the first information" may be a part of multiple existing items (e.g., a message, a character, etc.), a partial extraction of a single item (e.g., a keyword extracted from a sentence), or a processed version of a single item (e.g., an image that has been processed). For example, if the first information is character information from a creative work, a part of one of multiple existing characters is an example of "part of the first information." Also, if the first information is the name of a community site, a partial extraction of the name (in the case of "Gathering of Yakiniku Lovers," "Yakiniku" as an example, rather than a specific name) is an example of "part of the first information." Also, if the first information is, for example, image information included in a community site, an image that has been processed, such as blurring, is an example of "part of the first information."

[0086] Furthermore, while the website or application accessible to the community site in Figure 7B above included an example of a link such as a URL to enter the community site (the "Join" section), this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a QR code or the like may or may not be displayed in a viewable format.

[0087] <Effects of the First Embodiment> In the first embodiment configured as described above, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 receives first information from the terminal 20 among the information included in the community site provided by the server 10, and the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to associate the community site with second information based on the first information. Then, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 transmits the second information associated by the control unit 11 and participation information to enable the user of terminal 20 to join the community site to terminal 20.

[0088] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that, before joining the community site, the user of device 20 can easily check the information contained within the community site.

[0089] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first information may include input information which is information contained in the community site and is entered by participating users who are participating in the community site.

[0090] One example of the effects of this configuration is that users of terminal 20 can more easily check the content of topics within the community site, making it easier for them to decide whether or not to participate in the community site before joining.

[0091] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the participation information and the second information may be displayed simultaneously on the terminal 20.

[0092] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that the existence of participant information and secondary information can be confirmed at a glance, allowing for quick access to the secondary information.

[0093] <First variation (1)> In the first embodiment, participation information and second information were displayed simultaneously on the terminal 20, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first modified example (1), the communication unit 14 (association information transmission unit 142) of the server 10 transmits information for displaying the second information to the terminal 20, and the second information may be displayed on the terminal 20 if information for displaying the second information displayed on the terminal 20 is entered by the user of the terminal 20. In other words, participation information and the second information may be displayed separately on the terminal 20.

[0094] Furthermore, specifically, in the first embodiment, the summary information was made viewable by being posted on a website or application that provides access to the community site. However, in the first modified example (1), the summary information (not limited to, but an example of the second information) may be posted on a website or application other than the website or application that provides access to the community site, not limited to, but as an example.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the memory unit 15 stores, not limited to but as an example, the first information 152 and the second information 153, as well as information 154 for displaying the second information.

[0096] <Information Processing> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively. Note that the processing in steps S101, S201, and S202 in Figure 9 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0097] As shown in Figure 9, in step S202, after sending summary information and participation information to terminal 20, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends information for displaying the summary information to terminal B via the communication unit 14 (step S203). Note that the processing in step S203 may be performed between steps S201 and S202, or simultaneously with step S202. Furthermore, the processing in steps S202 and S203 may be performed on terminal A.

[0098] The information for displaying the summary information (not limited to, but an example of information for displaying the second information) may be information that, when input by the user of terminal 20 via the input / output unit 23, enables the display of the summary information on the display unit 24 of terminal 20. The information for displaying the summary information may be, for example, a link (URL) or a two-dimensional code that enables access to a website containing the summary information. The information for displaying the summary information may also include, for example, predetermined characters such as a password to be entered into a password input field that appears when a link or the like is entered.

[0099] After receiving summary information, participation information, and information for displaying the summary information, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displays the participation information and information for displaying the summary information on the display unit 24 (step S103).

[0100] For example, as shown in Figure 10A, on a website that contains links to join a community site (participation information), such as an introduction page for a community site, information for displaying summary information is displayed simultaneously with the participation information.

[0101] In the example shown in Figure 10A, the "Join" section is a link to join the community site, and the "Summary Information" section is information for displaying the second piece of information. In other words, the website shown in Figure 10A corresponds to the website shown in Figure 7B, and the corresponding community site is the same as the community site shown in Figure 7A.

[0102] The "information for displaying summary information" may or may not be displayed simultaneously with the participation information.

[0103] After the information for displaying participation information and summary information is displayed on the display unit 24, the control unit 21 of terminal B determines whether or not there has been user input for the information for displaying the summary information (step S104).

[0104] User input may include, for example, an action such as the user tapping or clicking a link corresponding to information for displaying summary information.

[0105] If the result of the check is that there is no user input (step S104, NO), the process in step S104 is repeated. Note that if there is no user input, this control may or may not be terminated. Also, if there is no user input after a certain period of time has elapsed after step S103, this control may or may not be terminated.

[0106] On the other hand, if the user provides input (step S104, YES), the control unit 21 of terminal B displays the summary information on the display unit 24 (step S105).

[0107] For example, when a user performs an input operation in the "Summary Information" section in Figure 10A, the summary information (not limited to, but an example of second information) is displayed on the display unit 24 (see Figure 10B). The summary information shown is the same as the summary information shown in Figure 7B.

[0108] After steps S105 and S203, this control terminates. Note that if steps S202 and S203 are performed on terminal A, steps S103, S104, and S105 may also be performed on terminal A.

[0109] Furthermore, although the control in the flowchart shown in Figure 9 was performed between terminal A, server 10, and terminal B, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the control may be performed between terminal A and server 10. In this case, the processing in steps S202 and S203 is performed on terminal A, and the processing in steps S103, S104, and S105 is performed on terminal A.

[0110] <Effects of the first modified example (1)> In the first modified example (1) configured as described above, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 transmits information for displaying the second information to the terminal 20. The second information is then displayed on the terminal 20 when information for displaying the second information displayed on the terminal 20 is entered by the user of the terminal 20.

[0111] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that participation information and secondary information are displayed separately, making it easier for users to view the secondary information from a visual standpoint.

[0112] Furthermore, since the secondary information can be viewed on websites and applications where it is primarily presented, it becomes easier to ensure that users can fully access and review the secondary information.

[0113] <First variation (2)> In the first variant (1), the medium in which the second information was published did not contain information regarding participation, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modified example (2), the communication unit 14 of the server 10 may transmit information for displaying participation information to the terminal 20, so that the second information and the information for displaying participation information are displayed on the terminal 20.

[0114] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the memory unit 15 stores, not limited to, but as an example, first information 152, second information 153, and information 154 for displaying the second information, as well as information 155 for displaying participation information.

[0115] <Information Processing> Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the first modified example (2). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively. Note that the processing in steps S101, S201, S202, S103, and S104 in Figure 12 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 9.

[0116] As shown in Figure 12, in step S202, after sending summary information and participation information to terminal B, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends information for displaying the summary information and information for displaying the participation information to terminal B via the communication unit 14 (step S204). Note that the processing in step S204 may be performed between steps S201 and S202, or simultaneously with step S202. Furthermore, the processing in steps S202 and S204 may be performed on terminal A.

[0117] After receiving summary information, participation information, information for displaying summary information, and information for displaying participation information, the control unit 21 of terminal B performs the processing in steps S103 and S104, similar to the first modified example (1). Then, if it is determined in the processing of step S104 that there is user input (step S104, YES), the control unit 21 of terminal B displays the summary information and information for displaying participation information (step S106).

[0118] The information used to display participation information is not limited to this; for example, it may include a link, URL, or QR code that provides access to a website where the participation information is posted. The website where the participation information is posted may be, for example, the website shown in Figure 10A. Furthermore, the information used to display participation information may also be the participation information itself.

[0119] In this case, for example, the user transitions from the website shown in Figure 10A to a website containing summary information, and this website will display information for showing participation details.

[0120] For example, as shown in Figure 13A, the website after the transition displays summary information and information for displaying participation information simultaneously.

[0121] In the example shown in Figure 13A, "Summary Information" is not limited but is an example of second information, and the "Return to Participation" section is not limited but is an example of information for displaying participation information, and could be a link to return to the website shown in Figure 10A, or a link to participate within the community site.

[0122] After the information for displaying summary information and participation information is displayed on the display unit 24, the control unit 21 of terminal B determines whether or not there has been user input for the information for displaying participation information (step S107).

[0123] User input may include, for example, an action such as the user tapping or clicking a link corresponding to information to display participation details.

[0124] If the user input is received as a result of the determination (step S107, YES), the control unit 21 of terminal B returns to step S103 and displays information for displaying participation information and summary information on the display unit 24.

[0125] For example, when a user performs an input operation in "Return to Participation" in Figure 13A, they are returned to a website containing information for displaying participation information and summary information (see Figure 13B).

[0126] On the other hand, if there is no user input (step S107, NO), the process in step S107 may be repeated, or the control may be terminated. Figure 12 illustrates the case where the control is terminated when there is no user input. After step S106, if there is no user input after a certain period of time, the control may or may not be terminated.

[0127] If the processes in steps S202 and S204 are performed on terminal A, then the processes in steps S103, S104, S106, and S107 may also be performed on terminal A.

[0128] Furthermore, although the control in the flowchart shown in Figure 12 was performed between terminal A, server 10, and terminal B, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the control may be performed between terminal A and server 10. In this case, the processing in steps S202 and S204 is performed on terminal A, and the processing in steps S103, S104, S106, and S107 is performed on terminal A.

[0129] <Effects of the first modified example (2)> In the first modified example (2) configured as described above, the communication unit 14 of the server 10 transmits information for displaying participation information to the terminal 20. Then, the second information and the information for displaying participation information are displayed on the terminal 20.

[0130] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that it simplifies the process of joining a community site after a user has viewed secondary information.

[0131] Furthermore, users who wish to participate in the community site after viewing the second piece of information can easily and quickly join the community site through the information displayed to show participation details. As a result, it becomes easier to increase the number of participating users in the community site.

[0132] <First variation (3)> In the embodiments described above, the second information was information relating to one type of topic, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first modified example (3), the second information may be divided into multiple groups.

[0133] Figure 14 shows an example of how the second piece of information is displayed on terminal 20 when it is divided into multiple groups.

[0134] For example, in the community site shown in Figure 7A, information about stores (users X1, X2, X3, X4) and information about ingredients (users Y1, Y2) are included. Therefore, as a summary of information (not limited to, but an example of second-party information), it is possible to group the information about stores and the information about ingredients as separate categories, not limited to, but as an example.

[0135] Therefore, for example, as shown in Figure 14A, links to information about stores and links to information about ingredients are displayed on the terminal 20 as combined information along with participation information, as information divided into multiple groups.

[0136] When the user enters information about the store, the display on terminal 20 switches to a website where the information about the store, which is the information posted by users X1, X2, X3, and X4 in Figure 7A, is compiled and posted, as shown in Figure 14B.

[0137] Furthermore, when a user inputs information about ingredients, the display on terminal 20 switches to a website where information about ingredients, specifically the information posted by users Y1 and Y2 in Figure 7A, is compiled and posted, as shown in Figure 14C.

[0138] <Effects of the first modified example (3)> In the first modified example (3) configured as described above, the second piece of information is divided into multiple groups.

[0139] One example of the effects of this configuration is that by allowing users to browse groups that interest them, it becomes easier to attract users to community sites, and ultimately encourages them to participate in those community sites.

[0140] Furthermore, the grouping of secondary information makes it easier for users to find topics of interest on community sites. As a result, participation in community sites can be further encouraged.

[0141] In the first modified example (3), multiple groups were divided according to topics within the community site, such as information about stores and information about ingredients, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, multiple groups may be divided according to rankings in which other users have commented or reacted (e.g., top rankings, middle rankings, bottom rankings). Alternatively, multiple groups may be divided according to the time period in which they were posted (e.g., posts made within the last 24 hours, posts made within the last 3 days, posts made within the last week, posts made within the last month).

[0142] <First variation (4)> In the first modified examples (2) and (3), information was displayed that allowed users to return to the medium (website or application, etc.) where the participation information was posted, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the first modification (4), participation information may be displayed as information for displaying participation information.

[0143] For example, as shown in Figure 15A, suppose there is a website where information for displaying summary information (an example of information for displaying second information, not limited information) is displayed on terminal 20 along with participation information, similar to Figure 10A, etc.

[0144] Here, when the user inputs information for the "summary information" section, which is the information used to display the summary information, the display unit 24 of the terminal 20 switches to the website containing the summary information, similar to the first modified examples (2) and (3) (see Figure 15B).

[0145] In Figure 15B, terminal 20 displays "Participate" as the information used to display participation information, rather than "Return to Participation" as in Figure 13A, etc.

[0146] Then, when the user enters "Join," the display on terminal 20 switches to the community site (see Figure 15C).

[0147] <Effects of the first modified example (4)> In the first modified example (4) configured as described above, the information for displaying participation information includes participation information.

[0148] One example of the effects of this configuration is that, by viewing the second piece of information, users who wish to join the community site can be quickly enrolled in the community site using the enrollment information. In other words, the speed of joining the community site by viewing the second piece of information can be improved.

[0149] <First variation (5)> In the first embodiment and the modifications described above, there was no mention of viewing by users who are not participating in the community site of information from the first information that has not been selected as the second information; however, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first modified example (5), information from the first information that is not selected as the second information may be viewable by users who have joined the community site, but may not be viewable by users who have not joined the community site.

[0150] The restriction on viewing content is not limited to specifics; for example, it could mean that information contained within a community site, such as messages, cannot be viewed unless one participates in the community site, that is, unless one accesses the community site.

[0151] In other words, any information from the first set of information that is not selected as the second set of information may be information that can be viewed by users who have joined the community site.

[0152] <Effects of the first modified example (5)> In the first variant (5), information from the first information that is not selected as the second information is viewable by users who have joined the community site, but not viewable by users who have not joined the community site.

[0153] One example of the effects of this configuration is that by confirming second information based on first information, it is possible to stimulate the desire of users who are interested in the community site to browse the community site and promote their willingness to participate in the community site. As a result, participation in the community site can be promoted.

[0154] Furthermore, since community sites contain a lot of information, if a user joins a community site intending to access this information, but the information they find is different from what they were looking for, it can result in a wasted effort for the user.

[0155] In contrast, in the first embodiment, including the first modified example (5), it is possible to check the information contained in the community site in advance, i.e., the second information, so that the above-mentioned problem can be prevented.

[0156] <Other> The second piece of information may or may not be selected by the server 10 from the first piece of information based on, for example, information related to a common topic (e.g., information about the store, information about ingredients, etc. in the example above), information based on the number of times other users have commented on or reacted to it, information based on the period during which it was posted, etc.

[0157] "Commented by another user" is not limited to, but may include, for example, a message that another user has entered, quoting a message entered by the user; a message that another user has entered, in the form of a direct reply to a message entered by the user; or a message that another user has entered, including the username of the user who entered the message.

[0158] Furthermore, "being reacted to by other users" may include, but is not limited to, comments from other users as mentioned above, as well as receiving high or good ratings using the message rating function. The message rating function may include, but is not limited to, ratings such as "high" or "low," "good" or "bad." Furthermore, "being reacted to by other users" may include, but is not limited to, image reactions. Image reactions may include, but is not limited to, changes in the facial expression of any character (for example, a smiling face, a sad face, etc.).

[0159] Specifically, server 10 may, or may not, select as secondary information any message that has been commented on or reacted to by other users more than a certain number of times, not limited to, but as an example.

[0160] Furthermore, information based on the posting period may include, but is not limited to, information about the time elapsed since the message was first posted, information about a specific period, etc.

[0161] Specifically, server 10 may, but may not, select as secondary information messages messages that have been posted for a period longer or shorter than a specified period. Also, server 10 may, but may not, select as secondary information messages that were posted during a period in which a specific event (for example, an event related to the theme of the community site) occurred.

[0162] Furthermore, the selection by server 10 may or may not be based on, for example, specific keywords. Also, the selection by server 10 may be performed using, for example, machine learning, or based on the actions of the server 10 administrator.

[0163] Furthermore, information that is central to the discussion on the community site, or information that has received many comments or reactions from other users, may be displayed more prominently than other information. Displaying information more prominently may or may not include using bold text, a more prominent color, or a more prominent manner (such as decoration).

[0164] This makes it easier for users who haven't yet joined the community site to notice information that has been highlighted.

[0165] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, etc., one server controlled the association between the community site and the summary information, and the transmission of the summary information to the terminal. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, each control may be performed by separate servers. Specifically, and not limited to, as an example, the first server may control the association between the community site and the summary information, transmit the associated information to the second server, and the second server may transmit the received summary information to the terminal.

[0166] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, etc., the summarized information (not limited to, but an example of the second information) was exemplified as information summarized by the server 10, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second embodiment, the second information may include information selected by the user input of terminal 20 from among the input information which is included in the community site. The description of the second embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0167] <Functional Configuration> (1) Terminal Functional Configuration Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a function realized by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 in the second embodiment. The control unit 21 includes, but is not limited to, a terminal main processing unit 211 and a display processing unit 212.

[0168] The terminal main processing unit 211 has the function of executing terminal main processing, which is processing for comprehensively controlling the terminal 20, according to the terminal main processing program 281 stored in the storage unit 28.

[0169] For example, the terminal main processing unit 211 has the function of sending input information (not limited to, but an example of first information) included in the community site, and information selected by the user from the input information (not limited to, but an example of second information) to the server 10, and receiving associated second information and participation information from the server 10, via the communication unit 22.

[0170] The display processing unit 212 displays information contained in the community site on the display unit 24 according to the display processing program 2811 stored in the storage unit 28, so that the user can select input information based on input via the input / output unit 23.

[0171] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a function realized by the communication unit 22 of the terminal 20 in the second embodiment. The communication unit 22 includes, but is not limited to, a communication main processing unit 221 and an information transmission / reception unit 222.

[0172] The communication main processing unit 221 has the function of executing the communication main processing, which is the process of transmitting input information (not limited to, but an example of first information) contained in the community site, under the control of the control unit 21.

[0173] The information transmission / reception unit 222, under the control of the control unit 21, performs information transmission / reception processing in accordance with the information transmission program 2812 stored in the storage unit 28, to send information selected by the user (not limited to, but an example of second information) to the server 10, and to receive associated second information and participation information from the server 10.

[0174] Figure 18 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 28 of the terminal 20 in the second embodiment. The memory unit 28 stores, for example, a terminal main processing program 281 that is read by the control unit 21 and executed as the terminal main processing. Furthermore, the terminal main processing program 281 includes, as an example and not an exhaustive, a display processing program 2811 as a subroutine program, which is read by the control unit 21 and executed as display processing. Furthermore, the terminal main processing program 281 includes, as an example (not limited to), an information transmission program 2812, which is read by the control unit 21 and executed as information transmission processing in the communication unit 22, as a subroutine program.

[0175] Furthermore, the memory unit 28 stores, as an example but not limited to, first information 282 which is input information included in the community site, second information 283 which is information selected by the user, and association information 284 received from the server 10.

[0176] <Information Processing> Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the second embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively. Note that the processing in steps S201, S202, and S102 in Figure 19 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0177] The following flowchart illustrates the process of this embodiment. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, and additional steps may be inserted. The same applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0178] First, as shown in Figure 19, the control unit 21 of terminal A performs a display process that allows the user to select a message (not limited to, but an example of input information) entered into the community site (step S108).

[0179] For example, as shown in Figure 20A, a checkbox (circled area) may be displayed in step S108, not as an example but as an example, at the right end of each message on the community site displayed on terminal 20. A message may be selected by the user checking this checkbox. Figure 20A illustrates a community site similar to the one shown in Figure 7A.

[0180] For example, when a user checks the checkbox enclosed in the dashed circle in Figure 20A, the checkbox is checked as shown in Figure 20B. This selects the message as summary information (an example of secondary information, not limited information).

[0181] The control unit 21 of terminal A receives the user's selection input (step S109) and sends the information selected by the user to the server 10 (step S110). After step S110, the processes in steps S201, S202, and S102 are executed.

[0182] For example, in Figure 20B, since information about the store is selected, as an example rather than an exclusive view, terminal B will display information about the store (see Figure 20C) as summarized information along with participation information. Note that Figure 20C is the same as Figure 7B.

[0183] After steps S102 and S202, this control terminates. Although the control shown in the flowchart in Figure 19 was performed between terminal A, server 10, and terminal B, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the control may also be performed between terminal A and server 10. In this case, the processing in step S202 is performed on terminal A, and the processing in step S102 is performed on terminal A.

[0184] <Effects of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment configured as described above, the second information includes information selected by the user input of terminal 20 from among the input information which is information included in the community site.

[0185] One example of the effects of this configuration is that, since the second piece of information is selected through the user's selection process, it becomes easier to reflect the user's intentions and preferences in the second piece of information.

[0186] In other words, it becomes easier to reflect information that users have judged to be central to discussions on community sites, information that is likely to interest non-participating users, and information that is in line with current trends, as secondary information.

[0187] For example, suppose that in the community site shown in Figure 20A, there is a relatively large amount of information about yakiniku restaurants, and the community site is used as a platform for many participating users to share information about restaurants. In this case, not as a limiting example but as an example, in order to introduce the community site, which has a lot of restaurant information, to non-participating users, messages from users X1, X2, X3, and X4, who have entered information about restaurants, are selected.

[0188] This makes it easier to get non-participating users who are interested in the store's information to join the community site.

[0189] Furthermore, not limited to this example, but by using features that allow message selection, such as checkboxes, it is possible to extract secondary information, thereby simplifying the user's selection input process.

[0190] <Second variation (1)> In the second embodiment, the second information was selected and entered by selecting a message displayed on the community site on terminal 20 (not limited to this, but for example, by checking a checkbox), but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the second variation (1), the second information may be selected by input from the user of terminal 20, which moves from the first display of the community site to the second display of the second information, and then displayed on terminal 20.

[0191] In other words, not as an example but as an example, a first window (first display) showing the content of posts on a community site and a second window (second display) capable of displaying second information may be displayed on terminal 20, and the second information may be selected by an operation (for example, drag and drop, not limited to) where the user moves the message selected by the user from the first window to the second window (see, for example, Figure 22B).

[0192] The configuration of the second modified example (1) may be the same as that of the second embodiment.

[0193] The display processing unit 212 executes a display process that simultaneously displays the first display of the community site and the second display of the second information on the terminal 20, according to the display processing program 2811 stored in the storage unit 28.

[0194] Furthermore, the display processing unit 212 may perform a process to make the information selected by the user of terminal 20 into a display that can be moved from the first display to the second display.

[0195] <Information Processing> Figure 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow performed by terminal 20 in the second modified example (1). Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating the input that moves from the first display to the second display in the second modified example (1).

[0196] The following flowchart illustrates the process of this embodiment. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, and additional steps may be inserted. The same applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0197] As shown in Figure 21, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the first display of the community site (step S301).

[0198] The first display is a display showing a message posted to a community site, and is not limited to this; for example, it may be a window of the community site displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20. For example, as shown in Figure 22A, it may be a window displaying the content of a message entered on the community site "Yakiniku Lovers Gather Here".

[0199] Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 determines whether or not there is user input (step S302).

[0200] User input is a selection input by the user, and is not limited to this; for example, it may be an action such as long-pressing or continuously clicking on information to select from the input information on a community site, or it may not be an action at all. Furthermore, the user's selection action may be, for example, long-pressing or continuously clicking on the information to be selected, or it may not be an action at all.

[0201] If the determination result is that there is no user input (step S302, NO), the process in step S302 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is user input (step S302, YES), the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the second display (step S303) and executes the process of making the selected information a movable display (step S304).

[0202] The second display is a display on which user-selected messages can be placed, and is not limited to this; for example, it may be a window displayed separately from the community site window. For example, as shown in Figure 22B, it may be a window for displaying summary information (not limited to this, but an example of the second display). In Figure 22B, a window labeled "Summary Page" is shown as an example of a window for displaying summary information.

[0203] For example, as shown in Figure 22A, the user long-presses the message from user Y1 in the message displayed in the community site window (not limited to this example, but an example of the first display). Then, as shown in Figure 22B, the summary page window (second display) is displayed on terminal 20, overlapping with the community site window.

[0204] The movable display may be, for example, a display that appears to float above the community site, or a display that differs from other posts on the community site (for example, a different color display from other posts, a display that is larger than other posts, etc.), or it may not be a movable display at all, as long as it allows the user of device 20 to recognize that it is movable.

[0205] In Figure 22B, as an example rather than a limitation, the post "I love kalbi" by user Y1, which is the part the user long-pressed, may or may not be displayed floating above the community site.

[0206] Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 determines whether or not the user's input is complete (step S305). User input completion is not limited to, for example, the completion of sliding the selected information from the first display to the second display, or not. Sliding is not limited to, for example, the user pressing and holding and sliding the message from the first display to the second display.

[0207] If the determination shows that the user has not completed input (step S305, NO), the process in step S305 is repeated. On the other hand, if the user has completed input (step S305, YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 displays the selected information on the second display (step S306).

[0208] For example, in the state shown in Figure 22B, if a user long-presses and slides towards the summary page while holding down user Y1's post, user Y1's post will appear on the summary page, as shown in Figure 22C.

[0209] After step S306, this control process ends.

[0210] <Effects of the second modified example (1)> In the second modified example (1) configured as described above, the second information is selected by input from the user of terminal 20, which moves from the first display of the community site to the second display of the second information, and is displayed on terminal 20.

[0211] One example of the effects of this configuration is that on a community site, users can visually confirm which information is grouped as secondary information by moving the input from the primary display to the secondary display. As a result, the occurrence of users making mistakes in selecting the information they want to group as secondary information can be reduced.

[0212] Furthermore, since the secondary information is displayed in the secondary view, it becomes easier for users to confirm the content of the secondary information, further reducing the occurrence of errors in selecting the information that users want to group as secondary information.

[0213] <Second variation (2)> In the second variant (1), one of the input pieces included in the community site was the object to be moved (selected), but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, multiple input fields included in a community site may be selectable.

[0214] Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating the input that moves from the first display to the second display in the second variation (2).

[0215] For example, as shown in Figure 23A, suppose the user of terminal 20 selects a range of messages for users Y1, X3, and Y2. The user's selection is not limited; for example, it may be performed by the user setting a multiple selection mode via the input / output unit 23 of terminal 20, or it may not be required.

[0216] Furthermore, the user's selection is not limited to this; for example, multiple selections may be made by long-pressing each post individually, or multiple selections may be made by sliding a finger in a straight line vertically across the display unit 24.

[0217] The portion of the range selected by the user of terminal 20 may or may not be displayed in a raised position, for example, as shown in Figure 23B.

[0218] Then, as shown in Figure 23C, the user of terminal 20 slides the selected portion of the summary page all at once, and these messages are displayed on the summary page.

[0219] <Effects of the second variation (2)> In the second modified example (2) configured as described above, multiple input pieces of information included in the community site can be selected.

[0220] One example of the effects of this configuration is that multiple pieces of input information included in the community site can be moved to the second display all at once, simplifying the user's selection of second information and reducing the number of operations required to move second information, thereby improving the convenience of user operation.

[0221] <Second variation (3)> Although the embodiments described above did not specify when the second information pertains, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second variation (3), the second information may include time information indicating the time when the selected information was entered by a participating user on the community site. Specifically, in the second variation (3), the second information may include information about the time when the selected information was entered.

[0222] In other words, the second piece of information may include, in addition to the selected message, information about the time the message was entered into the community site (not limited to this, but for example, information about the time the message was posted to the community site).

[0223] For example, as shown in Figure 24, not as a limitation but as an example, the time when a post was entered for a post that has been slid onto the summary page is displayed on the summary page along with the corresponding post.

[0224] Furthermore, the selected information includes time information, but is not limited to it; for example, it may be arranged in chronological order or not.

[0225] Furthermore, time-related information may include, but is not limited to, the date and year in which the message was entered. Also, both the date and year may be displayed, or either the date or year may be displayed. Also, if at least one of the date and year is displayed, the time information does not need to be displayed.

[0226] Furthermore, the information regarding the time when the selected information was entered may, for example, include information regarding the time when the information was selected and entered on the summary page, rather than being limited to this information.

[0227] <Effects of the second modified example (3)> In the second modified example (3) configured as described above, the second information includes time information indicating the time when the selected information was entered by a participating user on the community site.

[0228] As an example of the effect obtained by such a configuration, when viewing second information, a non-participating user can check when the information was posted, which makes it easier for the non-participating user to determine the current degree of activity of the community site and active topics on the current community site. As a result, it is possible to easily provide non-participating users with criteria for determining whether to join the community site.

[0229] <Second Modification (4)> In each of the above embodiments, the second information is input information included in a community site, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second modification (4), the second information may include content input by an administrative user of the community site in association with selected information.

[0230] The administrative user of the community site may or may not be, for example, a user that creates and manages the community site. Further, the administrative user of the community site may or may not be a user that manages the server 10 that provides the community site.

[0231] For example, as shown in FIG. 25, by way of non-limiting example, a comment (which is one non-limiting example of content) associated with information posted on a summary page may be input by the administrative user and posted together with the selected information. For example, if only contents such as "I love kalbi" or "I only eat grilled tongue with salt" are included, the content is abrupt, so the administrative user additionally writes information that supplements the selected information, such as "We have a lively discussion about kalbi" or "There might also be information on stores with delicious grilled tongue".

[0232] Note that, by way of non-limiting example, the content input by the administrative user may be information supplementing selected information, or may be information related to the selected information (characteristics of participating users, atmosphere inside the community site, other content related to the theme of the community site (other community sites, creative works, etc.)).

[0233] Furthermore, if other community sites (for example, sites related to the community site corresponding to the second information) contain content entered by the administrator, the content may be made public when a user views the second information (summary page), not limited to this example. Specifically, not limited to this example, when a website or application containing summary information such as Figure 7B and Figure 10B is displayed on terminal 20, the URL of the content may or may not be displayed.

[0234] Furthermore, the content entered by the administrator is not limited to this; it may include, for example, images, URLs of any website, and reactions to selected information.

[0235] <Effects of the second variation (4)> In the second modified example (4) configured as described above, the second information includes content entered by the community site administrator in relation to the selected information.

[0236] One example of the effects of this configuration is that by having an administrator input content related to the selected information, the understanding of the selected information by users who view the second set of information can be enhanced. As a result, users who view the second set of information can easily grasp the content of the community site, and in turn, their desire to participate in the community site can be encouraged.

[0237] <Second variation (5)> In the embodiments described above, the second information was textual information, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second modified example (5), the second information may include image information indicating each participating user who is participating in the community site.

[0238] The image information used to identify participating users is not limited to this; for example, it could be the icon used by participating users when entering information on the community site, or it could be omitted altogether.

[0239] For example, Figure 26 shows an example where the icon information of the user who entered the selected information in the second information field is included in the second information field. Similar to Figure 23, Figure 26 shows the information entered by users Y1, X3, and Y2, and the icon information of users Y1, X3, and Y2 is displayed on the summary page.

[0240] <Effects of the second variation (5)> In the second modified example (5) configured as described above, the second information includes image information indicating each participating user who is participating in the community site.

[0241] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that it makes it easier to determine whether the information was posted by different users.

[0242] Furthermore, image information can be used to make it easier for other users on the community site to identify users who are of interest to them. For example, a user who views a summary of information can identify images of messages that interest them within that summary, and after joining the community site, they can use that image information to interact with users who are related to that information.

[0243] Furthermore, since the atmosphere of the user who posted the selected information can be judged based on the image information, it becomes easier to understand the demographics of the community site's participants.

[0244] <Second variation (6)> In the second variant (5), the second information included image information indicating participating users, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second variation (6), the image information may be anonymized information.

[0245] The anonymized information may or may not be image information unrelated to the user, such as icons of food and drink (e.g., rice balls), flying objects (e.g., airplanes, rockets, etc.), or simple shapes (e.g., circles, triangles, squares, etc.), by way of example and not limitation.

[0246] For example, FIG. 27 shows an example where instead of the icon information of the user who input information selected as second information, simple graphic image information is included in the second information.

[0247] <Effect of Second Modification (6)> In the second modification (6) configured as described above, the image information is anonymized information.

[0248] As an example of the effect of such a configuration, the privacy of the user displayed as the second information can be protected.

[0249] Further, since users can be distinguished by the image information while protecting the privacy of the user displayed as the second information, for example, by making the image information of users who post messages relatively frequently or users who post characteristic messages stand out, it is possible to make it easier for users who view the second information to notice such users.

[0250] <Second Modification (7)> In each of the above embodiments, the second information includes input information of a participating user selected by the user among information included in a community site, and there has been no mention of other input information being included in the second information, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second modification (7), the second information may include information that has a citation relationship with input information which is information included in a community site.

[0251] Information that is in a citation relationship with the input information may include, but are not limited to, information that is entered by quoting the input information, information that is quoted from the input information, information that is a response to the input information (comments, reactions, etc. attached to the input information), and the source information of the response when the response information is the input information.

[0252] For example, as shown in Figure 28A, suppose that the message "I love kalbi" entered by user Y1 has multiple comments attached to it. In Figure 28A, as an example rather than an exhaustive one, user Y1 is specified as ">user Y1", and an example is shown where users X3, X1, and X4 have entered comments such as "I like it too", "Thick cut is the best", and "Only the premium is good" in response to user Y1's message. In this case, as shown in Figure 28B, the summary page may also include these multiple comments.

[0253] Furthermore, in Figure 28B, multiple comments (information with a citation relationship) are displayed in a tree structure consecutively with the message, but they do not have to be displayed in a tree structure consecutively with the message. For example, multiple comments may be displayed in positions separate from the corresponding message, or each may be displayed in a separate position. Also, in Figure 28, information with a citation relationship is displayed smaller than the input information, but it does not have to be displayed smaller.

[0254] <Effects of the second variation (7)> In the second modified example (7) configured as described above, the second information includes information that is related to the input information, which is information contained in the community site, and information that is in a citation relationship with it.

[0255] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that users can check how input information is being received, as well as the atmosphere of conversations among participating users on the community site, before joining the community site.

[0256] <Second variation (8)> In the second variation (7), the input information and the information related to the citation were always displayed, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the second variation (8), the information in the citation relationship may be displayed on terminal 20 based on the input of information by the user of terminal 20.

[0257] More specifically, as shown in Figure 29, the information in the reference relationship may be switched between being displayed and hidden on terminal 20 based on input from the user of terminal 20, not as an example but as an example.

[0258] Figure 29A shows the state in which information related to citations is hidden. Specifically, each message on the summary page may or may not display the parts indicated by "+" as examples rather than being limited. In addition, marks other than "+" (for example, "-", "○", "×", etc.) may or may not be displayed.

[0259] Here, if the user inputs information in a location indicated by, for example, "+", the displayed information may switch to a state where it is related to a quote, not necessarily limited to that. For example, if the user inputs "+" in the message "I only eat beef tongue", multiple comments attached to the information "I only eat beef tongue" will be displayed, as shown in Figure 29B. Note that in Figure 29, not necessarily limited to that, an example is shown where ">User Y2" specifies User Y2, and then users X3, X1, and X4 input comments such as "What else?", "Vegetables are good too", and "Really?" in response to User Y2's message.

[0260] Furthermore, from the state shown in Figure 29B, the user may, not limited to this case but as an example, transition to the state shown in Figure 29A, that is, a state where multiple comments are hidden, by again inputting information in the area indicated by "+".

[0261] <Effects of the second variation (8)> In the second modified example (8) configured as described above, the information in the citation relationship is displayed on terminal 20 based on the input of information by the user of terminal 20.

[0262] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it allows you to display information related to citations that the user wants to see, while hiding other related information. This allows for a more organized layout of the second information (summary page), and consequently, makes the second information easier to read.

[0263] <Other> In the second embodiment, etc., the content of the input information selected by the user as secondary information was not mentioned. For example, if the selected input information contains content that is undesirable for a user to view before joining the community site, it may become a factor that hinders non-participating users from joining the community site.

[0264] Content that is undesirable to view may include, for example, content that is clearly factually incorrect, malicious content, content that encourages criminal activity, content that is suspected of being fraudulent, or content that is likely to increase criticism.

[0265] In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may prevent the user from selecting input information as second information, depending on the content of the input information selected as second information by the user. Specifically, as an example, not limited to this, the checkbox for the message shown in Figure 20 may be made uncheckable, or as an example, not limited to this, the message may be made uncheckable from the first display to the second display, as shown in Figure 22, etc.

[0266] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it can suppress the selection of undesirable content as secondary information by users before they join the community site.

[0267] Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may be configured to forcibly delete any undesirable content as described above.

[0268] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the aggregated information compiled on one terminal was transmitted to another terminal via a server. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the aggregated information compiled on one terminal may be transmitted directly to another terminal without going through a server. Specifically, and not limited to this, as an example, blockchain technology may be used to directly connect terminals and transmit the aggregated information to other terminals using cryptographic technology.

[0269] <Third Embodiment> In each of the embodiments described above, the message selected as summary information is a message included in the community site. However, as an example, if the message selected as summary information is deleted from the community site, then the message selected as summary information becomes a message that is not included in the community site. This point was not specifically mentioned in the embodiments described above, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the third embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to delete the information corresponding to the deleted information among the second information when information is deleted on the community site. The description of the third embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0270] <Information Processing> Figure 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

[0271] As shown in Figure 30, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 requests server 10 to delete the message on the community site (step S401). After receiving the request from terminal 20, the control unit 11 of server 10 deletes the message to be deleted from the community site (step S501).

[0272] Then, the control unit 11 of the server 10 removes the message deleted from the community site from the summary information (step S502) and sends the summary information after the message deletion to the terminal 20 (step S503). The control unit 21 of the terminal 20, which has received the summary information after the message deletion, displays the summary information after the message deletion (step S402). Note that the process in step S503 is not limited and may, for example, be sent to other terminals 20 as well.

[0273] For example, suppose a certain community site exists, as shown in Figure 31A. The community site shown in Figure 31A may be the same as the community site shown in Figure 7A, or it may not be the same.

[0274] Furthermore, let's assume that the community site shown in Figure 31A also has a summary page (summary page) as shown in Figure 31B. The summary page shown in Figure 31B may or may not be the same as the one shown in Figure 7B, which is selected from the messages of users X1, X2, X3, and X4 of the community site in Figure 31A.

[0275] Here, for example, suppose a message from user X3 is deleted from the community site, as shown in Figure 31C. The deletion of a message may be performed by, for example, the user who entered the message, the administrator of the community site, the user who selected the summary information (the creator of the summary page), or by server 10.

[0276] In this case, the association processing unit 112 of server 10, as an example and not limited to this case, will unassociate the deleted message with the community site and remove the deleted message from the list of summary information.

[0277] Figure 31D shows an example where the messages from user X3, which were deleted in Figure 31C, have also been deleted from the summary page.

[0278] After steps S402 and S503, this control process ends.

[0279] <Effects of the Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to delete the information corresponding to the deleted information from the second information when information is deleted on the community site.

[0280] One example of the effects of this configuration is that when content is deleted from the community site, the corresponding information in the secondary information is also deleted, thus preventing information that does not exist on the community site from becoming secondary information.

[0281] <Third variation (1)> In the third embodiment, information corresponding to the deleted information among the second information was deleted in conjunction with the deletion of information on the community site, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In the third modified example (1), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to delete the information corresponding to the deleted information from the community site when information is deleted from the second information.

[0282] <Information Processing> Figure 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

[0283] As shown in Figure 32, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 requests server 10 to delete the message in the summary information (step S403). After receiving the request from terminal 20, the control unit 11 of server 10 deletes the message to be deleted from the summary information (step S504).

[0284] Then, the control unit 11 of the server 10 deletes the deleted messages from the community site using summary information (step S505) and sends the information of the community site after the message deletion to the terminal 20 (step S506). The control unit 21 of the terminal 20, which has received the information of the community site after the message deletion, displays the community site after the message deletion (step S404). Note that the process in step S506 is not limited and may, for example, be sent to other terminals 20 as well.

[0285] For example, suppose there is a designated community site and a corresponding summary page, as shown in Figures 33A and 33B. The community site shown in Figure 33A may or may not be the same as the community site shown in Figure 7A. The summary page shown in Figure 33B may or may not be the same as the one shown in Figure 7B, which contains selected messages from users X1, X2, X3, and X4 of the community site in Figure 33A.

[0286] Here, for example, as shown in Figure 33D, suppose that information corresponding to user X3's message has been deleted from the summary page. The deletion of information corresponding to a message may be performed by, for example, an administrator of the community site, an administrator of the summary page, or by server 10.

[0287] In this case, the association processing unit 112 of server 10 deletes the message corresponding to the deleted information from the community site, not as an example but as an example.

[0288] Figure 33C shows an example where the messages of user X3, which were deleted in Figure 33D, have been deleted from the community site.

[0289] After steps S404 and S506, this control process ends.

[0290] <Effects of the third modified example (1)> In the third modified example (1) configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to delete the information corresponding to the deleted information from the community site when information is deleted from the second information.

[0291] One example of the effects of this configuration is that when information is deleted from the second source, the corresponding information on the community site is also deleted. For example, if information that is deemed undesirable for a user to view before joining the community site is deleted from the second source, the corresponding input information can also be deleted from the community site. As a result, it is possible to prevent users from viewing the deleted input information when they join the community site.

[0292] <Third variation (2)> In the third embodiment, etc., the deletion of information from either the community site or the second information was linked to the deletion of information from the other. Here, for example, if a revocability period is set for messages on the community site, participating users can voluntarily delete messages within this revocability period. In other words, in this case, it becomes possible to select or extract messages as second information after the revocability period for community site messages has expired. This point was not mentioned in the third embodiment, etc., but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the third modified example (2), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may associate the second information, which is based on the first information after the cancellation period has elapsed since it was entered into the community site, with the community site.

[0293] <Information Processing> Figure 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the third modified example (2). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

[0294] As shown in Figure 34, the user inputs a message on the community site via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20. The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 then transmits the message entered on the community site to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S405).

[0295] When server 10 receives a message from the community site, the control unit 11 of server 10 determines whether or not the cancellation period has elapsed (step S507).

[0296] The cancellation period is not limited; for example, it may be the period during which a user participating in the community site can voluntarily cancel a message after entering it, or it may not be limited at all. The cancellation period is not limited; for example, it may be set to any period on the community site, or it may not be limited at all. Furthermore, even after the cancellation period has elapsed, the input information may still be deleted by the community site's administrator user or server 10, for example, although this is not limited at all.

[0297] If the determination result indicates that the cancellation period has elapsed (step S507, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to associate the received message with the community site as summary information (step S508), and sends the summary information to the terminal 20 (step S509).

[0298] When terminal 20 receives the summary information, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the summary information (step S406). Note that the processing in step S509 is not limited and may, for example, be sent to other terminals 20. In this case, the processing in step S406 is executed on the other terminals 20.

[0299] On the other hand, if the cancellation period has not expired (step S507, NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not perform the control to associate the message with the community site as summary information (step S510). Note that if the cancellation period has not expired, the terminal 20 may or may not be notified that the message cannot be selected as summary information, for example, although this is not an exhaustive rule.

[0300] Note that the process in step S406 is not performed if the process in step S510 has been completed. After step S406 and either step S509 or step S510, this control terminates.

[0301] <Effects of the third modified example (2)> In the third modified example (2) configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 associates the second information, which is based on the first information entered into the community site after the cancellation period has elapsed, with the community site.

[0302] One example of the effects of this configuration is that, since the second information and the community site are not associated until the revocable period has elapsed, it is possible to prevent the second information from being deleted in conjunction with a user who voluntarily deleted their input information during the revocable period.

[0303] <Third variation (3)> Furthermore, in the third modified example (2), the server 10 determined whether or not the cancellation period had expired, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the third modified example (3), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 may determine whether or not the cancellation period for the first information has elapsed.

[0304] <Information Processing> Figure 35 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by terminal 20 in the third modified example (3).

[0305] As shown in Figure 35, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 receives the user's message selection input (step S407) and determines whether the cancellation period for the selected message has elapsed (step S408).

[0306] If the determination result is that the cancellation period for the selected message has not expired (step S408, NO), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 notifies that the message cannot be selected (step S409). The method of notifying that the message cannot be selected is not limited to this method, and may include, for example, displaying text information, audio information, etc., indicating that the message cannot be selected on the display unit 24 of the terminal 20.

[0307] On the other hand, if the cancellation period for the selected message has elapsed (step S408, YES), the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 sends the community site message to the server 10 (step S410).

[0308] After step S409 or step S410, this control terminates. However, as an example, after step S410, once the summary information is received from server 10, the summary information may be displayed on terminal 20.

[0309] <Effects of the third modified example (3)> In the third modified example (3) configured as described above, the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 determines whether or not the cancellation period for the first information has elapsed.

[0310] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that users can see messages whose cancellation period has not yet expired. As a result, users can be encouraged to select more appropriate messages. Additionally, users can be given the option to wait for the creation of a summary page (not limited to specific pages, but an example of secondary information) until the cancellation period has expired.

[0311] Furthermore, since the server 10 does not need to determine whether the cancellation period has expired, the processing load on the server 10 can be reduced.

[0312] <Other> In the third embodiment, etc., if the second information corresponding to the input information is deleted based on the deletion of the input information on the community site, the administrator of the community site may or may not be notified.

[0313] This allows community site administrators to properly understand what kind of information the secondary information contains.

[0314] Furthermore, in the third embodiment and others, the second information corresponding to the input information was deleted based on the deletion of the input information on the community site, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and a part of the second information corresponding to the input information may be deleted. For example, in the example of user X3 deleted in Figure 31 ("XX House is recommended by ▼■"), the summary information may, without limitation, delete only the "XX House" part or the "▼■" part as an example.

[0315] Furthermore, in the third embodiment and others, if some of the input information selected as second information was deleted within the community site, it was also deleted from the second information. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, the input information selected as second information may be prevented from being deleted within the community site.

[0316] Furthermore, in the third embodiment and others, information contained in the second information or information contained in the community site was deleted in conjunction with deletion based on user operation on terminal 20. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and information contained in the second information or information contained in the community site may also be deleted in conjunction with deletion by server 10.

[0317] <Fourth Embodiment> In each of the embodiments described above, the second information was associated with the community site by receiving the first information from terminal 20. However, the user of terminal 20 that sends the first information may have permission to associate the second information with the community site. In the fourth embodiment, if the received first information is information entered by the administrator user of the community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to associate the first information with the community site as second information.

[0318] In other words, a community site administrator may have the authority to manage the association between the second piece of information and the community site. For example, a community site administrator may have the authority to create a summary page containing the second piece of information (summary information). The description of the fourth embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0319] <Information Processing> Figure 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

[0320] As shown in Figure 36, the user selects a message on the community site via the input / output unit 23 of the terminal 20. The control unit 21 of the terminal 20 then transmits the selected information from the community site to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S601).

[0321] When server 10 receives information selected on the community site, the control unit 11 of server 10 summarizes the received information as summary information and determines whether or not the summary information is input from the administrator user (step S701). If the result of the determination is that the summary information is input from the administrator user (step S701, YES), the control unit 11 of server 10 performs control to associate the summary information with the community site (step S702) and sends the summary information to terminal 20 (step S703).

[0322] In other words, when information selected by the community site administrator is sent from terminal 20, the community site is associated with the summary information based on the selected information.

[0323] When terminal 20 receives the summary information, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the summary information (step S602). Note that the processing in step S703 is not limited and may, for example, be sent to other terminals 20. In this case, the processing in step S602 is executed on the other terminals 20.

[0324] On the other hand, if the summary information is not input by the administrator (step S701, NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not perform the control to associate the summary information with the community site (step S704).

[0325] In other words, if information selected by a user other than the community site administrator is sent from terminal 20, the summary information based on the selected information will not be associated with the community site.

[0326] The server 10's identification of whether the received summary information is input from an administrative user may, for example, be based on the identification number of the sending terminal 20, and is not limited to this. Furthermore, if the summary information is accompanied by the terminal 20's identification information, the server 10 may, for example, perform the identification based on the accompanied identification information, and is not limited to this.

[0327] Note that the process in step S602 is not performed if the process in step S704 has been completed. After step S602 and either step S703 or step S704, this control terminates.

[0328] <Effects of the 4th Embodiment> In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to associate the received first information with the community site as second information if the first information is information entered by the administrator user of the community site.

[0329] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it can restrict users other than community site administrators from freely linking secondary information with the community site.

[0330] Furthermore, because secondary information selected by administrators who understand the characteristics of the community site is associated with the community site, it is possible to accurately inform non-participating users about the content of the community site.

[0331] <Fourth variation (1)> In the fourth embodiment, if the first information received by the server 10 was not information entered by the administrative user, no feedback was given to the terminal 20, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In the fourth variation (1), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to send information to the terminal 20 indicating that the first information cannot be associated with the community site if the first information received is not information entered by the management user.

[0332] In other words, it is acceptable to provide feedback to terminal 20 that the second piece of information should not be associated with the community site.

[0333] <Information Processing> Figure 37 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10. Note that the processing in steps S601, S701, S702, and S704 shown in Figure 37 is the same as that shown in Figure 36. For convenience, the processing in steps S703 and S602 in Figure 36 is omitted in Figure 37.

[0334] As shown in Figure 37, after step S704, if no control is performed to associate the summary information with the community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 sends information to the terminal 20 indicating that the association is not possible (step S705).

[0335] Information indicating that an association is not possible is not limited to specific examples; it could be information that allows users to recognize, for instance, that a summary of information cannot be associated with a community site.

[0336] The control unit 21 of terminal 20 determines whether or not it has received information indicating that association is not possible (step S603). If the determination is that it has not received information indicating that association is not possible (step S603, NO), the process in step S603 is repeated. Note that, not limited to this, if it is determined to be NO in step S603, this control may be terminated. On the other hand, if it has received information indicating that association is not possible (step S603, YES), the control unit 21 of terminal 20 displays the information indicating that association is not possible on the display unit 24 (step S604).

[0337] The information indicating that association is not possible is not limited to this; for example, terminal 20 may or may not display text information such as "Association not possible," "Summary page cannot be created," "Not possible," or "NG." Furthermore, the information indicating that association is not possible is not limited to this; for example, it may or may not include information other than the above text information, such as audio information or image information.

[0338] Note that steps S603 and S604 are not performed if step S702 has been completed. After step S604 and either step S702 or step S705, this control terminates.

[0339] <Effects of the 4th modified example (1)> In the fourth modified example (1) configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to send information to the terminal 20 indicating that the first information cannot be associated with the community site if the received first information is not information entered by the management user.

[0340] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it is possible to provide feedback to the user of terminal 20 that the second information will not be associated with the community site. As a result, the user can be made aware that it is not possible to associate the second information with the community site.

[0341] <Fourth variation (2)> In the fourth embodiment, etc., the association between the second information and the community site was not made based on input from users other than the administrative user, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the fourth modified example (2), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to associate the received first information with the community site as second information if the first information was entered by a user authorized by the administrative user.

[0342] In other words, users authorized by the administrator may associate second-party information with the community site.

[0343] <Information Processing> Figure 38 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fourth modified example (2). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively. Note that the processing in steps S601, S702, S703, and S704 shown in Figure 38 is the same as that shown in Figure 36.

[0344] As shown in Figure 38, after step S601, when the server 10 receives the information selected on the community site, the control unit 11 of the server 10 summarizes the received information as summary information and determines whether the summary information is input by an authorized user authorized by the management user (step S706). In step S706, it is not limited to determining whether the summary information is input by the management user. Alternatively, the processing in step S701 shown in Figure 36, etc., may be performed separately.

[0345] The authorized users permitted by the administrator are not limited; for example, they may include users to whom the administrator has requested the selection and management (creation of summary pages) of secondary information (summary information), or users who have requested the administrator to select and manage secondary information and have been granted permission, or they may not include such users.

[0346] If the determination determines that the summary information is input by an authorized user (step S706, YES), the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to associate the summary information with the community site (step S702) and sends the summary information to the terminal 20 (step S703).

[0347] On the other hand, if the summary information is not input by an authorized user (step S706, NO), the control unit 11 of the server 10 does not perform the control to associate the summary information with the community site (step S704). After step S602 and step S703 or step S704, this control terminates.

[0348] <Effects of the fourth modified example (2)> In the fourth modified example (2) configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to associate the received first information with the community site as second information if the first information is information entered by a user authorized by the management user.

[0349] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that, with permission from the administrator, users other than the community site administrator can also participate in linking the second-party information with the community site.

[0350] Furthermore, since secondary information is selected by users authorized by the administrator, that is, users trusted by the administrator, it is possible to prevent, for example, information unintended by the administrator from becoming secondary information.

[0351] Furthermore, permission granted by the administrator user is not limited; for example, it may be granted when creating a summary page (not limited, but an example of selecting second information), or it may be granted when editing a summary page after it has been created by the administrator user (not limited, but an example of selecting second information).

[0352] Furthermore, editing the summary page may not be limited to specific users; for example, it could be restricted to administrators and users authorized by the administrators.

[0353] Furthermore, authorized users who are permitted by the administrator may, for example, be required to have the content of the selected second information approved by the administrator before creating or editing a summary page, rather than being limited to authorized users.

[0354] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, etc., a single server performed controls to determine whether the summary information was input by an administrator (or authorized user), controls to associate the community site with the summary information, controls to send the summary information to the terminal (in the fourth modified example (1), this also includes controls to send information to the terminal indicating that the association is not possible). However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, each control may be performed by separate servers. Specifically, and not limited to, as an example, a first server may perform controls to determine whether the summary information was input by an administrator (or authorized user), and based on the result of that determination, a second server may perform controls to associate the community site with the summary information, send the associated information to a third server, and the third server may send the received summary information to the terminal.

[0355] <Fifth Embodiment> In each of the embodiments described above, summary information, which is an example of second information based on first information, was displayed on terminal 20. However, summary information can be viewed by non-participating users to check the content of the community site. Therefore, since it is expected that non-participating users who are interested in the community site will view it relatively frequently, advertisements may be displayed together with the summary information. In the fifth embodiment, the server communicates with a terminal and includes a communication unit that receives first information from the terminal among the information included in the community site provided by the server. The communication unit transmits second information based on the received first information to the terminal, and the terminal may display the received second information and advertising information.

[0356] In other words, in the fifth embodiment, advertising information may be included in the summary information (not limited to, but an example of the second information). The description of the fifth embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0357] <Functional Configuration> (1) Server Functional Configuration Figure 39 shows an example of a function realized by the control unit 11 of the server 10 in the fifth embodiment. The control unit 11 includes, but is not limited to, a server main processing unit 111 and an association processing unit 112, as well as an advertising information processing unit 113. The control unit 11 may or may not include, but is not limited to, an association processing unit 112.

[0358] The advertising information processing unit 113 performs advertising information processing to associate the above-mentioned second information with the advertising information, in accordance with the advertising information processing program 1513 stored in the storage unit 15.

[0359] Figure 40 shows an example of a function realized by the communication unit 14 of the server 10 in the fifth embodiment. The communication unit 14 may include, but is not limited to, a communication main processing unit 141 and an association information transmission unit 142, as well as an advertising information transmission unit 143.

[0360] The advertising information transmission unit 143, under the control of the control unit 11, executes an advertising information transmission process to transmit the second information and advertising information to the terminal 20, in accordance with the advertising information transmission program 1514 stored in the storage unit 15. Note that the advertising information transmission unit 143 may, for example, be located on another server capable of transmitting advertising information.

[0361] Figure 41 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 in the fifth embodiment. The server main processing program 151 includes, as an example and not an exhaustive, an advertising information processing program 1513 as a subroutine program, which is read by the control unit 11 and executed as advertising information processing. Furthermore, the server main processing program 151 includes, as an example (not limited to), an advertising information transmission program 1514, which is read by the control unit 11 and executed by the communication unit 14 as advertising information transmission processing, as a subroutine program.

[0362] Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores, as an example and not limited to, advertising information 156.

[0363] <Information Processing> Figure 42 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server C, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server D, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B. Server C is, for example, a server that provides a community site, and server D is a server that provides advertising information.

[0364] The following flowchart illustrates the process of this embodiment. Some steps in the flowchart may be omitted, and additional steps may be inserted. The same applies to other flowcharts in this specification.

[0365] First, as shown in Figure 42, the user selects a message on the community site via the input / output unit 23 of terminal A. As a result, the control unit 21 of terminal A transmits the selected information from the community site to server C via the communication unit 22 (step S801).

[0366] When server C receives information selected on the community site, the control unit 11 of server C aggregates the received information into summary information and performs control to associate the summary information with the advertising information (step S901).

[0367] Advertising information is not limited to this; for example, it may be an advertisement displayed when a user views a summary. Advertising information may be anything as long as it can be displayed together with or in relation to the summary, such as advertisements (text, images, videos, etc.) displayed anywhere on a website or application, or video advertisements displayed for a certain period of time while viewing a summary.

[0368] The summary information is not limited to this; for example, it may be summary information associated with a community site by the association processing unit 112, as in the first embodiment, or it may not be. In other words, the process in step S201 shown in Figure 6 may or may not be performed.

[0369] Furthermore, associating summary information with advertising information is not limited to this, but may or may not mean that when summary information is sent to the device, advertising information is displayed on the device along with the summary information. Specifically, associating summary information with advertising information may mean, not limited to this, providing a space in the summary information for inserting advertising information, having a server capable of sending advertising information to the device send the advertising information to the device, and then, when the summary information is sent, having the device insert and display the advertising information within the summary information.

[0370] After the control unit 11 of server C performs control to associate the summary information with the advertising information, the control unit 11 of server D transmits the advertising information to terminal B via the communication unit 14 (step S902). Then, the control unit 11 of server C transmits the summary information to terminal B via the communication unit 14 (step S903). Note that the processing in step S903 is not limited and may, for example, be performed before the processing in step S902 or simultaneously with the processing in step S902.

[0371] When terminal B receives the summary information and advertising information, the control unit 21 of terminal B displays the summary information and advertising information on the display unit 24 (step S802). In steps S902 and S903, the control units 11 of servers C and D may, for example, send the summary information and advertising information to terminal A, and in this case, the processing in step S802 may also be performed on terminal A.

[0372] For example, as shown in Figure 43, when summary information is displayed on terminal 20, advertising information is displayed at the bottom of the display unit 24, not as an example but as an example. Figure 43 shows an example where an image of company XXXX is displayed as an advertisement, not as an example but as an example.

[0373] After steps S802, S902, and S903, this control terminates. Although the control in the flowchart shown in Figure 42 was performed between terminal A, server C, server D, and terminal B, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the control may also be performed between terminal A and server C and server D. In this case, the processing in steps S902 and S903 is performed on terminal A, and the processing in step S802 is performed on terminal A. Furthermore, if server C is capable of transmitting advertising information, server C may, for example, perform the processing in step S902.

[0374] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 43, Server D transmitted the advertising information to the terminal, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and Server C may also transmit the advertising information to the terminal.

[0375] <Effects of the Fifth Embodiment> In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the server 10 communicates with the terminal 20 and includes a communication unit 14 that receives first information from the terminal 20 among the information included in the community site provided by the server 10. The communication unit 14 transmits second information based on the received first information to the terminal 20, and the terminal 20 displays the received second information and advertising information.

[0376] One example of the effects of this configuration is that advertising information is displayed on a website or application that publishes secondary information based on input information from the community site, allowing non-participating users who view the secondary information to see the advertisements.

[0377] Furthermore, for advertisers, since their ads are viewed when non-participating users view their secondary information, it becomes easier to increase the effectiveness of their advertising.

[0378] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the first information may include input information which is information contained in the community site and is entered by participating users who are participating in the community site.

[0379] As an example of the effects of this configuration, since the first piece of information includes the input information mentioned above, the second piece of information based on that first piece of information can also serve as an introduction to the community site. As a result, users actively compiling the second piece of information enhances the effectiveness of introducing the community site, which in turn encourages non-participating users to join the community site.

[0380] In the fifth embodiment, the server 10 capable of associating the community site with the second information associated the second information with the advertising information. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and a control unit of another server that does not associate the community site with the second information may associate the second information with the advertising information. In other words, as an example, the control for associating the community site with the second information and the control for associating the second information with the advertising information may each be performed by separate servers.

[0381] <Fifth variation (1)> In the fifth embodiment, no compensation was set for the advertising information, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In the fifth modified example (1), the system may include a control unit 11 (advertising information processing unit 113) that associates advertising-based benefits with users related to the second information. Furthermore, the second information is information selected by the first user from input information which is information included in the community site and entered by participating users who are participating in the community site, and the control unit 11 (advertising information processing unit 113) may associate the benefits with at least the first user.

[0382] In other words, in the fifth variation (1), the first user who selected a message from the community site (not limited, but an example of input information) as summary information (not limited, but an example of second information) may be given the benefit of advertising information.

[0383] The advertising information processing unit 113 performs, for example, control to associate a benefit based on advertising information with the first user.

[0384] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 44, the memory unit 15 stores, not limited to, but as an example, bonus information 157.

[0385] <Information Processing> Figure 45 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (1). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server C, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server D, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively. Note that the processing in steps S801, S901, S902, S903, and S802 in Figure 45 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 42.

[0386] As shown in Figure 45, in step S802, when advertising information is displayed on terminal B, the control unit 21 of terminal B sends information to server C indicating that advertising information has been displayed (step S803).

[0387] The information indicating that advertising information has been displayed is not limited to this, but may include, for example, information that allows server 10 to identify the summary information on which the advertising information was displayed (for example, an ID information indicating the summary information, the URL of the summary information, etc.).

[0388] When the control unit 11 of the server 10 receives information indicating that advertising information has been displayed, it associates the benefit with the first user (step S904).

[0389] Associating a reward with a first user does not mean, but may include, for example, associating the reward with the identification information of the terminal 20 owned by the first user, the identification information of the first user linked to that terminal 20 (not limited to, such as a user ID). Associating a reward with a first user does not mean, but may also include, for example, making the first user eligible to receive the reward (for example, notifying the first user of the reward information, sending the reward to the first user, etc.).

[0390] The reward is not limited to any particular type, and may include, for example, a reward given by the advertiser to the recipient when a user on device 20 views advertising information. The reward is not limited to any particular type, and may include, for example, cash, points usable for a specified service, virtual currency, stamps collectible at a specified service, gift certificates, coupons, or discount vouchers for the use of a specified service. Furthermore, the reward is not limited to any particular type, and may include, for example, a reward given by the advertiser to the recipient when a user clicks on advertising information displayed on device 20, or a reward given by the advertiser to the recipient when a user purchases a product related to the advertising information displayed on device 20.

[0391] The first user is, not limited to, but as an example, a user associated with summary information (not limited to, but as an example of second information), and may be the user who compiled the summary information. The first user is not limited to, but as an example, a user of terminal A in Figure 45.

[0392] Note that the processing in step S904 is not limited to this, and may, for example, be performed each time advertising information is displayed on terminal 20. Also, the processing in step S904 is not limited to this, and may, for example, be performed after obtaining information on the number of times and the time that advertising information was displayed on terminal 20 on a predetermined date (for example, the end of the month) in a batch.

[0393] After steps S803 and S904, this control terminates.

[0394] <Effects of the fifth modified example (1)> In the fifth modified example (1) configured as described above, a control unit 11 is provided that associates a benefit based on advertising information with a user related to the second information.

[0395] As an example of the effects of this configuration, the display of secondary information and advertising information on terminal 20 provides benefits to users who are interested in the secondary information. As a result, users who are interested in the secondary information can receive rewards for their involvement with it.

[0396] Furthermore, in the fifth variant (1), the second information is information selected by the first user from input information which is information included in the community site and entered by participating users who are participating in the community site, and the control unit 11 may associate the benefit with at least the first user.

[0397] One example of the effects of this configuration is that the first user can receive a reward for selecting the second piece of information, which can motivate the first user to compile the second piece of information on the community site in order to earn advertising-related rewards. As a result, the second piece of information can contribute to encouraging non-participating users to join the community site.

[0398] In the fifth modified example (1), a server 10 capable of associating a community site with the second information associated a first user (not limited to, but an example of a user related to the second information) with a benefit. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and a control unit of another server that does not associate a community site with the second information may associate a benefit based on advertising information with a user related to the second information. In other words, the control for associating a community site with the second information and the control for associating a user related to the second information with a benefit based on advertising information may be performed by separate servers.

[0399] <Fifth variation (2)> In the fifth variant (1), the first user was given as an example of a user related to the second information, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the fifth variation (2), the control unit 11 may associate the community site administrator with a benefit.

[0400] Associating a reward with an administrator user does not necessarily mean anything other than associating the reward with the identification information of a terminal 20 owned by the administrator user, the identification information of the administrator user linked to that terminal 20 (not necessarily limited to a user ID, etc.). Associating a reward with an administrator user does not necessarily mean anything other than associating the reward with an administrator user (for example, notifying the administrator user of the reward information, sending the reward to the administrator user, etc.).

[0401] The administrator user of a community site is a user who manages the community site, and is not limited to being the creator of the community site, but may or may not be the same person. Also, the administrator user of a community site is not limited to being the same person as the first user in the fifth variation (1), but may or may not be the same person.

[0402] For example, when associating a community site administrator with a benefit, the term "first user" in step S904 shown in Figure 45 may be replaced with "first user and administrator" or "administrator" as an example, not limited to this case.

[0403] <Effects of the fifth modified example (2)> In the fifth modified example (2) configured as described above, the control unit 11 associates the community site administrator with the benefits.

[0404] As an example of the effects of this configuration, when non-participating users view the second piece of information, which can also serve as an introduction to the community site, the administrator can earn advertising revenue. Therefore, the administrator can benefit from both the increase in participating users through the introduction of the community site and the revenue from advertising information. In other words, the administrator can increase the profit effect they receive.

[0405] <Fifth variation (3)> In the above modified example, the benefits were associated with the first user and the administrative user, but this disclosure is not limited to that. In the fifth modified example (3), the control unit 11 may associate a benefit with a second user who entered information based on the input information derived from the second information.

[0406] Associating a reward with a second user does not necessarily mean anything other than associating the reward with the identification information of the device 20 owned by the second user, the identification information of the second user linked to that device 20 (not necessarily limited to a user ID, etc.). Associating a reward with a second user does not necessarily mean anything other than associating the reward with the second user (for example, notifying the second user of the reward information, sending the reward to the second user, etc.).

[0407] The second user may, not be limited, but as an example, be a user who entered the information selected as the second piece of information. In other words, the second user may, not be limited, but as an example, be a user who entered the input information selected by the first user on the community site. Also, the second user may, not be limited, but as an example, be a user who entered information that is related to the input information by quotation.

[0408] For example, when associating a second user with a benefit, the term "first user" in step S904 shown in Figure 45 may be replaced with "first user and second user," "first user, administrator user and second user," or "administrator user and second user," not as an example but as an example.

[0409] <Effects of the fifth modified example (3)> In the fifth modified example (3) configured as described above, the control unit 11 associates a benefit with the second user who entered the information based on the second information.

[0410] One example of the effects of this configuration is that, since the input of a second user is used to introduce the community site, the reward for that second user can be appropriately given based on the advertising information.

[0411] <Fifth variation (4)> The above modifications did not specifically mention the distribution of benefits, but this disclosure is not limited to that. In the fifth modified example (4), the control unit 11 may determine the distribution rate of the benefits based on the user's role related to the second information. Furthermore, the distribution ratio may be predetermined.

[0412] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 46, the storage unit 15 stores distribution ratio information 158, not as an example but as an example.

[0413] <Information Processing> Figure 47 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (4). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server C, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server D, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively. Note that the processing in steps S801, 901, S902, S903, S802, S803, and S904 in Figure 47 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 45.

[0414] As shown in Figure 47, after step S901, the control unit 11 of the server 10 determines the reward distribution rate based on the user's role related to the summary information (step S905).

[0415] The roles of users related to summary information are not limited to those mentioned above, but may include, for example, roles such as creating summary information (a role corresponding to the first user), managing the community site (a role corresponding to the administrator user), and inputting some of the summary information (a role corresponding to the second user). Furthermore, the roles of users related to summary information are not limited to those mentioned above, but may include, for example, only the role of creating summary information, or at least both the role of creating summary information and the role of managing the community site.

[0416] The advertising information processing unit 113 of the control unit 11 may, for example, determine the distribution rate of the benefits by referring to the distribution rate information 158 stored in the storage unit 15. Figure 48 shows an example of a distribution rate predetermined in the storage unit 15.

[0417] In other words, the advertising information processing unit 113 may determine the distribution rates, not limited to but as an example, according to the distribution rates in Figure 48, such as 50% for the server 10 administrator, 30% for the community site administrator (the above-mentioned administrative user), 10% for the creator of the summary page, and 10% for the message poster (if there are multiple second users, they are equally distributed at 10%).

[0418] After the processing in step S905, the processing from step S903 onwards is carried out in the same manner as the flowchart shown in Figure 45. After steps S803 and S904, this control terminates. Note that although the processing in step S905 is performed after the processing in step S901, it is not limited to this and may be performed before the processing in step S901.

[0419] <Effects of the fifth modified example (4)> In the fifth modified example (4) configured as described above, the control unit 11 determines the distribution rate of benefits based on the user's role related to the second information.

[0420] One example of the effects of this configuration is that, since the reward for advertising information is determined according to the role, it is possible to determine each user's reward while ensuring a certain degree of equality, such as guaranteeing that all users will receive a reward.

[0421] Furthermore, the distribution ratio may be predetermined.

[0422] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that it eliminates the need to calculate the reward for each piece of advertising information, thus simplifying the reward determination process.

[0423] In the fifth modified example (4), the server 10 capable of associating the community site with the second information determined the distribution rate. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and a control unit of another server that does not associate the community site with the second information may determine the distribution rate of benefits based on the user's role related to the second information. In other words, as an example and not an limitation, the control for associating the community site with the second information and the control for determining the distribution rate may each be performed by separate servers.

[0424] <Fifth variation (5)> In the fifth modification (4), the distribution ratio was predetermined, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the fifth variation (5), the distribution rate may be determined by the user associated with the second information.

[0425] In other words, the user of terminal 20 may set the distribution ratio via the input / output unit 23, for example, rather than being limited to this method.

[0426] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 49, the memory unit 28 of the terminal 20 stores distribution rate information 285, not as an example but as an example.

[0427] <Information Processing> Figure 50 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (5). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server C, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server D, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B. Note that the processing in steps S801, 901, S902, S802, S803, and S903 in Figure 50 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 45.

[0428] As shown in Figure 50, after step S801, the control unit 21 of terminal A transmits the community site selected information and the distribution rate information determined by the user to the server 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S804).

[0429] Specifically, as shown in Figure 51, and not limited to this example, the distribution rate information may be determined by the user entering numbers indicating the distribution rate in the fields for administrator (administrative user), summary page creator (first user), and message poster (second user) on the distribution rate setting screen displayed on the display unit 24 of terminal 20.

[0430] The settings screen (reward distribution settings) shown in Figure 51 has a section for selecting whether or not to enable advertising. An example is shown where you can select whether or not to enable advertising by moving the white circle in this section to the left or right. In this example, it is not limited to this, but is an example; for example, moving the white circle to the left would set advertising to enabled, and moving the white circle to the right would set advertising to disabled.

[0431] Furthermore, as an example and not limited to this, if there is an "automatic setting" section, the user can input a value in this section, and a number representing a predetermined distribution rate may be automatically displayed. Also, as an example and not limited to this, the user may be able to edit the automatically displayed number. Also, as an example and not limited to this, if the user wants to change the distribution rate setting, the user can input a value in the "edit" section, and the distribution rate number may be edited. Also, as an example and not limited to this, the summary page may be made public when the user inputs a value in the "publish" section. In other words, as an example and not limited to this, after creating the summary page, the distribution rate may be set from the settings screen such as Figure 51, and the summary page may be made public (displayed, not limited).

[0432] Furthermore, the users who can set the distribution rate are not limited; for example, they could be the administrators of the community site, or the users who selected the summary information (the first user mentioned above).

[0433] After receiving the information selected on the community site and the distribution rate information on server C, the control unit 11 of server C performs the process in step S901 and determines the distribution rate of the benefits based on the received distribution rate (step S906).

[0434] After the processing in step S906, the processing from step S902 onwards is carried out in the same manner as the flowchart shown in Figure 45. After steps S803 and S903, this control terminates. Note that although the processing in step S906 is performed after the processing in step S901, it is not limited to this and may be performed before the processing in step S901.

[0435] <Effects of the fifth modified example (5)> In the fifth modified example (5) configured as described above, the distribution rate is determined by the user associated with the second information.

[0436] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that it allows for discussions among users and enables the setting of distribution rates that take into account the contribution of specific users, thereby increasing the flexibility in setting distribution rates.

[0437] Furthermore, the determination of the distribution rate by users related to the second piece of information is not limited to this; for example, approval from the community site's administrator may or may not be required.

[0438] Furthermore, the creator of the summary page (the first user) may actively select the messages they have posted to increase their share of the distribution. Therefore, as shown in Figure 52, not as a limitation but as an example, when setting this on the settings screen, it may be possible to make it clear to other users that the creator of the summary page (the first user) and the message poster (the second user) are the same person when obtaining approval from the administrator user. Figure 52 shows an example where "(summary page creator)" is written below the message poster, making it clear to other users that the message poster is the same person as the summary page creator.

[0439] <Fifth variation (6)> The summary page containing the second piece of information may be updated after it is created, with new information that becomes a topic of discussion on the community site being added. Although the distribution of added information is not mentioned in the fifth variation (4) and (5), this disclosure is not limited to this. In the fifth modified example (6), the control unit 11 (advertising information processing unit 113) may, when the second information is updated, associate additional benefits based on the additional information with the third user who entered the additional information for the second information.

[0440] <Information Processing> Figure 53 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (6). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server C, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server D, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively.

[0441] As shown in Figure 53, the control unit 21 of terminal A transmits the updated community site information to server C via the communication unit 22 (step S805).

[0442] When the server receives updated community site information, the control unit 11 of server C summarizes the updated information as summary information and performs control to associate the summary information with the advertising information (step S907). Then, the control unit 11 of server D sends the advertising information to terminal B (step S908), and the control unit 11 of server C sends the updated summary information to terminal 20 (step S909).

[0443] Upon receiving the updated summary information and advertising information, the control unit 21 of terminal B displays the updated summary information and advertising information on the display unit 24 of terminal B (step S806) and sends information to server C indicating that the advertising information has been displayed (step S807). Upon receiving the information indicating that the advertising information has been displayed, the control unit 11 of server C associates additional benefits with the third user (step S910).

[0444] Associating an additional benefit with a third user may, for example, involve associating the benefit with the identification information of the device 20 owned by the third user, the identification information of the third user linked to that device 20 (not limited to, such as a user ID). Associating an additional benefit with a third user may, for example, involve making the third user eligible to receive the additional benefit (for example, notifying the third user of the information about the additional benefit, or sending the additional benefit to the third user).

[0445] A third-party user is not limited to any specific user; for example, it could be a user who enters information into the community site that was not present in the summary information before the update, but was added after the summary information was updated.

[0446] The additional information is not limited to this; for example, it may or may not be information entered into the community site after the second set of information prior to the update was selected. Alternatively, the additional information may or may not be information entered into the community site before the second set of information prior to the update was selected, but which subsequently increased in popularity.

[0447] The additional bonuses are not limited; for example, they may be bonuses that arise in addition to the bonuses in the fifth variation (4) and (5), or they may not be included. Also, the additional bonuses are not limited; for example, they may be only the bonuses added to the bonuses in the fifth variation (4) and (5), or they may not be included.

[0448] After steps S807 and S910, this control terminates.

[0449] <Effects of the fifth modified example (6)> In the fifth modified example (6) configured as described above, when the second information is updated, the control unit 11 associates the additional benefits based on the additional information with the third user who entered the additional information for the second information.

[0450] Secondly, if the information is not updated after it is created, it will remain outdated indefinitely. Therefore, it is preferable that it be updated as needed, depending on the level of activity of the topic within the community site, and that users related to the added information also benefit from the advertising information.

[0451] Therefore, as an example of the effect of the configuration of the fifth modified example (6), additional benefits are generated for additional information, so that a third user who enters additional information can be appropriately rewarded.

[0452] <Fifth variation (7)> While the fifth variation (6) does not specifically mention the distribution of additional benefits, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the fifth modification (7), the control unit 11 may distribute the additional benefits equally to all distributors, including the first user and the third user.

[0453] In this case, if there are a total of five distributors, not just one, but including, for example, the server administrator, the community site administrator (administrative user), the creator of the summary page (first user), the poster of the message before the update (second user), and the poster of the additional message (third user), then the distribution rate of the additional benefits will be 20% for each distributor.

[0454] Furthermore, if the server administrator's share of the revenue is fixed, as an example, the amount obtained by subtracting the server administrator's share of 100% from 100% could be distributed equally among them. For example, as an example, if the server administrator's share of the revenue is fixed at 50%, the remaining 50% could be distributed among the community site administrator, the creator of the summary page, the poster of the message before the update, and the poster of the additional message, for a total of four people (12.5% ​​per person).

[0455] Furthermore, the benefits for the summary information before the update are not limited to specific individuals; for example, the four people other than the poster of the additional message may receive separate payment.

[0456] <Effects of the fifth modified example (7)> In the fifth modified example (7) configured as described above, the control unit 11 distributes the additional benefits equally to all distributors, including the first user and the third user.

[0457] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that it eliminates the need to calculate the distribution rate of additional benefits each time they arise, thus simplifying the method for determining the distribution rate of additional benefits.

[0458] <Fifth variation (8)> In the fifth variant (7), the distribution rate of the additional benefits was equal for all distributors, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the fifth variation (8), the control unit 11 may change the weighting of the distribution rate of the additional benefits for the third user who entered additional information and for the fourth user who entered information that was selected as the second information before the additional information was added.

[0459] The fourth user is not limited to, but could be, for example, the user who entered the message posted on the summary page before it was updated. Also, the information entered by the fourth user may or may not continue to be selected as summary information even after additional information has been added, not limited to, but for example.

[0460] For example, additional information may not be limited to specific items, but could be, for instance, a message indicating increased popularity after the summary page was published before the update, or a message containing the latest information. In this case, the weighting of the distribution rate for the additional benefits may or may not be set to be higher, for example, rather than being limited to specific items.

[0461] For example, not as an example but as an example, the weighting of the distribution rates may be set so that the distribution rate of the poster of the additional message is higher than the distribution rate of the poster of the message before the update. For example, in the case where both were set to 20% (40% total), as in the third example (7), not as an example but as an example, the distribution rate of the poster of the additional message may be set to 22% and the distribution rate of the poster of the message before the update to 18%.

[0462] <Effects of the fifth modified example (8)> In the fifth modified example (8) configured as described above, the control unit 11 changes the weighting of the distribution rate of the additional benefits for the third user who inputs additional information and for the fourth user who inputs information that was selected as the second information before the additional information was added.

[0463] One example of the effects of this configuration is that by changing the weighting of the distribution rate according to the content of the additional information, the fairness of users who posted messages can be ensured. Specifically, since the additional information is newer than the information before it was added, by giving a higher weighting to the additional information in such cases, it is possible to appropriately set the rewards that users receive for the new information.

[0464] <Fifth variation (9)> In the fifth variation (8), an example was shown in which the weighting of the distribution rates for additional benefits was set so that the distribution rate for the third user who entered additional information was higher than that for the fourth user, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the fifth modified example (9), the control unit 11 may set the distribution rate for the third user lower than the distribution rate for the fourth user.

[0465] For example, a message that was posted on the summary page before the update and is also posted on the summary page after the update will continue to be posted on the summary page, and therefore, not as a limitation but as an example, it may form the core of the topic on the community site and have high value.

[0466] Therefore, as an example, rather than being limited, you may or may not set the weighting of the distribution rate for additional benefits so that the distribution rate for the third user who entered additional information is lower than that of the fourth user.

[0467] For example, in the case of the third variation (7), where both are set to 20% (40% total), the distribution rate for the poster of the additional message may be set to 18% and the distribution rate for the poster of the message before the update to 22%, not as an limitation but as an example.

[0468] <Effects of the fifth modified example (9)> In the fifth modified example (9) configured as described above, the control unit 11 makes the distribution rate for the third user lower than the distribution rate for the fourth user.

[0469] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it allows for setting distribution rates that take into account the value of information continuously selected as secondary information. Specifically, by adding a distribution rate to the value of information continuously selected as secondary information, it is possible to appropriately set the rewards that users receive for this information.

[0470] Furthermore, the additional benefits shown in the fifth modified examples (6), (7), (8), and (9) are not limited to these and may be included as examples in the benefits of the fifth modified examples (4) and (5). If the additional benefits are included in the benefits of the fifth modified examples (4) and (5), the distribution rate for the additional information may or may not be determined by comparing the period during which the additional information was published, the level of contribution, etc., with the period before the additional information was published.

[0471] For example, if the posting period for the pre-addition information is twice as long as the posting period for the additional information, the distribution rate of the rewards corresponding to the pre-addition information may be twice the distribution rate of the rewards corresponding to the additional information, rather than being limited.

[0472] <Fifth variation (10)> In the fifth embodiment and others, advertising information was displayed together with the second information. However, it is believed that user convenience would be improved if the user could be notified in advance that advertising information would be displayed before viewing the second information. In the fifth modified example (10), the communication unit 14 (advertising information transmission unit 143) of the server 10 transmits information to the terminal 20 indicating that advertising information will be displayed, and the terminal 20 may display information for displaying the second information and information indicating that advertising information will be displayed.

[0473] <Information Processing> Figure 54 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the fifth modified example (10). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server C, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server D, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively. In Figure 54, the processing in steps S801, S901, S902, S903, and S802 is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 42.

[0474] First, as shown in Figure 54, after step S903, the control unit 11 of server C sends information for displaying summary information and information indicating that advertising information will be displayed to terminal B (step S911).

[0475] Information indicating that advertising information will be displayed is not limited to, but may also be displayed on a website or application that displays a link to a website or application where summary information is displayed. Information indicating that advertising information will be displayed may or may not be information that allows the user to recognize that advertising information will be displayed when they perform an input operation such as tapping or clicking on the information for displaying the second information shown in Figure 10A, etc. (the "summary information" part of Figure 10A).

[0476] For example, in Figure 55, information such as "Advertisements will be displayed" may or may not be displayed on a website or application where information for displaying the second information (the "Summary Information" section of Figure 55) is displayed, as an example of information indicating that advertising information will be displayed. Also, although "Advertisements will be displayed" was displayed in the example of Figure 55, the information is not limited to this, and information such as "Includes promotions" that allows the user to recognize that information related to advertisements will be displayed may be displayed on terminal 20.

[0477] When terminal B receives information indicating that information for displaying summary information and advertising information will be displayed, the control unit 21 of terminal B performs the process in step S802 and displays the information indicating that information for displaying summary information and advertising information will be displayed on the display unit 24 (step S808).

[0478] After steps S808 and S911, this control terminates. Although the control flowchart shown in Figure 54 was performed between terminal A, server C, server D, and terminal B, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the control may also be performed between terminal A and servers C and D. In this case, the processing in step S911 is performed on terminal A, and the processing in step S808 is performed on terminal A.

[0479] <Effects of the fifth modified example (10)> In the fifth modified example (10) configured as described above, the communication unit 14 (advertising information transmission unit 143) of the server 10 transmits information to the terminal 20 indicating that advertising information will be displayed, and the information for displaying the second information and the information indicating that advertising information will be displayed are displayed on the terminal 20.

[0480] One example of the effects of this configuration is that users can be notified in advance that advertising information will be displayed when they view the second piece of information. As a result, there is a possibility that users may obtain useful information after viewing the advertising information, thus benefiting both the user and the advertiser.

[0481] Furthermore, some users do not want to view advertising information, so for those users, it is possible to view the second information knowing that advertising information will be displayed. For example, if a user views the second information without knowing that advertising information will be displayed, they may feel uncomfortable when advertising information suddenly appears. However, in the fifth modification (10), the user views the second information knowing that advertising information will be displayed, so the discomfort mentioned above can be suppressed.

[0482] <Other> Furthermore, the distribution rate for the above benefits may be subject to a predetermined minimum percentage.

[0483] This approach helps to prevent users from setting extremely small values ​​for their distribution rates.

[0484] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment and others, a single server performed controls such as associating summary information with advertising information and transmitting summary information to a terminal (in the fifth modification (1), this also included controls for associating benefits with users related to the second information, and in the fifth modification (4), it also included controls for determining the benefit distribution rate). However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, each control may be performed by separate servers. Specifically, and not limited to, as an example, a first server may perform controls for associating summary information with advertising information and transmit the associated information to a second server, the second server may transmit the received summary information to a terminal, and a third server may perform controls for associating benefits with users related to the second information.

[0485] <Sixth Embodiment> In each of the modifications of the fifth embodiment, the user associated with the second information acquires the right to receive a benefit, but notification regarding the receipt of the benefit may be provided. In the sixth embodiment, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to send notification information to a fifth user, who is a user associated with the second information but does not have information to receive benefits based on advertising information, indicating that the user is entitled to receive benefits.

[0486] In other words, server 10 may inform users who do not have access to account information (an example of information used to receive benefits based on advertising information, not just limited access) that they are entitled to receive benefits. The description of the sixth embodiment is applicable to any of the other embodiments.

[0487] <Information Processing> Figure 56 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the sixth embodiment. From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal A, the processing performed by the control unit 11 of server 10, and the processing performed by the control unit 21 of terminal B, respectively.

[0488] As shown in Figure 56, once the control unit 21 of terminal A displays advertising information on terminal 20, it sends information to the server 10 indicating that advertising information has been displayed (step S1001).

[0489] The information indicating that advertising information has been displayed is not limited to this, but may include, for example, information that allows server 10 to identify the summary information on which the advertising information was displayed (for example, an ID information indicating the summary information, the URL of the summary information, etc.).

[0490] When server 10 receives information indicating that advertising information has been displayed, the control unit 11 of server 10 identifies the fifth user of the summary information corresponding to the advertising information (step S1101) and sends notification information to the fifth user (step S1102).

[0491] The fifth user is not limited to, but may include, for example, the administrator of the community site (administrative user), the creator of the summary page (first user), the message poster (second user), the poster of an additional message (third user), etc., among users related to the summary information, in the fifth embodiment, etc., for whom the server 10 does not recognize the information for receiving benefits based on advertising information. Therefore, even if the administrator of the community site or the creator of the summary page is not limited to, for example, if the server 10 does not recognize the information for receiving benefits based on advertising information, they may be considered a fifth user.

[0492] The notification information may, for example, be a notification indicating that the user is entitled to receive a reward, not limited to any specific example. The notification information may also be information that can be displayed on the user's device 20 so that the user is aware that they are entitled to receive a reward based on advertising information, not limited to any specific example. For example, the notification information may include, for example, a message sent to the user's community site account, an email sent to the user's email address, or a chat viewable in a chat room the user is allowed to enter.

[0493] Furthermore, the notification information is not limited to specifics; for example, it could be a notification prompting server 10 to recognize information for receiving benefits based on advertising information.

[0494] The information required to receive benefits based on advertising information may, for example, be information that enables the user to receive benefits generated by advertising information in a manner that is available to the user. The information required to receive benefits based on advertising information may, for example, be account information of a financial institution to which cash or virtual currency can be transferred, or building address information, etc., to which the user can directly or indirectly receive the benefits. The information required to receive benefits based on advertising information may, for example, be information related to a website to which the user can log in with their ID and password to access electronic information related to the benefits (e.g., the ID information mentioned above).

[0495] Although terminal B in Figure 56 is described as the terminal of the fifth user, the system is not limited to this terminal, and notification information may or may not be sent to other terminals of the fifth user.

[0496] Upon receiving notification information, the control unit 21 of terminal B displays the notification information on the display unit 24 (step S1002).

[0497] For example, as shown in Figure 57, users are notified about the generation of revenue from the aggregated information and are prompted to set up a bank account to receive the revenue. Figure 57 shows an example of an email sent to the user's email address, which prompts the user to set up a bank account to receive the revenue on their My Page, which is accessible after logging in.

[0498] After steps S1002 and S1102, this control process ends. Note that if no fifth user exists during the processing of step S1101, the processing of step S1101 may be skipped.

[0499] <Effects of the 6th Embodiment> In the sixth embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to send notification information to a fifth user, who is a user associated with the second information but does not have information to receive benefits based on advertising information, indicating that the user has the right to receive benefits.

[0500] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it allows the fifth user to quickly become aware of the availability of benefits based on advertising information. As a result, the fifth user can be encouraged to take steps to receive the benefits based on the advertising information.

[0501] <Sixth variation (1)> In the sixth embodiment, there is no specific mention of the deadline for receiving the benefits, etc., but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the sixth variation (1), the notification information may include information regarding the setting of information for receiving the reward for the fifth user by the deadline for receiving the reward.

[0502] The deadline for receiving the reward is not limited to a specific date, but could be, for example, the date the cash or cryptocurrency is transferred to your account, or the date the physical item such as a coupon is sent, or it may not be limited to a specific date. Also, the deadline for receiving the reward is not limited to a specific date, but could be set at regular intervals when the advertisement information is displayed, such as every month or every six months, or it may not be limited to a specific date.

[0503] The information regarding setting up the information required to receive the benefits is not limited to any specific type of information; for example, it could be any information that prompts the user to set up the information required to receive the benefits, or any other information that makes the fifth user aware that setting up the information required to receive the benefits is necessary.

[0504] For example, as shown in Figure 58, and not limited to this example, information about the deadline for receiving the reward may be included in the notification shown in Figure 57. Figure 58 shows an example of notifying the user that they will not be able to receive the reward if they do not set it by the deadline of "XX / YYY / MM / DD". Alternatively, and not limited to this example, a separate notification regarding the deadline for receiving the reward may be sent in addition to the notification shown in Figure 57, or it may not be necessary.

[0505] <Effects of the 6th modified example (1)> In the sixth modified example (1) configured as described above, the notification information includes information regarding the settings required to receive the reward, provided to the fifth user by the reward redemption deadline.

[0506] One example of the effects of this configuration is that it makes the fifth user aware that they need to set up the information necessary to receive the reward by the deadline. As a result, the fifth user can be encouraged to set up the information necessary to receive the reward, and ultimately, the fifth user can be reliably ensured to receive the reward.

[0507] <Sixth variation (2)> While the details of revenue based on advertising information were not mentioned in the sixth embodiment, etc., this disclosure is not limited thereto. In the sixth modified example (2), the control unit 11 of the server 10 may perform control to transmit information regarding revenue information based on advertising information to the terminal 20.

[0508] In other words, users may be notified of the details of revenue generated based on advertising information.

[0509] <Information Processing> Figure 59 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by each device in the sixth modified example (2). From left to right, it shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the terminal 20 and an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the server 10, respectively.

[0510] As shown in Figure 59, the control unit 21 of terminal 20 sends information to the server 10 indicating that advertising information has been displayed (step S1001). Upon receiving the information indicating that advertising information has been displayed, the control unit 11 of server 10 sends information regarding revenue information based on the advertising information to terminal 20 (step S1103).

[0511] Information regarding revenue generated from advertising may, but is not limited to, include, for example, information indicating the extent of revenue generated from the advertising. Information regarding revenue generated from advertising may, but is not limited to, include, for example, the total revenue generated from the aggregated information and the revenue generated from users associated with the aggregated information.

[0512] Furthermore, information regarding revenue based on advertising information is not limited to specific periods; for example, users may or may not be notified at regular intervals when the advertising information is displayed, such as monthly or semi-annually.

[0513] When the terminal 20 receives information regarding revenue based on advertising information, the control unit 21 displays the information regarding revenue based on advertising information on the display unit 24 (step S1003).

[0514] For example, suppose three summary pages, A, B, and C, have been created for a single community site. In this case, as shown in Figure 60A, the creators of the summary pages may receive a notification that includes, but is not limited to, the total revenue for each summary page and the revenue earned by the summary page creator.

[0515] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 60B, for example, community site administrators may also receive notifications that, while not limited to specific examples, include the total revenue for each summary page and the revenue of the summary page creator.

[0516] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 60C, for example, one of the message posters selected for the summary page may also receive a notification, not limited to any specific group, but including, for example, the total revenue for each summary page and the revenue of the summary page creator.

[0517] After steps S1003 and S1102, this control terminates.

[0518] <Effects of the 6th variation (2)> In the sixth modified example (2) configured as described above, the control unit 11 of the server 10 performs control to transmit information regarding revenue information based on advertising information to the terminal 20.

[0519] One example of the effects of this configuration is that users related to the second set of information can understand how much revenue is being generated from that second set of information. As a result, users can accurately understand the source of their revenue.

[0520] <Sixth variation (3)> In the sixth variant (2), information indicating the amount of revenue was transmitted to terminal 20, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the sixth modified example (3), the information regarding revenue information may include information on the return rate based on revenue information for users of terminal 20.

[0521] For example, Figure 61 shows, as an example and not an exemption, an example in which a column for the return rate has been added to the information in Figure 60A. In other words, as an example and not an exemption, information on the overall return rate may be added in addition to the revenue information for each summary page.

[0522] The return rate is not limited to a specific example; it may or may not be expressed as a percentage of the total revenue, representing the proportion of the revenue earned by the target user.

[0523] <Effects of the 6th modified example (3)> In the sixth modified example (3) configured as described above, the information regarding revenue information includes information on the return rate based on revenue information for users of terminal 20.

[0524] One example of the effects of this configuration is that users can easily understand to what extent the information is being applied to the overall second-party information.

[0525] As a result, it becomes possible to stimulate users' motivation to actively promote summary pages with high return rates (not limited to specific pages, but examples of secondary information) (for example, by spreading them on social networking services, etc.), which in turn can contribute to the prosperity of community sites.

[0526] <Sixth variation (4)> In the sixth variant (3), the revenue information included information on the return rate, but this disclosure is not limited to that. In the sixth variation (4), the revenue information may include information on the contribution to revenue.

[0527] As shown in Figure 62, the level of contribution is not limited and may or may not be shown at multiple levels, such as "high," "medium," and "low." In Figure 62, an example is shown where summary page A has a "high" level of contribution and the highest return rate of 20%, summary page B has a "medium" level of contribution and the return rate of 10%, and summary page C has a "low" level of contribution and the return rate of 5%.

[0528] <Effects of the 6th variation (4)> In the sixth modified example (4) configured as described above, the revenue information includes information on the degree of contribution to revenue.

[0529] One example of the benefits of this configuration is that it makes it easy to understand how much each user contributes to the overall system.

[0530] As a result, users will be encouraged to actively engage in activities such as increasing the contribution of summary pages with low contribution levels (e.g., by actively promoting summary pages), and further increasing revenue of summary pages with high contribution levels (e.g., by actively promoting summary pages), ultimately contributing to the prosperity of the community site.

[0531] <Sixth variation (5)> In the sixth variation (5), the revenue information may include information that is related to the input information by reference.

[0532] Figure 63 illustrates revenue information for the message poster (the user who entered the input information). A column for "Message quoted" has been added to Figure 63.

[0533] For example, suppose a message from a message poster does not contain any quoted information on summary page A and summary page C, but does contain quoted information on summary page B. In this case, the return rate is 10% on summary page A and summary page C, where there is no quoted information, and 12% on summary page B, where there is quoted information.

[0534] As shown in the example in Figure 63, for messages that contain quoted messages, rather than being limited to specific examples, the quoted messages may be considered to have a relatively high level of attention and interest, and their redemption rate may be set higher than that of messages that do not contain quoted messages.

[0535] Furthermore, for example, as in the second variation (7), if a message and a message that are in a citation relationship are included in the summary information, it is conceivable that revenue may also be generated for the citation-related message. In this case, as an example and not an limitation, the revenue from the citation-related message may be deducted from the revenue of the quoted message.

[0536] <Effects of the 6th modified example (5)> In the sixth modified example (5) configured as described above, the revenue information includes information related to the input information and information that is in a citation relationship.

[0537] One example of the effects of this structure is that by clearly indicating the information related to citations, it becomes easy to understand that there are differences in the reduction rate depending on whether or not the information related to citations is present.

[0538] <Other Embodiments> Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the community site may include one of the following: a chat room, a community on a social networking service, an electronic bulletin board, or a community on a video site.

[0539] Here, we will explain an application example in a community site, for example, in a chat room. A chat room is a user interface in the messaging service provided by server 10 that allows information sent and received by users of the messaging service to be displayed on the user's terminal.

[0540] Chat rooms are generally formed by mutually recognized users within the messaging service provided by Server 10, but it is also possible to create chat rooms that an unspecified number of users can freely join. Such chat rooms that an unspecified number of users can freely join are sometimes called open chats.

[0541] An open chat is a group chat in which multiple users can participate anonymously. "Participating anonymously" here means that users can join the chat room using a username different from the username registered on the messaging service server 10. While open chats allow anyone to participate, their high degree of anonymity makes it difficult to judge the credibility of message content.

[0542] In such open chats, users can either become aware of its existence (not limited to this, but for example, by seeing an article describing an open chat related to a advertised product in an advertisement or other promotional material, or by learning how to join it), and then join on their own initiative or by being invited by another user already in the chat room.

[0543] Open chats are recognized by users, for example, by searching using keywords, selecting categories, or obtaining QR codes or URLs from other users. Open chats can be categorized into free-to-join chat rooms, rooms requiring administrator approval, and password-protected chat rooms. Free-to-join chat rooms can be joined freely by any user. Chat rooms requiring administrator approval require administrator approval for user participation. For example, a user may join a chat room after answering a question set by the administrator and receiving approval. Password-protected chat rooms require users to enter a password to join. Passwords are set by administrators or other designated personnel.

[0544] By opening a chat room, users can interact with other users over the internet via their devices. For example, when a chat room related to content is created, multiple users who have viewed the content can share their thoughts and exchange information about the content within the chat room.

[0545] In particular, Open Chat has a theme set for each chat room, such as lighthearted small talk, hobbies, or industry discussions where users want to talk honestly. As a result, users who join a chat room are more likely to engage in lively message exchanges with other users within the chat room, and are more likely to continue the conversation over the long term.

[0546] Of these open chats, chat rooms that require administrator approval or have passwords set are only accessible to registered users. Therefore, it is not possible to see what kind of information is contained within the chat room until you register to join.

[0547] For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 64A, the contents of the chat room can be checked before joining by viewing the second piece of information, which is "summary information." The theme of the chat room shown in Figure 64A is "Gathering of Yakiniku Lovers," and the summary information mainly lists information about restaurants.

[0548] Users can then review the summary information to understand what is being discussed in the chat room and decide whether or not to join. If a user decides to join the chat room after reviewing the summary information, they can then select "Join" to submit a request to the chat room administrator.

[0549] If the application to participate is approved, as shown in Figure 64B, a large number of users will be having conversations in the chat room that are in line with the chat room's theme. In addition, the information selected for the summary (for example, the top message and the fourth message from the top in Figure 64B) can be easily found by scrolling the screen of terminal 20.

[0550] In this way, users can check in advance which chat rooms are discussing topics they are interested in, making it easier for them to apply to join. As a result, it becomes easier to contribute to an increase in the participation rate in chat rooms (open chats).

[0551] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 65A, each user's message in the chat room exists independently, making it easy for the user to select each message. Then, as shown in Figure 65B, the message selected by the user stands out, and as shown in Figure 65C, the message can be selected by sliding it to a summary page.

[0552] In this way, chat rooms make it easy to select and view each user's messages, making it easy to create summary pages. As a result, the creation of summary pages that can serve as introductions to chat rooms is promoted, which can easily contribute to increasing the participation rate in chat rooms.

[0553] Furthermore, since participation in the chat room requires registration, it is conceivable that active messaging will take place within that chat room. Such messages will be selected as summary information. For example, in the fifth embodiment, advertising information is displayed on the summary page, so as a by-product of such active messaging, there is a possibility of receiving rewards. As a result, it is possible to increase the motivation of participating users who receive rewards.

[0554] Furthermore, since summary information messages are considered to be the central topic of conversation within the chat room, the user who entered that message is likely to be a relatively frequent participant. New users who join the chat room after viewing the summary information are likely to use the user who entered the summary information message as a guide to join the conversation within the chat room. By interacting with frequent participants, they are more likely to become regulars in the chat room. As a result, this can contribute to increasing the number of participants in the chat room, and ultimately to the prosperity of the chat room.

[0555] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. Not limited to, but as an example, the functions, etc., included in each means, each step, etc., can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple means, steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. Furthermore, the configurations shown in each embodiment may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0556] 1. Communication System 10 servers 11 Control Unit 12 Input / output section 13 displays 14 Communications Department 15 Storage section 20 devices 21 Control Unit 22 Communications Department 23 Input / output section 24 Display 25 Mike 26 speakers 27 Cameras 28 Memory section 30 Networks 111 Server Main Processing Unit 112 Association Processing Unit 113 Advertising Information Processing Department 141 Communication Main Processing Unit 142 Related Information Transmission Unit 143 Advertising Information Transmission Section 151 Server Main Processing Program 1511 Association Processing Program 1512 Association Information Transmission Program 1513 Advertising Information Processing Program 1514 Advertising Information Transmission Program 152 1st information 153 Second information 154 Information for displaying the second information 155 Information for displaying participation details 156 Advertising Information 157 Bonus Information 158 Distribution rate information 211 Terminal Main Processing Unit 212 Display Processing Unit 221 Communication Main Processing Unit 222 Information transmission and reception unit 281 Terminal Main Processing Program 2811 Display Processing Program 2812 Information Transmission Program 282 1st information 283 Second information 284 Related Information 285 Distribution rate information

Claims

1. A server that communicates with a terminal, The system includes a communication unit that receives first information from the information included in the community site provided by the server from the terminal, The communication unit transmits to the terminal a second piece of information which is a summary of the first piece of information and includes at least a portion of the first piece of information it has received. The server includes a control unit that associates the user associated with the second information with a benefit based on advertising information displayed on the terminal that receives and displays the second information.

2. A server according to claim 1, The first information includes input information which is information contained in the community site and is entered by participating users who are participating in the community site.

3. A server according to claim 1 or claim 2, The second information is information selected by the first user from input information which is information included in the community site and entered by participating users who are participating in the community site. The control unit associates the benefit with at least the first user.

4. The server according to claim 3, The control unit associates the benefits with the administrator users of the community site.

5. The server according to claim 3, The control unit associates the benefit with the second user who entered the information based on the second information.

6. The server according to claim 3, The control unit determines the distribution rate of the benefits based on the user's role related to the second information.

7. The server according to claim 6, The aforementioned distribution ratio is predetermined.

8. The server according to claim 6, The distribution rate is determined by the user associated with the second information.

9. The server according to claim 3, When the second information is updated, the control unit associates the third user who entered the additional information for the second information with the additional benefits based on the additional information.

10. The server according to claim 9, The control unit distributes the additional benefits equally to all distributors, including the first user and the third user.

11. The server according to claim 9, The control unit changes the weighting of the distribution rate of the additional benefits for the third user who input the additional information and for the fourth user who input the information selected for the second information before the additional information was added.

12. The server according to claim 11, The control unit makes the distribution rate for the third user lower than the distribution rate for the fourth user.

13. A server according to claim 1 or claim 2, The control unit performs control to send notification information to a fifth user, who is among the users related to the second information and does not have information to receive the benefits based on the advertising information, indicating that the user is entitled to receive the benefits.

14. The server according to claim 13, The notification information includes information regarding the setting of information for the fifth user to receive the benefit by the deadline for receiving the benefit.

15. A server according to claim 1 or claim 2, The control unit performs control to transmit information regarding revenue information based on the advertising information to the terminal.

16. The server according to claim 15, The information relating to the revenue information includes information on the return rate based on the revenue information for the user of the terminal.

17. A server according to claim 1, The aforementioned community site is accessible to users who have registered to participate.

18. A server according to claim 1, The aforementioned community site includes chat rooms.

19. A program executed by a server that communicates with a terminal, The communication unit of the server receives the first piece of information from the community site provided by the server from the terminal, The communication unit transmits to the terminal a second piece of information which is a summary of the first piece of information and includes at least a portion of the first piece of information that has been received, The server performs the following actions: associate the user associated with the second information with a benefit based on advertising information displayed on the terminal that receives and displays the second information.

20. A method for processing information on a server that communicates with a terminal, The communication unit of the server receives the first piece of information from the community site provided by the server from the terminal, The communication unit transmits to the terminal a second piece of information which is a summary of the first piece of information and includes at least a portion of the first piece of information that has been received, This includes associating a user associated with the second information with a benefit based on advertising information displayed on the terminal that receives and displays the second information.

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