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

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of accurately providing content related to a pet of a user.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit which acquires a search query input by a user; an inquiry unit which inquires of the user about a pet when the search query relates to a pet; a receiving unit which receives an answer from the user for the inquiry about the pet made by the inquiry unit; a selection unit which selects content to be provided to the user on the basis of the search query and the answer from the user received by the receiving unit; and a providing unit which provides the content selected by the selection unit to a user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It is considered that a user who keeps a pet may search for information related to the pet using a search engine. Information service providers that provide search engines may accumulate information related to the user's pet. Therefore, information service providers have been required to create new business opportunities by using information related to the user's pet.

[0003] For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses an individual pet identification system characterized in that: a pet name and a pet image are acquired from a user terminal, an identifier of the pet is assigned, the identifier of the pet, the pet name and the pet image are associated with each other and registered, a feature amount is extracted from the registered pet image and stored in association with the pet identifier, after starting use, another image of the pet is acquired for performing individual identification, a feature amount is extracted from the another image and compared with the stored feature amount, when it is determined that the identification result is incorrect, the user is prompted to correct the result, when the user's correction is acquired, the identification result is updated, and at least one of the another image and the feature amount extracted from the another image is registered in association with the pet identifier. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-71895 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, while the pet identification system described in Patent Document 1 can identify individual pets, it could not provide users with content related to the identified pets.

[0006] In light of the above issues, this disclosure aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can accurately provide users with content related to their pets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the information processing device according to this disclosure comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a search query entered by a user; an inquiry unit that asks the user questions about pets if the search query is related to pets; a reception unit that receives the user's answers to the questions about pets from the inquiry unit; a selection unit that selects content to provide to the user based on the search query and the user's answers received by the reception unit; and a provision unit that provides the content selected by the selection unit to the user terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can accurately provide content related to users' pets. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of information stored in the search query storage unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5 shows an example of information stored in the user information storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of information stored in the content storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of a carrier terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

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

[0012] First, the information processing device 100 receives content from the business terminal 300 (step S1). For example, the information processing device 100 may receive advertisements for pet insurance, pet food, movies, novels, or anime related to pets as content. The information processing device 100 is not limited to content related to pets and may also receive any other content. In addition to the content data, the information processing device 100 also receives distribution target information indicating information about the target audience for the content. Once the information processing device 100 receives the content and distribution target information from the business terminal 300, it stores the received content and distribution target information in the content storage unit 124, which will be described later.

[0013] Next, the information processing device 100 obtains the search query entered by the user from the user terminal 200 (step S2). For example, the information processing device 100 may accept search queries entered by the user from the user terminal 200, such as "Pomeranian patellar luxation," "Munchkin intervertebral disc herniation," "LaPerm hairball disease," and "Korat kidney failure." Although search queries related to pets have been given as examples, the information processing device 100 is not limited to search queries related to pets and will also obtain other search queries entered by the user. Once the information processing device 100 has obtained the search query entered by the user from the user terminal 200, it stores the obtained search query in the search query storage unit 121, which will be described later.

[0014] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 asks the user a question about a pet (step S3). Specifically, when the search query is a search query related to pets, the information processing apparatus 100 asks the user a question about a pet. That is, the information processing apparatus 100 stores the relationship between the search query and the question text in the storage unit 120, and when a specific search query is acquired, causes the user terminal 200 to display the question text associated with the specific search query. For example, if the information processing apparatus 100 acquires the search query "dog pet" as the search query, it may cause the user terminal 200 to display the question text "Do you own a Pomeranian?" as a question indicating a question about a pet. Furthermore, if the information processing apparatus 100 acquires the search query "dog hospital", it may display a question text such as "How is the health condition of your Pomeranian?". Note that the question text displayed by the information processing apparatus 100 on the user terminal 200 is not limited to the above, and any other arbitrary question text may be displayed to ask the user a question about the pet.

[0015] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 receives an answer to the user's question (step S4). For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may cause the user terminal 200 to display an input box for receiving an answer to a question, and receive an answer input as text information from the user as an answer to the question about the pet. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 100 may cause the user terminal 200 to display a plurality of answer options for the question, and receive an option selected by the user from among the plurality of options as the user's answer to the question.

[0016] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 selects content based on the search query and the user's answer (step S5). For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may refer to content stored in a content storage unit 123 described later, and select content based on the search query and the user's answer. For example, content stored in the content storage unit 123 in association with the search query may be selected. Specifically, when a search query indicating the "name of a disease" is acquired in addition to the "type of pet", content related to a pet insurance advertisement may be selected. Furthermore, if the answer to the user's question indicates that the symptoms of the pet's disease are progressing, content related to veterinarians may be selected. This enables content to be selected according to the pet's condition when selecting content, so the accuracy of content selection can be improved.

[0017] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 provides the selected content (step S6). For example, when the content is a video, the information processing apparatus 100 causes the user terminal 200 to output the video and provides the content to the user. In addition, when the content is audio, the information processing apparatus 100 may provide the content to the user by causing the user terminal 200 to output the audio of the content. Furthermore, when the content is text data, the information processing apparatus 100 may provide the content to the user by causing the user terminal 200 to display the text.

[0018] According to this, content can be selected based on the search query and the answer to the user's question, and the selected content can be provided to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide the information processing apparatus 100 that can accurately provide content related to the user's pet.

[0019] [1-2. Another Example of Information Processing According to the Embodiment] The information processing device 100 estimates whether the user owns multiple pets based on the search query, and if it is estimated that the user owns multiple pets, it increases the frequency of content provision to above a predetermined threshold and provides content.

[0020] This information processing will be explained step by step. First, the information processing device 100 performs the same processing as steps S1 to S3 shown in Figure 1. Steps S1 to S3 are the same as the processing described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0021] Next, the information processing device 100 estimates whether the user owns multiple pets based on the search query (step S3-1). For example, if the information processing device 100 obtains a search query such as "dog pet food" followed by a search query such as "cat pet food" in step S1, it estimates that the user owns multiple pets. In this way, the information processing device 100 may estimate that the user owns multiple pets if the search query obtained from the user terminal 200 contains multiple words related to pets and shows signs of multiple pet ownership.

[0022] Next, the information processing device 100 performs the same process as steps S4 to S5 shown in Figure 1. Steps S4 to S5 are the same as the process described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0023] Next, the information processing device 100 provides the selected content (step S6-1). In this case, the information processing device 100 provides the selected content to the user terminal 200 at a frequency that exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, if the information processing device 100 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, it may increase the frequency of content provision from once a week to three times a week when providing content to the user terminal 200.

[0024] According to this, if it is estimated that a user owns multiple pets based on their search query, the frequency of content provision to the user can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can accurately provide content related to the user's pets.

[0025] [1-3. Other examples of information processing according to the embodiment] If the information processing device 100 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, it asks the user questions about pet information that includes at least one of the following: type and characteristics of each of the pets, and selects content to provide according to the pet information of each of the pets.

[0026] This information processing will be explained step by step. First, the information processing device 100 performs the same processing as steps S1 to S2 shown in Figure 1, and step S3-1 described above. Steps S1 to S2 and step S3-1 are the same as the processing described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0027] Next, if the information processing device 100 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, it asks the user questions about pet information, including at least one of the types and characteristics of each of the pets (step S3-2). That is, in step S3-1, if the information processing device 100 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, it may ask the user questions about pet information by displaying questions such as "Please tell us the types of your multiple pets," "Please tell us the age of each pet," or "Please tell us the gender of each pet" on the user terminal 200.

[0028] Next, the information processing device 100 performs the same process as in step S4 shown in Figure 1. Step S4 is the same as the process described above, so its explanation is omitted.

[0029] Next, the information processing device 100 selects content to provide according to the information of each of the pets being kept (step S5-1). For example, suppose the pet information received in step S4 indicates that the user keeps three pets: a 9-year-old male Papillon, a 6-year-old female Whippet, and a 12-year-old female Pekingese. In this case, the information processing device 100 selects content from the content stored in the content storage unit 123 to provide advertisements for insurance products designed for a 9-year-old Papillon, an advertisement for insurance products designed for a 6-year-old Whippet, and an advertisement for insurance products designed for a 12-year-old Pekingese.

[0030] Next, the information processing device 100 performs the same process as step S6 shown in Figure 1. Step S6 is the same as the process described above, so its explanation is omitted.

[0031] According to this, if it is presumed that a user owns multiple pets, the system can ask questions about the information of each pet, select content based on the information of each pet provided in the answers, and provide the selected content to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can accurately provide content related to the user's pets.

[0032] [2. Configuration of the Information Processing System] Next, the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment has an information processing device 100, a user terminal 200, a business terminal 300, and a network N. These configurations will be briefly described in order below.

[0033] The information processing device 100 may be, for example, a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a computer equipped with server functions. The information processing device 100 performs processing based on information transmitted via the network N from, for example, a user terminal 200 or a business terminal 300.

[0034] The user terminal 200 is an information processing device used by the user. The user terminal 200 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, desktop PC, notebook PC, mobile phone, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). In the example shown in Figure 1, the user terminal 200 is a smartphone.

[0035] The carrier terminal 300 is an information processing device used by the carrier. The carrier terminal 300 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, desktop PC, notebook PC, mobile phone, PDA, or other information processing device. In the example shown in Figure 1, the carrier terminal 300 is a notebook PC.

[0036] Network N connects the information processing device 100, the user terminal 200, and the service provider terminal 300 so that they can communicate with each other via wired or wireless connections. If Network N is wired, it may be implemented using Ethernet (registered trademark) as defined in IEEE 802.3. If Network N is wireless, it may be implemented using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) as defined in IEEE 802.11.

[0037] [3. Configuration of the Information Processing Device] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 100 will be explained using Figure 3.

[0038] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0039] (Regarding Communications Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) card, etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wired or wireless connection and transmits and receives information with the user terminal 200, etc.

[0040] (Regarding memory unit 120) The storage unit 120 includes a main memory and an external storage device. The main memory stores programs executed by the control unit 130, or data processed by the control unit 130. The main memory may be implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory. The external storage device stores data processed by the control unit 130. The external storage device may be implemented using, for example, a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), magnetic tape, or optical disc.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 120 includes a search query storage unit 121, a user information storage unit 122, and a content storage unit 123. These configurations will be described in detail below.

[0042] (Regarding the search query storage unit 121) The search query storage unit 121 stores information related to the search query. Here, an example of the information stored in the search query storage unit 121 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the information stored in the search query storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 4, the search query storage unit 121 stores information related to the items "User ID," "Search Query ID," and "Search Query" in an associated manner.

[0044] The "User ID" is an identifier that identifies a user and is represented by a string or number. The "Search Query ID" is an identifier that identifies a search query and is represented by a string or number. The "Search Query" refers to the data of the search query identified by the "Search Query ID".

[0045] In other words, Figure 4 shows that the search query "QUERY#1," identified by the search query ID "QID#1," entered by the user identified by the user ID "UID#1," is stored.

[0046] Furthermore, the information stored in the search query storage unit 121 is not limited to information related to the items "User ID," "Search Query ID," and "Search Query," but may also store any other information related to the search query.

[0047] (Regarding the user information storage unit 122) The user information storage unit 122 stores information about the user, i.e., user information. Here, an example of the information stored in the user information storage unit 122 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the information stored in the user information storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 5, the user information storage unit 122 stores information related to the following items: "User ID," "Date of Birth," "Gender," and "Occupation."

[0049] "User ID" is an identifier that identifies a user and is represented by a string of characters or a number. "Date of Birth" is information about the user's date of birth linked to the "User ID". "Gender" is information about the user's gender linked to the "User ID". "Occupation" is information about the user's occupation linked to the "User ID".

[0050] In other words, Figure 5 shows that the user identified by user ID "UID#1" has a date of birth of "Date of Birth#U1", a gender of "Female", and an occupation of "Occupation#U1".

[0051] Furthermore, the information stored in the user information storage unit 122 is not limited to information relating to the items "user ID," "date of birth," "gender," and "occupation," but may also store any other information related to the user.

[0052] (Regarding content storage unit 123) The content storage unit 123 stores the content received from the business terminal 300. Figure 6 shows an example of the information stored in the content storage unit of the information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0053] In the example shown in Figure 6, the content storage unit 123 stores information related to the following items: "Business Operator ID," "Content ID," "Content Data," and "Distribution Target Information," linked together.

[0054] "Business ID" is an identifier that identifies a business and is represented by a string of characters or a number. "Content ID" is an identifier that identifies content received from a business and is represented by a string of characters or a number. "Content Data" is the data of the content that the business wishes to distribute. "Distribution Target Information" is information that indicates the criteria for users to whom the business identified by the "Business ID" wishes to distribute the content identified by the "Content ID".

[0055] In other words, Figure 6 shows that content data indicated by content data "CD#1" is input to the business operator terminal 300, specifying the criteria for the target users indicated by distribution target information "DT#1", as content identified by content ID "CT#1", from the business operator indicated by business operator ID "MID#1", and is received by the information processing device 100 and stored in the content storage unit 123.

[0056] Furthermore, the content storage unit 123 is not limited to information relating to the items "business operator ID," "content ID," "content data," and "distribution target information," but may store any other information related to the content.

[0057] (Regarding the control unit 130) Next, returning to Figure 3, the control unit 130 will be described. The control unit 130 is a controller that controls the information processing device 100, and is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) reading various programs stored in the memory unit 120 of the information processing device 100 and executing them using RAM as the working area. The control unit 130 is a controller and may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 130 includes an acquisition unit 131, a query unit 132, an estimation unit 133, a reception unit 134, a selection unit 135, and a provision unit 136. The control unit 130 reads a program from the storage unit 120 and executes it using RAM as a working area, thereby realizing or executing the information processing functions and operations described below. These processes will be described in order below.

[0059] (Regarding acquisition section 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires the search query entered by the user. For example, the acquisition unit 131 may accept search queries entered by the user from the user terminal 200, such as "Pomeranian patellar luxation," "Munchkin intervertebral disc herniation," "LaPerm hairball disease," and "Korat kidney failure." Although search queries related to pets have been given as examples, the acquisition unit 131 is not limited to search queries related to pets and will acquire other search queries entered by the user. Once the acquisition unit 131 has acquired the search query entered by the user from the user terminal 200, it stores the acquired search query in the search query storage unit 121.

[0060] (Regarding question 132) The questioning unit 132 asks the user questions about pets when the search query is related to pets. That is, the questioning unit 132 stores the relationship between the search query and the question in the storage unit 120, and when it obtains a specific search query, it displays the question associated with that specific search query on the user terminal 200. For example, if the questioning unit 132 obtains the search query "dog pet", it may display the question "Do you own a Pomeranian?" on the user terminal 200 as a question about pets. Also, if the questioning unit 132 obtains the search query "dog hospital", it may display a question such as "How is your Pomeranian's health?". Note that the questions that the questioning unit 132 displays on the user terminal 200 are not limited to these, and it may display any other question to ask the user questions about pets.

[0061] The questioning unit 132, when the estimation unit 133 (described later) estimates that the user owns multiple pets, asks the user questions about pet information, including at least one of the types and characteristics of each of the pets. In other words, when the estimation unit 133 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, the questioning unit 132 may ask the user questions about pet information by displaying a question such as, "Please tell me the types of your multiple pets," or "What kind of pets are they?" on the user terminal 200.

[0062] (Regarding Estimation Section 133) The estimation unit 133 estimates whether the user owns multiple pets based on the search query. For example, if the acquisition unit 131 acquires a search query such as "dog pet food" and then acquires another search query such as "cat pet food," the estimation unit 133 estimates that the user owns multiple pets. In this way, the estimation unit 133 may estimate that the user owns multiple pets if the search query acquired from the user terminal 200 contains multiple words related to pets and shows signs of multiple pet ownership.

[0063] (Regarding reception desk 134) The reception unit 134 receives the user's answers to the questions about pets from the question unit 132. The reception unit 134 may display an input box for receiving answers to questions on the user terminal 200 and accept the answers entered by the user as text information as answers to the questions about pets. Alternatively, the reception unit 134 may display multiple answer options for the questions on the user terminal 200 and accept the option selected by the user from among the multiple options as the answer to the user's question.

[0064] (Regarding Selection Section 135) The selection unit 135 selects content to provide to the user based on the search query and the user's response received by the reception unit 134. For example, the selection unit 135 may select content based on the search query and the user's response by referring to the content stored in the content storage unit 123. For example, it may select content stored in the content storage unit 123 that is associated with the search query and the user's response. Specifically, if a search query is obtained that indicates "type of pet" in addition to "name of disease," content related to pet insurance advertisements may be selected. Furthermore, if the user's response to the question indicates that "the symptoms of the pet's disease are progressing," content related to veterinarians may be selected.

[0065] The selection unit 135 selects content to provide according to the information of each pet owned by the user. For example, suppose the pet information received by the reception unit 134 indicates that the user owns three pets: a 9-year-old male Papillon, a 6-year-old female Whippet, and a 12-year-old female Pekingese. In this case, the selection unit 135 selects content from the content stored in the content storage unit 123 to provide advertisements for insurance products designed for a 9-year-old Papillon, an advertisement for insurance products designed for a 6-year-old Whippet, and an advertisement for insurance products designed for a 12-year-old Pekingese.

[0066] (Regarding Section 136) The provisioning unit 136 provides the content selected by the selection unit 135 to the user terminal 200. For example, if the content is a video, the provisioning unit 136 provides the content to the user by outputting the video to the user terminal 200. If the content is audio, the provisioning unit 136 may provide the content to the user by outputting the audio of the content to the user terminal 200. If the content is text data, the provisioning unit 136 may provide the content to the user by displaying the text on the user terminal 200.

[0067] The content provision unit 136 increases the frequency of content provision to above a predetermined threshold when it is estimated that the user owns multiple pets. In this case, the content provision unit 136 increases the frequency of providing selected content to the user terminal 200 to above a predetermined threshold. For example, if the content provision unit 136 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, it may increase the frequency of content provision from once a week to three times a week and provide content to the user terminal 200.

[0068] [4. User terminal configuration] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 200 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the user terminal 200 has a communication unit 210, an input unit 220, an output unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0069] The communication unit 210 is implemented by, for example, a NIC, a wireless LAN card, etc. The communication unit 210 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing device 100 via the network N.

[0070] The input unit 220 receives various operation information from the user. For example, the input unit 220 may accept various operations from the user via a touch panel on a display surface (e.g., the output unit 230). Alternatively, the input unit 220 may accept various operations from buttons on the user terminal 200, or from a keyboard or mouse connected to the user terminal 200.

[0071] The output unit 230 is a display screen for a tablet terminal, for example, which is implemented using a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, if the input unit 220 of the user terminal 200 is a touch panel, the output unit 230, which is the display screen, accepts user input and also outputs to the user. The output unit 230 may also be a speaker, and may output sound through the speaker.

[0072] The control unit 240 is implemented, for example, by a CPU or MPU executing various programs stored in the user terminal 200 using RAM as a working area. Alternatively, the control unit 240 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 240 includes a reception unit 241.

[0074] The reception unit 241 receives user operations. For example, the reception unit 241 receives operations related to the user's access to a designated website. In addition, the reception unit 241 receives operations from the user such as clicking on links displayed on the website, typing text into text input boxes such as search engines, swiping on scroll bars, and selecting from multiple options.

[0075] [5. Configuration of the carrier terminal] Next, the configuration of the carrier terminal 300 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a carrier terminal according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the carrier terminal 300 has a communication unit 310, an input unit 320, an output unit 330, and a control unit 340.

[0076] The communication unit 310 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 310 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing device 100 via the network N.

[0077] The input unit 320 receives various operational information from the service provider. For example, the input unit 320 may receive various operations from the service provider via a keyboard or mouse connected to the service provider terminal 300. Alternatively, the input unit 320 may receive various operations from the service provider via a touch panel on a display surface (e.g., the output unit 330).

[0078] The output unit 330 is a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and is a display device for displaying various information. When the input unit 320 of the business terminal 300 receives various operations from the business operator via a touch panel, the output unit 330, which is the display screen, receives user input and also outputs to the user. The output unit 230 is a speaker and may output sound through the speaker.

[0079] The control unit 340 is implemented, for example, by a CPU or MPU executing various programs stored in the operator terminal 300 using RAM as a working area. Alternatively, the control unit 340 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0080] As shown in Figure 8, the control unit 340 has a receiving unit 341.

[0081] The reception unit 341 receives content from businesses. Content may include, for example, entertainment works such as movies, music, paintings, and plays, or advertisements related to pet insurance, pet funerals, pet food, etc. The reception unit 341 accepts content as data such as text, audio, still images, and moving images. In addition to the content data, the reception unit 341 may also accept distribution target information indicating information about the target audience for the content.

[0082] [6. Information Processing Flow] Next, the information processing procedure according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. The information processing procedure according to the embodiment will be described below in accordance with the flowchart shown in Figure 9.

[0083] First, the information processing device 100 obtains the search query entered by the user (step S101). Next, if the search query is related to pets, the information processing device 100 asks the user questions about pets (step S102). Then, the information processing device 100 receives the user's answers to the questions about pets (step S103). Then, the information processing device 100 selects content to provide to the user based on the search query and the user's answers (step S104). Finally, the information processing device 100 provides the selected content to the user terminal (step S105).

[0084] According to this, content can be selected based on search queries and answers to user questions, and the selected content can be provided to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing method and information processing program that can accurately provide content related to the user's pet.

[0085] [7. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0086] The arithmetic unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and the secondary storage device 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device that stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases, and is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc.

[0087] Output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010, which output various types of information such as monitors and printers. It is implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and scanners. It is implemented using, for example, USB.

[0088] The input device 1020 may also be a device that reads information from, for example, an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory stick.

[0089] Network IF1080 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to the arithmetic unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic unit 1030 to other devices via network N.

[0090] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0091] For example, when a computer 1000 functions as an information processing device 100, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto the primary storage device 1040, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 130 of the information processing device 100.

[0092] [8. Structure and Effects] The information processing device 100 relating to this disclosure includes: an acquisition unit 131 that acquires a search query entered by a user; an inquiry unit 132 that asks the user questions about pets if the search query is related to pets; an acceptance unit 134 that receives the user's answers to the questions about pets from the inquiry unit 132; a selection unit 135 that selects content to provide to the user based on the search query and the user's answers received by the acceptance unit 134; and a provision unit 136 that provides the content selected by the selection unit 135 to the user terminal 200.

[0093] This configuration allows for the selection of content based on search queries and answers to user questions, and then provides the selected content to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can accurately deliver content related to the user's pet.

[0094] The information processing device 100 relating to this disclosure further comprises an estimation unit 133 that estimates whether or not a user owns multiple pets based on a search query, and a provision unit 136 provides content by increasing the frequency of content provision to above a predetermined threshold when it is estimated that the user owns multiple pets.

[0095] This configuration allows for increased frequency of content delivery to users when it is estimated, based on their search queries, that they own multiple pets. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can accurately deliver content related to the user's pets.

[0096] The questioning unit 132 of the information processing device 100 relating to this disclosure, when the estimation unit 133 estimates that the user owns multiple pets, asks the user questions about pet information that includes at least one of the types and characteristics of each of the multiple pets, and the selection unit 135 selects content to provide according to the pet information of each of the multiple pets.

[0097] With this configuration, if it is estimated that a user owns multiple pets, the system can ask questions about the information of each pet, select content according to the information of each pet provided in the answers, and provide the selected content to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device 100 that can accurately provide content related to the user's pets.

[0098] The information processing method relating to this disclosure includes the steps of: obtaining a search query entered by a user; asking the user questions about pets if the search query is related to pets; receiving the user's answers to the questions about pets; selecting content to provide to the user based on the search query and the user's answers received; and providing the selected content to the user terminal 200.

[0099] This configuration allows for the selection of content based on search queries and answers to user questions, and then provides the selected content to the user. Therefore, it provides an information processing method that can accurately deliver content related to the user's pet.

[0100] The information processing program relating to this disclosure causes a computer to perform the following steps: to obtain a search query entered by a user; to ask the user questions about pets if the search query is related to pets; to receive the user's answers to the questions about pets; to select content to provide to the user based on the search query and the user's answers received; and to provide the selected content to the user terminal 200.

[0101] This configuration allows for the selection of content based on search queries and answers to user questions, and then provides the selected content to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing program that can accurately deliver content related to the user's pet.

[0102] Although embodiments of the present application have been described in detail based on the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms, including those described in the disclosure section of the invention, based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0103] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" mentioned above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit." For example, the acquisition unit 131 can be replaced with acquisition means or acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1. Information Processing System 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Search query storage unit 122 User information storage unit 123 Content Storage Unit 130 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Question Section 133 Estimation Department 134 Reception Department 135 Selection Department 136 Provision Department 200 user terminals 210 Communications Department 220 Input section 230 Output section 240 Control Unit 241 Reception Department 300 carrier terminals 310 Communications Department 320 Input section 330 Output section 340 Control Unit 341 Reception Department N Network

Claims

1. A retrieval unit that retrieves the search query entered by the user, If the aforementioned search query is a search query related to pets, the question section asks the user questions about pets, The reception area receives user responses to questions about pets from the aforementioned question section, A selection unit selects content to provide to the user from the content stored in association with the search query or the user's response, based on the search query and the user's response received by the reception unit. The selection unit provides the content selected by the selection unit to the user terminal, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. A method of information processing performed by a computer, Steps to obtain the search query entered by the user, If the aforementioned search query is related to pets, the step is to ask the user questions about pets. Steps for receiving user responses to questions about pets, A step of selecting content to provide to the user from content stored in association with the search query or the user's response, based on the search query and the user's response received. The steps include providing the selected content to the user's device, Information processing methods, including those mentioned above.

3. Steps to obtain the search query entered by the user, If the aforementioned search query is related to pets, the step is to ask the user questions about pets. Steps for receiving user responses to questions about pets, A step of selecting content to provide to the user from content stored in association with the search query or the user's response, based on the search query and the user's response received. The steps include providing the selected content to the user's device, An information processing program that causes a computer to execute something.

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