Approach destination extraction device

Abstract

[Problem] To extract an approach destination where high cost-effectiveness is expected, with a focus on the features of a product or a service, when a sales promotion activity of the product or the service is to be performed. [Solution] The present invention is characterized by comprising: a purchase information storage means that stores user identification information and first feature information indicating the features of a purchased product in association with each other; a target element acceptance means that accepts second feature information indicating the features of one product to be subjected to sales promotion measures; and a target extraction means that extracts the user identification information for identifying a user who has purchased the purchased product having, as a feature, the same first feature information identical to the second feature information.

Description

Approach Destination Extraction Apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for efficiently implementing sales promotion measures.

[0002] Business operators can earn profits by selling products and providing services to customers, thereby enabling their businesses to be sustainable. Accordingly, business operators are constantly concerned with how to increase opportunities for profit.

[0003] Against such a background, there is an idea that increasing loyalty to the company by providing benefits to customers thereby increases profit opportunities. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a privilege granting system that transmits notification information including a link to a campaign screen showing campaign guidance to a terminal device when it is determined that the user of the terminal device is a candidate extracted based on preset user attributes.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-173649

[0005] However, implementing sales promotion measures for customers incurs costs. Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional technology has a problem in that blindly executing sales promotion measures based on a customer database causes an enormous cost burden.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an approach destination extraction apparatus that extracts approach destinations expected to have high cost-effectiveness by focusing on the characteristics of products and services when conducting sales promotion activities for said products and services.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosed approach destination extraction apparatus comprises: purchase information storage means that stores user identification information in association with first feature information representing features of purchased products; target element reception means that receives second feature information representing features of one product that is a target of a sales promotion measure; and target extraction means that extracts said user identification information identifying a user who has purchased said purchased product having said first feature information identical to said second feature information as a feature.

[0008] The disclosed target extraction device extracts potential targets that offer a high return on investment when conducting sales promotion activities for a product or service, by focusing on the characteristics of that product or service.

[0009] This figure illustrates the overview of the approach destination extraction device according to this embodiment. This is a functional block diagram of the approach destination extraction device according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the purchase information storage means according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the similar range storage means according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the approach destination extraction device according to this embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of an example using the approach destination extraction device according to this embodiment.

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Operating principle of the approach destination extraction device according to this embodiment)

[0011] The operating principle of the approach destination extraction device (hereinafter simply referred to as "this device") 100 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between this device 100 and other devices, and Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of this device 100.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the device 100 is connected to a store terminal 280 via a communication network 270. The communication network 270 may be either wired or wireless. The store terminal 280 is a device that informs the device 100 of the sales status and inventory status of products sold in stores (including virtual stores), and may be, for example, a POS (Point of Sales) system. In this description, the term "product" includes the concept of services. As shown in Figure 2, the device 100 has a purchase information storage means 110, a similar range storage means 120, a target element receiving means 130, and a target extraction means 140.

[0013] The purchase information storage means 110 stores user identification information 220 that identifies the user (customer) 210, the purchased product 230, and first characteristic information 240 that represents the characteristics of the purchased product 230, in association with each other. The purchased product 230 is a concept that includes the purchased service. The first characteristic information 240 is information that represents the characteristics of the purchased product 230, such as the type of product, function, ingredients, and additives.

[0014] Figure 3 shows an example of the purchase information storage means 110. As shown in Figure 3, the purchase information storage means 110 stores, for example, user identification information 220: A, purchased product 230: laundry detergent, first characteristic information 240: powder detergent, aqua scent, contains bleach, new enzyme formulation, etc., in association with each other. Note that the purchased product 230 can also be considered as one form of the first characteristic information 240.

[0015] The similarity range storage means 120 stores a first feature information 240 and other first feature information 240 defined as similar to the first feature information 240 in association with each other. The similarity range storage means 120 stores information that defines the similarity range of the first feature information 240.

[0016] Figure 4 shows an example of the similarity range storage means 120. As shown in Figure 4, the similarity range storage means 120 stores, for example, a purchased product 230 (first characteristic information 240) such as "laundry detergent" in association with the first characteristic information 240 such as "powder detergent," "liquid detergent," and "gel ball detergent." This means that the purchased product 230 (first characteristic information 240) such as "laundry detergent" is defined as similar to the first characteristic information 240 such as "powder detergent," "liquid detergent," and "gel ball detergent."

[0017] Furthermore, the similarity range storage means 120 stores, for example, a first feature information 240 such as "liquid detergent" and another first feature information 240 such as "gel ball detergent" in association with each other. This is an example in which one first feature information 240 and another first feature information 240 defined as similar to that first feature information 240 are defined in a one-to-one relationship.

[0018] Furthermore, the similarity range storage means 120 stores, for example, one first feature information 240, "floral scent," in association with two other first feature information 240s, "aquatic scent" and "citrus scent." This is an example where one first feature information 240 and other first feature information 240s defined as similar to that first feature information 240 are defined in a one-to-many relationship.

[0019] The target element receiving means 130 receives second characteristic information 260 that represents the characteristics of the product 250 that is the target of the sales promotion measures. The second characteristic information 260 is information that has the same rules for identifying its content as the first characteristic information 240, and is information that represents the characteristics of the product 250, such as the type of product, function, ingredients, and additives. In the examples in Figures 3 and 4, the second characteristic information 260 is information such as "powder detergent," "liquid detergent," "gel ball detergent," "floral scent," "aqua scent," and "citrus scent."

[0020] The target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220 from the purchase information storage means 110 to identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 having the same first characteristic information 240 as the second characteristic information 260.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, if the second feature information 260 is "contains bleach," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "A" which identifies a user 210 who has purchased the purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "contains bleach." Also, if the second feature information 260 is "contains new enzyme," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "A," "B," "C," "E," and "F" which identify a user 210 who has purchased the purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "contains new enzyme."

[0022] Furthermore, the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220 from the purchase information storage means 110 to identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 that has first feature information 240 similar to the second feature information 260 as a feature. The first feature information 240 that is similar is defined in the similarity range storage means 120.

[0023] Therefore, the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220 that identifies users 210 who have purchased a purchased product 230, which is characterized by another first feature information 240 associated with the same first feature information 240 as the second feature information 260 in the similar range storage means 120. This process ensures that the quantity of targets approached in sales promotion activities is secured while maintaining the quality (high response rate can be expected) of the targets.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent", the first feature information 240 that is similar to it is "gel ball detergent". Therefore, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent", the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "C", "E" that identifies a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "gel ball detergent".

[0025] Similarly, if the second feature information 260 is "floral scent," then the first feature information 240 that is similar to it is "aquatic scent" and "citrus scent." Therefore, if the second feature information 260 is "floral scent," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "A," "B," and "C" that identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "aquatic scent" and "citrus scent."

[0026] Furthermore, the target extraction means 140 may also be configured to extract user identification information 220 that identifies users 210 who have purchased a predetermined number or more of purchased products 230 that are characterized by the same or similar first characteristic information 240 as the second characteristic information 260. This process makes it possible to extract target customers who can be expected to have a high response rate in sales promotion activities.

[0027] Furthermore, the first feature information 240 that is similar to the second feature information 260 refers to another first feature information 240 that is associated with the same first feature information 240 as the second feature information 260 in the similar range storage means 120.

[0028] Furthermore, consider the case where there are multiple second feature information 260s. In that case, the target extraction means 140 may extract user identification information 220 that identifies users 210 who have purchased a purchased product 230 that also possesses the same or similar first feature information 240 as features in each second feature information 260. This process makes it possible to extract target customers that can be approached with a high response rate expected in sales promotion activities.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent" and "floral scent," the similar first feature information 240 are "gel ball detergent," "aqua scent," and "citrus scent," respectively. Therefore, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent" and "floral scent," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "B," "C," and "F" that identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 that has the first feature information 240: "liquid detergent" or "gel ball detergent" as a feature, and also has the feature of "floral scent," "aqua scent," or "citrus scent."

[0030] Based on the above operating principle, when conducting sales promotion activities for a product or service 250, the device 100 can focus on the characteristics of the product or service 250 and extract potential target customers 220 that are expected to offer a high return on investment. (Hardware configuration of the target customer extraction device according to this embodiment)

[0031] An example of the hardware configuration of the device 100 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device 100. As shown in Figure 5, the device 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 510, ROM (Read-Only Memory) 520, RAM (Random Access Memory) 530, auxiliary storage device 540, communication I / F 550, input device 560, display device 570, and storage medium I / F 580.

[0032] The CPU 510 is a device that executes programs stored in the ROM 520. It processes data loaded into the RAM 530 according to program instructions and controls the entire device 100. The ROM 520 stores programs and data that the CPU 510 will execute. When the CPU 510 executes a program stored in the ROM 520, the RAM 530 loads the program and data to be executed and temporarily holds the calculation data during the calculation.

[0033] The auxiliary storage device 540 is a device that stores the operating system (OS), which is the basic software, and application programs according to this embodiment, along with related data. For example, it may include a purchase information storage means 110 and a similar range storage means 120. The auxiliary storage device 540 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory.

[0034] The communication interface 550 is an interface for exchanging data with other devices (such as POS systems) 280 that provide communication functions, by connecting to a communication network 270 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0035] The input device 560 is a device for inputting data into the main device 100, such as a keyboard. The display device (output device) 570 is a device consisting of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and functions as a user interface when the user uses the functions of the main device 100 or makes various settings. The storage medium I / F 580 is an interface for sending and receiving data with storage media 590 such as CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and USB memory.

[0036] Each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the CPU 510 executing a program corresponding to each means stored in the ROM 520 or auxiliary storage device 540. Alternatively, each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the processing related to each means being implemented as hardware. Alternatively, the program according to the present invention may be read from an external server device via the communication I / F 550, or read from a storage medium 590 via the storage medium I / F 580, and the device 100 may execute the program. (Example of processing by the approach target extraction device according to this embodiment) The flow of a processing example by this device 100 will be explained using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a processing example by this device 100.

[0037] In S10, the target element receiving means 130 receives second characteristic information 260 that represents the characteristics of the product 250 that is the target of the sales promotion measures. The second characteristic information 260 is information that has the same rules for identifying its content as the first characteristic information 240, and is information that represents the characteristics of the product 250, such as the type of product, function, ingredients, and additives. In the examples in Figures 3 and 4, the second characteristic information 260 is information such as "powder detergent", "liquid detergent", "gel ball detergent", "floral scent", "aqua scent", and "citrus scent".

[0038] In S20, the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220 from the purchase information storage means 110 to identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 having the same first feature information 240 as the second feature information 260.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, if the second feature information 260 is "contains bleach," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "A" which identifies a user 210 who has purchased the purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "contains bleach." Also, if the second feature information 260 is "contains new enzyme," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "A," "B," "C," "E," and "F" which identify a user 210 who has purchased the purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "contains new enzyme."

[0040] Furthermore, in S20, the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220 from the purchase information storage means 110 to identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 that has first feature information 240 similar to the second feature information 260. The first feature information 240 that is similar is defined in the similarity range storage means 120.

[0041] Therefore, the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220 that identifies users 210 who have purchased a purchased product 230, which is characterized by another first feature information 240 associated with the same first feature information 240 as the second feature information 260 in the similar range storage means 120. This process ensures that the quantity of targets approached in sales promotion activities is secured while maintaining the quality (high response rate can be expected) of the targets.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent", the first feature information 240 that is similar to it is "gel ball detergent". Therefore, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent", the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "C", "E" that identifies a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "gel ball detergent".

[0043] Similarly, if the second feature information 260 is "floral scent," then the first feature information 240 that is similar to it is "aquatic scent" and "citrus scent." Therefore, if the second feature information 260 is "floral scent," the target extraction means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "A," "B," and "C" that identify a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 characterized by the first feature information 240: "aquatic scent" and "citrus scent."

[0044] Further, in S20, the target extracting means 140 may extract user identification information 220 that identifies a user 210 who has purchased a predetermined number or more of purchased products 230 each having, as a feature, first feature information 240 that is identical or similar to second feature information 260. This process makes it possible to extract target candidates for which a high response rate can be expected in sales promotion activities.

[0045] Further, assume a case where a plurality of pieces of second feature information 260 exist in S20. In this case, the target extracting means 140 may extract user identification information 220 that identifies a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 having, as combined features, first feature information 240 that is identical or similar to each piece of second feature information 260. This process makes it possible to extract target candidates for which a high response rate can be expected in sales promotion activities.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent" and "floral scent", the similar first feature information 240 is "gel ball detergent", "aquatic scent", and "citrus scent", respectively. Accordingly, when the second feature information 260 is "liquid detergent" and "floral scent", the target extracting means 140 extracts user identification information 220: "B", "C", "F" that identifies a user 210 who has purchased a purchased product 230 having, as a feature, first feature information 240: "liquid detergent" or "gel ball detergent" and also having, as a feature, "floral scent", "aquatic scent", or "citrus scent".

[0047] Through the above-described processing, when the present apparatus 100 performs a sales promotion activity for a product / service 250, the apparatus 100 can focus on the features of the product / service 250 and extract target candidates 220 for which high cost effectiveness can be expected.

[0048] The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described herein, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims.

[0049] 100 Approach target extraction device 110 Purchase information storage means 120 Similar range storage means 130 Target element receiving means 140 Target extraction means 210 User (customer) 220 User identification information 230 Purchased product (including service) 240 First characteristic information 250 Product (including service) targeted by sales promotion measures 260 Second characteristic information 270 Communication network 280 POS (Point of Sales) system, etc. 510 CPU 520 ROM 530 RAM 540 Auxiliary storage device 550 Communication interface 560 Input device 570 Output device 580 Storage medium interface 590 Storage medium

Claims

1. An approach target extraction device characterized by comprising: a purchase information storage means that stores user identification information and first characteristic information representing the characteristics of a purchased product in association; a target element receiving means that receives second characteristic information representing the characteristics of a product that is the target of a sales promotion measure; and a target extraction means that extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product having the same first characteristic information as the second characteristic information.

2. The approach target extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product having the first characteristic information similar to the second characteristic information as a feature.

3. The approach target extraction device according to claim 2, comprising a similarity range storage means for storing in association a first feature information and other first feature information defined as similar to the first first feature information, wherein the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product, the other first feature information having as a feature the same as the second feature information, in the similarity range storage means.

4. The approach target extraction device according to claim 3, characterized in that the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased a predetermined number or more of the purchased product having the same or similar first characteristic information as the second characteristic information.

5. When there are multiple second feature information items, the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product, which is also characterized by having the same or similar first feature information as each of the second feature information items.

6. A computer equipped with a purchase information storage means that stores user identification information and first characteristic information representing the characteristics of a purchased product in association, comprising: a step of a target element receiving means receiving second characteristic information representing the characteristics of a product that is the target of a sales promotion measure; and a step of a target extraction means extracting user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product having the same first characteristic information as the second characteristic information.

7. The approach target extraction method according to claim 6, characterized in that the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product having the first characteristic information similar to the second characteristic information as a feature.

8. The approach target extraction method according to claim 7, wherein the computer includes similarity range storage means for storing in association one of the first feature information and other first feature information defined as similar to the one first feature information, and the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product, which is characterized in the other first feature information associated with the same first feature information as the second feature information in the similarity range storage means.

9. The approach target extraction method according to claim 8, characterized in that the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased a predetermined number or more of the purchased products having the same or similar first characteristic information as the second characteristic information.

10. The approach target extraction method according to 8, characterized in that, when there are multiple second feature information items, the target extraction means extracts user identification information that identifies a user who has purchased the purchased product, which also includes the same or similar first feature information as a feature in each of the second feature information items.

11. An approach target extraction program for causing a computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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