JP7204605B2 - Provision device, provision method and provision program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a provision device, a provision method, and a provision program.

In online shopping, a store that operates a shopping site distributes an electronic coupon to a user, and when the user purchases a product on the site of this store, the product is sold by applying the electronic coupon and discounting the product. promotion is taking place. However, when many stores distribute electronic coupons, the number of electronic coupons acquired by users also increases, and the management thereof becomes complicated.

In order to avoid this, in Patent Document 1 below, when a user purchases a product in online shopping, an electronic coupon already possessed by the user is displayed on the order screen along with information on whether or not it can be used for the purchased product. do. Thereby, the user can select and use the electronic coupon that can be used for the purchased product from the electronic coupons that the user has.

JP 2012-27739 A

However, there are cases where it cannot be said that the above-described technology allows coupons to be used efficiently.

For example, there are various types of electronic coupons, such as those with limited target products or limited stores, and those that cannot be used in combination with other electronic coupons. For this reason, it becomes complicated to determine what kind of electronic coupon should be used and how, and in some cases the electronic coupon is not actively used.

The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to allow users to use coupons efficiently.

A provision device according to the present application includes a specification unit that specifies a combination of available coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user, based on information on transaction targets that the user puts into a virtual cart in an electronic shopping mall. and purchase target information, which is information on the transaction target entered into the virtual cart, and coupon information indicating a combination of the coupons specified by the specifying unit. and a providing unit for providing the user with purchased content for purchase.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, there is an effect that the user can efficiently use the coupon.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of provision processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual cart screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of selected content according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing apparatus according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction target database according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon database according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user database according to the embodiment; FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of provision processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of the information providing apparatus.

Embodiments for implementing the providing apparatus, providing method, and providing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the provision device, the provision method, and the provision program according to the present application are not limited by this embodiment. Also, in each of the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[1. embodiment]
Information processing realized by the providing apparatus and the like of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 to 3, provision processing according to the embodiment is realized by the information provision device 10, which is an example of the provision device according to the present embodiment.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the information providing system 1 has an information providing device 10 and a terminal device 100. FIG. The information providing device 10 and the terminal device 100 are communicably connected by wire or wirelessly via a predetermined communication network (not shown). The information providing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include multiple information providing devices 10 and multiple terminal devices 100 .

The information providing device 10 is a server device that provides services related to the online shopping mall (mall) to users and administrators of stores that open stores in the online shopping mall. The information providing device 10 communicates with the terminal device 100 used by the user and the store terminal used by the manager of the store via a predetermined communication network (not shown). For example, the information providing device 10 receives transaction target information (for example, transaction target name, image, price, shipping fee, inventory quantity, etc.) related to the transaction target sold by the store on the online shopping mall from the store terminal, to manage.

In addition, the information providing device 10 is a coupon provided by a manager of a store, etc., and can be used only for a transaction target sold at the store (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "store coupon"). Coupon information (for example, transaction targets to which the coupon is applied, application conditions, whether or not the coupon can be used in combination with other coupons, etc.) is received from the store terminal and managed in the storage unit. In addition, the information providing device 10 is a coupon provided by an administrator or the like of the online shopping mall, and is not limited to a specific store, and can be used at each store that opens in the online shopping mall (hereinafter referred to as a "coupon"). , may be described as "electronic shopping mall coupon") is managed in the storage unit.

Note that the information providing apparatus 10 may manage coupons whose application condition is the use of different stores. For example, the information providing device 10 manages coupon information regarding coupons applied when a user purchases a predetermined transaction object at a first store and a second store different from the first store. do. The information providing apparatus 10 also manages various types of information (for example, history of actions in the online shopping mall, coupons acquired by users, etc.) regarding users who use the online shopping mall in the storage unit.

In addition, the information providing apparatus 10 may be a server that distributes the application data itself related to the electronic shopping mall. Further, the information providing device 10 may function as a distribution device that distributes control information to the terminal device 100 and store terminals. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) or a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). It should be noted that the application itself relating to the electronic shopping mall distributed from the information providing device 10 may be regarded as the control information.

The terminal device 100 is an information processing device used by a user. The terminal device 100 is implemented by, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. For example, the terminal device 100 displays information provided (distributed) by the information providing device 10 by accessing the information providing device 10 according to the user's operation, using a web browser or an application. Further, when the terminal device 100 receives from the information providing device 10 the control information for realizing the display processing of the information distributed by the information providing device 10, the terminal device 100 realizes the display processing according to the control information.

The providing process performed by the information providing apparatus 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of provision processing according to the embodiment. In the following description, the terminal device 100 is a smart device used by the user U, such as a smart phone or a tablet. Also, in the following description, the terminal device 100 has an output unit such as a liquid crystal display (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a screen) and adopts a touch panel. That is, the user U1 performs various operations of the terminal device 100 by touching the display surface of the output unit with a finger or a dedicated pen. Also, in the following description, it is assumed that the information providing device 10 has already provided content related to the online shopping mall in response to access from the terminal device 100 .

First, the information providing device 10 receives an input operation for inputting a transaction object into the virtual cart (step S1). For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the information providing device 10 receives query information input by the user U1 from the terminal device 100, and puts a transaction object corresponding to the received query information into a virtual cart on the electronic shopping mall. The terminal device 100 is provided with an input screen C1 for the purpose. As shown in FIG. 1, the input screen C1 includes an area for displaying transaction target information (transaction target information corresponding to transaction target #1 in the example of FIG. 1) and an input operation for inputting the transaction target into the virtual cart. Includes an input button B for doing so.

Each transaction object put into the virtual cart may be sold at a different store.

In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 displays the input screen C1 provided from the information providing device 10 on the screen, and accepts the user U's touch operation on the input button B, thereby inputting the transaction object into the virtual cart. Information on #1 (for example, identification information for identifying transaction object #1) is transmitted to the information providing device 10 .

Subsequently, the information providing device 10 puts the transaction object into the virtual cart by associating the transaction object with the virtual cart of the user U1 (step S2). For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the information providing device 10 associates the transaction target corresponding to the information transmitted from the terminal device 100 in step S1 with the virtual cart of the user U1 on the electronic shopping mall.

Subsequently, the terminal device 100 requests a virtual cart screen (step S3). For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 accepts from the user U1 a predetermined operation for displaying the transaction objects put into the virtual cart on the screen displaying the content related to the electronic shopping mall, and A screen provision request is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 10 .

Subsequently, the information providing device 10 identifies available coupons for each virtual cart transaction object, and identifies the combination of coupons that provides the maximum discount amount from among the identified coupon combinations (step S4). . For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the information providing device 10, in response to a virtual cart screen provision request transmitted from the terminal device 100, collects available coupons for each transaction object put into the virtual cart of the user U1. identify. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 10 provides a coupon that has already been acquired by the user U1 and that can be used for the transaction object that has been put into the virtual cart, and a coupon that the user U1 has To identify coupons that have not been acquired and that can be used for transaction objects that have been put into the virtual cart. Then, the information providing apparatus 10 sets the conditions under which the coupon is applied (for example, the total amount of the price and shipping fee of the transaction object put in the virtual cart (total purchase amount), the quantity of the transaction object purchased, etc.), and other conditions. All combinations of coupons that can be used at the same time are identified based on whether or not they can be used together with coupons, and the combination of coupons with the maximum discount amount is identified from among the identified combinations of coupons. In the example of FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 10 selects coupons #1-2 and #2-3 already acquired by user U1, and It is assumed that a combination CG including coupon #3-1, etc., which is not available, is specified as the combination of coupons that maximizes the discount amount.

Subsequently, the information providing device 10 generates a virtual cart screen including coupon information indicating the specified combination CG of coupons and transaction target information (step S5). For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 10 provides coupon information corresponding to each coupon included in the combination CG, transaction object information corresponding to the transaction object put into the virtual cart, the quantity to be purchased of the transaction object, A virtual cart screen C2 is generated that includes the total purchase amount, the total purchase amount (discount amount) when using each coupon included in the combination CG, and the like.

Subsequently, the information providing device 10 provides the generated virtual cart screen C2 to the terminal device 100 (step S6).

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the process of providing the virtual cart screen C2 that allows the user U1 to receive an operation to acquire a coupon that has not been acquired will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual cart screen according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 2, the virtual cart screen C2 is provided from the information providing device 10 to the terminal device 100, and the virtual cart screen C2 is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 100. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information providing device 10 provides the terminal device 100 with a virtual cart screen C2 including a button CIB for acquiring coupon #3-1 that the user U1 has not acquired. . Then, the information providing device 10, according to the information about the coupon #3-1 (for example, the identification information for identifying the coupon #3-1) transmitted from the terminal device 100 in response to the selection operation of the button CIB, the coupon # 3-1 and user U1 are linked.

Further, the information providing device 10 provides the terminal device 100 with the coupon information of the coupon #3-1 including information indicating that the user U1 has obtained the coupon #3-1, and displays the provided coupon information on the virtual cart screen. Control to display in area AR1 on C2.

Note that, when a predetermined condition is set for obtaining the coupon #3-1, the information providing device 10 may provide the terminal device 100 with content according to the set condition. For example, when viewing a campaign page is required to acquire coupon #3-1, the information providing device 10 provides the campaign page to the terminal device 100 in response to the selection operation of the button CIB. Further, for example, when it is necessary to input code information such as a campaign code or a coupon code to acquire coupon #3-1, the information providing device 10 inputs the code information to the terminal device 100 according to the selection operation of the button CIB. provide content for

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the process of providing selected content that enables selection of usable coupons from user U1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of selected content according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, the virtual cart screen C2 is provided from the information providing device 10 to the terminal device 100, and the virtual cart screen C2 is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 100. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information providing device 10 provides the terminal device 100 with a virtual cart screen C2 including a button CB for performing an operation for instructing change of the coupon to be used. Then, the information providing device 10 receives a request for providing selected content transmitted from the terminal device 100 in response to the selection operation of the button CB.

Here, in the example of FIG. 3, the information providing apparatus 10, in response to the request for provision of the selected content, selects a coupon that has already been obtained by the user U1 and that can be used for the transaction object that has been put into the virtual cart. identify. Then, the information providing device 10 provides the terminal device 100 with the selected content generated based on the coupon information corresponding to the specified coupon, and controls to display the provided selected content in the area AR2 on the virtual cart screen C2. . As shown in FIG. 3, the selected content includes coupon information corresponding to each specified coupon and a check box for user U1 to select whether or not to use each coupon. Then, the information providing device 10 provides the terminal device 100 with a virtual cart screen C2 in which the coupon information and the discount amount are updated based on the coupon selected by the user in the selected content.

The information providing device 10 is a coupon corresponding to the transaction object put into the virtual cart. Selected content may be provided that includes unsatisfied coupons. Then, when the user U1 selects a coupon that does not meet the conditions for applying the coupon in the selected content, the information providing device 10 notifies that the total purchase amount or the quantity to be purchased for the transaction object is insufficient. I will provide a.

As described above, the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment provides coupons that have already been acquired by the user and that can be used for transaction objects that have been put into the virtual cart, as well as coupons that have not been acquired by the user. Among coupons (in other words, coupons that users can acquire) that can be used for transaction objects inserted in the virtual cart, the combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user is specified and provided to the user. can do. That is, the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment does not require the user to make a complicated judgment as to which coupon is most suitable for use, and the user can enjoy the benefits of using the coupon. can be used efficiently.

[2. Configuration of Information Providing Device]
Next, the configuration of the information providing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing apparatus according to the embodiment; As shown in FIG. 4 , the information providing device 10 has a communication section 20 , a storage section 30 and a control section 40 .

(Regarding communication unit 20)
The communication unit 20 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. The communication unit 20 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 100, the settlement server 200, and the like.

Here, the payment server 200 shown in FIG. 4 is a server device that controls the payment processing of charges incurred when a user purchases a transaction object in the online shopping mall-related service provided by the information providing device 10 . For example, the settlement server 200 receives, from the information providing device 10, a billing amount for a user who purchased a transaction target in the online shopping mall and a payment amount to the store in the online shopping mall. Then, the settlement server 200 accepts settlement of the billed amount from the user and settles the payment amount to the store. Note that the settlement server 200 may control settlement processing using, for example, a credit card, electronic settlement, or the like, in addition to the settlement processing using cash. Also, the settlement server 200 may be a server of a bank, a server of an Internet bank, or the like.

(Regarding storage unit 30)
The storage unit 30 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG. 4 , the storage unit 30 has a transaction target database 31 , a coupon database 32 and a user database 33 .

(Regarding transaction target database 31)
The transaction target database 31 stores transaction target information related to transaction targets (products) that the store sells on the online shopping mall. Here, an example of transaction target information stored in the transaction target database 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction target database according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 5, the transaction target database 31 has items such as "product ID", "product name", "store ID", and "price".

"Product ID" indicates identification information for identifying the product. "Product name" indicates the name of the product. "Store ID" indicates identification information for identifying a store opened in the online shopping mall. "Price" indicates the price of the product.

That is, in FIG. 5, the store identified by the store ID "store #1" in the online shopping mall is identified by the product ID "product #1" and sells the product with the product name "dress" and the price "14000 yen". Give an example of what you sell.

(Regarding coupon database 32)
The coupon database 32 contains store coupons that can be used only for transaction objects sold at predetermined stores, and electronic shopping mall coupons that can be used at each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall without being limited to a specific store. store coupon information about Here, an example of coupon information stored in the coupon database 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon database according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, the coupon database 32 has items such as "coupon ID", "store ID", "coupon target product", "application condition", "discount rate", "combination information", and "display setting". .

"Coupon ID" indicates identification information for identifying a coupon. "Shop ID" indicates identification information for identifying a shop where the coupon can be used. In the example of FIG. 6, when information such as "store #1" and "store #3" is stored in the item "store ID", it indicates that the corresponding coupon is a store coupon. Also, when information such as "all stores" is stored in the item "store ID", it indicates that the corresponding coupon is an online shopping mall coupon.

"Coupon target product" indicates a product to which the coupon is applied. "Applicable condition" indicates the condition under which the coupon is applied, and stores information such as the total purchase amount of the product, the quantity of the product purchased, and the like. "Discount rate" indicates the discount rate of the product when the coupon is applied. In addition, the benefits that users can obtain when coupons are applied are not limited to product discounts. You may set as profit which a user can obtain when a coupon is applied.

"Combination information" indicates whether the coupon can be used in combination with other coupons. “Display setting” is information indicating whether or not the coupon is to be displayed in the purchase content (virtual cart screen C2 in the example of FIG. 1), and is set by the coupon provider, for example.

That is, in FIG. 6, the coupon identified by the coupon ID "coupon #1" selects the products "product #1, product #2, product #3, ..." of the store identified by the store ID "store #1". The coupon can be used as a target, the discount rate "30% discount" is applied when "purchasing 2 or more items", the coupon cannot be used in combination with other coupons, and it is subject to display in the purchased content. Here are some examples:

(Regarding the user database 33)
The user database 33 stores various information about users. An example of information stored in the user database 33 will now be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user database according to the embodiment; In the example of FIG. 7, the user database 33 has items such as "user ID", "user information", "acquired coupon", and "virtual cart".

"User ID" indicates identification information for identifying a user. "User information" indicates the usage history of the user in the electronic shopping mall, attribute information of the user, and the like. "Acquired coupon" indicates a coupon already acquired by the user. "Virtual cart" indicates the products that the user puts into the virtual cart.

That is, in FIG. 7, the user information of the user identified by the user ID "UID #1" indicates "user information #1", "coupon #3" has already been acquired, and " Product #1, Product #3, . . . ” are introduced.

(Regarding the control unit 40)
The control unit 40 is a controller. For example, various programs stored in a storage device inside the information providing apparatus 10 are controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like, and the RAM is used as a work area. It is realized by executing as Also, the control unit 40 is a controller, and is implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 40 according to the embodiment includes a management unit 41, a specifying unit 42, a providing unit 43, and a settlement unit 44, and performs information processing functions and actions described below. Realize or carry out.

(Regarding the management section 41)
The management unit 41 performs various types of management in the electronic shopping mall. For example, in the example of FIG. 1 , the management unit 41 receives transaction target information related to the transaction target that the store sells on the online shopping mall from the store terminal, and stores it in the transaction target database 31 . In addition, the management unit 41 stores coupon information of coupons provided by the manager of the store or the manager of the electronic shopping mall in the coupon database 32 . The management unit 41 also collects various types of information about users who use the online shopping mall and stores the information in the user database 33 . In addition, the management unit 41 associates the information about the transaction object to be put into the virtual cart, which is transmitted from the terminal device 100 , with the virtual cart of the user U<b>1 on the online shopping mall, and stores the information in the user database 33 .

Further, for example, in the example of FIG. 2, when the user U1 performs an acquisition operation to acquire a coupon that the user U1 has not acquired on the virtual cart screen C2, the management unit 41 associates the coupon with the user U1. , is stored in the user database 33 .

(Regarding the specifying part 42)
The identification unit 42 identifies a combination of available coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user, based on the information on the transaction objects that the user puts into the virtual cart in the online shopping mall. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the identification unit 42 refers to the coupon database 32 and the user database 33, and selects the discount amount among the combinations of coupons that can be used for each transaction object that has been put into the virtual cart of the user U1. Identify the combination of coupons that maximizes .

Further, when the user changes the number of transaction targets to be purchased in the purchase content, the specifying unit 42 may specify a new combination of coupons based on the changed transaction target information. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when the user U1 performs an operation to change the quantity to purchase the transaction object put into the virtual cart or delete the transaction object put into the virtual cart on the virtual cart screen C2. , the specifying unit 42 specifies a new combination of coupons based on the information of the transaction object changed according to the operation content.

In addition, the identification unit 42 identifies a coupon for each transaction object placed in the virtual cart, and identifies a combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user based on the application conditions of the identified coupon. You may For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the specifying unit 42 determines the coupons that the user U1 has acquired and that can be used for the transaction objects put into the virtual cart, and the coupons that the user U1 has not acquired. Coupons that can be used for transaction objects put into the virtual cart are specified, and a combination of coupons that maximizes the discount amount is specified based on the conditions under which the coupons are applied.

In addition, the identification unit 42 identifies all combinations of coupons that can be used at the same time, which are combinations of coupons for each transaction target, and identifies the combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user from among the identified combinations. may For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the identification unit 42 identifies coupons that can be used for the transaction object that has been put into the virtual cart, and based on the conditions under which the coupons are applied and whether or not they can be used in combination with other coupons. Then, all the combinations of coupons that can be used at the same time are specified, and the combination of coupons with the maximum discount amount is specified from among the specified combinations of coupons.

Further, the specifying unit 42 may specify a combination among coupons set to display purchased content among the coupons. For example, the identification unit 42 refers to the coupon database 32 and identifies a combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user from coupons for which "possible" is stored in the "display setting" item.

Further, the specifying unit 42 may specify a combination from coupons set to display purchased content and coupons already acquired by the user among coupons not set. good. For example, the specifying unit 42 refers to the coupon database 32 to specify a coupon for which "possible" is stored in the "display setting" item, and refers to the user database 33 to store the coupon in the "acquired coupon" item. Identify the coupons that are offered, and identify the combination of these coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user.

Further, the specifying unit 42 may specify a combination of coupons that gives the largest discount amount when all the transaction objects put into the virtual cart are purchased. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the identifying unit 42 identifies a combination of coupons that maximizes the discount amount.

The identifying unit 42 may also identify a combination of coupons that maximizes the sum of the discount amount and the total amount of points provided to the user when the coupon is used. For example, the specifying unit 42 provides points according to the total purchase amount after a coupon that provides a predetermined point to the user is discounted by using another coupon, or provides a discount by using another coupon. Considering whether points will be provided according to the total purchase amount before the purchase, etc. Identify the combination of coupons that has the highest sum with the amount corresponding to the money).

(Regarding the providing unit 43)
The provision unit 43 distributes content including purchase target information, which is information on the transaction target entered into the virtual cart, and coupon information indicating the combination of coupons specified by the specifying unit 42 to the transaction target entered into the virtual cart. provided to users as purchase content for purchasing For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the providing unit 43 provides coupon information corresponding to each coupon included in the combination CG specified by the specifying unit 42, transaction target information corresponding to the transaction target put into the virtual cart, transaction The terminal device 100 is provided with a virtual cart screen C2 including the quantity of objects to be purchased, the total purchase price, the total purchase price when each coupon included in the combination CG is applied, and the like.

Further, the providing unit 43 may provide, as purchased content, content capable of controlling the number of transaction targets to be purchased. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, a virtual cart screen C2 is provided that enables control (change) of the purchase quantity of transaction objects put into the virtual cart according to the operation of the user U1.

Further, the providing unit 43 may provide purchased content including coupon information indicating a newly specified combination of coupons. For example, when the identification unit 42 identifies a new combination of coupons in response to a change in the quantity of transaction targets to be purchased for purchase content, the provision unit 43 selects purchase content including the new combination of coupons. offer.

In addition, the providing unit 43 may provide, as purchased content, content that can accept an operation for acquiring a coupon that the user has not acquired as coupon information. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the providing unit 43 provides the terminal device 100 with a virtual cart screen C2 that can accept an acquisition operation for acquiring a coupon that the user U1 has not acquired.

In addition, when receiving a predetermined operation from the user via purchased content, the providing unit 43 may further provide selected content for receiving selection of a coupon that can be used by the user. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the providing unit 43 provides the selected content to the terminal device 100 when receiving an operation instructing a change of the coupon to be used via the virtual cart screen C2.

Further, the providing unit 43 may provide selected content in which information on coupons available to the user is arranged in a predetermined order. For example, the providing unit 43 provides selection content that preferentially displays information on coupons whose transaction target information that the user puts into the virtual cart satisfies the application conditions.

In addition, the providing unit 43 provides selected content in which the coupons that can be used by the user are arranged in order according to the discount amount, the end date and time of the period during which the coupon can be used, and whether or not the shipping fee is free. good too. For example, the providing unit 43 provides selected content in which coupon information is arranged in descending order of discount amount. Further, for example, the providing unit 43 provides selected content in which coupon information is arranged in ascending order of the period until the end date and time of the available period. Also, for example, the providing unit 43 provides selected content that preferentially displays information on coupons that offer free shipping.

In addition, the providing unit 43 provides selected content indicating information about coupons including coupons related to transaction objects that the user has put into the virtual cart and for which the conditions regarding the total purchase amount or the purchase quantity among the applicable conditions are not satisfied. may provide. For example, the providing unit 43 provides conditions for applying the coupon, such as the total purchase amount of the transaction object inserted in the virtual cart and the quantity of the transaction object purchased, which is a coupon corresponding to the transaction object inserted in the virtual cart. Offer selected content that includes coupons that have not been fulfilled. When a selection of a coupon that does not meet the conditions for applying the coupon is accepted via the selected content, the information providing device 10 notifies that the total purchase amount or the quantity to be purchased of the transaction object is insufficient. I will provide a.

Further, when a new coupon is selected through the selected content, the providing unit 43 may provide purchased content including coupon information indicating the selected coupon. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, when a new coupon is selected via the selected content, the providing unit 43 replaces the coupon included in the combination CG with a virtual cart containing coupon information corresponding to the selected coupon. The screen C2 is provided to the terminal device 100. FIG.

(Regarding the payment unit 44)
The payment unit 44 performs payment using a combination of coupons indicated by the coupon information when the user performs an operation for purchasing the transaction target in the purchase content provided by the provision unit 43 . For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when the purchase operation of the transaction object put into the virtual cart is accepted via the virtual cart screen C2, the settlement unit 44 determines the purchase price when each coupon included in the combination CG is applied. The settlement server 200 is notified of the total amount as the amount billed to the user U1. In addition, the settlement unit 44 notifies the settlement server 200 of the amount to be paid to each store that sells the transaction object placed in the virtual cart.

[3. Provision processing flow]
Here, the procedure of the provision processing of the information provision device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of provision processing according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information providing device 10 identifies the transaction object put into the virtual cart (step S101). Subsequently, the information providing device 10 identifies all coupons that apply to the identified transaction object (step S102). Subsequently, the information providing device 10 identifies a combination of coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user from among all available combinations of the identified coupons (step S103). For example, the information providing device 10 identifies a combination of coupons with the largest discount amount.

Subsequently, the information providing apparatus 10 generates purchase content indicating the information of the transaction target put into the virtual cart and the specified combination of coupons (step S104). Subsequently, the information providing device 10 provides the generated purchased content (step S105), and terminates the process.

[4. Modification]
The above-described embodiment is an example, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[4-1. About transaction target]
In the above-described embodiment, the identification unit 42 identifies a combination of coupons that can be used for products sold by a store in an electronic shopping mall, and identifies a combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user. The transaction object to be provided is not limited to such an example. For example, the specifying unit 42 may select a coupon that can be used when a user makes a facility reservation (for example, a trip, an accommodation facility, a restaurant, etc.) or when a user receives services at a service facility or a user's base. Among them, a combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user may be identified.

[4-2. About coupon combinations]
In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the identification unit 42 identifies a combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user, among available combinations of coupons, but the combination of coupons is not limited to such an example. For example, the specifying unit 42 selects coupons that can be used by the user and whose period until the end of the usable period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 3 days or 1 week). The combination that provides the greatest benefit to the individual may be identified. Further, for example, the identifying unit 42 may identify, among available combinations of coupons, a combination of coupons that provides the largest number of points to the user.

In addition, the identification unit 42 may perform a part of the above-described processing for identifying a combination of coupons, or any combination of the above-described processing.

[5. effect〕
As described above, the information providing device 10 according to the embodiment has the management unit 41, the specifying unit 42, the providing unit 43, and the settlement unit 44. The management unit 41 performs various types of management in the electronic shopping mall. The identification unit 42 identifies a combination of available coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user, based on the information on the transaction objects that the user puts into the virtual cart in the online shopping mall. The provision unit 43 distributes content including purchase target information, which is information on the transaction target entered into the virtual cart, and coupon information indicating the combination of coupons specified by the specifying unit 42 to the transaction target entered into the virtual cart. provided to users as purchase content for purchasing The payment unit 44 performs payment using a combination of coupons indicated by the coupon information when the user performs an operation for purchasing the transaction target in the purchase content provided by the provision unit 43 .

As a result, the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment does not require the user to make complicated judgments, and the user can enjoy the benefits of using the coupon, so that the user can efficiently use the coupon.

Further, in the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, for example, the providing unit 43 provides, as purchased content, content capable of controlling the number of transaction targets to be purchased. Further, when the user changes the number of transaction targets to be purchased in the purchased content, the specifying unit 42 specifies a new combination of coupons based on the changed transaction target information. Then, the providing unit 43 provides purchased content including coupon information indicating the newly specified combination of coupons.

As a result, the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment newly identifies a combination of coupons in accordance with a change in the number of transaction targets, thereby improving convenience.

Further, in the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, for example, the specifying unit 42 specifies a coupon for each transaction object put into the virtual cart, and based on the application conditions of the specified coupon to identify the combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user. In addition, the identification unit 42 identifies all combinations of coupons that can be used at the same time, which are combinations of coupons for each transaction target, and identifies the combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user among the identified combinations. . In addition, the identifying unit 42 identifies a combination from among the coupons for which purchase content display targets have been set. Further, the identifying unit 42 identifies a combination from among coupons set to display purchased content and coupons already acquired by the user among coupons not set. In addition, the identifying unit 42 identifies a combination of coupons that provides the largest amount of discount when all the transaction objects put into the virtual cart are purchased. The identifying unit 42 also identifies a combination of coupons that maximizes the sum of the discount amount and the total amount of points provided to the user when the coupon is used.

As a result, the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment does not require the user to make complicated judgments, and the user can enjoy the benefits of using the coupon, so that the user can efficiently use the coupon.

Further, in the information providing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, for example, the providing unit 43 provides, as coupon information, content capable of accepting an operation for obtaining a coupon that the user has not obtained as purchased content. Further, when receiving a predetermined operation from the user via the purchased content, the providing unit 43 further provides selection content for receiving selection of coupons available to the user. In addition, the providing unit 43 provides selected content in which information on coupons that can be used by the user is arranged in a predetermined order. Further, the providing unit 43 provides selected content in which coupons available to the user are arranged in order according to the discount amount, the end date and time of the period during which the coupon can be used, and whether or not the shipping fee is free. In addition, the providing unit 43 provides selected content indicating information about coupons including coupons related to transaction objects that the user has put into the virtual cart and for which the conditions regarding the total purchase amount or the purchase quantity among the applicable conditions are not satisfied. offer. Further, when a new coupon is selected through the selected content, the providing unit 43 provides purchase content including coupon information indicating the selected coupon.

As a result, the information providing device 10 according to the embodiment enables acquisition and change of coupons according to the user's operation, thereby improving convenience.

[6. Hardware configuration]
Also, the information providing apparatus 10 according to each of the embodiments described above is implemented by, for example, a computer 1000 configured as shown in FIG. The information providing device 10 will be described below as an example. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of the information providing apparatus. Computer 1000 has CPU 1100 , RAM 1200 , ROM 1300 , HDD 1400 , communication interface (I/F) 1500 , input/output interface (I/F) 1600 and media interface (I/F) 1700 .

The CPU 1100 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or HDD 1400 and controls each section. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by the programs, and the like. Communication interface 1500 receives data from another device via communication network 500 (corresponding to network N in the embodiment) and sends it to CPU 1100, and also transmits data generated by CPU 1100 via communication network 500 to other devices. Send to device.

The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as displays and printers, and input devices such as keyboards and mice, through an input/output interface 1600 . CPU 1100 acquires data from an input device via input/output interface 1600 . Also, CPU 1100 outputs the generated data to an output device via input/output interface 1600 .

Media interface 1700 reads programs or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides them to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200 . CPU 1100 loads such a program from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700, and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. etc.

For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information providing apparatus 10 , the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 implements the functions of the control unit 40 by executing programs loaded on the RAM 1200 . Further, each data in the storage device of the information providing apparatus 10 is stored in the HDD 1400 . CPU 1100 of computer 1000 reads these programs from recording medium 1800 and executes them, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[7. others〕
As described above, some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail based on the drawings. It is possible to carry out the invention in other forms with modifications.

Further, the configuration of the information providing apparatus 10 described above can be flexibly changed, for example, by calling an external platform or the like using an API (Application Programming Interface) or network computing depending on the function.

In addition, the "unit" described in the claims can be read as "means", "circuit", or the like. For example, the identifying unit can be read as identifying means or a specific circuit.

10 information providing device 20 communication unit 30 storage unit 31 transaction database 32 coupon database 33 user database 40 control unit 41 management unit 42 identification unit 43 provision unit 44 settlement unit 100 terminal device 200 settlement server

Claims (14)

Coupons acquired by the user and coupons not acquired by the user, which are not acquired by the user, are displayed by the coupon provider based on the transaction target information that the user puts into the virtual cart in the electronic shopping mall. a specifying unit that specifies coupons set to be set to be set , and specifies a combination of the specified coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user ;
Controlling the number of transaction targets to be purchased, in content including purchase target information, which is information on transaction targets placed in the virtual cart, and coupon information indicating a combination of coupons specified by the specifying unit. a providing unit that provides available content to the user as purchase content for purchasing the transaction target entered in the virtual cart;
The identification unit
If the user changes the number of transaction targets to be purchased in the purchased content, identifying a new combination of coupons that will maximize the profit for the user based on the changed transaction target information,
The providing unit
A providing device for providing purchased content including coupon information indicating a newly specified combination of coupons. further comprising a settlement unit that performs settlement using a combination of coupons indicated by the coupon information when the user performs an operation to purchase a transaction target in the purchase content provided by the provision unit. 2. A provider as claimed in claim 1. The identification unit
For each transaction object put into the virtual cart, a coupon for the transaction object is specified, and based on the application conditions of the specified coupon, a combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user is specified. 3. The provision device according to claim 1 or 2. The identification unit
A claim characterized by identifying all combinations of coupons that can be used at the same time, which are combinations of coupons for each transaction target, and identifying the combination that provides the greatest benefit to the user from among the identified combinations. Item 4. The providing device according to item 3. The identification unit
5. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a combination of coupons that provides the largest amount of discount when all transaction objects put into the virtual cart are purchased is specified. The identification unit
6. The providing device according to claim 5, wherein a combination of coupons that maximizes the sum of the discount amount and the total amount of points provided to the user when the coupon is used is specified. The providing unit
7. The purchase content according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, as the coupon information, content capable of accepting an operation for acquiring a coupon that the user has not acquired is provided as the purchased content. providing equipment. The providing unit
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when a predetermined operation is received from the user via the purchased content, selection content is further provided for receiving selection of a coupon that can be used by the user. A provider according to any one of the above. The providing unit
9. The providing device according to claim 8, which provides selected content in which information on coupons available to the user is arranged in a predetermined order. The providing unit
3. Providing selected content in which the coupons available to the user are arranged in order according to the discount amount, the end date and time of the period during which the coupon can be used, and whether the shipping fee is free or not. 10. The providing device according to 9. The providing unit
The present invention is characterized by providing selection content indicating information on coupons including coupons related to transaction objects that the user puts into the virtual cart and that do not satisfy conditions related to the total purchase amount or the purchase quantity among applicable conditions. The provision device according to any one of claims 8 to 10. The providing unit
12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein when a new coupon is selected through the selected content, purchase content including coupon information indicating the selected coupon is provided. providing equipment. A computer-implemented method of providing, comprising:
Coupons acquired by the user and coupons not acquired by the user, which are not acquired by the user, are displayed by the coupon provider based on the transaction target information that the user puts into the virtual cart in the electronic shopping mall. an identifying step of identifying the coupons set to be set to the coupons , and identifying a combination of the identified coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user ;
Controlling the number of transaction targets to be purchased, in content including purchase target information, which is information on transaction targets entered into the virtual cart, and coupon information indicating a combination of coupons identified in the identification step a providing step of providing possible content to the user as purchase content for purchasing the transaction object entered in the virtual cart;
The specific step includes
If the user changes the number of transaction targets to be purchased in the purchased content, identifying a new combination of coupons that will maximize the profit for the user based on the changed transaction target information,
The providing step includes
A providing method characterized by providing purchase contents including coupon information indicating a newly specified combination of coupons. Coupons acquired by the user and coupons not acquired by the user, which are not acquired by the user, are displayed by the coupon provider based on the transaction target information that the user puts into the virtual cart in the electronic shopping mall. an identification procedure for identifying coupons set to be set to be used, and identifying a combination of the identified coupons that provides the greatest benefit to the user ;
Controlling the number of transaction targets to be purchased, in content including purchase target information, which is information on transaction targets inserted into the virtual cart, and coupon information indicating a combination of coupons identified by the identification procedure causing a computer to execute a providing procedure of providing available content to the user as purchase content for purchasing the transaction target entered in the virtual cart;
The specific procedure includes:
If the user changes the number of transaction targets to be purchased in the purchased content, identifying a new combination of coupons that will maximize the profit for the user based on the changed transaction target information,
The provision procedure includes:
A providing program characterized by providing purchase contents including coupon information indicating a newly identified combination of coupons.

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