JP7526861B1 - Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program that can improve the convenience of coupons. [Solution] The information processing device according to the present application includes a setting unit and a coupon processing unit. The setting unit sets a product exchange coupon for a target product to a user in exchange for points provided to the user in response to the use of a payment using a terminal device. The coupon processing unit marks the product exchange coupon as used when the user purchases the target product by making a payment using the terminal device. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Conventionally, technology has been proposed that allows users to purchase coupons in exchange for points that are awarded when making payments, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology in which a user purchases coupons issued by each store by operating a store terminal or by accessing the store's website from a user terminal.

JP 2014-071536 A

However, in conventional technology, coupons must be set (purchased) for each store, so for example, a coupon cannot be used at a store where the coupon has not been purchased, even for the same product. As such, conventionally, there was room for further improvement in terms of increasing the convenience of coupons.

The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve the convenience of coupons.

The information processing device according to the present application includes a setting unit and a coupon processing unit. The setting unit sets a product exchange coupon for a target product to the user in exchange for points provided to the user in response to the use of a payment using a terminal device. The coupon processing unit marks the product exchange coupon as used when the user purchases the target product by making a payment using the terminal device.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of coupons.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing part 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the payment server according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information database according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an account database according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facility information database according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coupon database according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a store terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product information database according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the payment server according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the store terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment server and the store terminal.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same parts in each of the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[Embodiment]
The information processing realized by the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. Fig. 1A is a diagram showing an example of information processing 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information processing 2 according to the embodiment. Note that in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the information processing etc. according to the embodiment is realized by a payment server 10, which is an example of an information processing device according to the present embodiment.

In addition, in FIG. 1A, the store terminal 200 is a POS (Point of Sale) terminal where an employee scans the items purchased by the user and performs the transaction, and in FIG. 1B, the store terminal 200 is a POS (Point of Sale) terminal where the user scans the items purchased by the user and performs the transaction. The store terminal 200 in FIG. 1B is also called a register cart, and is attached to a cart for placing items, allowing users to scan items while walking around the store.

In the present disclosure, the convenience of coupons is improved by linking a POS terminal such as that shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B with a payment server 10. First, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment includes a payment server 10, a user terminal 100, a store terminal 200, and a requesting terminal 300. The payment server 10, the user terminal 100, the store terminal 200, and the requesting terminal 300 are connected to each other via a network N (see FIG. 11, for example) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. The network N is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Note that the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1A may include multiple payment servers 10, multiple user terminals 100, multiple store terminals 200, and multiple requesting terminals 300.

The payment server 10 shown in FIG. 1A is an information processing device that executes information processing according to the embodiment, and is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like. For example, the payment server 10 provides an electronic payment service related to electronic payments using a user terminal 100. For example, the payment server 10 manages the accounts of providers (businesses) of transaction objects and users to whom transaction objects are provided, and realizes various payments by transferring electronic money between accounts in accordance with a payment request from a user. Note that electronic money may be, for example, points or currency used independently by various companies, or may be electronically tradable currency provided by a country, such as Japanese yen or dollars.

The payment server 10 also receives coupon information related to coupons that are granted to users in electronic payment services and that can be used in electronic payment services (e.g., identification information (transaction object identification information) that identifies the transaction object (product) to which the coupon applies, the content of the benefit granted to the user by the coupon (such as a cashback of a specified amount), the acquisition conditions for the user to acquire the coupon, etc.) from the coupon provider (in other words, the person who plans and sets the coupon and contributes (provides) the funds for the coupon), and manages it in the memory unit of its own device. For example, the payment server 10 manages information indicated by a barcode (such as a barcode such as a JAN code or an in-store code) attached to the transaction object as transaction object identification information.

The payment server 10 also links users with the coupons they have acquired and manages them in the memory unit of its own device.

When a user makes a payment using the payment service, the payment server 10 also grants the user points according to the payment amount. The points can be used, for example, to exchange for electronic money or for coupons (purchases). The points are granted and can be used within a specified period from the date of payment, but are not limited to this and may be granted immediately after payment.

The user terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1A is an information processing device used by a user. The user terminal 100 is realized, for example, by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. The user terminal 100 also displays information distributed by the payment server 10 using a web browser or an application. Note that the example shown in FIG. 1A shows a case where the user terminal 100 is a smartphone.

When the user terminal 100 receives control information for implementing a specified information processing from the payment server 10, the user terminal 100 implements the information processing in accordance with the control information. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark), a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a programming language such as Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). The specified application itself delivered from the payment server 10 may be regarded as the control information.

The store terminal 200 shown in FIG. 1A is an information processing device managed by a facility that provides transaction objects to users. The store terminal 200 may also be an information processing device used in a store that provides transaction objects to users. In this case, the store terminal 200 is, for example, a POS (Point of Sales) terminal, but may also be realized by a smartphone, tablet terminal, notebook PC, desktop PC, mobile phone, PDA, etc., as long as it is a terminal that can use a POS system. The store terminal 200 also displays information distributed by the payment server 10 using a web browser or application.

[Regarding payment using the user terminal 100]
Here, an example of a payment (electronic payment) using the user terminal 100 will be described prior to the information processing executed by the payment server 10. In the following description, a case where the store terminal 200 reads the information of the user terminal 100 and performs the payment will be described as a payment using the user terminal 100. For example, the user terminal 100 displays user identification information for identifying the user on a screen. In such a case, the store terminal 200 reads the user identification information displayed on the user terminal 100, and transmits information regarding the payment including the user identification information (or information indicated by the user identification information, i.e., information indicating the user (e.g., user ID)), the payment amount, and information identifying the store to the payment server 10. In such a case, the payment server 10 may transfer electronic money in an amount indicated by the payment amount from the user's account indicated by the user identification information to the store's account, and notify the store terminal 200 or the user terminal 100 of the store that the payment has been completed by outputting a screen or a predetermined sound indicating that the payment has been completed.

More specifically, the user terminal 100 sends a payment request to the payment server 10 together with the user identification information. In such a case, the payment server 10 generates a one-time code, links the generated one-time code to the user identification information, and sends the one-time code to the user terminal 100. The user terminal 100 then displays the one-time code (i.e., information that identifies the user) on the screen. In such a case, the store terminal 200 reads the one-time code displayed on the user terminal 100 and transmits the read one-time code, group identification information, group store identification information, and payment amount to the payment server 10. The payment server 10 then transfers electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the wallet linked to the user identification information linked to the one-time code to the wallet linked to the group identification information and group store identification information.

Furthermore, payment using the user terminal 100 may not only be a process of transferring electronic money from an account to which the user has previously charged electronic money to the store's account, but may also be a payment using, for example, a credit card that the user has previously registered. In such a case, for example, the user terminal 100 may transfer electronic money of the payment amount to the store's account and bill the management company (card company) of the user's credit card for the payment amount.

Furthermore, a payment using the user terminal 100 may not only involve a process of transferring electronic money from the user's account to the store's account, but may also involve a process in which the payment server 10 withdraws electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the user's account and deposits the amount of cash obtained by subtracting a specified fee (such as a management fee) from the payment amount into the store's bank account. In such a case, for example, the payment server 10 manages the payment amount from each user to the store as the store's sales information, and at a specified time, based on the sales information, deposits cash into the store's bank account in an amount equivalent to the sales (the total payment amount indicated by the sales information) minus a specified fee.

In addition, when the source of funds for the coupon used at the time of payment is borne by the store, when depositing cash into the store's bank account or transferring electronic money to the store's account, the payment server 10 may execute a process of subtracting the cash amount from the payment amount and depositing it into the bank account, or subtracting the electronic money amount from the payment amount and transferring it to the store's account.

Note that the source of the coupon may be the provider of the payment object (e.g., the product manufacturer) rather than the store. In this case, the payment server 10 does not perform the above-mentioned subtraction process.

The above-mentioned payment means and payment services are not limited to those for providing compensation for the purchase of goods or the provision of services (settlement of debts). For example, as described above, the payment means and payment services may have a function related to transfer between accounts held by multiple users. That is, the above-mentioned payment means and payment services may be services that control the transmission and reception of electronic money between accounts of any owner linked to the owner of electronic money, such as a user or a store. That is, the payment means and payment services according to the embodiment may be transaction means and transaction services that execute various controls for realizing the exchange of electronic money (not only various inter-account transfer controls via electronic money, but also controls related to exchanges between electronic money accounts and bank accounts, various credit processes such as installments and processes associated with bonus payments, and various controls related to the exchange of assets including electronic money) and may be provided in any form. In addition, the various controls realized by such transaction means and transaction services may include both control related to payment and control related to transfer, or only one of them. That is, a "transaction" is a concept that includes not only "settlement" related to electronic money, but also "transfer" of electronic money and various other processes. In other words, the payment server 10 may be an information processing device that realizes a transaction means for controlling the exchange of electronic money between any owners.

[Overview of the embodiment]
In the present disclosure, when performing the above-mentioned payment process, the payment server 10 makes a payment based on the payment amount after applying the coupon acquired by the user. More specifically, the payment server 10 transmits information of the product exchange coupon of the target product purchased by the user in exchange for points to the store terminal 200, and the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount excluding the price of the target product when reading the product, and makes a payment request to the payment server 10. Since the product exchange coupon is linked to, for example, a JAN code, the product exchange coupon can be used at any affiliated store that subscribes to the payment service of the payment server 10. In other words, according to the present disclosure, the payment server 10 and the store terminal 200 share coupon information, thereby improving the convenience of the coupon.

The above-mentioned information processing will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 1A. In addition, in the following description, the user terminal 100 may be regarded as the same as the user. In other words, in the following, the user may also be read as the user terminal 100.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the requesting terminal 300 places an order for a coupon with the payment server 10 (step S1). Specifically, the requesting terminal 300 requests the issuance of a coupon for a product (goods or services) manufactured or sold by the company. Such coupons are product exchange coupons for purchasing the target product with points, or discount coupons that reduce the price of the target product by a specified percentage or amount. The requester handling the requesting terminal 300 may be a manufacturer or a retailer.

Then, the payment server 10 posts the coupons on the user terminal 100 in response to a request from the user terminal 100 (step S2). At this time, the coupons displayed on the user terminal 100 may be all issued coupons, or may be limited according to predetermined conditions, such as only coupons that can be purchased with points or only coupons selected based on user information.

Next, the user terminal 100 sends a request to acquire the coupon selected according to the user's operation to the payment server 10 (step S3).

Next, the payment server 10 subtracts the points required to purchase the coupon for which acquisition has been requested, and sets the coupon for the user (step S4). Specifically, if the points held by the user are equal to or greater than the purchase points required to purchase the coupon, the payment server 10 subtracts the purchase points from the held points, and sets the coupon as an acquired coupon in the user ID. If the held points are less than the purchase points, the payment server 10 notifies the user terminal 100 that the purchase is not possible (insufficient points).

Next, the store terminal 200 reads the user ID linked to the account of the payment service from the user terminal 100 (step S5). Next, the store terminal 200 requests a user inquiry from the payment server 10 together with the read user ID (step S6).

Next, the payment server 10 performs a user inquiry and identifies coupons linked to the user ID (step S7). Specifically, the payment server 10 performs a user inquiry based on whether the user ID acquired from the store terminal 200 is a user ID that has been registered in the payment service, and if the user ID is registered, identifies coupons linked to the user ID.

Next, the payment server 10 transmits the coupon information to the store terminal 200 together with the user inquiry result (step S8). Specifically, the payment server 10 transmits the coupon ID, the JAN code of the target product, and the coupon content (exchange or discount) as the coupon information.

Next, the store terminal 200 reads the product information by reading the product code (e.g., JAN code) of the product that the user wants to purchase (step S9). The product information includes the product name, product price, etc.

Next, after reading all the products, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount (total amount) (step S10). Specifically, the store terminal 200 identifies the target products for which the coupon can be used based on the JAN codes of the read products, and determines the payment amount when the coupon is applied to the target products. For example, if the coupon is a product exchange coupon, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount excluding the price of the target products. Also, if the coupon is a discount coupon, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount calculated based on the discounted price of the target products.

Next, the store terminal 200 sends a payment request to the payment server 10, including the determined payment amount, the user ID, the store ID, and the coupon ID of the used coupon (step S11).

Next, the payment server 10 performs payment processing according to the payment request, and sets the coupon ID of the used coupon to "used" (step S12). In addition, if the coupon can be used multiple times, the payment server 10 subtracts one from the number of times it can be used.

Next, the payment server 10 notifies the store terminal 200 that payment has been completed (step S13). When the store terminal 200 receives the payment completion notification, it notifies the payment server 10 of the points awarded according to the payment amount and issues a receipt.

Next, the information processing in FIG. 1B will be described in detail. As described above, FIG. 1B shows an example in which the store terminal 200 is a so-called cash register cart. In the information processing shown in FIG. 1B, coupon information corresponding to the user is displayed on the display unit of the store terminal 200 installed in the cash register cart. This allows the user to shop while understanding the coupon information when scanning products while walking around the store. In other words, the convenience of coupons can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the requesting terminal 300 places an order for a coupon with the payment server 10 (step S1). Specifically, the requesting terminal 300 requests the issuance of a coupon for a product (goods or services) manufactured or sold by the company. Such coupons are product exchange coupons for purchasing the target product with points, or discount coupons that reduce the price of the target product by a specified percentage or amount. The requester handling the requesting terminal 300 may be a manufacturer or a retailer.

Then, the payment server 10 posts the coupons on the user terminal 100 in response to a request from the user terminal 100 (step S2). At this time, the coupons displayed on the user terminal 100 may be all issued coupons, or may be limited according to predetermined conditions, such as only coupons that can be purchased with points or only coupons selected based on user information.

Next, the user terminal 100 sends a request to acquire the coupon selected according to the user's operation to the payment server 10 (step S3).

Next, the payment server 10 subtracts the points required to purchase the coupon for which acquisition has been requested, and sets the coupon for the user (step S4). Specifically, if the points held by the user are equal to or greater than the purchase points required to purchase the coupon, the payment server 10 subtracts the purchase points from the held points, and sets the coupon as an acquired coupon in the user ID. If the held points are less than the purchase points, the payment server 10 notifies the user terminal 100 that the purchase is not possible (insufficient points).

Next, the store terminal 200 reads the user ID linked to the account of the payment service from the user terminal 100 (step S5). Next, the store terminal 200 requests a user inquiry from the payment server 10 together with the read user ID (step S6).

Then, the payment server 10 performs a user inquiry and identifies a coupon corresponding to the user ID (step S7). Specifically, the payment server 10 performs a user inquiry based on whether the user ID acquired from the store terminal 200 is a user ID that has been registered with the payment service, and if the user ID is registered, identifies a coupon corresponding to the user ID. The coupon corresponding to the user ID is a coupon that the user has purchased in exchange for points, a coupon that can be purchased with owned points, etc.

Next, the payment server 10 transmits the coupon information to the store terminal 200 together with the user inquiry result (step S8). Specifically, the payment server 10 transmits the coupon ID, the JAN code of the target product, and the coupon content (exchange or discount) as the coupon information.

Next, the store terminal 200 displays coupons that can be used in the store on the display unit based on the acquired coupon information (step S9). For example, the store terminal 200 displays coupons for target products that are in stock or on sale in the store based on the JAN code included in the coupon information. The store terminal 200 may display a list of usable coupons, or may display information about usable coupons when the user scans the target product.

The store terminal 200 then accepts the coupons to be used by the user according to the user's operation (step S10). The store terminal 200 also obtains information on the points held by the user from the payment server 10, and if the user has multiple coupons to use, determines whether the total number of points required to purchase the coupons exceeds the held points. If the total number of points required to purchase the coupons exceeds the held points, the store terminal 200 notifies the user that there are insufficient points.

Next, the store terminal 200 reads the product information by reading the product code (e.g., JAN code) of the product that the user wants to purchase (step S11). The product information includes the product name, product price, etc.

Next, after reading the products, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount (total amount) (step S12). Specifically, the store terminal 200 identifies the target products for which the coupon can be used based on the JAN code of the read product, and determines the payment amount when the coupon is applied to the target products. For example, if the coupon is a product exchange coupon, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount excluding the price of the target product. Also, if the coupon is a discount coupon, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount calculated based on the discounted price of the target product.

Next, when the user performs an operation indicating the intention to make a payment (such as pressing the payment button), the store terminal 200 sends a payment request including the final payment amount, the user ID, the store ID, and the coupon ID of the used coupon to the payment server 10 (step S13).

Next, the payment server 10 performs payment processing according to the payment request, and sets the coupon ID of the used coupon to "used" (step S14). In addition, if the coupon can be used multiple times, the payment server 10 subtracts one from the number of times it can be used.

Then, the payment server 10 notifies the store terminal 200 that the payment has been completed (step S15). When the store terminal 200 receives the payment completion notification, it notifies the payment server 10 of the points awarded according to the payment amount and issues a receipt.

The payment server 10 may cancel the setting of an acquired coupon based on a specified condition. For example, the payment server 10 cancels the setting of an acquired coupon when a user requests cancellation of the acquired coupon before the coupon is used, or when the coupon's expiration date has passed. In this case, the payment server 10 returns the points used to acquire the coupon to the user's owned points. The points may be returned immediately or after a specified period of time has passed.

[Configuration of payment server]
Next, the configuration of the payment server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the payment server according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the payment server 10 has a communication unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a control unit 40.

(Regarding communication unit 20)
The communication unit 20 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) etc. The communication unit 20 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information between the user terminal 100, the store terminal 200, the requester terminal 300, etc.

(Regarding the storage unit 30)
The storage unit 30 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the storage unit 30 has a user information database (DB) 31, an account database (DB) 32, a facility information database (DB) 33, and a coupon database (DB) 34.

(Regarding the user information database 31)
The user information database 31 stores various information related to users of the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 10. An example of information stored in the user information database 31 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the user information database 31 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 3, the user information database 31 has items such as "user ID", "payment history", and "acquired coupons".

"User ID" indicates identification information for identifying the user. "Payment history" indicates the history of payments made using electronic payment services, and stores information such as the payment destination, payment amount, and coupon information used (coupon ID). "Acquired coupons" indicates coupons acquired by the user (payer) (coupons purchased with points), and stores, for example, identification information for identifying the coupon and information regarding the coupon contents.

(Regarding the account database 32)
The account database 32 stores various information related to accounts held by users, stores (businesses), etc. in electronic payment services. An example of information stored in the account database 32 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the account database 32 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 4, the account database 32 has items such as "account ID", "owner information", and "account balance".

"Account ID" indicates identification information for identifying an account. "Owner information" indicates information about the owner of the account, and for example, identification information for identifying the owner is stored. "Account balance" indicates the balance of the account.

(Regarding facility information database 33)
The facility information database 33 stores various information related to facilities. An example of information stored in the facility information database 33 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the facility information database 33 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 5, the facility information database 33 has items such as "facility ID", "payment destination ID", and "facility information".

"Facility ID" is identification information for identifying a facility (store), and is the store identification information described above. "Payment destination ID" is identification information for identifying the payment destination, and is the group identification information or merchant ID described above. "Facility information" is information about the store, and includes the store name, store location information, etc.

(Regarding the coupon database 34)
The coupon database 34 stores information related to coupons. An example of information stored in the coupon database 34 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon database 34 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 6, the coupon database 34 has items such as "coupon ID", "JAN code", and "target product".

"Coupon ID" is identification information for identifying the coupon. "JAN code" is information indicating the JAN code, and is information for identifying the product. "Target product" is information about the product to which the coupon is applied, and includes, for example, the product name, etc.

(Regarding the control unit 40)
The control unit 40 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the payment server 10 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 40 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 40 according to the embodiment realizes or executes the functions and actions of a reception unit 41, an acquisition unit 42, a setting unit 43, a specification unit 44, a coupon processing unit 45, a payment processing unit 46, and a notification unit 47, which will be described below.

The reception unit 41 receives various types of information. For example, the reception unit 41 receives a coupon issuance request (order request) from the requesting terminal 300. The reception unit 41 also receives a coupon acquisition request from the user terminal 100. The reception unit 41 also receives a user inquiry request and a payment request from the store terminal 200.

The acquisition unit 42 acquires various information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 42 acquires the user ID included in the user inquiry request accepted by the acceptance unit 41.

The setting unit 43 sets a product exchange coupon or discount coupon for a target product to the user in exchange for a portion of the user's owned points based on the coupon acquisition request received by the reception unit 41. Specifically, the setting unit 43 subtracts the points of the coupon from the owned points and links the coupon to the user ID as an acquired coupon.

The identification unit 44 identifies a coupon corresponding to the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 42. For example, the identification unit 44 identifies an acquired coupon linked to the user ID. The identification unit 44 also identifies a coupon that can be purchased with the user's owned points. For example, the identification unit 44 identifies a coupon for which the points required to purchase the coupon are less than the owned points. The identification unit 44 also identifies a coupon based on the user's coupon acquisition history. For example, the identification unit 44 identifies coupons that the user has acquired in the past from among currently issued coupons. The identification unit 44 also identifies coupons whose coupon content or target products are similar to those of coupons the user has acquired in the past.

The coupon processing unit 45 marks a product exchange coupon as used when a user purchases a target product by making a payment using the user terminal 100. Specifically, the coupon processing unit 45 marks a product exchange coupon as used based on a payment request received from the store terminal 200. More specifically, the coupon processing unit 45 identifies a coupon corresponding to the used coupon ID included in the payment request from among the acquired coupons linked to the user ID, and sets the coupon ID of the identified acquired coupon to used.

The coupon processing unit 45 also cancels the setting of an acquired coupon when a user requests cancellation of the acquired coupon before the coupon is used or when the coupon's expiration date has passed. In this case, the coupon processing unit 45 returns the points used to acquire the coupon to the user's owned points. The points may be returned immediately or after a predetermined period of time has passed.

When the payment processing unit 46 receives a payment request, it performs payment processing. Specifically, the payment processing unit 46 transfers electronic money of the payment amount from the account of the user ID linked to the payment request to the account of the payment destination ID of the store ID linked to the payment request. In addition, after the payment processing is completed, the payment processing unit 46 stores the payment history linked to the user ID and the used coupon ID in the user information DB 31 of the storage unit 30.

The notification unit 47 issues various notifications. For example, the notification unit 47 notifies the requesting terminal 300 that a coupon has been issued and that a coupon has been used. The notification unit 47 also notifies the user terminal 100 that the setting of a requested coupon has been completed and that the payment process has been completed.

In addition, the notification unit 47 notifies the store terminal 200 of coupon information corresponding to the user ID and a payment completion notification. In addition, the notification unit 47 notifies the user of coupon information identified by the identification unit 44 via the store terminal 200.

[Store terminal configuration]
Next, the configuration of the store terminal 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store terminal 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the store terminal 200 has a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

(Regarding communication unit 210)
The communication unit 210 is realized by, for example, a NIC etc. The communication unit 210 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information between the payment server 10, the user terminal 100, the request source terminal 300, etc.

(Regarding the storage unit 220)
The storage unit 220 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG.

(Regarding product information database 221)
The product information database 221 stores various information related to products sold by the store. An example of information stored in the product information database 221 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the product information database 221 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 8, the product information database 221 has items such as "product ID", "product name", "JAN code", "price", etc.

"Product ID" indicates identification information for identifying a product. "Product name" indicates the name of the product. "JAN code" indicates the JAN code of the product. "Price" is the selling price of the product in the store.

(Regarding the control unit 230)
The control unit 230 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU, an MPU, or the like, executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the store terminal 200 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 230 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 230 according to the embodiment realizes or executes the functions and actions of an ID reading unit 231, an acquisition unit 232, a product reading unit 233, a determination unit 234, and a transmission unit 235, which will be described below.

The ID reading unit 231 reads the user ID displayed on the user terminal 100. Specifically, the ID reading unit 231 reads the user ID by reading a barcode, two-dimensional code, or the like displayed on the screen of the user terminal 100.

The acquisition unit 232 acquires various information. For example, the acquisition unit 232 acquires coupon information transmitted from the payment server 10. Specifically, the acquisition unit 232 acquires coupon information linked to the user ID of the user inquiry transmitted by the transmission unit 235.

The product reading unit 233 reads product information of the product purchased by the user. Specifically, the product reading unit 233 reads the JAN code of the product, and reads product information such as the product name and price linked to the corresponding JAN code from the product information DB 221.

The determination unit 234 determines the payment amount for the product. Specifically, the determination unit 234 determines the total price of the multiple products read by the product reading unit 233 as the payment amount. Furthermore, the determination unit 234 identifies target products for which a coupon can be used from the multiple products read by the product reading unit 233, based on the JAN code, which is the product information, and the coupon information acquired by the acquisition unit 232 (JAN code of the target product). The determination unit 234 then determines the payment amount based on the price after the coupon is applied for the identified target products. In other words, in the case of a product exchange coupon, the determination unit 234 determines the payment amount excluding the price of the target product, and in the case of a discount coupon, determines the payment amount totaling the discounted price of the target products.

The transmission unit 235 transmits various information. For example, the transmission unit 235 transmits a payment request to the payment server 10, linking the payment amount determined by the determination unit 234, the user ID, the store ID, and the used coupon ID.

In addition, the transmission unit 235 transmits a user inquiry request linked to the user ID read by the ID reading unit 231 to the payment server 10.

[Processing flow]
A procedure of the process of the payment server 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the payment server 10 according to the embodiment. Note that Fig. 9 starts from a state where a coupon order request has already been received from the request source terminal 300 and the coupon has already been issued.

As shown in FIG. 9, the payment server 10 accepts a coupon acquisition request from the user terminal 100 (step S101).

Next, the payment server 10 subtracts the points required to purchase the coupon for which acquisition has been requested from the points held, and sets the coupon to the user ID (step S102).

Next, the payment server 10 receives a user inquiry including the user ID from the store terminal 200 (step S103).

Next, the payment server 10 queries the user and identifies the coupons linked to the user ID (step S104).

Next, the payment server 10 transmits information about the identified coupon to the store terminal 200 (step S105).

Next, the payment server 10 accepts a payment request from the store terminal 200 (step S106).

Next, the payment server 10 performs payment processing according to the payment request (step S107) and sets the coupon ID of the used coupon to "used" (step S108).

Next, the payment server 10 sends a payment completion notification to the store terminal 200 (step S108) and ends the process.

Next, the processing procedure by the store terminal 200 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure by the store terminal 200 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the store terminal 200 reads the user ID from the user terminal 100 (step S201).

Next, the store terminal 200 requests the payment server 10 to query the user ID (step S202).

Next, the store terminal 200 acquires coupon information corresponding to the user ID from the payment server 10 (step S203). If the store terminal 200 is a register cart, the store terminal 200 displays the coupon information on the display unit of the store terminal 200.

Next, the store terminal 200 reads the product (step S204). Next, the store terminal 200 identifies the target product for which the coupon can be used (step S205).

Next, the store terminal 200 determines the payment amount after applying the coupon (step S206). Next, the store terminal 200 transmits a payment request that links the payment amount, the user ID, the store ID, and the coupon ID to the payment server 10 (step S207).

Next, the store terminal 200 receives a payment completion notification from the payment server 10, notifies the user of this by means of a receipt or the like (step S208), and ends the process.

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

[Regarding processing mode]
Among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, and conversely, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above text and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as appropriate to the extent that the processing content is not contradictory.

〔effect〕
As described above, the payment server 10 according to the embodiment includes a setting unit 43 and a coupon processing unit 45. The setting unit 43 sets a product exchange coupon for a target product to a user in exchange for points provided to the user in response to the use of a payment using a terminal device (user terminal 100). The coupon processing unit 45 marks the product exchange coupon as used when the user purchases a target product by payment using the terminal device (user terminal 100). The coupon processing unit 45 cancels the setting of the product exchange coupon set for the user based on a predetermined condition. When the coupon processing unit 45 cancels the setting of the product exchange coupon, it returns the points exchanged for the product exchange coupon to the user's owned points. The acquisition unit 42 acquires the user ID of the user from the store terminal 200. The notification unit 47 notifies the user ID of the information of the product exchange coupon set by the setting unit 43. The payment processing unit 46 performs payment processing based on a payment request received from the store terminal 200. The coupon processing unit 45 marks the product exchange coupon as used when the payment processing is performed by the payment processing unit 46. The payment processing unit 46 stores a payment history in which the user ID and the coupon ID of the product exchange coupon are linked in the storage unit 30. According to the payment server 10 configured in this way, it is possible to improve the convenience of the coupon.

As described above, the store terminal 200 according to the embodiment includes an ID reading unit 231, an acquisition unit 232, a product reading unit 233, a determination unit 234, and a transmission unit 235. The ID reading unit 231 reads the user ID from the user's terminal device (user terminal 100). The acquisition unit 232 acquires coupon information linked to the user ID. The product reading unit 233 reads product information of the product purchased by the user. The determination unit 234 identifies target products that can be used for the coupon based on the product information, and determines the payment amount excluding the price of the target product. The transmission unit 235 transmits a payment request that links the payment amount, the user ID, and the store ID to the payment server 10. The transmission unit 235 transmits the user ID read by the ID reading unit 231 to the payment server 10. The acquisition unit 232 acquires coupon information from the payment server 10. The sending unit 235 sends a payment request to the payment server 10, which is further linked to the information of the coupon used. The acquiring unit 232 acquires coupon information including the JAN code of the target product. The product reading unit 233 reads the JAN code of the product. The determining unit 234 determines the payment amount excluding the price of the product that matches the JAN code of the target product from the JAN codes of multiple products read by the product reading unit 233. A store terminal 200 configured in this way can improve the convenience of coupons.

As described above, the payment server 10 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 42, an identification unit 44, and a notification unit 47. The acquisition unit 42 acquires a user ID read by a terminal device (store terminal 200) through which the user reads product information of a product to be purchased. The identification unit 44 identifies a coupon corresponding to the user ID. The notification unit 47 notifies the user of the identified coupon information via the terminal device (store terminal 200). The notification unit 47 notifies the user of the coupon information via the terminal device before the user makes a payment. The notification unit 47 notifies by displaying the coupon information on the display unit of the terminal device. The notification unit 47 displays the coupon information in a list on the display unit of the terminal device. The identification unit 44 identifies a coupon acquired by the user as a coupon corresponding to the user ID. The identification unit 44 identifies a coupon that can be acquired with the user's points as a coupon corresponding to the user ID. The identification unit 44 identifies a coupon selected based on the user's coupon acquisition history as a coupon corresponding to the user ID. The payment processing unit 46 performs payment processing according to a payment request linked to information about the used coupon. The coupon processing unit 45 uses up the used coupon when the payment processing is performed. With the payment server 10 configured in this way, the convenience of coupons can be improved.

[Hardware configuration]
The payment server 10 and the store terminal 200 according to each of the above-described embodiments are realized, for example, by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 11. The following description will be given taking the payment server 10 as an example. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment server. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a ROM 1200, a RAM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I/F) 1500, an input/output interface (I/F) 1600, and a media interface (I/F) 1700.

The CPU 1100 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 1200 or the HDD 1400, and controls each component. The ROM 1200 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started, and programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, etc.

HDD 1400 stores programs executed by CPU 1100 and data used by such programs. Communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices 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 to other devices via communication network 500.

The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input/output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input/output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs data generated via the input/output interface 1600 to the output devices.

The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1300. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1300 via the 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.

For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the payment server 10, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto the RAM 1300 to realize the functions of the control unit 40. In addition, the HDD 1400 stores each piece of data in the storage device of the payment server 10. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 may obtain these programs from another device via a specified communication network.

〔others〕
Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

In addition, the configuration of the payment server 10 described above can be flexibly changed, for example, by calling external platforms, etc. using an API (Application Programming Interface) or network computing, etc., depending on the function.

In addition, the word "unit" in the claims can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, the reception unit can be read as reception means or reception circuit.

1 Information processing system 10 Payment server 20 Communication unit 30 Memory unit 31 User information database 32 Account database 33 Facility information database 34 Coupon database 40 Control unit 41 Reception unit 42 Acquisition unit 43 Setting unit 44 Identification unit 45 Coupon processing unit 46 Payment processing unit 47 Notification unit 100 User terminal 200 Store terminal 210 Communication unit 220 Memory unit 221 Product information database 230 Control unit 231 ID reading unit 232 Acquisition unit 233 Product reading unit 234 Determination unit 235 Transmission unit 300 Requesting terminal

Claims (6)

a setting unit that sets a product exchange coupon for a target product to a user by linking the product exchange coupon to a user ID linked to an account of the payment service in exchange for points provided to the user in response to the use of the terminal device for payment;
an identification unit that acquires the user ID read from a store terminal of a store that handles the target product and identifies the product exchange coupon associated with the user ID;
a notification unit that notifies the store terminal of information on the product exchange coupon identified by the identification unit;
a reception unit that receives a payment request that is a request for payment by the payment service, the payment request including a payment amount obtained by applying a product exchange coupon to the target product, the payment amount being determined based on the target product and information on the product exchange coupon read by the store terminal, and information on the applied product exchange coupon;
a coupon processing unit that, when the payment request is accepted, marks the product exchange coupon corresponding to the product exchange coupon information included in the payment request as used;
Equipped with
The coupon processing unit:
When the expiration date of the product exchange coupon has passed, the information processing device cancels the setting of the product exchange coupon set for the user, and returns the points exchanged for the product exchange coupon to the points held by the user. An acquisition unit that acquires a user ID of the user from a store terminal;
The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a notification unit that notifies the user ID of information on the product exchange coupon set by the setting unit. A payment processing unit that performs payment processing based on a payment request received from the store terminal,
The coupon processing unit includes:
The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the product exchange coupon is marked as used when the payment processing is performed by the payment processing unit. The payment processing unit,
The information processing device according to claim 3 , further comprising a storage unit that stores a payment history linked to a user ID and a coupon ID of the product exchange coupon. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising:
a setting step of setting a product exchange coupon for a target product to a user by linking the product exchange coupon to a user ID linked to an account of the payment service in exchange for points provided to the user in response to the use of the terminal device for payment;
a step of acquiring the user ID read from the terminal device by a store terminal of a store that handles the target product, and identifying the product exchange coupon associated with the user ID;
a notification step of notifying the store terminal of information on the product exchange coupon identified in the identification step;
a receiving step of receiving a payment request including a payment amount obtained by applying a product exchange coupon to the target product, the payment amount being determined based on the target product and information on the product exchange coupon read by the store terminal, and information on the applied product exchange coupon, the payment request being a request for payment by the payment service;
a coupon processing step of marking the product exchange coupon corresponding to the product exchange coupon information included in the payment request as used when the payment request is accepted;
Including,
The coupon processing step includes:
When the expiration date of the product exchange coupon has passed, the setting of the product exchange coupon set for the user is cancelled, and the points exchanged for the product exchange coupon are returned to the points held by the user. a setting step of setting a product exchange coupon for a target product to a user by linking the product exchange coupon to a user ID linked to an account of the payment service in exchange for points provided to the user in response to the use of the terminal device for payment;
a step of acquiring the user ID read from the terminal device by a store terminal of a store that handles the target product, and identifying the product exchange coupon associated with the user ID;
a notification step of notifying the store terminal of information on the product exchange coupon identified by the identification step;
a receiving step of receiving a payment request including a payment amount obtained by applying a product exchange coupon to the target product, the payment amount being determined based on the target product and information on the product exchange coupon read by the store terminal, and information on the applied product exchange coupon, the payment request being a request for payment by the payment service;
a coupon processing step of marking the product exchange coupon corresponding to the product exchange coupon information included in the payment request as used when the payment request is accepted;
Run the following on your computer:
The coupon processing procedure includes:
When the expiration date of the product exchange coupon has passed, the setting of the product exchange coupon set for the user is cancelled, and the points exchanged for the product exchange coupon are returned to the points held by the user.

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