WO2024100794A1

WO2024100794A1 - Server device, system, server device control method, and storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2024100794A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/041691
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浩司鈴木; 昭彦市川
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2022-11-09
Filing date: 2022-11-09
Publication date: 2024-05-16

Abstract

Provided is a server device which makes it possible to understand the behavior of a user. The server device includes a storage means, a behavior history control means, and an information provision control means. The storage means comprises a database that stores the medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users in association with each piece of attribute information about a plurality of users. The behavior history control means receives use notification including a medium ID of a medium user who uses a medium in an authentication terminal and use details of the medium, and uses the medium ID of a medium user to identify the medium user among the plurality of users. The behavior history control means stores, in the database, behavior information acquired from the use details of the medium as a behavior history of the identified medium user. The information provision control means uses the attribute information and behavior history stored in the database to generate provision information and outputs the generated provision information.

Description

Server device, system, server device control method and storage medium

The present invention relates to a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a storage medium.

Technology exists to assist travelers coming to Japan from overseas (foreign visitors to Japan).

For example, Patent Document 1 states that the use of IC cards by travelers from overseas is promoted. The traveler support device of Patent Document 1 is a device for use in a service that lends IC cards that can be used in Japan to users who are interested in entering Japan from overseas or who have already entered the country. The traveler support device includes a communication processing unit, a user registration processing unit, a user request processing unit, and a user information storage unit. The user registration processing unit executes a predetermined user registration process. The user request processing unit executes appropriate processing in response to a predetermined processing request from the user. The user information storage unit stores information related to the user. When the communication processing unit receives a reservation request for the IC card lending service from the user terminal, the user request processing unit executes a predetermined request acceptance process.

JP 2019-121200 A

Information on the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan, particularly inbound passengers, is important for airport operators and businesses operating around airports. However, the current situation is that airport operators and businesses operating around airports have no way to accurately grasp what tourist spots foreign visitors prefer. In other words, if the above-mentioned businesses could grasp the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan, they would be able to tailor their business activities to the preferences of foreign visitors based on that grasped behavior, but currently no such system has been established.

Note that even if the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, it is not possible to grasp the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan. This is because Patent Document 1 only discloses technology that supports the travel of foreign visitors to Japan.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a storage medium that contribute to making it possible to understand user behavior.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device comprising: a storage means having a database that stores a media ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users in association with attribute information of each of the plurality of users; a behavior history control means that receives a usage notification including the media ID of a media user who uses the medium and the content of use of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifies the media user from among the plurality of users using the media user's media ID, and stores behavior information obtained from the content of use of the medium in the database as the behavior history of the identified media user; and an information provision control means that generates provision information using the attribute information and behavior history stored in the database, and outputs the generated provision information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including an authentication terminal and a server device, the server device including a storage means having a database that stores a media ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users in association with attribute information of each of the plurality of users, a behavior history control means that receives a usage notification including the media ID of a media user who uses the medium at the authentication terminal and the usage details of the medium, identifies the media user from among the plurality of users using the media user's media ID, and stores behavior information obtained from the usage details of the medium as the behavior history of the identified media user in the database, and an information provision control means that generates provision information using the attribute information and behavior history stored in the database, and outputs the generated provision information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a server device is provided, which stores in a database in a server device a media ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users in association with attribute information of each of the plurality of users, receives a usage notification including the media ID of a media user who uses the medium and the content of the use of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifies the media user from among the plurality of users using the media user's media ID, and stores behavioral information obtained from the content of the use of the medium as the behavioral history of the identified media user in the database, generates provided information using the attribute information and behavioral history stored in the database, and outputs the generated provided information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: a process of storing in a database a media ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users in association with attribute information of each of the plurality of users; a process of receiving in an authentication terminal a usage notification including the media ID of a media user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium, identifying the media user from among the plurality of users using the media user's media ID, and storing behavioral information obtained from the usage details of the medium as the behavioral history of the identified media user in the database; and a process of generating provided information using the attribute information and behavioral history stored in the database, and outputting the generated provided information.

In accordance with each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a storage medium are provided that contribute to making it possible to understand user behavior. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects described above.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation of one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the action history management database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information provision control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information provision control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information provision control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure.

First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are added to each element for convenience as an example to aid understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks illustrated in each drawing represent a functional configuration, not a hardware configuration. The connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional. Unidirectional arrows are used to diagrammatically indicate the flow of the main signal (data), and do not exclude bidirectionality. Note that in this specification and drawings, elements that can be described in the same way may be labeled with the same numerals to avoid duplicated explanations.

The server device 100 according to one embodiment includes a storage means 101, a behavior history control means 102, and an information provision control means 103 (see FIG. 1). The storage means 101 has a database that stores the media ID of the media distributed to each of the multiple users in association with the attribute information of each of the multiple users. The behavior history control means 102 receives a usage notification including the media ID of the media user who uses the media and the content of the media usage at the authentication terminal, and identifies the media user from among the multiple users using the media user's media ID (step S1 in FIG. 2). The behavior history control means 102 stores the behavior information obtained from the content of the media usage in the database as the behavior history of the identified media user (step S2). The information provision control means 103 generates provision information using the attribute information and behavior history stored in the database, and outputs the generated provision information (step S3).

The server device 100, for example, associates and manages attribute information obtained from a two-dimensional barcode for tax-free certificate issued to foreign visitors to Japan who have completed entry procedures with the ID of the transportation IC card. When a foreign visitor uses a transportation IC card, the server device 100 stores in a database the behavioral history obtained from the use of the transportation IC card in association with the attribute information. In response to requests from companies, etc., the server device 100 provides information on the behavior of users (foreign visitors to Japan; inbound passengers) using the attribute information and behavioral history stored in the database. As a result, companies, etc. can get a more accurate understanding of user behavior.

Specific embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[System Configuration]
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing system includes various facilities such as a management center, an airport, and a station.

The Management Center will provide management and information to foreigners, particularly foreign visitors to Japan. The Management Center will be managed and operated by a voluntary organization. For example, the Management Center will be managed and operated by a private business operator, the state, or an organization or institution commissioned by the state.

The management center includes a server device 10. The server device 10 is a server that realizes the main functions of the management center. The server device 10 may be installed in the building of the management center, or may be installed on a network (on the cloud).

Staff terminals 20 are installed in the airport. For example, staff at the management center operate the staff terminals 20. Details of the functions of the staff terminals 20 will be described later.

The system includes station A1, which is equipped with an authentication terminal 30-1, and station A2, which is equipped with an authentication terminal 30-2. In the following explanation, unless there is a particular reason to distinguish between authentication terminals 30-1 and 30-2, they will simply be referred to as "authentication terminal 30." The authentication terminal 30 installed at the station is a ticket gate, and controls passengers' entry and exit through the ticket gates.

The devices shown in FIG. 3 (server device 10, staff terminal 20, etc.) are connected by wired or wireless communication means and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

The configuration of the information processing system shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and is not intended to limit the configuration. For example, multiple server devices 10 may be included in the system. Also, although two stations are illustrated in FIG. 3, it goes without saying that this is not intended to limit the number of stations included in the information processing system.

[Outline of operation]
Next, an outline of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

<Immigration procedures for foreign visitors to Japan>
Online services are available to ease the burden of immigration procedures for foreign visitors to Japan. Specifically, a service called "Visit Japan Web" is available at designated arrival airports. By using the Visit Japan Web service, foreign visitors to Japan can submit information regarding quarantine, immigration, and customs application online upon entering the country.

Furthermore, as described in Reference 1 below, foreign visitors to Japan who use the Visit Japan Web service are provided with a two-dimensional barcode that provides the information necessary for tax-exemption applications (customs declarations). In the following explanation, the two-dimensional barcode that provides the information necessary for tax-exemption applications is referred to as the "two-dimensional barcode for tax-exemption certificate." Note that the two-dimensional barcode issued to foreign visitors to Japan is not limited to tax-exemption purposes. The two-dimensional barcode can be used for a variety of purposes.

[Reference 1]
<URL: https://www.digital.go.jp/policies/visit_japan_web/>

The two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certificate contains information such as the foreign visitor's ID, first name, last name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, residence status, and date of landing. In the following explanation, the information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certificate is referred to as "foreign visitor attribute information" or simply "attribute information." Note that the information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certificate is merely an example, and other information may be obtained from the two-dimensional barcode. For example, the gender of the foreign visitor may be obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certificate.

<Distribution of transportation IC cards>
As part of efforts to increase the number of inbound tourists, the management center provides benefits to foreign visitors to Japan who enter the country using the Visit Japan Web service. Specifically, the management center distributes to the foreign visitors a medium containing cash and other items that can be used in the city. The medium distributed to the foreign visitors to Japan is, for example, a transportation IC (Integrated Circuit) card. Note that the transportation IC card distributed to the foreign visitors to Japan does not need to contain cash.

In order for foreign visitors to Japan to receive this benefit (a transportation IC card that can be used with a specified amount of cash), they must complete immigration procedures and show the management center that they are eligible for tax exemption.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a foreign visitor to Japan presents a two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification, which can be obtained by completing immigration procedures on Visit Japan Web, to staff at the management center. For example, the foreign visitor to Japan operates terminal 40 that he or she possesses to display the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification on terminal 40, and presents it to staff at the management center.

Alternatively, a foreign visitor to Japan who has completed immigration procedures may operate his/her own terminal 40 (smartphone) to read the two-dimensional barcode on the landing permit affixed to the passport. The read two-dimensional barcode may then be sent to a management center, which may then send the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption proof to terminal 40. The foreign visitor to Japan may operate terminal 40 to display the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption proof and present it to staff at the management center.

The staff at the management center inputs the presented two-dimensional barcode for the tax exemption certificate into the staff terminal 20 using a barcode reader (not shown) connected to the staff terminal 20.

The staff terminal 20 acquires foreign visitor attribute information from the two-dimensional tax-exemption certificate barcode displayed on the terminal 40 or the two-dimensional tax-exemption certificate barcode affixed to the passport. The staff terminal 20 also acquires a card ID from a transportation IC card prepared for distribution to foreign visitors to Japan.

For example, when a staff member at the management center reads the two-dimensional barcode for the tax exemption certificate from the foreign visitor's terminal 40, the staff member inserts or touches the new transportation IC card to a card reader/writer (not shown). The staff terminal 20 controls the card reader/writer and reads the card ID of the transportation IC card.

The card ID is an ID that can uniquely identify the transportation IC card distributed to foreign visitors to Japan. The card ID is written on the transportation IC card in advance.

When the staff terminal 20 acquires the foreign visitor attribute information and the card ID, it sends a card distribution notification including this information to the server device 10 (see Figure 4).

When the server device 10 receives the card distribution notification, it adds a new entry to the behavior history management database and writes the card ID and foreign visitor attribute information to the added entry. Details of the behavior history management database will be described later.

<Understanding the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan>
Foreign visitors to Japan use the acquired transportation IC card (a transportation IC card charged with a predetermined amount of cash). For example, the foreign visitors to Japan use the transportation IC card to board transportation means and travel to their destination. Specifically, the foreign visitors to Japan travel to tourist spots and commercial facilities using transportation means such as trains. The foreign visitors to Japan who have acquired the transportation IC card use the card to travel around tourist spots and the like using transportation means such as trains.

Foreign visitors to Japan pass through an authentication terminal 30 installed at a station to enter the ticket gates and pass through the authentication terminal 30 to exit the ticket gates. When doing so, the foreign visitors to Japan touch (or bring) their transportation IC card close to the card reader of the authentication terminal 30.

The authentication terminal 30, like a normal user, performs entry processing (e.g., processing related to recording the entry station, etc.) and exit processing (processing related to fare settlement) for foreign visitors to Japan who present a transportation IC card. In doing so, the authentication terminal 30 reads the card ID from the presented transportation IC card.

The authentication terminal 30 sends a card usage notification including the read card ID and usage details to the server device 10 (see Figure 5). The usage details are information that indicates how the user uses the transportation IC card. For example, the usage notification includes the name of the station used by the foreign visitor to Japan (the station where the authentication terminal 30 is installed) and the usage type that indicates whether the foreign visitor to Japan entered or exited the ticket gate.

When the server device 10 receives the card usage notification, it stores the behavior history of the foreign visitor who uses the transportation IC card in the authentication terminal 30 in the behavior history management database. The server device 10 identifies the foreign visitor who uses the transportation IC card by using the card ID included in the card usage notification. The server device 10 writes the behavior information obtained based on the usage details into the entry of the identified foreign visitor as the behavior history.

For example, when a foreign visitor enters the ticket gate through authentication terminal 30-1 installed at station A1, "enter station A1" is stored in the behavior history management database as the behavior history of the foreign visitor. Alternatively, when a foreign visitor exits the ticket gate through authentication terminal 30-2 installed at station A2, "exit from station A2" is stored in the behavior history management database as the behavior history of the foreign visitor.

By operating the server device 10 as described above, the behavior history management database stores attribute information (e.g., gender, age, nationality) and behavior history for each foreign visitor to Japan who has been issued a transportation IC card.

<Information provided by>
The server device 10 provides information on the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan in response to requests from external companies such as a management center or an airport company. The server device 10 generates information to be provided by using attribute information and behavior history stored in the behavior history management database, and outputs the generated information to be provided.

For example, the server device 10 generates behavioral history for each attribute of foreign visitors to Japan and provides it to the external companies, etc. For example, the server device 10 generates behavioral history for each gender, age (generation), and nationality of foreign visitors to Japan stored in the behavioral history management database and provides it to external companies, etc. The external companies, etc. use the acquired behavioral history to study the preferences, etc., of foreign visitors to Japan and use it in their own business.

Alternatively, the server device 10 generates information on the movement routes of foreign visitors to Japan based on their attributes as provided information, and provides the provided information to external companies, etc.

Next, we will explain the details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

[Server device]
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, the server device 10 includes a communication control unit 201, a card distribution control unit 202, a behavior history control unit 203, an information provision control unit 204, and a storage unit 205.

The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the staff terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the staff terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices, and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

The card distribution control unit 202 is a means for controlling card distribution. The card distribution control unit 202 receives a card distribution notification from a specific terminal (e.g., staff terminal 20) that includes attribute information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification and the medium ID (card ID) of the distributed medium (transportation IC card). The card distribution control unit 202 associates the card ID (card ID of the transportation IC card) and attribute information (attribute information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification) included in the received card distribution notification and stores them in the behavior history management database.

Specifically, when a card distribution notification is received from the staff terminal 20, the card distribution control unit 202 adds a new entry to the behavior history management database and writes the card ID and foreign visitor attribute information to the added entry (see Figure 7).

Note that the behavior history management database shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, the date and time when the entry was added (date and time when the transportation IC card was distributed) may be registered in the behavior history management database.

The behavior history control unit 203 is a means for controlling the behavior history of foreign visitors to Japan. The behavior history control unit 203 receives a card usage notification including the card ID of a media user who uses a transportation IC card at the authentication terminal 30 and the usage details of the transportation IC card. The behavior history control unit 203 identifies the media user from among multiple users stored in the behavior history management database using the media user's card ID. The behavior history control unit 203 stores the behavior information obtained from the usage details of the transportation IC card in the behavior history management database as the behavior history of the identified media user.

Specifically, the behavior history control unit 203 processes the card usage notification received from the authentication terminal 30. Upon receiving the card usage notification, the behavior history control unit 203 searches the behavior history management database using the card ID included in the notification as a key, and identifies the corresponding entry (foreign visitor to Japan).

The behavior history control unit 203 also generates behavior information of the identified foreign visitor to Japan obtained from the usage details included in the card usage notification. The behavior history control unit 203 stores the generated behavior information in the behavior history field of the entry identified by the card ID (see FIG. 7).

The information provision control unit 204 is a means for providing information on the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan based on a request from the management center or an external company, etc. The information provision control unit 204 generates information to be provided using the attribute information and behavior history of foreign visitors to Japan stored in the behavior history management database, and outputs the generated information to be provided.

Specifically, the information provision control unit 204 accepts operations from the staff of the management center using a GUI or the like. The information provision control unit 204 acquires specifications and other information related to the information to be provided from the staff, and generates information to be provided that matches the acquired specifications and other information. The information provision control unit 204 provides the generated information to external companies, etc.

For example, the information provision control unit 204 transmits the generated information to a terminal (not shown) of an external company. Alternatively, the information provision control unit 204 stores the generated information to be provided in an external storage device such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory. The USB memory is sent to the external company, etc. Alternatively, the information provision control unit 204 may output the generated information to a display, printer, etc. so that it can be viewed by staff at the management center, etc.

For example, when the information provision control unit 204 receives a specification such as "behavioral history of Americans in their 30s," it extracts entries that match the specified attributes from among the entries stored in the behavior history management database, and generates information to be provided. In this way, the information provision control unit 204 may extract behavioral history related to attributes specified by an external company, etc. from the behavior history management database, and provide the extracted behavioral history to the external company, etc.

Alternatively, the information provision control unit 204 may accept a designation of the time period (period) of the entries to be extracted in addition to the attributes. For example, the information provision control unit 204 may accept a designation such as "behavioral history of Americans in their 30s who came to Japan in 2021" and extract and provide entries that match the designation.

The information provision control unit 204 may use the behavioral history stored in the behavioral history management database to generate information that makes it easy to understand the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan who have certain attributes, and provide this information to external companies, etc.

For example, the information provision control unit 204 may generate the number of users for each attribute of foreign visitors to Japan at each station as information to be provided. For example, the information provision control unit 204 may generate the number of users per day at each station (the number of users for each attribute of foreign visitors to Japan) as information to be provided (see FIG. 8).

By referring to the provided information as shown in FIG. 8, external companies can understand that the number of users of Station A2 is greater than the other stations. Note that FIG. 8 illustrates the number of American users by age group, but it goes without saying that the number of users of other nationalities (e.g., Chinese, British, etc.) may also be generated as provided information.

Alternatively, the information provision control unit 204 may generate the number of uses per time period, per week, per month (per season), per weekday, or per holiday as the provision information.

Alternatively, the information provision control unit 204 may generate information on the movement lines for each attribute of users as the provided information. Specifically, the information provision control unit 204 may treat the boarding station and disembarking station of foreign visitors to Japan as one movement line and generate information including the number of users for each attribute. In this case, the information provision control unit 204 may generate information such as that shown in FIG. 9 and provide it to the outside. By referring to the provided information such as that shown in FIG. 9, external companies etc. can understand that many users board at station A1 and disembark at station A2.

Alternatively, the information provision control unit 204 may generate information indicating details of each flow line (e.g., the number of users by attribute) by indicating the flow line on a map or a railway route map (see FIG. 10). A terminal of an external company, etc. may display a screen as shown in FIG. 10, and when a user (an employee of an external company, etc.) touches a flow line, the corresponding information provided (the number of users by attribute) may be displayed.

The storage unit 205 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 10. The storage unit 205 includes a behavior history management database that stores the card ID of the medium distributed to each of the multiple users in association with the attribute information of each of the multiple users.

[Staff terminal]
Detailed explanation of the processing configuration (processing module) of the staff terminal 20 will be omitted. The staff terminal 20 acquires foreign visitor attribute information from the two-dimensional barcode presented by the user, and acquires the card ID of the transportation IC card distributed to the foreign visitor. The staff terminal 20 transmits a card distribution notice including the acquired foreign visitor attribute information and the card ID to the server device 10.

[Authentication device]
Detailed description of the processing configuration (processing module) of the authentication terminal 30 will be omitted. The authentication terminal 30 acquires the card ID of the transportation IC card presented by the user. The authentication terminal 30 transmits a card usage notification including the acquired card ID and usage details to the server device 10.

[Device]
Detailed description of the processing configuration (processing module) of the terminal 40 will be omitted. Examples of the terminal 40 include a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a game machine, or a tablet, or a computer (personal computer, notebook computer), etc. The terminal 40 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the server device 10, etc.

[System Operation]
Next, a description will be given of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

The staff terminal 20 acquires a two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certificate (foreign visitor attribute information) from the foreign visitor. The staff terminal 20 also acquires the card ID of the transportation IC card to be distributed to the foreign visitor. The staff terminal 20 transmits a card distribution notification including the card ID and the foreign visitor attribute information to the server device 10 (step S01).

The server device 10, which has received the card distribution notification, adds a new entry to the behavior history management database and stores the card ID, foreign visitor attribute information, etc. in the added entry (step S02).

When a foreign visitor to Japan who has been issued a transportation IC card is detected by the authentication terminal 30, the authentication terminal 30 acquires the card ID of the transportation IC card presented by the foreign visitor. The authentication terminal 30 transmits a card usage notification including the acquired card ID to the server device 10 (step S03).

The server device 10, which receives the card usage notification, identifies the foreign visitor using the transportation IC card using the card ID, and stores the behavioral history of the foreign visitor in the behavioral history management database (step S04).

Next, we will explain a variation of the first embodiment.

<Modification 1>
Instead of sending a card distribution notice to the server device 10, the staff terminal 20 may write attribute information of the foreign visitor to Japan into the transportation IC card. In this case, the authentication terminal 30 reads out the card ID and foreign visitor attribute information from the transportation IC card presented by the user (foreign visitor to Japan). The authentication terminal 30 sends a card use notice including the read card ID and foreign visitor attribute information to the server device 10.

If the card ID included in the received card usage notification is not registered in the behavior history management database, the server device 10 (behavior history control unit 203) adds a new entry to the database. The server device 10 stores the card ID, foreign visitor attribute information, and behavior history in the added entry.

If the card ID included in the received card usage notification is registered in the behavior history management database, the server device 10 processes the card usage notification in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, the server device 10 generates behavior information of the user from the usage details included in the card usage notification. The server device 10 stores the generated behavior information in the behavior history management database as behavior history.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, the case where the foreign visitor uses transportation means with the cash stored in the transportation IC card has been described. However, the foreign visitor may pay for goods and services with the cash stored in the transportation IC card.

In this case, the authentication terminal 30 notifies the server device 10 of the usage details, including the payment information. The server device 10 (behavior history control unit 203) uses the usage details to generate behavioral information of the foreign visitor to Japan. In this case, the server device 10 stores a behavioral history such as "September 20, 2022, 10:10 a.m., purchase of product B1" in the behavioral history management database.

In this way, by using a transportation IC card, the server device 10 can store not only behavioral information regarding the movement of foreign visitors to Japan, but also behavioral history regarding the purchase of goods and services (consumption behavior).

In addition, by generating a behavioral history related to consumption, the server device 10 (information provision control unit 204) may provide information such as the hobbies and preferences of foreign visitors to Japan based on their attributes. For example, the server device 10 may provide information such as the products that American men in their twenties like to purchase and the products that teenage Chinese women like to purchase to external companies, etc.

In this way, the authentication terminal 30 may be a terminal for paying for goods or services. In this case, the usage content of the card usage notification sent by the authentication terminal 30 includes information about the goods or services purchased by the media user. The server device 10 stores the consumption behavior of the user as a behavior history in the behavior history management database based on the acquired usage content. In other words, the server device 10 stores the consumption behavior of the user as attribute information of the user. The server device 10 may generate provided information based on the attribute information (attribute information including consumption behavior) stored in the behavior history management database. For example, the server device 10 may generate provided information regarding places frequently visited by foreign visitors to Japan who prefer to purchase a specific product. For example, the server device 10 may generate provided information such as places frequently visited by foreign visitors to Japan who purchase product A, places frequently visited by foreign visitors to Japan who purchase product B, etc.

<Modification 3>
In the above embodiment, the server device 10 acquires data directly from the authentication terminal 30. However, the server device 10 may acquire necessary data from an operator server 50 operated by a railway company or the like (see FIG. 12).

The business operator server 50 manages entrance and exit data related to users of the means of transportation. Alternatively, the business operator server 50 manages product sales data and processes payments for products purchased by users. Note that a detailed explanation of the configuration of the business operator server 50 will be omitted. Details of the business operator server 50 are outside the scope of the present disclosure and would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

When the server device 10 obtains data from the business server 50, the authentication terminal 30 reads the card ID from the transportation IC card presented by the user. The authentication terminal 30 transmits the read card ID to the business server 50.

The business server 50 uses the acquired card ID to identify the user, and uses the entrance/exit data and sales data to execute processing according to the location of the authentication terminal 30, etc. At that time, the business server 50 generates "usage details" that indicate how the transportation IC card is used.

The business server 50 transmits the card ID and usage details to the server device 10. That is, the business server 50 transmits a card usage notification including the card ID and usage details to the server device 10. The server device 10 processes the card usage notification as described above.

Alternatively, the business server 50 stores the card ID in association with the usage details. The business server 50 may transmit the stored card ID and usage details to the server device 10 periodically or at a predetermined timing. In other words, the business server 50 may transmit the stored combinations of card IDs and usage details together to the server device 10.

Alternatively, the combined data of the card ID and usage details stored in the business server 50 may be stored in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and input to the management center (server device 10).

In this way, the authentication terminal 10 may simply function as an ID card reader, and the business server 50 may send a card usage notification to the server device 10. Also, the card ID and usage content combination data may be input to the server device 10 by any means, online or offline.

As described above, in the information processing system according to the first embodiment, a transportation IC card is distributed to a foreign visitor who has acquired a two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption by completing an entry procedure through a predetermined online procedure or the like. The server device 10 stores the card ID of the transportation IC card in association with attribute information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption. When a foreign visitor uses the transportation IC card (uses cash stored in the card), the server device 10 identifies the card user using the card ID of the transportation IC card used. The server device 10 generates behavioral information of the card user based on the usage details (how the transportation IC card is used) notified from the authentication terminal 30, and stores the behavioral information in the behavioral history management database. Since the behavioral history management database stores the card ID, attribute information, and behavioral history in association with each other, the server device 10 can provide detailed information on the attributes (combination of attributes) of foreign visitors to Japan to external companies, etc. By referring to the provided information, external companies, etc. can easily understand what places and events the user (foreign visitor) prefers to be involved in. Furthermore, external companies can specify in detail the attributes of the information provided, making it easy to obtain information that is useful to their own business.

In this way, the information processing system disclosed in the present application realizes multipurpose use of two-dimensional barcodes issued to foreign visitors to Japan for tax exemption. Specifically, a system is constructed in cooperation with airport companies to increase inbound tourists. That is, by setting up a place in the airport where transportation IC cards are distributed to foreign visitors to Japan who have completed immigration procedures before moving to their destination (installing staff terminals 20 in the airport), transportation IC cards can be distributed to many foreign visitors without fail. In addition, by allowing the use of cash with the distributed transportation IC cards, foreign visitors to Japan are given an incentive to use the transportation IC cards. As a result, the behavioral history of many foreign visitors to Japan is collected. In addition, since the server device 10 manages attribute information of foreign visitors to Japan and attribute information is not recorded on the transportation IC cards, there is no concern of personal information leakage even if a foreign visitor loses his or her transportation IC card.

In addition, information about foreign visitors to Japan (inbound passengers) (arrival airport, departure airport, etc.) is held by airlines, and airports are unable to obtain this information. However, airports have a need to develop businesses such as tourism and retail in addition to their primary operations. In order to meet this need, the information processing system disclosed in this application combines two-dimensional barcodes for tax-free certificates with transportation IC cards, making it possible to obtain detailed behavioral histories for each attribute. For example, it becomes possible to grasp the movement patterns of each nationality.

The information processing system disclosed in this application provides the government agency that operates the Visit Japan Web service with the benefit of promoting system usage. The information processing system also provides external companies, including airport operators, with the benefit of providing an opportunity to consider policies by understanding the behavior (traffic patterns) of foreign visitors to Japan (inbound passengers). Furthermore, the information processing system provides users (foreign visitors to Japan) with the benefit of improved convenience and mobility by allowing them to obtain a transportation IC card that can be used on any means of transportation.

Next, we will explain the hardware of each device that makes up the information processing system. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 10.

The server device 10 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called a computer), and has the configuration shown in FIG. 13. For example, the server device 10 has a processor 311, a memory 312, an input/output interface 313, a communication interface 314, etc. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

However, the configuration shown in FIG. 13 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 may include hardware not shown, and may not include an input/output interface 313 as necessary. Furthermore, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the server device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in FIG. 13, and for example, the server device 10 may include multiple processors 311.

The processor 311 is, for example, a programmable device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

Memory 312 may be a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Memory 312 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data.

The input/output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user operations such as a keyboard or a mouse.

The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), etc.

The functions of the server device 10 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. In other words, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network, or updated using a storage medium that stores the program. The processing modules may also be realized by a semiconductor chip.

In addition, the staff terminal 20, authentication terminal 30, etc. can also be configured using information processing devices, just like the server device 10, and their basic hardware configuration is no different from that of the server device 10, so a description of them will be omitted.

The server device 10, which is an information processing device, is equipped with a computer, and the functions of the server device 10 can be realized by having the computer execute a program. The server device 10 also executes a control method for the server device 10 by the program.

[Modification]
The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the system configuration, etc.

In the above embodiment, a case where a transportation IC card is distributed to a foreign visitor to Japan has been described, but the transportation IC card may also be distributed to foreigners and Japanese people living in Japan. In this case, the management center may distribute the transportation IC card to individuals who provide information equivalent to the information contained in the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification (date of birth, nationality, etc.). In other words, the recipients of transportation IC cards are not limited to foreign visitors to Japan (foreign visitors to Japan who present the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification).

In addition, the media distributed to foreign visitors to Japan will not be limited to transportation IC cards. However, taking into consideration user convenience and the abundance of facilities (ticket gates that are compatible with transportation IC cards, and the abundance of POS (Point of Sale) systems), it is preferable for them to use the transportation IC cards.

In the above embodiment, the staff terminal 20 reads the card ID from the transportation IC card and notifies the server device 10 of the read card ID. However, the staff terminal 20 may generate a new card ID every time it acquires a two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification, notify the server device 10 of the generated card ID, and write the generated card ID into the transportation IC card to be distributed.

The management center may collect used transportation IC cards from foreign visitors to Japan. In this case, for example, the staff terminal 20 may read the card ID of the collected transportation IC card and notify the server device 10 of the read card ID. The server device 10 may delete the entry (entry in the behavior history management database) corresponding to the notified card ID. Alternatively, the server device 10 may delete entries related to foreign visitors to Japan whose residence status has expired.

In the above embodiment, the authentication terminal 30 has been described as a ticket gate installed at a station. However, the authentication terminal 30 may also be a fare adjustment machine installed inside a bus. In this case, when a foreign visitor to Japan gets on or off the bus, the authentication terminal 30 transmits a card usage notification including the bus stop location as usage information to the server device 10. The server device 10 may generate behavioral information of the foreign visitor to Japan (getting on the bus, getting off the bus) based on the bus stop location. The authentication terminal 30 may generate the bus stop location using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the staff terminal 20 transmits a card distribution notification to the server device 10. However, the card distribution notification may also be transmitted from the terminal 40 carried by the user (foreign visitor to Japan). For example, the terminal 40 may read the card ID from the distributed transportation IC card, and notify the server device 10 of the read card ID and attribute information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode for tax exemption certification.

The user's terminal 40 may display not only the two-dimensional barcode for the tax exemption certificate, but also a facial photo (a facial image at the time of registering on Visit Japan Web) or a facial image at the time of uploading the ticket. In addition, if the user's terminal 40 can access information on the airline ticket purchased by the user, the user's aircraft use status (first class, business class, etc.) and travel frequency (entry history, airline use history) may also be provided to the staff terminal 20 as attribute information. That is, the server device 10 may store information on the above-mentioned user's aircraft use in the action history management database as user attribute information. The server device 10 may generate information provided using these attribute information. For example, the server device 10 may generate information provided on popular destinations for each aircraft use status. For example, the server device 10 may generate information provided on places visited by many foreigners who visit Japan in first class. Alternatively, the server device 10 may generate information provided on places visited by many foreigners who visit Japan frequently.

In addition, with regard to collecting the user's behavioral history, the server device 10 may collect the behavioral history using a facial image registered in the above system. For example, instead of or in addition to identifying the user by the card ID of the transportation IC card, the server device 10 may identify a user who makes a payment at a terminal that does not support transportation IC card payments by facial recognition. The server device 10 may acquire a facial image of the user from a terminal that does not support transportation IC cards, identify the user by authentication using the acquired facial image, and store the behavioral history in the behavioral history management database.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the behavior history management database is configured inside the server device 10, but the database may also be constructed in an external database server or the like. That is, some of the functions of the server device 10 may be implemented in another server. More specifically, the above-described "card distribution control unit (card distribution control means)", "behavior history control unit (behavior history control means)", etc. may be implemented in any of the devices included in the system.

The form of data transmission between each device (server device 10, staff terminal 20) is not particularly limited, but data transmitted between these devices may be encrypted. Personal information and the like is transmitted between these devices, and in order to properly protect this information, it is desirable to transmit and receive encrypted data.

In the flow diagrams (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are listed in order, but the order in which the steps are executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order listed. In the embodiments, the order of the steps shown in the diagrams can be changed to the extent that does not interfere with the content, for example by executing each process in parallel.

The above embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the configurations described above are necessary. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of an embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of an embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of an embodiment with other configurations.

The above explanation makes it clear that the present invention has industrial applicability, and it can be suitably applied to information processing systems that track the behavior of foreign visitors to Japan.

A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
[Appendix 1]
a storage means including a database for storing a medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
an action history control means for receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the content of the use of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the plurality of users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing action information obtained from the content of the use of the medium in the database as the action history of the identified medium user;
an information provision control means for generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database, and outputting the generated information to be provided;
A server device comprising:
[Appendix 2]
The authentication terminal is a ticket gate installed at a station,
The server device described in Appendix 1, wherein the usage notification includes the name of the station used by the media user and a usage pattern indicating whether the media user entered or exited a ticket gate.
[Appendix 3]
The server device according to claim 2, wherein the information provision control means generates information on a movement line for each attribute of a user as the provision information.
[Appendix 4]
The server device described in Appendix 3, wherein the medium is distributed to foreign visitors to Japan who have obtained a two-dimensional barcode by completing entry procedures through a specified online procedure.
[Appendix 5]
The server device described in Appendix 4, further comprising a distribution control means for, upon receiving a distribution notification from a specified terminal, the distribution notification including the attribute information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode and the medium ID of the distributed medium, storing the medium ID and the attribute information included in the received distribution notification in the database.
[Appendix 6]
The authentication terminal is a terminal for paying for a product or service,
2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the usage notification includes information regarding a product or service purchased by the medium user.
[Appendix 7]
The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the medium is a transportation IC (Integrated Circuit) card.
[Appendix 8]
An authentication terminal;
A server device;
Including,
The server device includes:
a storage means including a database for storing a medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
a behavior history control means for receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium at the authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the plurality of users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing behavior information obtained from the usage details of the medium in the database as the behavior history of the identified medium user;
an information provision control means for generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database, and outputting the generated information to be provided;
A system comprising:
[Appendix 9]
In the server device,
storing in a database a medium ID of the medium distributed to each of the plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the plurality of users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing behavioral information obtained from the usage details of the medium in the database as a behavioral history of the identified medium user;
A method for controlling a server device, the method comprising: generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database; and outputting the generated information to be provided.
[Appendix 10]
A computer installed in the server device
A process of storing in a database a medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the multiple users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing behavioral information obtained from the usage details of the medium in the database as a behavioral history of the identified medium user;
generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database, and outputting the generated information to be provided;
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing the above.

The disclosures of the above cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and amendments that a person skilled in the art can make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical ideas.

10 Server device 20 Staff terminal 30 Authentication terminal 30-1 Authentication terminal 30-2 Authentication terminal 40 Terminal 50 Business server 100 Server device 101 Storage means 102 Action history control means 103 Information provision control means 201 Communication control unit 202 Card distribution control unit 203 Action history control unit 204 Information provision control unit 205 Storage unit 311 Processor 312 Memory 313 Input/output interface 314 Communication interface

Claims

a storage means including a database for storing a medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
an action history control means for receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the content of the use of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the plurality of users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing action information obtained from the content of the use of the medium in the database as the action history of the identified medium user;
an information provision control means for generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database, and outputting the generated information to be provided;
A server device comprising:
The authentication terminal is a ticket gate installed at a station,
2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the usage notification includes a name of a station used by the medium user and a usage pattern indicating whether the medium user entered or exited a ticket gate.
The server device according to claim 2, wherein the information provision control means generates information on the movement lines of each user attribute as the provided information.
The server device according to claim 3, wherein the medium is distributed to foreign visitors to Japan who obtain a two-dimensional barcode by completing a prescribed online immigration procedure.
The server device according to claim 4 further comprises a distribution control means for storing the medium ID and the attribute information included in the received distribution notification in the database when the distribution notification includes the attribute information obtained from the two-dimensional barcode and the medium ID of the distributed medium from a predetermined terminal.
The authentication terminal is a terminal for paying for a product or service,
2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein said notification of use includes information regarding a product or service purchased by said medium user.
The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the medium is a transportation IC (Integrated Circuit) card.
An authentication terminal;
A server device;
Including,
The server device includes:
a storage means including a database for storing a medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
a behavior history control means for receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium at the authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the plurality of users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing behavior information obtained from the usage details of the medium in the database as the behavior history of the identified medium user;
an information provision control means for generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database, and outputting the generated information to be provided;
A system comprising:
In the server device,
storing in a database a medium ID of the medium distributed to each of the plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the plurality of users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing behavioral information obtained from the usage details of the medium in the database as a behavioral history of the identified medium user;
A method for controlling a server device, the method comprising: generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database; and outputting the generated information to be provided.
A computer installed in the server device
A process of storing in a database a medium ID of a medium distributed to each of a plurality of users and attribute information of each of the plurality of users in association with each other;
receiving a usage notification including the medium ID of a medium user who uses the medium and the usage details of the medium at an authentication terminal, identifying the medium user from among the multiple users using the medium ID of the medium user, and storing behavioral information obtained from the usage details of the medium in the database as a behavioral history of the identified medium user;
generating information to be provided by using the attribute information and the behavior history stored in the database, and outputting the generated information to be provided;
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing the above.