Via-facility determination device and via-facility determination method

Abstract

To provide a via-facility determination device and a via-facility determination method which promote a user who does not use service affiliated by a facility to use the service.SOLUTION: In a via-facility determination device (stamp rally server), a system control part 11 includes a service specification part for specifying a first service which is not used by a user, out of a plurality of services available in a facility, and a via-shop determination part for determining a via-facility through which a user goes until reaching a predetermined end point, out of the plurality of facilities. At this time, a first facility affiliated to the first service is included in the via-facility. The via-facility determination device further includes: a via-information acquisition part for acquiring via-information capable of specifying the facility through which the user has gone after determination of the via-facility; a via-status determination part for determining a via-status for the determined via-facility by the user, on the basis of the via-information; and a privilege imparting part for imparting a privilege to the user, under the condition that it is determined that the user has gone through the via-facility including the first facility, when the user arrives at the end point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for rewarding a user for visiting a number of predefined locations. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, it is known to carry out a stamp rally for the purpose of promoting visits to or use of facilities or places, etc. In a stamp rally, for example, a user is given a privilege by visiting a plurality of predetermined places.

[0003] There is also known a technology that allows a user to carry out their own stamp rally. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that extracts spots within a predetermined range from the location of the user's terminal, spots selected by the user in the past, spots with many visitors, etc. as spot candidates, extracts spot candidates based on product purchase history and service usage history, displays the spot candidates on a map, and creates a stamp sheet including the spots selected by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7224510 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some facilities are affiliated with services that are provided to visitors of the facility in addition to the products and services that the facility itself provides. Users can use the services that the facility is affiliated with at the facility. Such services are generally provided using information and communication technology. Examples of such services include electronic payment services and point programs.

[0006] However, in conventional technology, even if the purchase of products or use of services offered by the facility is taken into consideration when deciding which facility to have a user visit, the usage status of the above-mentioned services to which the facility is affiliated is not taken into consideration.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one example of an objective of the present invention is to provide a route facility determination device and a route facility determination method that are capable of encouraging non-users of a service to which a facility is affiliated to use the service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device comprising: a service identification means for identifying a first service that the user has not used among the multiple services based on service information that can identify the usage status of multiple services available at a facility by a user; a determination means for determining intermediate facilities among the multiple facilities to be passed through before reaching a specified end point, the intermediate facility determination means including a first facility that is affiliated with the identified first service as the intermediate facility; a route information acquisition means for acquiring route information that can identify facilities passed through by the user after the intermediate facility has been determined; a route status determination means for determining the route status of the user for the determined intermediate facility based on the acquired route information; and a granting means for granting a benefit to the user when the user reaches the end point, on condition that it is determined that the user has passed through the intermediate facilities including the first facility.

[0009] According to this aspect, a first service that is unused by the user is identified from among a plurality of services. The plurality of services are services that can be used at the facility. Route facilities that the user should pass through before arriving at a predetermined end point are determined to include a first facility that is affiliated with the first service that the user has not used. Then, a route status of the user passing through the route facilities is determined. When passing through the first facility, the user may use the first service at the first facility. When the user arrives at the end point, a privilege is granted to the user on the condition that the user passed through the route facility. Therefore, it is possible to encourage non-users of a service to which the facility is affiliated to use the service.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device, characterized in that the acquired route information is usage information that can be acquired from a device that executes processing related to one of the plurality of services in response to the user using one of the plurality of services at one of the plurality of facilities, and includes usage information indicating the facility at which the user used one of the services, and the route status determination means determines that the user has passed through the facility indicated by the usage information.

[0011] According to this aspect, when a user uses a service that the facility is affiliated with, the user is determined to have passed through the facility. Passing through a facility is a condition for the user to receive a benefit. This can encourage the user to use the service that the facility is affiliated with.

[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device characterized in that the usage information further indicates any of the services used, and the route status determination means determines that the user has routed through the first facility if the user has used the identified first service at the first facility.

[0013] According to this aspect, when a user uses a first service at a first facility that is affiliated with the first service, the user is determined to have passed through the first facility, so that it is possible to encourage non-users of the service to which the facility is affiliated to use the service.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device characterized in that the service identification means further identifies a second service from the plurality of services that the user has used, the route facility determination means further includes a second facility affiliated with the identified second service in the route facilities, and the granting means grants the benefit on the condition that it is determined that the user has passed through the route facilities including the first facility and the second facility.

[0015] According to this aspect, a second service that the user has used among the multiple services is further identified. The route facilities are determined to include both the first service and the second service. Therefore, the facility that the user should route through to obtain the benefit includes the second facility. Since the second facility is a facility affiliated with the second service that the user has used, it is easy for the user to get to the second facility. By including a facility that is easy for the user to get to in the route facilities, it is possible to increase the motivation of the user to achieve the conditions for obtaining the benefit. As a result, it is possible to encourage non-users of the service to which the facility is affiliated to use the service.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route through facility determination device, characterized in that the granting means grants the benefit when the user moves from a specified starting point to the end point via the route through facility, and the route through facility determination means determines the route through facilities such that the order of passing through the route through facilities along the route from the starting point to the end point via the route through facility is such that the second facility is passed through before the first facility.

[0017] According to this aspect, when a user moves from a starting point to an end point via a via facility, a privilege is granted. A route for moving from the starting point to the end point via the via facility is determined. The via facility is determined so that, assuming that the user moves along this route, the user will pass through the second facility before the first facility. If a facility affiliated with the second service that the user has used is located in an easy-to-reach location, it is easy for the user to go to the second facility. By passing through the second facility, the user will have partially achieved the conditions for obtaining the privilege. Therefore, it is possible to increase the motivation to pass through the remaining via facilities. As a result, it is possible to encourage non-users of the service to which the facility belongs to to use the service.

[0018] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device characterized in that the granting means grants the benefit when the user moves from a specified starting point to the end point via the route facility, and further includes a user travel distance determination means for determining a user travel distance corresponding to the user, and the route facility determination means determines the route facility such that the length of the route for moving from the starting point to the end point via the route facility corresponds to the determined user travel distance.

[0019] According to this aspect, the intermediate facilities are determined so that the length of the route from the starting point to the end point via the intermediate facilities corresponds to the user travel distance. Therefore, by passing through the intermediate facilities, the user can be prompted to travel a distance appropriate for the user.

[0020] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device further comprising a location history information acquisition means for acquiring location history information indicating a history of the user's locations, and the distance determination means is configured to determine a distance traveled by the user based on the acquired location history information.

[0021] According to this aspect, the user movement distance corresponding to the user is identified based on the location history information indicating the location history of the user. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to move a distance suitable for the user's past movement tendency.

[0022] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device, wherein the awarding means determines a value of the award to be awarded in accordance with a length of the route.

[0023] According to this aspect, by setting the value of the reward to be awarded according to the length of the route to travel from the starting point, via intermediate facilities, to the end point, it is possible to encourage the user to travel even if the travel distance is long.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device characterized in that it further includes a presentation control means for causing the user's terminal device to present, when it is determined that the user has passed through any of the determined route facilities, prompting information encouraging the user to visit any of the determined route facilities that the user has not yet passed through.

[0025] According to this aspect, when the user has passed through any of the intermediate facilities, information is presented that encourages the user to visit the intermediate facilities that the user has not passed through yet, thereby encouraging the user to move to the facility that the user has not passed through yet.

[0026] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device further comprising a budget information acquisition unit that acquires budget information indicating a budget set by the user, the acquired route information further indicating an amount paid by the user to the route facility that the user has passed through, the route facility determination unit, when it is determined that the user has passed through at least one of the determined route facilities, determines whether or not to add an additional facility to the determined route facilities based on the budget indicated by the acquired budget information and the amount indicated by the acquired route information, and the granting unit, when the additional facility is added to the route facilities, grants the benefit on the condition that the user has passed through the route facilities including the added facility.

[0027] According to this aspect, it is possible to specify the amount paid by the user to a facility when the user passed through the facility. Then, based on the budget set by the user and the amount paid by the user when the user passed through at least one of the facilities among the facilities, it is determined whether or not a facility is added to the passing stores. In order to obtain a benefit, the user needs to pass through the added facility as well. Therefore, it is possible to determine the passing facility according to the budget.

[0028] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a transit facility determination device further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring balance information indicating the balance of a payment method that the user can use to make payments to facilities, and a unit price information acquisition means for acquiring unit price information indicating the customer unit price for each of the multiple facilities, wherein the transit facility determination means determines the transit facility based on the acquired balance information and the acquired unit price information.

[0029] According to this aspect, the stopover facilities are determined based on the balance of the payment method available to the user and the customer unit price of each of the multiple facilities. Therefore, the stopover facilities can be determined according to the balance of the payment method.

[0030] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a route facility determination device characterized in that the route facility determination means includes, as the route facilities, facilities for which the length of time that has elapsed since the user last visited the facility is equal to or greater than a predetermined first period length and less than a predetermined second period length, based on timing information for each of the plurality of facilities indicating when the user previously visited the facility.

[0031] According to this aspect, a facility that the user last visited not too close to, and not too far from, is included in the route facility. By encouraging the user to route to such a facility, it is possible to encourage the user to use the facility regularly.

[0032] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for determining a route facility determined by a computer, comprising: a service identification step for identifying a first service that has not been used by the user from among the plurality of services based on service information that is capable of identifying a usage status of a plurality of services by a user and that is available at a facility; a determination step for determining a route facility from among the plurality of facilities to be passed through before reaching a specified end point, the determination step including a first facility that is affiliated with the identified first service as the route facility; a route information acquisition step for acquiring route information that is capable of identifying a facility passed through by the user after the route facility has been determined; a route status determination step for determining a route status by the user for the determined route facility based on the acquired route information; and a granting step for granting a privilege to the user when the user reaches the end point, on condition that it is determined that the user has passed through the route facility including the first facility. Effect of the Invention

[0033] This can encourage non-users of the services to use the services of which the facility is affiliated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in a database of the stamp rally server 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of a member information management server 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of a point program server 3 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a usage status of a facility use service, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of determining a stopover store, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of determining a stopover store. [Figure 8] 1A is a diagram showing an example of determining stopover stores, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of determining the value of a privilege, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing another example of determining the value of a privilege. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a map screen 300. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a stamp rally creation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a route status update process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a bonus award determination process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a stamp rally creation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of a coupon management server 7 according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a store where prompting information is presented. [Figure 18] An example of how a coupon is displayed is shown below. [Figure 19] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a route status update process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in a database of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of adding a stopover store. [Diagram 23] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a route status update process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 24] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of determining stopover stores. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a stamp rally creation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] [1. First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0036] [1-1. Communication system configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system S includes a stamp rally server 1, a member information management server 2, a point program server 3, at least one service server 4, a plurality of store terminals 5, and a plurality of user terminals 6. These devices are connected to a network NW. The network NW is constructed, for example, by the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), and a gateway, etc.

[0038] The stamp rally server 1 may be a server device that executes processing related to a predetermined stamp rally service. This stamp rally service may be a service that enables a user to participate in a stamp rally (or a walking rally, etc.). A stamp rally is, for example, moving from a starting point to a finishing point via one or more facilities determined for the stamp rally. The starting point may be a point at which the stamp rally begins. The finishing point may be a final destination of the stamp rally. In this embodiment, the facilities to be passed through in the stamp rally are some kind of stores. Examples of stores include specialty stores that sell specific types of products, supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, other stores and shops, gas stations, restaurants, beauty salons, hotels, and other stores that provide specific services. Stores to be passed through in the stamp rally are called "passing stores." The stamp rally server 1 grants benefits to users who have passed through all the passing stores and reached the finishing point. Examples of benefits include points from a point program, electronic money, coupons, etc. The stamp rally server 1 may perform processes such as creating a stamp rally (or creating a stamp rally sheet), presenting information on intermediate stores to the user, determining whether the user has passed through intermediate stores, and determining whether to grant a special benefit to the user. Creating a stamp rally may involve determining intermediate stores for the stamp rally. When determining intermediate stores, the stamp rally server 1 may determine intermediate stores for each user. For example, the stamp rally server 1 may determine intermediate stores from among stores that are relatively close to the user's location. The stamp rally server 1 may also include facilities other than stores in the facilities to be passed through in the stamp rally.

[0039] The member information management server 2 may be a server device that manages information on members of a specific Internet comprehensive service. The Internet comprehensive service may be a collection of multiple services. The services included in the Internet comprehensive service may be multiple services provided using a computer network such as a network NW. These services may be provided using information and communication technology, for example. The stamp rally service may be one of the services included in the Internet comprehensive service. When a user becomes a member of the Internet comprehensive service, a user ID is assigned to the user. The user ID may be identification information that identifies the user in the Internet comprehensive service. A user who becomes a member of the Internet comprehensive service may be able to use many of the services included in the Internet comprehensive service. In order to use some services, the user may need to register as a member or register for use separately, on the condition that the user is a member of the Internet comprehensive service.

[0040] The point program server 3 may be a server device that executes processing related to a predetermined point program. The point program may be a service that grants points to a user who purchases a transaction object at a predetermined ratio of the purchase price, and allows the user to use the points he or she owns to pay for the transaction object. This ratio is called a point return rate or a grant rate. The transaction object may be something that can be traded commercially. Examples of the transaction object include products and services. The user may be able to earn and use points at online services and stores. The user may be provided with a point card for the point program. For example, an information code indicating the card number of the card may be printed on the point card. The card number may be identification information that identifies the point card in the point program. Examples of the information code include a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional code. When earning or using points at a store, the user uses the point card. Using the point card may mean having the store terminal 5 of the store read the information code printed on the point card. By having the store terminal 5 read the information code, the user may be able to earn or use points. Also, an application for a point program may be installed in the user terminal 6. When this application is started, the user terminal 6 may display an information code indicating a card number of the point program on the screen of the user terminal 6. The user may also acquire and use points by having the store terminal 5 read the information code displayed on the user terminal 6. Reading the information code displayed on the user terminal 6 may also be included in the use of the point card. The point program may be included in the Internet comprehensive service. Therefore, members of the Internet comprehensive service can use the point program. The point program server 3 may manage, for example, the points owned by each user. The number of points owned by a user is called the number of available points.The point program server 3 may update the number of available points for a user according to the acquisition and use of points by the user. In this embodiment, the reward given to the stamp rally user may be points from this point program. The exchange rate between points and money may be determined in advance. For example, 1 point may be equivalent to 1 yen.

[0041] Each service server 4 may be a server device that executes processing related to services that users can use at a store. Such services are called facility-related services for convenience. For convenience, the facility-related services may include services that are different from the products and services provided by the store itself. Each facility-related service may be provided by, for example, an operator different from the operator of the facility. Each store may join each facility-related service for each facility-related service. Each facility-related service may be available only at affiliated stores of the facility-related service. Each facility-related service may be included in an Internet comprehensive service. Therefore, members of the Internet comprehensive service can use each facility-related service. The facility-related service may include services that users can use when paying the purchase price of a product or the usage price of a service to a facility. Examples of facility-related services include a point card service of a point program, an electronic payment service, and a check-in service. The point card service is a service that allows the above-mentioned point card to be used at a store. Processing related to the point card may be executed by the point program server 3 instead of the service server 4. When a user uses a facility-related service at a store, it is also called that the user performs a facility-related service usage behavior. For example, the facility-related service utilization behavior of a point card service may be the use of a point card.

[0042] The electronic payment service enables a user to pay the price when purchasing a transaction object at a store by electronic payment as a facility-related service usage behavior. There may be multiple services with different payment methods as the electronic payment service. Examples of payment methods include IC (Integrated Circuit) type electronic money, online electronic money, credit cards, etc. The balance of each user's IC type electronic money may be stored in an IC chip. For example, a card with an IC chip built in may be provided to the user for electronic money. Also, for example, an application for IC type electronic money may be installed in a user terminal 6 with an IC chip built in. For example, payment may be performed by wireless communication between the IC chip and the store terminal 5. A service for payment by online electronic money is called an app payment service. The balance of each user's online electronic money may be stored in a service server 4 corresponding to the app payment service. To use the app payment service, an application for the app payment service may need to be installed in the user terminal 6. When this application is started, the user terminal 6 may display an information code indicating a member number of the app payment service on the screen of the user terminal 6. This member number may be identification information that identifies the user in the app payment service. Payment may be executed in response to the store terminal 5 reading an information code displayed on the user terminal 6. Alternatively, an information code indicating information required to settle the payment amount may be displayed on the screen of the store terminal 5. Payment may be executed in response to the user terminal 6 reading an information code displayed on the store terminal 5. A user who uses an electronic payment service may be given points for using the electronic payment service in addition to points normally given by a point program for the purchase of goods or services.

[0043] The check-in service may be, for example, a service that gives points to a user on the condition that the user approaches a predetermined point in a member store of the check-in service. For example, the service server 4 of the check-in service may determine whether the user approaches the predetermined point based on the position information of the user terminal 6 carried by the user. Alternatively, a device that emits ultrasonic waves specific to the store may be placed at the predetermined point. The service server 4 may determine that the user approaches the point on the condition that the user terminal 6 receives the ultrasonic waves. After the user approaches the predetermined point, the user performs an operation to check in to the store on the user terminal 6. Points may be given to the user in response to this operation. The facility-related service usage behavior in the check-in service is checking in to the store. This check-in may correspond to, for example, a procedure to notify the user that he or she has entered the store.

[0044] Each store terminal 5 may be a terminal device installed in a store. The store terminal 5 may be a terminal device used by the manager or employees of the store. The store may be, for example, an affiliated store of at least one facility-related service. The store terminal 5 may be used, for example, to calculate the usage fee of a service provided by the store or the purchase price of a product. Examples of the store terminal 5 include a personal computer, a tablet computer, and a POS (Point of Sale) register. At least one store terminal 5 may be equipped with a predetermined reading device. This reading device may be capable of reading information recorded on a magnetic tape, information recorded on an IC chip, or an information code printed or displayed on a screen.

[0045] Each user terminal 6 may be a terminal device used by a user who is a member of the Internet comprehensive service. The user terminal 6 may transmit and receive information between the stamp rally server 1, the point program server 3, the service server 4, etc., based on the user's operation, so that the user can use the service supported by the service server 4. Each user terminal 6 may be a portable terminal device. Examples of the user terminal 6 include a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. A dedicated application for using the stamp rally service may be installed in each user terminal 6. This application is called a stamp rally app. In addition, a dedicated application for using at least one of the other services included in the Internet comprehensive service may be installed in each user terminal 6. In addition, a web browser may be installed in each user terminal 6.

[0046] Each user terminal 6 may have a function to acquire location information indicating the location of the user terminal 6. For example, a satellite positioning system such as a global positioning system (GPS) may be used to calculate longitude and latitude as location information. For example, a mobile communication carrier may provide location information using a base station to the user terminal 6. In this case, the user terminal 6 acquires the longitude and latitude, address, or postal code corresponding to the location of a base station near the user terminal 6 as location information. For example, the location information may be acquired using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). For example, when the user terminal 6 receives wireless signals from multiple access points, the user terminal 6 measures the radio wave intensity from each access point and acquires the SSID of each access point. The user terminal 6 transmits information including the radio wave intensity and the SSID to a predetermined server device (not shown). The server device stores the longitude and latitude of the installation location of the access point. The server device calculates the location of the user terminal 6 by, for example, triangulation using the information received from the user terminal 6.

[0047] [1-2.Device configuration] [1-2-1. Stamp Rally Server] Next, the configuration of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the stamp rally server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0048] The system control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11a, a read only memory (ROM) 11b, a random access memory (RAM) 11c, and the like.

[0049] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11 .

[0050] The storage unit 14 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive or the like. Databases such as a store group DB 14a, a store DB 14b, a stamp rally DB 14c, a route status DB 14d, and a location information DB 14e may be stored in this storage unit 14. "DB" is an abbreviation for database. At least one database may be stored in a server device different from the stamp rally server 1. The stamp rally server 1 may be able to access the database via the server device.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in the database of the stamp rally server 1. The store group DB 14a may store store group information related to each store group that is affiliated with at least one facility-related service. The store group may be a group consisting of multiple stores. Examples of store groups include a group of franchisees affiliated with the same franchise, a group of chain stores, and a combination of a head office and a branch office. A store group for convenience may be assigned to a store that does not belong to a specific store group. The store group DB 14a may store, as store group information, for example, a store group ID, a store group name, category information, and affiliated service information in association with each other. The store group ID is identification information that identifies a store. The category information indicates the category of the store in the store group. For example, categories may be divided by business type, type of product provided, type of service provided, etc. The affiliated service information indicates the facility-related service to which the store group is currently affiliated. In this embodiment, the store is assumed to be affiliated with the facility-related service on a store group basis. In the case where the affiliated facility-related services differ for each store, affiliated service information may be stored in the store DB 14b described later. The affiliated service information may include, for example, a service ID for each of one or more services to which the store group is affiliated. The service ID is identification information that identifies each service included in the Internet comprehensive service.

[0052] The store DB 14b may store store information on each store that is a member of at least one store-related service. For example, the store DB 14b may store store IDs, store group IDs, store names, addresses, store location information, and the like, in association with one another, as store information. The store ID is identification information for identifying a store. The store group ID indicates the store group to which the store belongs. The store location information is information indicating the geographic location of the store. For example, the store location information may indicate the longitude and latitude corresponding to the address of the store. Also, for example, the store location information may indicate the positions of each vertex that constitutes the outer edge of the store's premises in longitude and latitude.

[0053] The stamp rally DB 14c may store stamp rally information related to each stamp rally created by the stamp rally server 1. For example, the stamp rally DB 14c may store stamp rally information such as a stamp rally ID, a user ID, creation date and time, start point coordinates, finish point coordinates, route information, the number of bonus points, the action log acquisition date and time, and an end flag in association with each other. The stamp rally ID is identification information for identifying the created stamp rally. The user ID indicates the user who performs the stamp rally. The creation date and time indicates the date and time when the stamp rally was created. The start point coordinates indicate the longitude and latitude of the start point of the stamp rally. The finish point coordinates indicate the longitude and latitude of the end point of the stamp rally. The route information is information indicating the route along which the user travels in the stamp rally. For example, the route information may include information indicating each road or a connecting point of the road that the user passes through, information indicating the order of the roads or the connecting points that the user passes through, and the like. The number of bonus points indicates the number of points given to a user who completes the stamp rally. The action log acquisition date and time indicates the date and time when an action log indicating a record of the user's actions was acquired from the member information management server 2. The initial value of the action log acquisition date and time may be the same as the creation date and time. The action log will be described later. The end flag indicates whether the stamp rally has ended. The end flag may be set to either FALSE or TRUE. FALSE indicates that the stamp rally has not ended. TRUE indicates that the stamp rally has ended. The initial value of the end flag is FALSE. Examples of conditions for ending a stamp rally include the user arriving at the goal point via all intermediate stores, the user interrupting the stamp rally, or the user not arriving at the goal point by the deadline set in advance for the stamp rally. The deadline for achieving the goal of the stamp rally may or may not be set.

[0054] The route status DB 14d may store route store information indicating the route status of each store determined as a route store in the stamp rally. For example, the route status DB 14d may store, as route store information, a stamp rally ID, a route order number, a store ID, route condition information, a route flag, and the like, in association with each other. The stamp rally ID indicates a stamp rally in which a store is determined as a route store. The route order number indicates which order the store is the route store of the route stores determined in the stamp rally. The route condition information may indicate a condition for determining that the user has routed through the store. The condition for determining that the user has routed through the store may be, for example, that the user uses a specific facility-related service or any facility-related service at the store. The route condition information may include a service ID of one or more facility-related services that are recognized as having the user routed through the facility. The route flag indicates whether the user has routed through the store. The route flag may be set to either FALSE or TRUE. FALSE indicates that the store has not yet been routed through. TRUE indicates that the store has already been routed through. The initial value of the via flag is FALSE.

[0055] The location information DB 14e stores location information transmitted from each user terminal 6 to the stamp rally server 1. For example, each user terminal 6 on which a stamp rally app is installed may periodically acquire location information and transmit it to the stamp rally server 1. The location information DB 14e may store, as location information, a user ID, a recording date and time, terminal location information, etc., in association with each other. The user ID indicates the user who uses the user terminal 6 that transmitted the location information. The recording date and time indicates the date and time when the user terminal 6 recorded the location information. The terminal location information indicates the location of the user terminal 6 at the time of the recording date and time. For example, the terminal location information may include the longitude and latitude of the location.

[0056] The storage unit 14 may further store a map DB. The map DB includes information about the map. For example, the map DB may store POI (Point of Interest) information about each spot. The spots that can be identified from the map DB may include the above-mentioned stores and other spots. Examples of other spots include stations, airports, bus stops, and public facilities. The POI information may include the spot ID of the spot, the spot name, the category name of the spot, the address, the spot position information, and the like. The spot ID is identification information that identifies the spot. The spot ID of a store may match the store ID of the store. The spot position information may be information indicating the coordinates of the location where the spot is located. For example, the spot position information may indicate the positions of each vertex that constitutes the outer edge of the site of the spot by longitude and latitude. The map DB may also include the type, length, and connection status of each road, and the longitude and latitude of each connection point where the roads connect. Furthermore, the map DB may store a map image showing a map. For example, for each rectangular area of ​​a predetermined length, a map image of the area may be stored in association with the coordinates of the area. Each region may be, for example, a mesh.

[0057] Furthermore, various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a server program are stored in the storage unit 14. The server program is a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute various processes related to the stamp rally service. The server program may be obtained from another device via the network NW, for example, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and read via a drive device.

[0058] The communication unit 15 is configured, for example, by a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 15 is connected to the member information management server 2, the point program server 3, the service server 4, the user terminal 6, etc. via the network NW, and controls the communication state with the connected devices.

[0059] [1-2-2. Membership information management server] Next, the configuration of the member information management server 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the member information management server 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the member information management server 2 as a storage means may store databases such as a member DB21 and an action history DB22. The member information management server 2 may provide, for example, the stamp rally server 1 and each service server 4 with an API (Application Programming Interface) for accessing the database stored in the member information management server 2. Each server device may be able to obtain information from the database stored in the member information management server 2 and update the database through this API.

[0060] Member information regarding each member of the Internet comprehensive service may be stored in the member DB 21. For example, the member DB 21 may store, as member information, a user ID, name, sex, date of birth, telephone number, address, email address, and the like, in association with one another.

[0061] The behavior history DB22 may store a history of user behaviors resulting from the user's use of services included in the Internet comprehensive service. The behavior history may be able to identify the user who performed the behavior and the service the user used for the behavior. If the user visits a facility for the behavior, the facility used may be able to be identified from the behavior history. The behaviors for which the behavior history is stored may include the use of facility-related services. In the behavior history DB22, for example, an action log ID, a user ID, a service ID, a store ID, the date and time of the behavior, and behavior content information, a payment amount, a number of points returned, etc. may be stored in association with each other as an action log each time the behavior is performed. The action log ID is identification information for identifying the action log. The user ID indicates the user who performed the behavior. The service ID indicates the service the user used to perform the behavior. The store ID indicates the facility where the user performed the behavior. This store ID is valid only when the user uses the facility-related service at a store. The behavior content information indicates the type and details of the behavior performed by the user. Examples of types of actions include using a point card, IC-type electronic money payment, app payment, credit card payment, checking in to a store using a check-in service, etc. The payment amount indicates the amount of money paid by the user when the action is performed. The payment amount is valid only when the action requires payment. The number of points returned indicates the number of points in the point program that were awarded to the user as a result of the user performing the action. If no points were awarded to the user, the number of points returned is 0 points.

[0062] The member information management server 2 may obtain from the point program server and each service server 4 an action log of a service that the server device corresponds to. For example, when a user takes a predetermined action in a service by using a service that the server device corresponds to, the point program server and each service server 4 may generate an action log corresponding to the action. When a user uses a facility-related service at a store, information on the use may be transmitted from either the user terminal 6 of the user or the store terminal 5 of the store to a server device corresponding to the facility-related service. This information is collectively referred to as facility-related service usage information. An action log may be generated based on the facility-related service usage information. The format of the action log generated at this time and the information included in the action log may be a format and information unique to the facility-related service. The point program server or the service server 4 may store the generated action log in its server device and transmit it to the member information management server 2.

[0063] When using a point card, the user may have the store terminal 5 read, for example, an information code printed on the point card or an information code displayed on the user terminal 6. When using points, the user may input the number of points to be used into the store terminal 5. The store terminal 5 may transmit point card usage information to the point program server 3 as facility-related service usage information. The point card usage information may include, for example, a card number corresponding to the information code, an amount paid to the store, a store ID of the store, information indicating whether or not points have been used, the number of points to be used, and the like. The point program server 3 may obtain the user ID of the user who used the point card service from the card number. In addition, the point program server 3 may calculate the number of points to be returned by multiplying the difference between the payment amount and the amount equivalent to the number of points used by a predetermined point return rate. The point program server 3 may add the number of points to the number of available points associated with the user ID. The point program server 3 may generate a point log as an action log. The point log may include a user ID, the date and time when the point card was used, the number of points to be returned, and the like.

[0064] When settling the payment amount with IC-type electronic money, the user may have the store terminal 5 read information such as the member number of the IC-type electronic money stored in the IC chip of the electronic money card or the user terminal 6. This may result in the payment being executed. The member number of the IC-type electronic money may be identification information for identifying a member of the IC-type electronic money payment service. When making an app payment, the user may have the user terminal 6 display an information code of the member number of the app payment and have the store terminal 5 read the information code. When making a credit card payment, the user may have the store terminal 5 read information such as the card number recorded on the credit card. The store terminal 5 may transmit payment information to the service server 4 as facility-related service usage information. The payment information may include the member number or card number, the payment amount, the store ID, and the like. When making an app payment by having the user terminal 6 read the information code displayed on the store terminal 5, the user terminal 6 may transmit the payment information to the service server 4. The service server 4 that has received the payment information may perform payment processing. The service server 4 may obtain the user ID of the user who made the payment from the card number or membership number. The service server 4 may also calculate the number of points to be returned by multiplying the payment amount by a point return rate according to the type of electronic payment service. The service server 4 may request the point program server 3 to add the number of points to be returned to the number of points available to the user who used the electronic payment service. The service server 4 may generate sales information as an action log based on the payment information. The sales information may include, for example, the user ID of the user who made the payment, the store ID of the store to which the payment is made, the payment amount, the date and time of the payment, the number of points to be returned, etc.

[0065] When checking in to a store using the check-in service, the user may make a check-in request by operating the user terminal 6, for example, near a predetermined point in the store. In response to this operation, the user terminal 6 may transmit a check-in request as facility-related service usage information to the service server 4 of the check-in service. The check-in request may include, for example, the user ID of the user, the store ID of the store, and the like. The service server 4 that receives the check-in request may determine whether the store is an affiliated store of the check-in service based on the store ID included in the check-in request. If the store is an affiliated store, the service server 4 may determine that the user has checked in to the store. When the user checks in, the service server 4 may determine the number of points to be returned. For example, the number of points to be returned may be a fixed value. Alternatively, the number of points to be returned may be randomly determined by drawing lots or the like. Alternatively, the number of points to be returned may be predetermined for each store. The service server 4 may request the point program server 3 to add the number of points to the number of available points of the user who used the electronic payment service. The service server 4 may generate a check-in log as an action log. The check-in log may include, for example, the user ID of the user who checked in, the store ID of the store where the check-in occurred, the date and time when the check-in occurred, the number of points redeemed, etc.

[0066] The member information management server 2, which receives an action log from either the point program server 3 or the service server 4, may, for example, convert the format of the action log into a common format that can be stored in the action history DB 22, and store the converted action log in the action history DB 22. At this time, the member information management server 2 may identify the service used by the user based on the format of the received action log or the service server 4 from which the action log was sent. The member information management server 2 may also identify the type of action taken by the user based on the received action log. The member information management server 2 may include the service ID of the identified service in the action log to be stored. The member information management server 2 may also include information indicating the type of the identified action in the action content information of the action log.

[0067] [1-2-3. Point program server] Next, the configuration of the point program server 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the point program server 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the point program server 3 as a storage means may store a database such as a point DB31.

[0068] The number of available points for each member of the Internet comprehensive service may be stored in the point DB 31. For example, the point DB 31 may store a user ID, the number of available points, and the like, in association with each other.

[0069] [1-3. Functional overview of the system control unit] Next, an overview of the functions of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may function as a service identification unit 1101, a user distance identification unit 1102, a stopover store determination unit 1103, an information provision unit 1104, a stopover information acquisition unit 1105, a stopover status determination unit 1106, a privilege granting unit 1107, and the like, as shown in Fig. 6, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the server program.

[0070] The service identification unit 1101 may identify an unused service that is not used by the user requesting the creation of a stamp rally among the multiple facility-related services. As described above, the facility-related service may be, for example, a service that is different from the service provided by the store itself but is available at the facility. The multiple facility-related services may be, for example, all of the services exemplified in Section 1-1, or a part of those services. In addition, the multiple facility-related services may include a service different from the exemplified services. The mode of use in which the facility-related service is determined to have been used may be limited to using the facility-related service at a store. Whether or not a user has not used a certain facility-related service may be identified based on the user's experience of using the service. For example, the unused service may be a service that the user has never used before the user requests the creation of a stamp rally, or a service that the user has not used during a specified period in the past. The end point of the specified period may be the time when the user requests the creation of a stamp rally. Examples of the length of the specified period include three months, six months, and one year.

[0071] The service identification unit 1101 may identify an unused service based on service usage status information that can identify the usage status of a plurality of facility-related services. The usage status can be identified, for example, as being able to identify whether or not a user has used a facility-related service. Furthermore, the usage status can be identified, for example, as being able to identify a facility-related service and the time of use when a user uses a certain facility-related service. The service usage status information may be, for example, the action history DB22. The action log stored in the action history DB22 includes the user ID of the user who used the service, the service ID of the used service, the action date and time indicating the date and time of use of the service, and the action content information indicating the type of action corresponding to the mode of use of the service. For example, when the service ID included in the action log indicates any facility-related service and the action content information indicates any facility-related service use action, the service identification unit 1101 may determine that the user has used the facility-related service. The service usage status information may be the history of the action logs stored in the point program server 3 and each service server 4.

[0072] The service identification unit 1101 may further identify a used service that has been used by the user requesting the creation of the stamp rally among the multiple facility-related services. The used service may be a service other than an unused service.

[0073] The user distance specification unit 1102 may specify a user distance corresponding to a user requesting the creation of a stamp rally. The user distance may be, for example, a distance traveled by the user, or a distance suitable for the travel of the user. For example, the user distance specification unit 1102 may obtain a user distance specified by the user. For example, the user may input the user distance to the user terminal 6 when requesting the creation of a stamp rally. The user terminal 6 may transmit this user distance to the stamp rally server 1. Alternatively, the user may be able to set the user distance in advance. The set user distance may be stored in association with the user ID of the user, for example, in the storage unit 14 of the stamp rally server 1. Alternatively, the user may be able to specify, for example, the calories or number of steps that the user wants to consume. The user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate, as the user distance, a distance that needs to be traveled to consume the specified calories, or a distance that can be traveled with that number of steps. The user's means of transportation (for example, walking, running, etc.) at this time may be predetermined, or may be specified by the user. The user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate a user distance according to the means of transportation. When calculating the user distance, the user distance specification unit 1102 may take into consideration, for example, the gender and age of the user.

[0074] The intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine intermediate stores to be passed through before arriving at the goal point of the stamp rally among the multiple stores. For example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may first determine multiple stores to be extracted as the source of intermediate stores. The intermediate store may be one store or multiple stores. The stores to be extracted may be, for example, all stores affiliated with at least one facility-related service. Alternatively, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine the store to be extracted based on, for example, geographical conditions. For example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may extract a store based on at least one of the start point and the goal point. The start point and the goal point may be, for example, predetermined. For example, the start point may be the current location of the user. The goal point may also be the current location of the user. At least one of the start point and the goal point may be designated by the user. For example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may cause the user terminal 6 to display a map around the current location of the user. When the user specifies a desired point on the map, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may specify the point as a start point or a finish point. The intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine, for example, a store within a predetermined distance from the start point, a store within a predetermined distance from the finish point, a store within a predetermined distance from a straight line connecting the start point and the finish point, or a store in an administrative district that overlaps with the range from the straight line to the predetermined distance, as a store from which intermediate stores are extracted. The distance at this time may be, for example, predetermined, a user distance acquired by the user distance determination unit 1102, or a distance half the user distance. Examples of administrative districts include towns, cities, wards, towns, and villages.

[0075] When determining a stopover store from among a plurality of stores, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may include a member store of the unused service identified by the service identification unit 1101 in the stopover stores. By including a member store of the unused service in the stopover stores, it is possible to encourage the user to use the unused service for the first time. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may identify the facility-related service to which the store belongs based on information indicating the correspondence between the store and the facility-related service to which the store belongs. This information may be, for example, a combination of a store ID and a store group ID stored in the store DB 14b, and a store group ID and affiliated service information stored in the store group DB 14a. The member store of the unused service included in the stopover stores may be one store or multiple stores.

[0076] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of the usage status of the facility use service. As shown in FIG. 7(a), a certain user 110 has used app payment in the past, but has never used the check-in service. Therefore, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 searches for a store affiliated with the check-in service. FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of determining a stop-over store. For example, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may determine a store 211 that is an affiliated store of the check-in service as a stop-over store.

[0077] When a used service is identified by the service identification unit 1101, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may include both member stores of the unused service and member stores of the used service in the stopover stores. For a user, it is psychologically easier to use a member store of the used service than a member store of the unused service. By including stores with a low barrier to use in the stopover stores, the psychological barrier to visiting all stopover stores can be lowered. The member stores of the used service included in the stopover stores may be one store or multiple stores.

[0078] When the intermediate store is determined, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may set or search for a route for moving from the start point to the goal point via all intermediate stores. Alternatively, in order to determine the intermediate store, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may set or search for a route for moving from the start point to the goal point via all stores that are candidates for intermediate stores. For example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may set or search for a route so that the order of passing intermediate stores along the route is a valid order. A route in which the order of passing intermediate stores is valid may be, for example, a route in which the distance or time traveled along the route is a valid distance or time. For example, a route that forces the user to take a detour more than necessary because the order of passing intermediate stores is unnatural may not be considered a valid route. The intermediate store determination unit 1103 may search for a route that is the shortest distance or the shortest travel time for moving from the start point to the goal point via all intermediate stores. For example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may perform a route search using a method such as Dijkstra's algorithm. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine whether or not to determine the candidate stores as stopover stores based on the searched route. For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may perform the determination based on the order of stopping through stopover stores along the route. For example, as described above, both member stores of unused services and member stores of used services are included in the stopover stores. In this case, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine the candidate stores as stopover stores when the order of stopping through the candidate stores as stopover stores is an order of stopping through member stores of used services before member stores of unused services. In other words, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine stopover stores so that the user stops through the stopover stores in an order of stopping through member stores of used services before member stores of unused services. If a member store of the used service is located in an easy-to-reach place from the starting point, the psychological hurdle described above is low, and the time hurdle and physical hurdle for going to the store are also low. Therefore, it is easy for the user to go to the member store of the used service. If a user passes through some of the stopover stores, the psychological hurdle of going to the remaining stopover stores is lowered.Therefore, it is possible to encourage the user to use the unused service. When there are multiple member stores of the used service, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may determine the stop-over store such that at least one of the stores can set a route that can be passed through before all the member stores of the unused service. Alternatively, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may determine the stop-over store such that all the member stores of the used service can set a route that can be passed through before all the member stores of the unused service.

[0079] FIG. 7(c) is a diagram showing an example of determining a stopover store. As described above, the user 110 has used the app payment service before, but has not used the check-in service. In this case, the stopover store determination unit 1103 determines the stopover stores to be stores 212 and 213, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(c). The store 212 is an affiliated store of the app payment service. The store 213 is an affiliated store of the check-in service. When moving along a route from the start point to the goal point, the user will stop at store 212 first, and store 213 second. For example, store 212 is relatively close to the start point, and store 213 is relatively close to the goal point.

[0080] When the user distance is specified by the user distance specifying unit 1102, the stop-over store determining unit 1103 may determine stop-over stores such that the length of the route required to travel from the start point to the goal point via all stop-over stores corresponds to the user distance. The length of the route is called a route length. For example, the user distance specifying unit 1102 may determine stop-over stores such that the route length falls within a distance range corresponding to the user distance. This distance range may be, for example, a range of a predetermined distance from the user distance. Alternatively, this distance range may be a range of a distance from the user distance to a predetermined percentage of the user distance.

[0081] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of determining stopover stores. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the user 110 specifies 3 km as the user distance. For example, 10 percent of the user distance is set as the allowable range of deviation from the user distance. In this case, stopover stores with a route length of 2.7 km or more and 3.3 km or less are determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the stopover store determination unit 1103 determines stores 214 and 215 as stopover stores. The route length in this case is 2.8 km.

[0082] When determining multiple stopover stores, the stopover status determination unit 1106 may determine the stopover stores so that the categories of the stopover stores are as different as possible. For example, the category of the store can be specified based on the category information of the store group to which the store belongs.

[0083] The information providing unit 1104 may transmit information about the stamp rally to the user terminal 6 of the user who can participate in the stamp rally. For example, the information providing unit 1104 may transmit the information about the stamp rally so that the user terminal 6 can display the information. The information providing unit 1104 may transmit information about the stopover store determined by the stopover store determination unit 1103. The information about the stopover store may include at least one of, for example, the store name, an image indicating the store, the store group name, an image indicating the store group, and the store category, the location of the stopover store, and the stopover sequence number. The information about the stopover store may further include information indicating all or a part of the facility-related service to which the stopover store belongs. For example, information about a member store of an unused service may necessarily include information indicating the unused service. The information providing unit 1104 may transmit information indicating the route set by the stopover store determination unit 1103. The information providing unit 1104 may also transmit at least one of information indicating the current location of the user, information indicating the location of the start point, and information indicating the location of the finish point. The information providing unit 1104 may, for example, display a list of stopover stores on the user terminal 6. The information providing unit 1104 may also cause the user terminal 6 to display a map and information about the stopover stores on the map. At this time, the information about the stopover stores may be displayed at a location corresponding to the longitude and latitude of each stopover store.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the map screen 300. For example, when the stopover store is determined or the stamp rally is created, the user terminal 6 may display the map screen 300. As shown in FIG. 9, the map screen 300 displays a map 310. A current location icon, a start point mark 320, and a route line 340 are displayed on the map 310. A current location icon 330 indicates the current location of the user. When the user moves with the user terminal 6, the current location icon 330 on the map 310 also moves. The start point mark 320 indicates the start point and the finish point. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the start point and the finish point coincide with the user's position at the time of determining the stopover store. The route line 340 indicates the route from the start point to the finish point. The route line 340 may also indicate the direction in which the user should move on the route. A stopover store icon 350 is further displayed on the map 310. Each stopover store icon 350 is an image indicating a stopover store. When the user passes through any of the stopover stores, information indicating that the user has passed through the stopover store icon 350 of the stopover store may be displayed. Furthermore, on the map 310, a service icon 360 is displayed near each stopover store icon 350. Each service icon 360 indicates a facility-related service to which the store indicated by the stopover store icon 350 located near the icon belongs. When a stopover store belongs to multiple facility-related services, multiple service icons 360 may be displayed for the store. Furthermore, for example, when a store belongs to both unused services and used services, a service icon 360 may be displayed only for unused services.

[0085] The route information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire route information capable of identifying the stores that the user has passed through after the route stores have been determined by the route store determination unit 1103. After the route stores have been determined, the time period may be after the stamp rally has been created or started.

[0086] The route information may include, for example, location information transmitted from the user's user terminal 6 and store location information of each route store. Based on the positional relationship between the user terminal 6 and the route store, it is possible to determine whether the user has visited the route store.

[0087] The route information may include, for example, usage information that the stamp rally server 1 can acquire from a device that executes processing related to a facility-related service in response to a user's use of the facility-related service at one of a plurality of stores. This usage information may be information indicating a store where the user used the facility-related service. Examples of devices that execute processing related to the facility-related service include the store terminal 5 of the store where the facility-related service was used, the user terminal 6 of the user who used the facility-related service, the point program server 3 or the service server 4 corresponding to the facility-related service, and the member information management server 2 that stores an action log indicating the use of the facility-related service. For example, the usage information may be an action log stored after the route store is determined, among the action logs stored in the action history DB 22 of the member information management server 2. If the service ID included in the action log indicates a facility-related service and the action content information indicates a facility-related service use action, the action log indicates that the user went to the store. In this case, the action date and time included in the action log indicates the date and time when the user was at the store. Alternatively, the usage information may be an action log stored by the point program server 3 and each service server 4. Alternatively, the usage information may be facility-related service usage information transmitted from the store terminal 5 or the user terminal 6.

[0088] The route status determination unit 1106 may determine the route status of the user for the route stores determined by the route store determination unit 1103, based on the route information acquired by the route information acquisition unit 1105. For example, the route store determination unit 1103 may determine, for each route store, whether or not the user has already passed through the route store.

[0089] The route information includes location information of the user terminal 6 and location information of a route store. For example, when the distance between the location of the user terminal 6 and the location of the route store is less than a predetermined distance, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through the route store. Alternatively, when the location of the user terminal 6 is located within the facility of the route store, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through the route store.

[0090] The route information includes usage information. In this case, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through a store indicated by the usage information as a store where the user has used a facility-related service. For example, when the usage information is an action log stored in the action history DB 22, the store indicated by the store ID is the store through which the user has passed. When the store through which the user has passed is a route store, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through the route store.

[0091] The condition for determining that the user has passed through a stopover store may be limited to the user having used a facility-related service at the stopover store. Therefore, the stopover information in this case may be limited to the usage information. Compared to the case where the location information of the user terminal 6 is used, the use of the facility-related service can be promoted.

[0092] The condition for determining that the user has passed through a stopover store affiliated with an unused service may be limited to the user using an unused service at the stopover store. Therefore, even if the user uses a used service at the stopover store, the stopover status determination unit 1106 does not determine that the user has passed through the stopover store. This can encourage the user to use the unused service. If the stopover store includes multiple member stores of the unused service, the condition for determining that the user has passed through the store for all of the member stores may be limited to the user using an unused service. Alternatively, the stopover status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through the remaining store if the user has used an unused service at at least one member store of the unused service, regardless of which facility-related service the user has used at the remaining member stores.

[0093] The information providing unit 1104 may cause information indicating a condition for determining that a user has passed through a stopover store, for each stopover store, to be presented by the user terminal 6. For example, when a stamp rally is created, the information providing unit 1104 may cause the information to be presented.

[0094] The reward granting unit 1107 may determine whether to grant a reward to the user when the user reaches the goal point. For example, the reward granting unit 1107 may make the determination when the user moves from the start point to the goal point. For example, the reward granting unit 1107 may grant a reward on the condition that the route status determination unit 1106 determines that the user has passed through all of the route stores determined by the route store determination unit 1103. If the route stores include a member store of an unused service, the user needs to pass through the member store of the unused service. If the route stores include both a member store of an unused service and a member store of a used service, the user needs to pass through both of them.

[0095] The reward granting unit 1107 may grant a reward even if the user does not pass through the same route as the route set by the route status determining unit 1106. The reward granting unit 1107 may grant a reward even if the user passes through the route stores in an order different from the order determined by the route status determining unit 1106. Alternatively, the reward granting unit 1107 may grant a reward only when the user passes through the route stores in the same order as the order determined by the route status determining unit 1106.

[0096] The value of the privilege given to the user may be fixed. Alternatively, the privilege giving unit 1107 may determine the value of the privilege to be given to the user. For example, the privilege giving unit 1107 may determine the value of the privilege when creating the stamp rally or when the privilege giving unit 1107 decides to give a privilege. For example, the privilege giving unit 1107 may determine the value of the privilege according to the length of the route set by the stopover store determination unit 1103. The longer the route, the higher the value of the privilege. For example, the value of the privilege may increase stepwise as the route length increases. Alternatively, the value of the privilege may be proportional to the route length. Alternatively, the value of the privilege may increase logarithmically as the route length increases.

[0097] FIG. 8(b) shows an example of determining the value of a reward. For example, assume that points are awarded to a user. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the stopover stores are stores 216 and 217. The route length in this case is 1 km. The reward awarding unit 1107 determines, for example, to award 10 points. FIG. 8(c) shows another example of determining the value of a reward. As shown in FIG. 8(c), the stopover stores are stores 218 and 219. The route length in this case is 5 km. The reward awarding unit 1107 determines, for example, to award 30 points.

[0098] The information providing unit 1104 may cause the user terminal 6 to present the value of the benefit determined by the benefit granting unit 1107. For example, the information providing unit 1104 may transmit information indicating the determined value of the benefit to the user terminal 6. The information providing unit 1104 may cause the value of the benefit to be presented, for example, when a stamp rally is created. Also, for example, the information providing unit 1104 may cause the value of the benefit to be presented, when the benefit granting unit 1107 decides to grant a benefit.

[0099] [1-4. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12. The system control unit 11 may execute the processing of the stamp rally server 1 shown in Figs. 10 to 12 in accordance with the program code included in the server program. The processing shown in Figs. 10 to 12 is an example, and any processing may be executed as long as the purpose is achieved. The order of processing is not limited to the order shown in those figures. Furthermore, at least one of the steps shown in those figures may not be executed.

[0100] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a stamp rally creation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, a user selects creation of a stamp rally in a stamp rally app and inputs a user distance. In response to this operation, the user terminal 6 transmits the stamp rally creation process to the stamp rally server 1. The stamp rally creation process may include, for example, the user ID of the user requesting the creation of the stamp rally and the user distance. The system control unit 11 may execute the stamp rally creation process in response to receiving a stamp rally creation request from the user terminal 6, for example.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 10, first, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 acquires the location information with the latest recorded date and time from the location information associated with the user ID of the requester from the location information DB 14e (step S101). Next, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 searches for a store within a predetermined distance from the current location of the requester based on the location information and the store location information stored in the store DB 14b (step S102). Next, the service identification unit 1101 identifies the usage status of each facility-related service by the requester (step S103). For example, the service identification unit 1101 may search the action log including the service ID of the facility-related service, the user ID of the requester, and the action content information indicating the facility-related service usage action from the action history DB 22 for each facility-related service. The service identification unit 1101 may determine that a facility-related service with a corresponding action log is a used service. Also, the service identification unit 1101 may determine that a facility-related service with no corresponding action log is an unused service.

[0102] Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 creates one combination of stores that are candidates for stopover stores from among the stores searched in step S102 (step S104). At this time, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may create a combination of stores to include both member stores of unused services and member stores of used services. For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may acquire a store group ID associated with the store ID of each store searched in step S102 from the store DB 14b. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may acquire member service information associated with the store group ID from the store group DB 14a. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may identify a facility-related service to which each store belongs based on the member service information. Note that if there is no member store of the unused service, the service identification unit 1101 may create a combination that includes only member stores of the used service. If there is no member store of the used service, the service identification unit 1101 may create a combination that includes only member stores of the unused service.

[0103] Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 searches for a valid route from the current location of the requester to the current location via all the stores included in the combination (step S105). For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may perform a route search based on the store DB 14b and the map DB. At this time, the stopover store determination unit 1103 specifies the stopover order of the stores along the route. Here, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may specify both the stopover order when the route is moved in a predetermined direction and the stopover order when the route is moved in the opposite direction. When the start point and the goal point are the same, it is effective to specify two orders. Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 determines whether any of the specified stopover orders is an order in which a member store of a used service is passed before a member store of an unused service (step S106). If any of the specified stopover orders does not satisfy the condition (step S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S104. Here, the stopover shop determination unit 1103 creates a combination of shops that is different from the combinations of shops that have been created so far.

[0104] If any of the identified routes satisfies the condition (step S106: YES), the user distance identification unit 1102 determines a distance range according to the user distance (step S107). Note that if the created combination of stores does not include a member store of an unused service or a member store of a used service, step S106 may be omitted and step S107 may be executed.

[0105] Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 calculates the route length of the searched route. Then, the stopover store determination unit 1103 determines whether the route length is within the determined distance range (step S108). If the route length is outside the distance range (step S108: NO), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0106] If the route length is within the distance range (step S108: YES), the bonus granting unit 1107 determines the number of bonus points according to the route length (step S109). For example, the longer the route length, the more bonus points. Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 generates stamp rally information and stores it in the stamp rally DB 14c (step S110). For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may generate a new stamp rally ID. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may generate stamp rally information including the stamp rally ID, the requester's user ID, the creation date and time indicating the current time, the start point coordinates and the finish point coordinates indicating the requester's current location, the route information indicating the searched route, the number of bonus points, the action log acquisition date and time indicating the current date and time, and the end flag indicating FALSE. Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 generates stopover store information for each stopover store, with each store included in the created combination as a stopover store, and stores it in the stopover situation DB 14d (step S111). For example, the stop-stop store determination unit 1103 may generate stop-stop store information including a stamp rally ID, a stop-stop order number indicating the order in which the stop-stop store is to be stopped, stop-stop condition information corresponding to the affiliated service information acquired for the stop-stop store, a store ID of the stop-stop store, and a stop-stop flag indicating FALSE. Here, the stop-stop store determination unit 1103 may include only the service ID of an unused service among the facility-related services to which the affiliated store belongs, in the stop-stop condition information for an affiliated store of an unused service.

[0107] Next, the information providing unit 1104 transmits a map image covering the requester's current location and the locations of each stopover store, information indicating the searched route, and information regarding each stopover store to the user terminal 6 (step S112), and the stamp rally creation process ends. The user terminal 6 may display, for example, a map screen 300 based on the information received from the stamp rally server.

[0108] 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a route status update process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may periodically execute the route status update process for each piece of stamp rally information stored in the stamp rally DB 14c, for which the end flag is set to FALSE. The cycle of the route status update process may be, for example, several seconds, several tens of seconds, or several minutes.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 11, first, the route information acquisition unit 1105 acquires the user ID and the action log acquisition date and time of the user whose route status of the store is to be updated from the stamp rally information to be processed. The route information acquisition unit 1105 acquires a new action log of the user whose route status is to be updated from the member information management server 2 (step S201). For example, the route information acquisition unit 1105 may transmit an action log request including the user ID and the action log acquisition date and time to the member information management server 2. The member information management server 2 may search the action history DB 22 for an action log including the user ID of the user whose route status is to be updated, the action log including an action date and time newer than the action log acquisition date and time. The member information management server 2 may transmit the searched action log to the stamp rally server 1.

[0110] Next, the route status determination unit 1106 determines whether or not the corresponding action log has been acquired from the member information management server 2 (step S202). If the corresponding action log has not been acquired (step S202: NO), the route status update process ends.

[0111] If the corresponding action log is acquired (step S202: YES), the route status determination unit 1106 updates the action log acquisition date and time included in the stamp rally information to be processed with the latest action date and time included in the acquired action log. The route status determination unit 1106 determines whether or not a facility-related service was used at a store (step S203). For example, if the service ID included in the action log indicates a facility-related service and the action content information included in the action log indicates a facility-related service usage action, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the facility-related service was used at a store. If the facility-related service was not used at the store (step S203: NO), the route status update process ends.

[0112] If the facility-related service was used at a store (step S203: YES), the route status determination unit 1106 determines whether the store where the facility-related service was used is one of the route stores (step S204). For example, the route status determination unit 1106 may obtain a stamp rally ID from the stamp rally information to be processed. The route status determination unit 1106 may search for all route store information including the stamp rally ID from the route status DB 14d. The route status determination unit 1106 may make the determination by comparing the store ID included in the route store information with the store ID included in the action log. If the store where the facility-related service was used is not one of the route stores (step S204: NO), the route status update process ends.

[0113] If the store where the facility-related service was used is one of the stopover stores (step S204: YES), it is determined whether the used facility-related service satisfies the stopover condition (step S205). For example, the stopover status determination unit 1106 may determine that the stopover condition is satisfied if the stopover condition information included in the stopover store information of the store where the facility-related service was used includes the service ID included in the action log. If the stopover condition is not satisfied (step S205: NO), the stopover status update process ends.

[0114] If the route condition is satisfied (step S205: YES), the route status determination unit 1106 determines whether the route flag included in the route store information of the store where the facility-related service was used is FALSE (step S206). If the route flag is TRUE (step S206: NO), the route status update process ends.

[0115] If the via flag is FALSE (step S206: YES), the via status determination unit 1106 changes the via flag to TRUE (step S207). Next, the information provision unit 1104 transmits a stamp notification to the user terminal 6 of the user whose via status of the store is to be updated (step S208). The stamp notification may be information indicating that a stamp has been pressed on the stamp rally sheet of the user. The stamp notification may include, for example, a message indicating that the user has passed through a store indicated by a store ID included in the action log. In addition, for example, the stamp notification may include a deep link to a screen of the stamp rally app, such as the map screen 300. The information provision unit 1104 may transmit the stamp notification using a push notification. The user terminal 6 displays the stamp notification received from the stamp rally server on the screen. When step S208 ends, the via status update process ends.

[0116] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a reward determination process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may execute the reward determination process every time it receives location information from any one of the user terminals 6.

[0117] The reward granting unit 1107 acquires the user ID of the user who is to be judged whether or not to grant the reward from the acquired location information. Then, as shown in Fig. 12, the reward granting unit 1107 judges whether or not stamp rally information including a combination of the user ID and an end flag set to FALSE is stored in the stamp rally DB 14c (step S301). If the stamp rally information is not stored (step S301: NO), the reward granting judgment process ends.

[0118] If the stamp rally information is stored (step S301: YES), the bonus granting unit 1107 determines whether the user's current location is the finish line (step S302). For example, the bonus granting unit 1107 may calculate the distance between the coordinates of the user terminal 6 included in the location information and the finish line coordinates included in the stamp rally information. If the calculated distance is less than a predetermined value, the bonus granting unit 1107 may determine that the current location is the finish line (step S302). If the current location is not the finish line (step S302: NO), the bonus granting determination process ends.

[0119] If the current location is the goal point (step S302: YES), the route status determination unit 1106 determines whether the user has passed through all the route facilities (step S303). For example, the route status determination unit 1106 may search for all route store information including the stamp rally ID in the stamp rally information of the user who is the subject of the bonus award determination. If the route flags included in all the route store information are TRUE, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through all the route facilities. If the user has not passed through at least one route facility (step S303: NO), the bonus award determination process ends.

[0120] If the user has passed through all the transit facilities (step S303: YES), the bonus granting unit 1107 grants points to the user (step S304). For example, the bonus granting unit 1107 may send a point update request to the point program server 3. The point update request may include the user ID of the user to whom the bonus is to be granted and the number of bonus points set in the stamp rally information. The point program server may update the number of available points by adding the number of bonus points included in the point update request to the number of available points stored in the point DB 31 in association with the user ID included in the point update request. In addition, the bonus granting unit 1107 sets an end flag included in the stamp rally information to TRUE.

[0121] Next, the information providing unit 1104 transmits a point grant notification to the user terminal 6 of the user to whom the points have been granted (step S305). The point notification may be information indicating that points have been granted. The point notification may include, for example, the number of bonus points. The information providing unit 1104 may transmit the point notification using a push notification. The user terminal 6 displays the point notification received from the stamp rally server on the screen. When step S305 ends, the bonus grant determination process ends.

[0122] As described above, according to this embodiment, the stamp rally server 1 identifies an unused service based on the service usage status information. The stamp rally server 1 may also determine the stopover stores to be passed through before reaching the goal point. At this time, the stamp rally server 1 may include member stores of the unused service in the stopover stores. The stamp rally server 1 may also acquire stopover information that can identify the stores the user has passed through after determining the stopover stores. The stamp rally server 1 may also determine the user's stopover status for the stopover stores based on the stopover information. The stamp rally server 1 may also grant a privilege to the user when the user reaches the goal point, on the condition that it is determined that the user has passed through a stopover store including a member store of the unused service. Therefore, when passing through a member store of the unused service, the user may use an unused service at a member store of the unused service. When the user reaches the goal point, a privilege is granted to the user on the condition that the user has passed through a stopover store. Therefore, it is possible to encourage non-users of a service to which the store is affiliated to use the service, separate from the service provided by the store.

[0123] Here, the stamp rally server 1 may determine that the user passed through a store indicated by the usage information indicating a store where the user used any of the services. In this case, it is possible to encourage the user to use a service to which the store is affiliated.

[0124] At this time, if the user uses an unused service at a member store of the unused service, the stamp rally server 1 may determine that the user has passed through the member store. In this case, it is possible to encourage non-users of a service to which the store is affiliated to use the service, separate from the service provided by the store.

[0125] The stamp rally server 1 may further specify services that the user has used. The stamp rally server 1 may further include member stores of used services in the stopover stores. The stamp rally server 1 may grant a privilege on the condition that it is determined that the user has passed through stopover stores including member stores of unused services and member stores of used services. Since member stores of used services are stores that are members of services that the user has used, it is easy for the user to go to member stores of used services. By including stores that are easy for the user to go to in the stopover stores, it is possible to increase the motivation of the user to achieve the conditions for obtaining a privilege. As a result, it is possible to encourage non-users of a service to which the store is affiliated to use the service in addition to the service provided by the store.

[0126] The stamp rally server 1 may also determine the stopover stores so that the order of stopping at the stopover stores along the route from the start point to the finish point via the stopover stores is an order in which the stopover stores of the used service are stopped before the stopover stores of the unused service. If a store that is a member of a service that the user has used is located in an easy-to-reach location, the user is more likely to go to that store. By stopping at a store that is a member of the used service, the user has partially met the conditions for obtaining a benefit. This can increase the user's motivation to stop at the remaining stopover stores. As a result, it is possible to encourage non-users of a service to which the store is affiliated to use that service in addition to the service provided by the store.

[0127] The stamp rally server 1 may also specify a user distance corresponding to the user. The stamp rally server 1 may also determine the intermediate stores so that the length of the route from the start point to the goal point via the intermediate stores corresponds to the user distance. In this case, by passing through the intermediate stores, the user can be encouraged to travel a distance appropriate for the user.

[0128] Here, the stamp rally server 1 may determine the value of the reward to be given according to the length of the route from the starting point to the goal point via the stopover stores. In this case, by setting the value of the reward to be given according to the length of the route, it is possible to encourage the user to move even if the moving distance is long.

[0129] [2. Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment, except for the following points. In this embodiment, the user distance used to determine the length of the path from the start point to the goal point is determined based on the user's history.

[0130] [2-1. Functional overview of the system control unit] First, a functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 13, the same elements as in Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals. Fig. 13 differs from Fig. 6 in that in Fig. 13, the system control unit 11 further functions as a location history information acquisition unit 1108.

[0131] The location history information acquisition unit 1108 may acquire location history information indicating the location history of the user requesting the creation of the stamp rally. For example, the location history information may be a collection or history of location information stored in the location information DB 14e for the user terminal 6 of the user. The location history information acquisition unit 1108 may acquire, for example, all location information of the user, or may acquire location information indicating the location at a date and time within a predetermined period in the past.

[0132] The user distance specification unit 1102 may specify the user distance based on the location history information acquired by the location history information acquisition unit 1108. The specified user distance may be, for example, a trend of the user's past travel distance. The trend of the past travel distance may be, for example, an average travel distance. The user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate, for example, an average travel distance per unit period or per unit time period. For example, the user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate an average travel distance per day. Also, for example, a time period such as morning, afternoon, or night may be predefined. The user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate the average travel distance in the past in the same time period as the time period when the stamp rally creation is requested. Also, the user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate the average travel distance using only the location information of the same day of the week as the day when the stamp rally creation is requested. When the travel distance in a certain period or in a certain time period on a certain day is extremely short, the user distance specification unit 1102 may not use the travel distance at that time in the calculation of the average travel distance.

[0133] The user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate, for example, an average travel distance by travel using a specific travel means. Examples of travel means include walking, running (jogging), bicycle, automobile, and railroad. For example, the user distance specification unit 1102 may estimate the travel means used by the user at each time point in the past based on the history of location information and the map DB. The user's travel speed at a specific time point in the past can be specified from the history of location information. For example, the user distance specification unit 1102 may rearrange the location information in the order of the recording date and time included in the location information. For example, for each piece of location information, the user distance specification unit 1102 may calculate the interval of the recording date and time between the location information located before or after the location information and the position interval, and calculate the user's travel speed at that time based on these intervals. For example, when the user travels continuously along a specific route within a range of travel speeds according to a specific travel means, the user distance specification unit 1102 may estimate that the user travels along that route by the specific travel means. In addition, it is possible to specify where the user has traveled in the past from the history of location information and the map DB. For example, when the user moves along a railroad track at a speed equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the user distance determination unit 1102 may estimate that the user is using a train. The specific means of transportation may be, for example, predetermined. For example, the specific means of transportation may be walking. Alternatively, the means of transportation used in the stamp rally may be specified by the user. In addition, multiple means of transportation may be combined. For example, when walking and cycling are combined, the user distance determination unit 1102 may calculate the sum of the average walking distance and the cycling distance as the user distance.

[0134] [2-2. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of a stamp rally creation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 14, the same processes as those in Fig. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 14, after step S101 is executed, the location history information acquisition unit 1108 acquires the history of location information from the location information DB 14e (step S131). For example, the location history information acquisition unit 1108 may acquire location information including the user ID of the user who requested the creation of the stamp rally, including the recorded date and time yesterday or earlier. Next, the user distance specification unit 1102 calculates the average travel distance in one day as the user distance (step S132). For example, if the specific transportation means is walking, the location history information acquisition unit 1108 may calculate the average travel time when the user traveled at a speed less than a predetermined value (for example, less than 6 km per hour) in the past. Next, steps S102 to S112 are executed as in the first embodiment.

[0136] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prompt the user to travel a distance that is suited to the user's past travel trends.

[0137] [3. Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Except for the points described below, the third embodiment may be the same as at least one of the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, when a user passes through any one of the stop-by stores, information encouraging the user to visit a stop-by store that the user has not yet passed through may be presented to the user. Examples of this information include advertisements, coupons, and advertisements with coupons.

[0138] [3-1. Communication system configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment. In Fig. 15, the same elements as in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals. Fig. 15 differs from Fig. 1 in that a coupon management server 7 is added in Fig. 15. The coupon management server 7 is connected to a network NW.

[0139] The coupon management server 7 may be a server device that executes processes related to electronic coupons that users can use at stores. For example, the coupon management server 7 may execute processes related to management of coupons that can be issued and acquisition and use of coupons by users.

[0140] 16 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the coupon management server 7 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the coupon management server 7 serving as a storage unit may store a database such as a coupon DB71.

[0141] The coupon DB71 may store basic coupon information regarding each coupon that can be issued. For example, the coupon DB71 may store, as the coupon basic information, a coupon ID, a store group ID, a store-limited flag, a store ID, use condition information, discount information, and the like, in association with one another. The coupon ID is identification information for identifying a coupon. The store group ID indicates a store group in which the user can use the coupon. The store-limited flag indicates whether or not the stores in which the coupon can be used are limited among the stores belonging to the store group. The store-limited flag may be set to, for example, either FALSE or TRUE. FALSE indicates that the stores in which the coupon can be used are not limited. TRUE indicates that the stores in which the coupon can be used are limited. The store ID indicates the store in which the coupon can be used. The store ID is valid when the store-limited flag is TRUE. A plurality of store IDs may be stored in the coupon DB71 for one coupon. Use condition information indicates the conditions for the user to use the coupon. Examples of such conditions include a product or service purchased by the user, a lower limit of the payment amount, and a facility-related service used by the user. The discount information indicates the discount amount or discount rate by using the coupon.

[0142] [3-2. Functional overview of the system control unit] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0143] When the route status determination unit 1106 determines that the user has passed through any of the route stores determined by the route store determination unit 1103, the information provision unit 1104 may cause the user terminal 6 of the user to present prompting information for prompting the user to visit a store that the user has not yet passed through among the determined route facilities. As described above, examples of the prompting information include an advertisement for the store, a coupon that can be used at the store, an advertisement with a coupon, and the like.

[0144] The store for which the prompt information is presented may be any store among the stores that the user has not yet passed through. Alternatively, the information providing unit 1104 may present prompt information of a store that is determined to be passed through next after the store that the user has currently passed through last in the route order of the pass-through stores along the route set by the pass-through store determination unit 1103. Alternatively, the information providing unit 1104 may present prompt information of a store that is determined to be passed through earliest in the route order among the stores that the user has not yet passed through.

[0145] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a store for which prompting information is presented. As shown in FIG. 17, the stopover stores determined by the stopover store determination unit 1103 include stores 231 and 232. Store 231 is the nth store determined to be stopped over, and store 232 is the n+1th store determined to be stopped over. n is a natural number. The user has stopped over store 231. At this point, the user has not yet stopped over store 232. Therefore, the information providing unit 1104 may cause the user terminal 6 of the user to present, as prompting information, a coupon for store 232, which is the next store after store 231.

[0146] The information providing unit 1104 may transmit prompting information to the user terminal 6 so that the user terminal 6 can present the prompting information. Alternatively, the information providing unit 1104 may transmit information including a link for presenting the prompting information to the user terminal 6.

[0147] FIG. 18 shows an example of a display of a coupon. For example, the user terminal 6 displays a stamp notification transmitted from the stamp rally server 1. This stamp notification may include a message indicating that a coupon can be obtained. When the user selects the stamp notification from the screen, the user terminal 6 may display a coupon screen 400 shown in FIG. 18. The coupon screen 400 may include, for example, a message 410 and a coupon 420. The message 410 may indicate, for example, the store the user passed through and that a stamp has been applied to the stamp rally sheet. For example, a message such as "A stamp was applied by using convenience store ABC!" may be displayed. The coupon information 420 indicates a coupon. For example, the coupon information 420 may display the name of the store where the coupon can be used, the discount amount or discount rate, the conditions for using the coupon, and the like. By operating the coupon information 420, the user may be able to obtain a coupon or display a coupon code, for example. The coupon code is code information indicating information required to use a coupon. The user may be able to use the coupon by having the store terminal 5 read the code information when paying for the item at the store.

[0148] [3-3. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of a route status update process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 19, the same processes as those in Fig. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 19, first, steps S201 to S207 are executed as in the first embodiment. After step S207, the information providing unit 1104 determines whether or not there is a store that the user passes through after the store indicated by the store ID included in the action log (step S211). For example, the information providing unit 1104 may add 1 to the pass order number included in the pass store information of the store that the user passed through to calculate the pass order number of the next store. The information providing unit 1104 may search the pass store information including a combination of the stamp rally ID of the stamp rally information to be processed and the pass order number of the next pass store from the pass status DB 14d. If there is the corresponding pass store information, the information providing unit 1104 may determine that there is a next store. If there is no next store (step S211: NO), the information providing unit 1104 transmits a stamp notification not including information regarding a coupon (step S208), and the pass status update process ends.

[0150] If there is a next store (step S211: YES), the information providing unit 1104 judges whether or not the pass flag included in the pass store information of the next pass store is FALSE (step S212). If the pass flag is TRUE (step S212: NO), the process proceeds to step S208. If the pass flag is FALSE (step S212: YES), the information providing unit 1104 causes the coupon management server 7 to search for coupons that can be used at the next store (step S213). For example, the information providing unit 1104 may acquire a store group ID associated with the store ID of the next store from the store DB 14b. The information providing unit 1104 may transmit a coupon search request including the store ID and the store group ID to the coupon management server 7. The coupon management server 7 may search for coupon basic information including a combination of the store group ID included in the coupon search request and a store-limited flag indicating FALSE. The coupon management server 7 may also search for coupon basic information including a combination of the store ID included in the coupon search request and a store-limited flag indicating TRUE. If there is coupon basic information that satisfies any of the conditions, the coupon management server 7 may transmit the coupon ID included in the coupon basic information as a response to the stamp rally server 1. If there is no coupon basic information that satisfies any of the conditions, the coupon management server 7 may transmit a response to the stamp rally server 1 indicating that there is no coupon.

[0151] Next, the information providing unit 1104 judges whether or not there is a usable coupon based on the response from the coupon management server 7 (step S214). If there is no coupon (step S214: NO), the process proceeds to step S208. If there is a coupon (step S214: YES), the information providing unit 1104 transmits a stamp notification including information about the coupon to the user terminal 6 (step S215). For example, the stamp notification may include a message indicating that there is a coupon available at the next store. The stamp notification may also include a deep link for displaying the coupon screen 400 in a stamp rally app, for example. This deep link may include a coupon ID of the usable coupon, for example. The user terminal 6 displays the stamp notification received from the stamp rally server on the screen. When the user selects the stamp notification, the user terminal 6 starts the stamp rally app and displays the coupon screen 400. At this time, the user terminal 6 may receive coupon basic information from the coupon management server 7 based on the coupon ID included in the deep link. The user terminal 6 may display the coupon information 420 based on the coupon basic information. When step S215 is completed, the route status update process ends.

[0152] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the user has passed through any of the stopover stores, information is presented that encourages the user to visit a stopover store that the user has not passed through yet. Therefore, the user can be encouraged to move to a store that the user has not passed through yet.

[0153] [4. Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Except for the following points, the fourth embodiment may be the same as at least one of the first to third embodiments. In this embodiment, a stopover store may be added while the user is performing a stamp rally.

[0154] [4-1. Configuration of the stamp rally server] First, the configuration of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the database of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. The store group DB 14a shown in FIG. 20 differs from the store group DB 14a shown in FIG. 3 in that the store group DB 14a shown in FIG. 20 further stores a customer unit price. The customer unit price is the average amount of money that a user pays to a store per use when the user uses a store belonging to the store group. For example, the stamp rally server 1 may calculate the customer unit price of each store group based on the action log recorded in the action history DB 22 of the member information management server 2, or the action log stored in the point program server 3 and each service server 4. The stamp rally server 1 may also periodically update the customer unit price stored in the store group DB 14a. If the customer unit price for each store is necessary, the customer unit price of the store may be stored in the store DB 14b.

[0155] The stamp rally DB 14c shown in Fig. 20 differs from the stamp rally DB 14c shown in Fig. 3 in that the stamp rally DB 14c shown in Fig. 20 further stores a budget amount. The budget amount indicates the amount of the budget set by the user who requested the creation of the stamp rally. This budget may be, for example, funds for purchasing goods or services at the intermediate facilities.

[0156] The route status DB 14d shown in FIG. 20 differs from the route status DB 14d shown in FIG. 3 in that the route status DB 14d shown in FIG. 20 further stores a payment amount. The payment amount indicates the amount of the fee paid to the route store when the user uses the facility use service at the route store. The initial value of the payment amount is 0 yen. For example, if the user uses any electronic payment service, the payment amount indicates the payment amount. If the user uses a point card, the payment amount indicates the amount paid by the user at that time. If the user uses a point card to apply points to part or all of the payment amount, the payment amount indicates the amount obtained by subtracting the amount equivalent to the number of points applied to the payment. If the user checks in to the store using the check-in service, the payment amount is 0 yen. If the user uses the same or different facility use services multiple times at the same route store, the payment amount may indicate the total amount paid by the user for the use of those services. However, if the user uses multiple facility use services simultaneously for one payment, it is counted as the payment amount for one payment. For example, if a user pays 1,000 yen via app payment and earns points for that payment by using a point card, the amount paid will remain 1,000 yen.

[0157] [4-2. Functional overview of the system control unit] Next, an overview of the functions of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 21 and 22. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 21, the same elements as in Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals. Fig. 21 differs from Fig. 6 in that in Fig. 21, the system control unit 11 further functions as a budget information acquisition unit 1109.

[0158] The budget information acquisition unit 1109 may acquire a budget amount set by a user. For example, the user may be able to set the budget amount when requesting the creation of a stamp rally. The budget information acquisition unit 1109 may acquire the budget amount from, for example, the user terminal 6. The acquired budget amount may be stored in the stamp rally DB 14c.

[0159] The route information acquiring unit 1105 may acquire route information capable of identifying an amount paid by the user to a store that the user passed through as the route information. This amount may be, for example, a payment amount included in the action log.

[0160] After determining the transit stores when creating the stamp rally, if the transit status determination unit 1106 determines that the user has passed through at least one of the transit stores, the transit store determination unit 1103 may determine whether to add an additional store to the determined transit stores. For example, the transit store determination unit 1103 may determine whether to add a transit store based on the budget amount acquired by the budget information acquisition unit 1109 and the payment amount indicated by the transit information acquired by the transit information acquisition unit 1105. For example, the transit store determination unit 1103 may calculate the total amount paid by the user to the transit stores that the user has already passed through since the stamp rally started.

[0161] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine whether to add a stopover store when the user has stopped at all stopover stores, for example. For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may add a stopover store when the total payment amount is less than the budget amount. At this time, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may add a stopover store when the difference between the total payment amount and the amount less than the budget amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, or when the total payment amount is less than a predetermined percentage of the budget amount.

[0162] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of adding a stopover store. For example, if the difference between the total payment amount and the budget is 500 yen or more, a stopover store is added. As shown in FIG. 22(a), the user 110 sets a budget of 3,000 yen. The stopover store determination unit 1103 determines the stopover stores to be stores 241 and 242. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 22(b), the user 110 goes to store 241 and pays 1,200 yen. Next, the user 110 goes to store 242 and pays 800 yen. The total payment amount is 2,000 yen. The difference between the total payment amount and the budget is 1,000 yen. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22(c), the stopover store determination unit 1103 adds store 243 to the stopover stores.

[0163] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine whether to add a stopover store when the user has stopped at a predetermined rate or more of all stopover stores. For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may add a stopover store when the difference between the total payment amount and the amount less than the budget amount is a predetermined amount or more, or when the total payment amount is less than a predetermined rate of the budget amount.

[0164] The intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine one or more intermediate stores to be added. The intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine the intermediate store to be added from, for example, stores within a predetermined distance from the user's current location, stores within a predetermined distance from the store the user last passed by, stores within a predetermined distance from the start point or the finish point, or stores within a predetermined distance from the route set by the intermediate store determination unit 1103. When the user distance is specified by the user distance specification unit 1102, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine the intermediate store to be added so that, for example, the route length from the start point to the finish point when the intermediate store is added is a length according to the user distance. Also, for example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may determine the intermediate store to be added based on the customer unit price of each store. For example, the intermediate store determination unit 1103 may add, as the intermediate store, a store whose customer unit price is equal to or less than the difference between the budget amount and the total payment amount.

[0165] When an additional store is added to the stop-over stores determined by the stop-over store determination unit 1103, the bonus granting unit 1107 may grant a bonus to the user on the condition that the user has passed through the stop-over stores including the added store.

[0166] [4-3. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of a route status update process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 23, the same processes as those in Fig. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 23, first, steps S201 to S204 are executed as in the first embodiment. If the store where the facility-related service was used is one of the stop stores (step S204: YES), the route status determination unit 1106 updates the payment amount included in the stop store information by adding the payment amount included in the action log to the payment amount included in the stop store information of the stop store where the facility-related service was used (step S221). Next, steps S205 to S207 are executed as in the first embodiment. After step S207, the route status determination unit 1106 determines whether the user has passed through all the stop facilities (step S222). For example, the route status determination unit 1106 may search the route status DB 14d for all stop store information including the stamp rally ID of the stamp rally information to be processed. If the route flags included in all the stop store information are TRUE, the route status determination unit 1106 may determine that the user has passed through all the stop facilities. If the user has not passed through at least one transit facility (step S222: NO), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0168] If the user has passed through all the transit facilities (step S222: YES), the transit store determination unit 1103 adds up the payment amounts included in the retrieved transit store information to calculate the total payment amount (step S223). Next, the transit store determination unit 1103 calculates the difference by subtracting the total payment amount from the budget amount included in the stamp rally information to be processed. The transit store determination unit 1103 determines whether this difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (step S224). If the difference is less than the predetermined amount (step S224: NO), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0169] If the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (step S224: YES), the stop-over store determination unit 1103 searches for a store that is within a predetermined distance from the route from the user's current location to the goal point, among stores different from the current stop-over store (step S225). For example, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may search for a route based on the latest location information of the user terminal 6, the goal point coordinates, a map DB, and the like. The stop-over store determination unit 1103 may search for a store based on the searched route and the store DB 14b. Next, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 determines whether or not there is a corresponding store as a result of the search (step S226). If there is no corresponding store (step S226: NO), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0170] If there is a corresponding store (step S226: YES), the stop-over store determination unit 1103 determines one of the searched stores as a store to be added to the stop-over stores (step S227). Next, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 generates new stop-over store information for the store to be added to the stop-over stores, and stores it in the stop-over status DB 14d (step S228). For example, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may generate stop-over store information including the stamp rally ID of the stamp rally information to be processed, a stop-over order number indicating the order in which the store is stopped, stop-over condition information corresponding to the affiliated service information of the store group to which the store belongs, the store ID of the store, a stop-over flag indicating FALSE, and a payment amount indicating 0 yen.

[0171] Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 updates the route information included in the stamp rally information to be processed based on the searched route (step S229). Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 updates the number of bonus points included in the stamp rally information to be processed with a number of points according to the length of the route indicated by the updated route information (step S230).

[0172] Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 transmits a stamp notification including information indicating that the stopover store has been added to the user terminal 6 (step S231). For example, the stamp notification may include the name of the added stopover store. The stamp notification may also include the updated number of bonus points. When step S231 ends, the stopover status update process ends.

[0173] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine stopover stores according to a budget.

[0174] [5. Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. Except for the points described below, the fifth embodiment may be the same as at least one of the first to fourth embodiments. In this embodiment, the stopover store is determined based on the balance of the user's payment method.

[0175] [5-1. Functional overview of the system control unit] First, a functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 24 and 25. Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 24, the same elements as in Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals. Fig. 24 differs from Fig. 6 in that in Fig. 24, the system control unit 11 further functions as a balance acquisition unit 1110 and a customer unit price acquisition unit 1111.

[0176] The balance acquisition unit 1110 may acquire balance information indicating the balance of a payment means that can be used by a user requesting the creation of a stamp rally to make a payment to a store. Examples of the payment means include IC-type electronic money payment and online electronic money. The balance acquisition unit 1110 may acquire the balance information, for example, via a service server 4 of a service that provides the determination means. For example, the balance of the IC-type electronic money is stored in an IC chip. The service server 4 of the IC-type electronic money payment service may acquire the balance information of the IC-type electronic money from the user terminal 6 of the user and transmit it to the stamp rally server 1. The balance of the online electronic money is stored for each user, for example, in the service server 4 of the application payment service. The balance acquisition unit 1110 may acquire, as the balance information, the total amount of the balance of the IC-type electronic money and the balance of the online electronic money.

[0177] The customer unit price acquisition unit 1111 may acquire unit price information indicating the customer unit price of each of a plurality of facilities from which the stopover stores are extracted. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the store group DB 14a may store the customer unit price of each store group. The customer unit price acquisition unit 1111 may acquire the customer unit price from the store group DB 14a.

[0178] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover facility from among a plurality of stores based on the balance information acquired by the balance acquisition unit 1110 and the unit price information acquired by the customer unit price acquisition unit 1111. For example, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store such that the total amount of the customer unit price at the stopover stores is equal to or less than the balance of the payment method. In this case, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store such that the difference between the total customer unit price and the balance is less than a predetermined amount. Alternatively, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store such that the total customer unit price is equal to or more than a predetermined percentage of the balance.

[0179] When the stop-over store determination unit 1103 creates a combination of candidate stop-over stores, it may calculate a total customer unit price by adding up the customer unit price of only those stores that can use the payment method for which the balance information has been acquired. For example, when only the balance information of IC-type electronic money has been acquired, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may calculate the total customer unit price using the customer unit price of affiliated stores of the IC-type electronic money payment service. Alternatively, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may create a combination of candidate stop-over stores so as to include only stores that can use the payment method for which the balance information has been acquired.

[0180] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine stopover stores using the balance information and also using the user distance as described in the first and second embodiments, for example.

[0181] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of determining a stopover store. As shown in FIG. 25(a), the balance of the IC-type electronic money of the user 110 is 2,000 yen. As shown in FIG. 25(b), stores 251, 252, and 253 are identified as a combination of stores that are candidates for stopover stores. The customer unit prices of stores 251, 252, and 253 are 500 yen, 1,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, respectively. Therefore, the total customer unit price is 2,500 yen. Therefore, the combination of stores 251, 252, and 253 is not determined as a stopover store. As shown in FIG. 25(a), when the combination of stores that are candidates for stopover stores is stores 251 and 25, the total customer unit price is 1,500 yen. Therefore, the combination of stores 251 and 252 can be determined as a stopover store.

[0182] [5-2. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 26. Fig. 26 is a flow chart showing an example of a stamp rally creation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the stamp rally server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 26, the same processes as those in Fig. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0183] As shown in FIG. 26, step S101 is executed first. Next, the balance acquiring unit 1110 acquires balance information of electronic money (step S121). For example, the balance acquiring unit 1110 may transmit a balance request to the service server 4 of the service that allows payment by the electronic money. The balance request may include, for example, the user ID of the user who requested the creation of a stamp rally. The service server 4 may transmit balance information of the user identified by the user ID to the stamp rally server 1. Next, steps S102 to S105 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0184] After step S105, the customer unit price acquisition unit 1111 acquires the customer unit price of the stores included in the created combination (step S122). For example, the customer unit price acquisition unit 1111 may acquire the store group ID associated with the store ID of each store included in the combination from the store DB 14b. The customer unit price acquisition unit 1111 may acquire the affiliated service information and the customer unit price associated with the store group ID for each store. Next, the stopover store determination unit 1103 identifies an affiliated store of the payment service using the electronic money whose balance information has been acquired among the stores included in the combination based on the affiliated service information. The customer unit price acquisition unit 1111 adds up the customer unit prices of the identified affiliated stores to calculate the total customer unit price. The stopover store determination unit 1103 determines whether the total customer unit price is equal to or less than the balance indicated by the balance information (step S123). If the total customer unit price is not equal to or less than the balance (step S123: NO), the process proceeds to step S104. If the total customer unit price is equal to or less than the balance (step S123: YES), steps S109 to S112 are executed as in the first embodiment.

[0185] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine stopover stores according to the balance of the payment method.

[0186] [6. Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Except for the points described below, the sixth embodiment may be the same as at least one of the first to fifth embodiments. The stop-over store determination unit 1103 may determine the stop-over store for each of a plurality of stores from which the stop-over stores are extracted, based on time information indicating when the user who requested the creation of the stamp rally visited the facility in the past. This time information may be, for example, an action log stored in the action history DB 22. The action date and time included in the action log indicating that the user used a facility-related service at a store indicates the date and time when the user visited the store.

[0187] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store based on, for example, the length of time that has passed since the user last visited the store. The time when the user last visited a store may be specified, for example, by the store group to which the store belongs. For example, a certain supermarket chain includes store A and store B. It is assumed that the user has been to store A. In this case, even if the user has not actually been to store B, the user is considered to have been to store B as well.

[0188] The stop-over store determination unit 1103 may include, as stop-over stores, stores whose length of time that has elapsed since the user last visited the store is, for example, equal to or longer than a predetermined first period length and shorter than a predetermined second period length. The second period length is longer than the first period length. In this case, for example, all of the stop-over stores may be stores that satisfy this condition. Alternatively, at least one of the stop-over stores may be a store that satisfies this condition. Alternatively, a predetermined percentage or more of the stop-over stores may be stores that satisfy this condition.

[0189] The first period length and the second period length may be, for example, predetermined. Alternatively, at least one of the first period length and the second period length may be determined based on the action log stored in the action history DB22. For example, a server device such as the stamp rally server 1 may determine the period length, or an operator of a stamp rally service or the like may determine the period length. For example, the user may be divided into segments based on the user's interest in or loyalty to the store. For example, a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment may be defined. The user in the first segment may be a user who habitually uses the store, regardless of whether or not the user is provided with information encouraging the user to visit the store. Examples of information encouraging the user to visit the store include advertisements for the store and coupons that can be used at the store. The user in the second segment may be a user who does not habitually use the store, but may use the store if information encouraging the user to visit the store is provided. The user in the third segment may be a user who is not interested in the store and is unlikely to use the store even if information encouraging the user to visit the store is provided. As a tendency, among these segments, the interval between users in the first segment using the store is the shortest. Secondly, the interval between users in the second segment using the store is the shortest. The interval between users in the third segment using the store is the longest. By receiving information encouraging a user in the second segment to visit the store, the interval between users using the store may become shorter. Therefore, by using the behavior history DB22, the advertisement browsing history, the coupon browsing history, and the like, the interval between users in each segment using the store can be estimated. Thus, the first period length may be determined based on, for example, the interval between users in the first segment and users in the second segment using the store. For example, the first period length may be longer than the tendency between the interval between users in the first segment using the store and shorter than the tendency between users in the second segment using the store. In addition, the second period length may be determined based on, for example, the interval between users in the second segment and users in the third segment using the store.For example, the second period length may be longer than the intervals at which users in the second segment tend to visit the store, and shorter than the intervals at which users in the third segment tend to visit the store. A user whose period of time since visiting a store is equal to or longer than the first period length and shorter than the second period length is likely to be a second segment user for that store. By presenting the user with information indicating that the store is included in the stopover stores of the stamp rally, the intervals at which the user visits the store may become shorter. As a result, the user may become a first segment user.

[0190] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine the stopover store using a method that uses the time when the user last visited the store and a method that is described in at least one of the other embodiments.

[0191] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the stopover stores include stores that the user last visited not too close to, and not too far from, the stopover stores. By encouraging the user to stopover at such stores, the user can be encouraged to use the stores regularly.

[0192] [7. Other embodiments] The stop-over store determination unit 1103 may determine stop-over stores such that the total customer unit price of the stop-over stores is equal to or less than the budget amount set by the user.

[0193] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine the stopover store based on the number of points the user wants to acquire in the stamp rally. The points the user wants to acquire in this case are points that the user can acquire by using the facility-related service when visiting the stopover store, in addition to the points that the user can acquire as a bonus when the user arrives at the goal point. As described in the first embodiment, the user may be able to acquire points by using each facility-related service. For example, the user may be able to specify the number of points that the user wants to acquire. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine the stopover store such that the total number of points that are expected to be acquired at all stopover stores is equal to or greater than the specified number of points. At this time, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine the stopover store such that the difference between the total number of expected accruable points and the specified number of points is less than a predetermined value. For example, in the case of a member store of a facility-related service that grants a predetermined number of points, the expected number of accruable points may be the number of points. In the case of a member store of a facility-related service that randomly changes the number of points to be granted, the expected number of accruable points may be the average number of points granted. In the case of a store affiliated with a facility-related service in which the number of points awarded varies depending on the amount paid to the store, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may calculate the expected number of points that can be acquired by multiplying the customer unit price of the store by the return rate corresponding to the service. In the case of a store affiliated with multiple facility-related services, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may calculate the expected number of points that can be acquired by combining two or more of those facility-related services within a reasonable range. For example, when a user visits a certain store, it is not difficult for the user to use a point card, any one of the electronic payment services, and a check-in service. In that case, the stop-over store determination unit 1103 may sum up the expected number of points that can be acquired for those services for that store. According to this embodiment, a stop-over store can be determined according to the number of points that the user wants to acquire. By using the facility-related service at a stop-over store, the user may be able to acquire the desired number of points.

[0194] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store based on the number of limited-time points among the points held by the user. For example, there may be normal points and limited-time points as points in a point program. The normal points are points that do not have an expiration date. The limited-time points are points that have an expiration date. After a user acquires a limited-time point, when the expiration date set for the point has passed, the point becomes invalid. For example, the point management server 3 may store information on each limited-time point acquired by each user. For example, the point management server 3 may store a user ID, the number of limited-time points, and the expiration date in association with each other. The number of available points stored in the point DB 31 may indicate the total of the number of normal points and the number of limited-time points. When a user uses points, the point management server 3 may process so that limited-time points are used with priority over normal points. At this time, the point management server 3 may process so that limited-time points with an expiration date closer to the expiration date are used with priority. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store such that the customer unit price of the stopover store is equal to or greater than the amount equivalent to the number of limited-time points held by the user. In this case, the customer unit price may be the total of the customer unit prices of the member stores of the point card service among the stopover stores. The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store whose customer unit price is equal to or greater than the amount equivalent to all the limited-time points held by the user. Alternatively, the stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine a stopover store whose customer unit price is equal to or greater than the amount equivalent to the number of limited-time points held by the user whose expiration date will arrive within a predetermined period. According to this embodiment, the user can be prompted to consume the limited-time points before the expiration date passes.

[0195] The stop-stop store determination unit 1103 may determine stop-stop stores so as to include affiliated stores of the facility-related service that the user wishes to use. For example, the user may be able to specify one or more facility-related services that the user wishes to use. The stop-stop store determination unit 1103 may determine, for example, that all stop-stop stores are affiliated stores of the specified facility-related service. Alternatively, the stop-stop store determination unit 1103 may determine stop-stop stores so as to include at least one affiliated store of each specified facility-related service.

[0196] The stopover store determination unit 1103 may determine stopover stores by combining a plurality of the methods described from the first embodiment onward.

[0197] (Supplementary Note 1) The device for determining a route through a predetermined end point comprises: a service identification means for identifying a first service that has not been used by the user among the plurality of services based on service information that can identify the usage status of a plurality of services by a user and that can identify the usage status of a plurality of services available at a facility; a determination means for determining, among the plurality of facilities, intermediate facilities to be passed through before reaching a predetermined end point, the intermediate facility determination means including a first facility affiliated with the identified first service as the intermediate facility; a route information acquisition means for acquiring route information that can identify facilities passed through by the user after the intermediate facilities have been determined; a route status determination means for determining the route status of the user for the determined intermediate facilities based on the acquired route information; and a granting means for granting a privilege to the user when the user reaches the end point, on condition that it is determined that the user has passed through the intermediate facilities including the first facility.

[0198] (Supplementary Note 2) The route information acquired is usage information that can be acquired from a device that executes processing related to one of the plurality of services in response to the user using one of the plurality of services at one of the plurality of facilities, and includes usage information indicating the facility at which the user used one of the services, and the route status determination means determines that the user has passed through the facility indicated by the usage information.

[0199] (Appendix 3) The usage information further indicates any one of the services used, and the route status determination means determines that the user has passed through the first facility when the user uses the identified first service at the first facility. This is the route facility determination device described in Appendix 2.

[0200] (Appendix 4) The intermediate facility determination device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the service identification means further identifies a second service from among the plurality of services that the user has used, the intermediate facility determination means further includes a second facility affiliated with the identified second service in the intermediate facilities, and the granting means grants the benefit on the condition that it is determined that the user has passed through the intermediate facilities including the first facility and the second facility.

[0201] (Appendix 5) The intermediate facility determination device described in Appendix 4 is characterized in that the granting means grants the benefit when the user moves from a specified starting point to the end point via the intermediate facility, and the intermediate facility determination means determines the intermediate facilities such that the order of passing through the intermediate facilities along the route for moving from the starting point to the end point via the intermediate facility is such that the second facility is passed through before the first facility.

[0202] (Appendix 6) The intermediate facility determination device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, further comprising a user travel distance determination means for determining a user travel distance corresponding to the user, and wherein the intermediate facility determination means determines the intermediate facility such that the length of the route for traveling from the starting point to the end point via the intermediate facility corresponds to the determined user travel distance.

[0203] (Appendix 7) The intermediate facility determination device according to appendix 6, further comprising a location history information acquisition means for acquiring location history information indicating the location history of the user, wherein the distance determination means determines the distance traveled by the user based on the acquired location history information.

[0204] (Supplementary Note 8) The device for determining a route facility according to Supplementary Note 6 or 7, wherein the awarding means determines a value of the benefit to be awarded according to the length of the route.

[0205] (Appendix 9) The intermediate facility determination device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8, further comprising a presentation control means for causing the user's terminal device to present, when it is determined that the user has passed through any of the determined intermediate facilities, prompting information encouraging the user to visit a facility among the determined intermediate facilities that the user has not yet passed through.

[0206] (Supplementary Note 10) The route facility determination device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, further comprising a budget information acquisition unit that acquires budget information indicating a budget set by the user, the acquired route information further indicating an amount paid by the user to the route facility that the user has passed through, the route facility determination unit, when it is determined that the user has passed through at least one of the determined route facilities, determines whether to add an additional facility to the determined route facilities based on the budget indicated by the acquired budget information and the amount indicated by the acquired route information, and the granting unit, when the additional facility is added to the route facilities, grants the benefit on the condition that the user has passed through the route facilities including the added facility.

[0207] (Appendix 11) The transit facility determination device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 10, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring balance information indicating the balance of a payment method that the user can use to make payments to facilities, and a unit price information acquisition means for acquiring unit price information indicating the customer unit price for each of the multiple facilities, wherein the transit facility determination means determines the transit facility based on the acquired balance information and the acquired unit price information.

[0208] (Appendix 12) The intermediate facility determination device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 11, characterized in that the intermediate facility determination means includes, as the intermediate facilities, facilities whose length of time that has elapsed since the user last visited the facility is equal to or longer than a predetermined first period length and shorter than a predetermined second period length, based on timing information indicating when the user previously visited the facility for each of the multiple facilities.

[0209] (Appendix 13) A method for determining a route facility determined by a computer, comprising: a service identification step for identifying a first service that has not been used by the user among the plurality of services based on service information that can identify a usage status of a plurality of services available at a facility by a user; a determination step for determining route facilities to be passed through among the plurality of facilities before reaching a predetermined end point, the determination step including a first facility affiliated with the identified first service as the route facility; a route information acquisition step for acquiring route information that can identify a facility passed through by the user after the route facility has been determined; a route status determination step for determining a route status by the user for the determined route facility based on the acquired route information; and an awarding step for awarding a privilege to the user when the user reaches the end point, on condition that it is determined that the user has passed through the route facility including the first facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 1 Stamp Rally Server 2. Membership information management server 3 Point Management Server 4 Service Server 5. Store terminal 6 User terminals 11 System control section 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interface 14 Storage section 14a Store Group DB 14b Store DB 14c Stamp Rally DB 14d Route status DB 14e Location information DB 15 Communications Department 21 Member DB 22 Behavioral History DB 31 Points DB 1101 Service Specific Department 1102 User distance determination unit 1103 Stopover store determination unit 1104 Information Provision Department 1105 Route information acquisition unit 1106 Route status determination unit 1107 Benefits Granting Department 1108 Location history information acquisition unit 1109 Budget Information Acquisition Department 1110 Balance Acquisition Department 1111 Customer Unit Price Acquisition Department NW Network S Communication System

Claims

1. A determination means for determining intermediate facilities to be passed through on the way to a predetermined destination from among a plurality of facilities, comprising an intermediate facility determination means that includes a facility that is subscribed to at least one service from among a plurality of services available at the facility as an intermediate facility, A means for acquiring transit information that can identify the facilities the user has passed through after the determination of the transit facilities, A route status determination means that determines the route status by the user for the determined route facility based on the route information obtained above, If it is determined that the user has passed through any of the determined transit facilities, the presentation control means causes the user's terminal device to display prompting information encouraging the user to visit a transit facility that the user has not yet visited. A transit facility determination device characterized by comprising the following:

2. The transit information obtained is usage information obtainable from a device that performs processing related to any of the services in response to the user using any of the services in any of the facilities, and includes usage information indicating the facility in which the user used any of the services. The transit status determination means determines that the user has passed through the facility indicated by the usage information, as described in claim 1.

3. The aforementioned usage information further indicates any of the aforementioned services that were used. The transit status determination means determines that the user has transited through the facility when the user uses at least one of the services at the facility, as described in claim 2.

4. The transit facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plurality of services include at least one of a point card service, an electronic payment service, and a check-in service.

5. The user travel distance determination means further comprises a means for determining the user travel distance corresponding to the user, The route facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the route facility determination means determines the route facilities such that the length of the path for moving from a predetermined starting point to the endpoint via the route facilities is a length corresponding to the specified user travel distance.

6. The system further comprises location history information acquisition means for acquiring location history information indicating the location history of the user, The transit facility determination device according to claim 5, characterized in that the user travel distance determination means determines the user travel distance based on the acquired location history information.

7. The route facility determination device according to claim 5, characterized in that the user travel distance determination means acquires at least one of the calories consumed and the number of steps taken corresponding to the user, and identifies the distance that can be traveled with the acquired calories consumed or number of steps as the user travel distance.

8. The system further comprises budget information acquisition means for acquiring budget information indicating a budget set by the user, The aforementioned transit information further indicates the amount paid by the user to the facility via which the user transited, The transit facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the transit facility determination means determines that the user has passed through at least one of the determined transit facilities, it determines whether or not to add further facilities to the determined transit facilities based on the budget indicated by the acquired budget information and the amount indicated by the acquired transit information.

9. The transit facility determination device according to claim 8, characterized in that when the user uses two or more of the multiple services simultaneously in a single payment at the transit facility, the amount of the single payment is included as a single payment amount when calculating the amount indicated by the transit information.

10. A balance information acquisition means that acquires balance information indicating the balance of a payment method that the user can use to make payments to the facility, A unit price information acquisition means for acquiring unit price information indicating the customer unit price for each of the aforementioned multiple facilities, Furthermore, The transit facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transit facility determination means determines the transit facility based on the acquired balance information and the acquired unit price information.

11. The transit facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transit facility determination means includes, for each of the plurality of facilities, a facility in which the length of time elapsed since the user last visited is greater than or equal to a predetermined first period length and less than a predetermined second period length, based on time information indicating when the user previously visited the facility.

12. For each of the multiple facilities, each of the multiple users is classified into one of the multiple segments based on the degree of user interest or loyalty to the facility, The transit facility determination device according to claim 11, characterized in that for each of the plurality of facilities, the first period length and the second period length are determined based on information indicating when each of the plurality of segments' users visited the facility in the past.

13. The plurality of segments include a first segment having the highest degree of interest or loyalty, a second segment having the next highest degree of interest or loyalty, and a third segment having the lowest degree of interest or loyalty. The transit facility determination device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first period length is determined to be longer than the interval at which users of the first segment use the facility and shorter than the interval at which users of the second segment use the facility, and the second period length is determined to be longer than the interval at which users of the second segment use the facility and shorter than the interval at which users of the third segment use the facility.

14. The system further comprises category information acquisition means for acquiring category information indicating the category to which each of the plurality of facilities belongs, The transit facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transit facility determination means determines the transit facilities based on the acquired category information such that the categories of the transit facilities are as different from each other as possible.

15. The transit facility determination means determines the order in which the transit facilities are passed through, The transit facility determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the prompting information is information that prompts the user to visit the facility shown in the order shown as the next facility to visit after the facility shown in the transit status as the last facility the user visited.

16. The transit facility determination device according to claim 15, characterized in that the prompting information includes a deep link for displaying coupons available at the next transit facility.

17. A method for determining transit facilities performed by a computer, A decision step to determine which intermediate facilities to be used to reach a predetermined destination from among multiple facilities, the intermediate facility determination step to include a facility that is subscribed to at least one of the multiple services available at the facility as an intermediate facility, After determining the aforementioned transit facilities, a transit information acquisition step is performed to acquire transit information that can identify the facilities the user has passed through, A route status determination step in which the route status of the user is determined for the determined route facility based on the route information obtained above, If it is determined that the user has passed through any of the determined transit facilities, the user's terminal device is instructed to display prompting information encouraging the user to visit a transit facility that the user has not yet visited. A method for determining a transit facility, characterized by including the following:

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