Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To support a creator so as to simply create electronic marketing content.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a processing unit configured to: execute, when receiving a request to issue second electronic marketing content with a modified period, which incorporates content created by a user in past and content of first electronic marketing content with a period set thereto, processing to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to an examination step; and execute, when receiving a request to issue the second electronic marketing content with a period modified from that of the first electronic marketing content without incorporating part of the content of the first electronic marketing content, processing for proceeding to a step of examining the second electronic marketing content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information processing device that provides coupons that can be used by users in electronic payment services has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-4122 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, no consideration was given to the process of generating coupons to be provided to user terminals, nor was consideration given to the convenience of coupon creators in creating coupons.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can assist creators in easily creating electronic marketing content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing system that includes a processing unit that, when a request is received to issue second electronic marketing content that references content created by a user in the past and content of a first electronic marketing content with a set period and that has a changed period, executes a process to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to a review process, and when a request is received to issue the second electronic marketing content that does not reference part of the content of the first electronic marketing content and that has a changed period of the first electronic marketing content, executes a process to proceed to the review process for the second electronic marketing content. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can assist a creator in easily creating electronic marketing content. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Diagram 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Diagram 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] 1 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of coupon information 178. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IM1 provided by an interface 72 for affiliated stores. FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IM2 including information IF indicating that the period information does not satisfy the creation conditions. [Figure 10] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the creation conditions. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the creation conditions. [Figure 13] 13 is an example of a flowchart of a determination process executed by an interface for member stores 72. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a coupon being created and a comparison coupon. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an interface screen including proposed time period information. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen showing reasons why creation conditions are not satisfied. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen of a generated combination. [Figure 18] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF21. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF22. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF23. [Figure 22] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of interface screens IF24 and IF25. [Figure 23] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a scene where a new creation button is operated. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF31. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow of [Use of coupon created in the past (3)]. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF22# including a message indicating that examination is required. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow of [Use of a coupon created in the past (4)]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The program causes a terminal device having a display unit to display an interface screen for generating first electronic marketing content to be provided to a user in an electronic payment service, the interface screen being for receiving an input of first period information relating to a period related to the first electronic marketing content, and to obtain information indicating whether the first period information satisfies a creation condition for electronic marketing content relating to a relationship with the second period information, the information being determined based on the first period information input by a creator of the first electronic marketing content in an input field on the interface screen and second period information of a second electronic marketing content previously generated by the creator or a creator related to the creator. If the creation condition is not satisfied, the program causes the display unit to display information indicating that the first period information does not satisfy the creation condition. The above-mentioned determination and information display process are executed, for example, in real time. The affiliated store interface 72 and the command information described later are examples of the "program". A "creator related to the creator" may be any predetermined relationship; for example, if the creator is the administrator of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service, the related creator is the administrator of the affiliated store's store, and, for example, if the creator is the administrator of the affiliated store of an electronic payment service, the related creator is the administrator of the affiliated store.

[0010] The electronic marketing content is, for example, electronic bonus content. The electronic bonus content is, for example, marketing content provided to users, such as electronic coupons and electronic stamp cards. The electronic marketing content may be, for example, content that can be used for marketing in electronic payment services, such as an electronic flyer service (such as an electronic version of a newspaper insert flyer) or a prepaid card (such as a rechargeable prepaid card that can be used at affiliated stores of the electronic payment service).

[0011] The program may cause the terminal device to send the first period information to a server device that performs the determination, and obtain information indicating whether the creation conditions of the electronic marketing content determined by the server device are met, or may cause the terminal device to refer to the first period information entered by the creator of the first electronic marketing content into an input field on the interface screen and second period information of a second electronic marketing content previously generated by the creator or a creator related to the creator, and determine whether the first period information satisfies the creation conditions of the electronic marketing content in relation to the second period information.

[0012] The first period information includes a usage start date, a usage end date, and a notification date for the first electronic marketing content, and the second period information includes a usage start date, a usage end date, and a notification date for the second electronic marketing content, and the second period information includes a usage start date, a usage end date, and a notification date for the second electronic marketing content.

[0013] When an information processing system receives a request to issue second electronic marketing content that references content created in the past by a user and content of a first electronic marketing content with a set period and that has a changed period, the information processing system executes a process to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to a review process, and when an information processing system receives a request to issue the second electronic marketing content that does not reference any part of the content of the first electronic marketing content and that has a changed period of the first electronic marketing content, the information processing system executes a process to proceed to a review process for the second electronic marketing content. Details of this process will be described later in the section [Using a coupon created in the past (1)] and subsequent sections.

[0014] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program of the present invention will be described. Various devices for providing services to users and performing internal analysis, such as the "payment server" that will be described below, may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and each device may be operated by a different business operator. Furthermore, the owner of the hardware of the device (the provider of the cloud server) and the business that actually operates the device may also be different. The application program and the payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in the real world, but may also include a virtual store for electronic commerce. The virtual store may include a store provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for shopping at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be performed between the user and the store.

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A program and a payment server cooperate to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) existing in real space, but may also include a virtual store for electronic commerce. The virtual store may also include a store provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for shopping at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be performed between the user and the store.

[0016] [Electronic payment service] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The payment server 100 communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and an examiner terminal device 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like. The second store terminal device 70 is an example of a "first device," and the payment server 100 is an example of a "second device."

[0017] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment application 20, thereby operating to provide an electronic payment service to a user in cooperation with a payment server 100. The payment application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0018] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store, and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0019] The second store terminal device 70 is used by an affiliated store or an administrator (manager) of the store of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface 72 for affiliated stores accepts the creation and setting of coupons by the manager and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70 has a function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores. The interface 72 for affiliated stores is an example of a "control unit" realized by the second store terminal device 70 executing the affiliated store app. The function of the "control unit" may be provided in the payment server 100.

[0020] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case the payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, no distinction is made between these two and it is assumed that the payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0021] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns of electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2.

[0022] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10 with the payment application 20 activated decodes the store code image 60 by the optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which store-identifying information is added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, a store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 transmits the first payment information including the store URL and the account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the affiliated store ID and the store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and the store name information (S3), and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user inputs the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen on which the affiliated store name and the store name are displayed (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount, and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that the store code image 60 may contain not only the store URL but also information on the payment amount. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the information on the payment amount is included in the first payment information and transmitted to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0023] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, when the payment application 20 is started, when a payment operation is performed in the payment application 20, when an automatic update timing (e.g., every minute) occurs, and at other timings, the payment application 20 transmits a request for issuing a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S13). The payment application 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or a barcode generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50, and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image by an optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode or manually entering it. The payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code based on the received information and performs electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0024] Note that electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuance of a one-time code may be omitted in the store scan, and the payment application 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In this case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0025] [Payment server] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, a coupon processing unit 150, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device with a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device. The coupon processing unit 150 is an example of a "processing unit." The function of the "processing unit" may be provided in the affiliated store interface 72.

[0026] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, affiliated store / store information 176, and coupon information 178. The information stored in the storage unit 170 may be stored in a storage unit of the second store terminal device 70. For example, the coupon information 178 may be stored in a storage unit of the second store terminal device 70.

[0027] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

[0028] The content providing unit 120 has, for example, a function of a Web server, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content providing unit 120 appropriately reads necessary content from the payment content information 174 and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs by the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. In addition, the content providing unit 120 provides information (content) for displaying various screens for creating coupons, which will be described later, to the second store terminal device 70 (member store interface 72).

[0029] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information 172. The user information 172 is an example of the registration information of a user. The user information 172 is, for example, a user URL, an account ID, a telephone number, a password, as well as information associated with an email address, a user ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, a registration date, a charge balance, a post-payment setting, a post-payment limit, a post-payment usage amount, a post-payment available amount, a payment method setting, a bank account, a credit card number, a charge history information, and a payment history information. The user URL is used for a remittance process between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, it is necessary to register a telephone number and a password. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, and the name, address, and date of birth are information that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user's instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0031] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money that is set by a user by transferring money to an account in advance. The means of transfer include transfer from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated company (bank) and transfer from a registered bank account. The deferred payment setting is information indicating whether or not the setting for enabling electronic payment by deferred payment has been completed, and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The deferred payment limit is the limit of deferred payment that can be used each month, the deferred payment usage amount is the amount of deferred payment that has already been used in the current month, and the deferred payment available amount is the amount of deferred payment that can be used in the current month, which is calculated by subtracting the deferred payment usage amount from the deferred payment limit. Although only one deferred payment limit is shown in the figure, in reality, there is also a daily upper limit, and the lower of these may be set as the deferred payment limit. Further details of deferred payment will be described later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will perform electronic payment using the charge balance or payment by deferred payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information on a bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user transferring funds to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information showing the details of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.). If the user has acquired a coupon issued by an affiliated store based on a specified operation on the payment application 20, the acquired coupon is associated with the user ID in the user information 172, and the acquired coupon can be used in the electronic payment service.

[0032] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. The affiliated store / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above) are associated with an affiliated store ID, and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store ID. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 176 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the location of the store, and payment patterns.

[0033] The information management unit 140 manages user information 172, affiliated store / store information 176, and coupon information 178 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds new records, edits, deletes, etc. for the user information 172, affiliated store / store information 176, and coupon information 178.

[0034] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of coupon information 178. Coupon information 178 is information showing a list of coupons generated by an affiliated store or a store manager (operator). Coupon information 178 is information in which, for example, coupon numbers are associated with information such as a usage start date, usage end date, end conditions, announcement date (or announcement period / posting date, posting period), budget, and target users. In addition to the above, coupon information 178 includes information set by the administrator, such as a coupon cover image, title, and description.

[0035] When a user creates a new coupon using a coupon that was created in the past, the coupon processing unit 150 determines whether to proceed with the screening process for the new coupon or to issue the coupon without going through the screening process, depending on the content of the new coupon, and executes processing according to the result of the determination. The details of this processing will be described later.

[0036] [Electronic payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For a user whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows. For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales. The item value of the affiliated store's sales is not used as electronic money itself, for example, and an amount corresponding to the item value of the sales is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0037] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment for users whose "setting information" is set to "deferred payment" as follows. Deferred payment is set separately from "credit payment" in cooperation with a credit card company that is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and the operator of the electronic payment service acts as a creditor and allows electronic payment that is not dependent on the charge balance within the deferred payment limit. In order to receive the deferred payment service, a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service may be required. The amount used for deferred payment is settled on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debiting from a bank account, for one month. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the deferred payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the deferred payment available amount, and when the closing date comes, it performs processing to debit the payment for the current month on the payment date of the following month as described above. In addition, if the payment amount exceeds the deferred payment available amount at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

[0038] [Coupon creation process] An affiliated store or store administrator (creator) can generate coupons for electronic payment services via the affiliated store interface 72. The creator operates the affiliated store interface 72 to display an interface screen for coupon creation on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70. The creator can create a coupon by inputting information for coupon creation into the interface screen displayed on the display unit. At this time, the creator inputs coupon information such as the usage start date, usage end date, end conditions, announcement date (or announcement period / posting date, posting period), budget, and target users via the interface screen.

[0039] 8 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IM1 provided by the member store interface 72. The interface screen IM1 is an interface screen that is displayed on the display unit after the cover image, title, description, etc. of the coupon are input and before the budget for the coupon is input and determined. Note that the order in which the interface screens are displayed is not limited to this and may be changed.

[0040] Interface screen IM1 includes areas AR1 and AR2. Area AR1 is an area for inputting, for example, the posting period of the coupon. For example, the creator selects the posting period by specifying the dates of the posting period for the dates displayed on the calendar. Area AR2 is an image of the coupon that reflects, for example, the information entered in area AR1 and the information entered by the creator in other interface screens when creating the coupon.

[0041] The creator can also select the coupon usage start date, usage end date, etc. on an interface screen (not shown).

[0042] As described above, if the information entered by the creator does not satisfy the coupon creation conditions, the affiliated store interface 72 displays information indicating that the creation conditions are not satisfied on the display unit. For example, if the creator enters the coupon's usage start date and usage end date on another interface screen and enters the posting period on interface screen IM1, if this information does not satisfy the coupon creation conditions, the affiliated store interface 72 notifies the creator of information indicating that the coupon's period information does not satisfy the creation conditions. For example, the affiliated store interface 72 displays information indicating that the period information does not satisfy the creation conditions on interface screen IM.

[0043] The interface for affiliated stores 72 cooperates with the payment server 100 (server device) that provides electronic payment services based on the creator's operation to display an interface screen on the display unit, and determines in real time whether the first period information satisfies the conditions for creating an electronic coupon related to its relationship with the second period information without going through the payment server 100. The interface for affiliated stores 72 then displays the determination results in real time on the display unit. The "creation conditions" will be described later.

[0044] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IM2 including information IF indicating that the period information does not satisfy the creation conditions. When information IF indicating that the period information does not satisfy the creation conditions is displayed on the display unit, the creator cannot proceed to the next screen unless he or she changes the period information even if he or she operates the next button on the interface screen IM2. For example, the interface screen IM2 includes a button B1 and a button B2.

[0045] Button B1 is a button for displaying an interface screen (not shown) for changing the usage start date or usage end date. Button B2 is a button for displaying an interface screen (e.g., interface screen IM1) for changing the posting period. When button B2 is operated, the affiliated store interface 72 displays interface screen IM1 on the display unit. The creator can modify the posting period on interface screen IM1 so that the posting period meets the creation conditions. Button B1 or button B2 is an example of a "reception unit for displaying an interface screen for changing the first period information."

[0046] When period information such as the posting period is corrected, the period information satisfies the creation conditions, the Next button is operated, the information required to create the coupon is entered, and the entered information is confirmed, the affiliated store interface 72 executes processing for issuing the coupon. For example, the affiliated store interface 72 transmits the confirmed information to the payment server 100 and requests the payment server 100 to issue a coupon.

[0047] [Sequence diagram] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the process executed by the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100. A part of the process may be executed in the payment server 100. For example, the payment server 100 may execute a part of the process based on a request from the member store interface 72 and transmit the result of the process to the member store interface 72. First, when the creator operates the second store terminal device 70 to perform an operation to start the member store interface 72 (S50), the second store terminal device 70 transmits a request corresponding to the start to the payment server 100 (S52). In response to the request, the payment server 100 cooperates with the member store interface 72 to display a login screen on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70 (S54). The member store interface 72 transmits the login ID and password entered by the creator to the payment server 100 (S56).

[0048] If the payment server 100 determines that the login ID and password are a combination of a preset login ID and password, it sends information for displaying an interface screen, a script, and various information to the affiliated store interface 72 (S58).

[0049] The information for displaying an interface screen is information used by the member store interface 72 to generate an interface screen to be displayed on the display unit (for example, information for displaying an interface screen for inputting coupon information). The command information is a command / instruction to the member store interface 72, and is the processing content of a process for determining whether or not the period information satisfies the creation conditions. The command information may include the processing content for displaying various interface screens. The command information is, for example, a simple computer program such as a script. The command information is, for example, a computer program that does not require compilation.

[0050] The various information is, for example, information used to determine whether the period information satisfies the creation conditions. The various information is, for example, information about coupons created in the past by the creator. The various information includes, for example, the use start date, use end date, and notice period (notification start date and notice end date) of the coupons created in the past. Note that the command information may not be provided at the above timing, but may be provided when the affiliated store interface 72 is installed, or may be provided at another timing. Also, the various information provided to the affiliated store interface 72 may not include information about coupons created before a predetermined period. For example, transmission of information about coupons that do not affect the determination of the creation conditions described later is omitted. For example, the payment server 100 may extract information about coupons whose use end date is a predetermined period before the current day, and may not transmit the extracted coupon information to the affiliated store interface 72.

[0051] Next, the affiliated store interface 72 displays an interface screen for determining a cover screen of the coupon on the display unit, and determines the cover screen in response to the creator's operation on the interface screen (S60). Next, the affiliated store interface 72 displays an interface screen for determining a title and description of the coupon on the display unit, and determines the title and description in response to the creator's operation on the interface screen (S62).

[0052] Next, the member store interface 72 displays an interface screen for determining the coupon period information on the display unit, and determines the period information according to the creator's operation on the interface screen (S64). In this process, the member store interface 72 determines in real time, based on the command information described above, whether the first period information satisfies the electronic coupon creation condition related to the relationship with the second period information (see FIG. 13 for details).

[0053] Next, the affiliated store interface 72 transmits the information determined in the above processes to the payment server 100 (S66). Next, the payment server 100 executes various processes based on the transmitted information (S68) and transmits a completion notice to the affiliated store interface 72 (S70). The above various processes include, for example, a process of determining whether or not the information determined in each of the above processes matches a preset condition, a process of making a determination not made in the above determination process, and the like.

[0054] As described above, the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100 cooperate to support the creation of coupons.

[0055] [Details of the creation condition judgment process] (definition) The interval period is as follows: If the coupon usage period is the first period (for example, 14 days), it is the first period (14 days). If the coupon usage period is a secondary period (e.g., a period between 15 and 29 days), it is a secondary period (e.g., a period between 15 and 29 days, the same number of days as the implementation period). If the coupon usage period is a third period (e.g., a period of 30 days or more), it is the third period (e.g., 30 days).

[0056] If the coupon ends midway due to meeting budget or other conditions, the interval period will be calculated based on the date of the midway end. The interval period is the first period at the shortest (e.g. 14 days) and the third period at the longest (e.g. 30 days).

[0057] The first and second coupons are determined based on the date of use. A coupon with an earlier start date is considered to be a first coupon, and a coupon with a later start date is considered to be a second coupon.

[0058] The coupon usage end date is the date on which the coupon usage period ends. If the coupon ends midway because a condition such as a budget has been met, the date on which the coupon ended midway is the usage period end date.

[0059] (Conditions for creation) The affiliated store interface 72 performs a determination process described later to determine whether the period information satisfies the creation conditions. The creation conditions are, for example, that one or more of the following conditions are satisfied. For example, when one condition is satisfied, it is determined that the period information satisfies the creation conditions. (1) As shown in Figure 11, there must be an appropriate interval between the coupon being created and the coupon to be compared (a coupon created in the past). Figure 11 is a diagram (1) for explaining the creation conditions. (2) As shown in Figure 12, the subsequent coupon is notified before or at the same time as the use of the earlier coupon begins. Figure 12 is a diagram (2) for explaining the creation conditions. (3) The start date of use of the first coupon and the start date of use of the subsequent coupon are the same. (4) Either the earlier coupon or the later coupon is included in the usage period of the other coupon.

[0060] (An example of processing flow) FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart of the determination process executed by the affiliated store interface 72. Note that the order of this flowchart is an example, and the order may be changed as appropriate. Also, part of the process may be changed or omitted. Also, part or all of this process may be executed by the payment server 100. Also, part or all of the processes executed by the affiliated store interface 72 other than this process may be executed by the payment server 100.

[0061] First, the interface for affiliated stores 72 determines whether or not there are any coupons that have been approved for payment by review (S100). Note that coupons that have been approved for payment by review include coupons that have expired. If there are no coupons that have been approved for payment by review, the interface for affiliated stores 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). If there are no coupons that have been approved for payment by review, this is because there are no coupons to compare with. A coupon that has been approved for payment by review is an example of a "second electronic coupon."

[0062] If there is a coupon that has been approved for payment ("NO in S100"), the affiliated store interface 72 determines whether the use start date of the coupon being created is the same as the use start date of the comparison coupon, which is a coupon that has been approved for payment (S102). If the use start date of the coupon being created is the same as the use start date of the comparison coupon, the affiliated store interface 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because if the use start dates are the same, the user can select which of the two coupons to use.

[0063] If the period information of the coupon being created does not satisfy the creation conditions, the interface for affiliated stores 72 determines whether the usage start date of the coupon being created is earlier than the usage start date of the comparison coupon (S104).

[0064] If the usage start date of the coupon being created is earlier than the usage start date of the compared coupon (if the coupon being created is first), the affiliated store interface 72 determines whether the usage end date of the coupon being created is later than or the same as the usage end date of the compared coupon (S106). If the usage end date of the coupon being created is later than or the same as the usage end date of the compared coupon, it determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because the usage period of the coupon being created includes the usage period of the compared coupon (4).

[0065] If the usage end date of the coupon being created is not later than or the same as the usage end date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines whether the interval end date of the coupon being created is earlier than the usage start date of the compared coupon (S108). If the interval end date of the coupon being created is earlier than the usage start date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because an appropriate interval period has elapsed (1).

[0066] If the interval end date of the coupon being created is not earlier than the use start date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines whether the use start date of the coupon being created is later than or the same as the announcement start date of the compared coupon (S110). If the use start date of the coupon being created is later than or the same as the announcement start date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because the later coupon is announced before the use start date of the earlier coupon (2).

[0067] If the usage start date of the coupon being created is not later than or the same as the announcement start date of the comparison coupon, the member store interface 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created does not satisfy the creation conditions (S120).

[0068] In the process of step S104, if the usage start date of the coupon being created is later than the usage start date of the compared coupon (if the coupon being created is a later issue), the affiliated store interface 72 determines whether the usage end date of the coupon being created is earlier than or the same as the usage end date of the compared coupon (S112). If the usage end date of the coupon being created is earlier than or the same as the usage end date of the compared coupon, it is determined that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because the usage period of the coupon being created is included in the usage period of the compared coupon (4).

[0069] If the usage end date of the coupon being created is not earlier than or the same as the usage end date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines whether the usage start date of the coupon being created is later than the interval end date of the compared coupon (S108). If the usage start date of the coupon being created is later than the interval end date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because an appropriate interval period has elapsed (1).

[0070] If the usage start date of the coupon being created is not later than the interval end date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines whether the announcement start date of the coupon being created is earlier than or the same as the usage start date of the compared coupon (S110). If the announcement start date of the coupon being created is earlier than or the same as the usage start date of the compared coupon, the member store interface 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created satisfies the creation conditions (S118). This is because the later coupon is announced before the usage start date of the earlier coupon (2).

[0071] If the announcement start date of the coupon being created is not earlier than or the same as the use start date of the comparison coupon, the interface for member stores 72 determines that the period information of the coupon being created does not satisfy the creation conditions (S120). This ends one routine of the process in this flowchart.

[0072] In the above process, if multiple coupons have been generated in the past, each coupon is set as a comparison coupon and compared with the coupon being created. When all coupons have been compared with the coupon being created as a comparison coupon, the process of this flowchart ends. If there is a comparison coupon that does not satisfy the creation conditions, the period information of the coupon being created must be modified.

[0073] [Compare coupon details (1)] The coupon to be compared may be determined based on the type of coupon being created. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between a coupon being created and a coupon to be compared. A coupon is generated by an affiliated store (brand) or a store (e.g., store XX of brand A). For example, if the coupon being created is generated by an affiliated store, the coupon to be compared is a coupon generated by the affiliated store. If the coupon being created is generated by a specific store, the coupon to be compared is a coupon generated by the affiliated store and the specific store. If the coupon being created is generated by a specific store, for example, a coupon generated at a store other than the specific store does not need to be set as a coupon to be compared.

[0074] Alternatively, if the coupon being created is usable at a member store, the comparison coupon may be a coupon that is (was) usable at the member store and a coupon that is (was) usable at the store. If the coupon being created is (was) usable at a specific store, the comparison coupon may be a coupon that is (was) usable at the specific store.

[0075] Alternatively, the coupon to be compared may be set arbitrarily. In addition, the coupon to be compared may be determined based on the content of a coupon created in the past, such as a coupon created by a member store, a coupon created by a store, or a coupon created by a store in a specific region or a specific type.

[0076] As described above, the comparison coupon is determined based on the type of the coupon being created, so that the creator can be assisted in creating a coupon that more accurately takes into account the user's interests.

[0077] [Compare coupon details (2)] The comparison coupon may be determined for each user. For example, a coupon provided to a user may be set as the comparison coupon. For example, when a coupon is created for a user aged 20 or younger, a coupon provided in the past to users aged 20 or younger (e.g., all users) may be set as the comparison coupon, and a coupon provided in the past only to users aged 21 or older may not be set as the comparison coupon.

[0078] As described above, since a comparison coupon is determined for each user, it is possible to assist the creator in creating a coupon that takes into consideration the user's interests with greater accuracy.

[0079] For example, if coupons are generated without restrictions, the coupon periods may overlap, or a selectively available coupon may be issued after another coupon has been used, causing confusion for the user and causing the user to miss an opportunity to use a coupon that they had originally intended to use. For this reason, in this embodiment, coupons are issued on the condition that the period information for the coupon satisfies the creation conditions. This protects the interests of users. Also, coupons that comply with laws and regulations such as the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations are provided to users.

[0080] Furthermore, as described above, the member store interface 72 determines in real time whether the period information entered by the creator satisfies the creation conditions, and notifies the creator of the determination result. This allows the creator to easily recognize whether the period information satisfies the creation conditions. For example, if the entered period information does not satisfy the creation conditions, the creator can create a coupon by modifying the period information so that it satisfies the creation conditions. In this way, it is possible to support the creator in easily creating coupons.

[0081] In the past, the creator would input all information for coupon creation, including period information, and provide the input information to the payment server 100, which would then determine whether the period information satisfies the creation conditions. In some cases, whether each creation condition was satisfied was determined manually. In this case, it may not be possible to determine whether the period information satisfies the creation conditions immediately after the creator inputs the information, and the result of the determination on whether the coupon can be created may be notified with a delay. In this case, the creator must correct the period information, and if there is an error in the period information, it may take a long time to create the coupon.

[0082] In contrast, the member store interface 72 of the embodiment can determine whether or not a coupon can be created in real time as described above, thereby assisting creators in easily creating coupons and improving user convenience.

[0083] [Variation 1] If the period information does not satisfy the creation conditions, the member store interface 72 may propose period information that satisfies the creation conditions. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen including the proposed period information. This interface screen is an example of "an interface screen including a proposed revision of the first period information to satisfy the creation conditions."

[0084] For example, the affiliated store interface 72 suggests a coupon usage start date where the interval period satisfies the creation conditions. For example, the affiliated store interface 72 suggests an announcement date where the announcement date of the coupon satisfies the creation conditions. For example, this interface screen is displayed on the display unit without depending on the user's operation. For example, after the user specifies each item, if the combination of each item does not satisfy the creation conditions, the affiliated store interface 72 causes the display unit to display the interface screen.

[0085] For example, the affiliated store interface 72 gives priority to proposing changes to items with a high pre-set tolerance for changes among multiple items (start date of use, end date of use, and notice period). The tolerance may be set in advance or may be set by the user. For example, if the tolerance for the start date of use is high, the affiliated store interface 72 proposes changing the start date of use so as to satisfy the creation conditions, and if the creation conditions are not satisfied even after changing the start date of use, the affiliated store interface 72 proposes changing the item with the next highest tolerance.

[0086] Instead of the above tolerance, a change of an item with a small degree of change may be proposed. The member store interface 72 may generate combinations of the use start date, use end date, and notice period that satisfy the creation conditions, for example, comprehensively or based on a preset rule, and propose a combination of the use start date, use end date, and notice period with a small degree of change of each of the above items from among the generated combinations. For example, a combination is proposed in which the use start date is changed and the use end date and notice period match the use end date and notice period specified by the user. For example, if there are multiple combinations that match the use end date and notice period specified by the user, a combination with a small change in the use start date is proposed.

[0087] Alternatively, a combination with a smaller total degree of change of a plurality of items may be proposed. For example, if a combination in which the end date of use is shifted by one day from the end date of use specified by the user and the notice period specified by the user is shifted by one day meets the creation condition, and a combination in which the end date of use is shifted by three days from the end date of use specified by the user meets the creation condition, the combination with a total shift of two days is proposed preferentially.

[0088] Furthermore, the member store interface 72 may generate combinations (four combinations) of items that satisfy the creation conditions by satisfying each of the above-mentioned (1)-(4), and may propose the generated combinations.

[0089] As described above, the interface for member stores 72 proposes the contents of each item that satisfies the creation conditions, thereby improving convenience for users.

[0090] [Variation 2] When the coupon being created does not satisfy the creation conditions, the member store interface 72 may display an interface screen on the display unit that includes the use start date, use end date, and notification date (use start date, use end date, or notification date) of the comparison coupon, which are factors that cause the coupon not to satisfy the creation conditions, as shown in FIG. 16. The items that cause the coupon not to satisfy the creation conditions may be displayed more emphasized than other items, or only the items that cause the coupon not to satisfy the creation conditions. This interface screen is an example of an "interface screen that highlights the second period information of the second electronic coupon, which is the use start date, use start date, and notification date, and that is the second period information that causes the coupon not to satisfy the creation conditions."

[0091] This interface screen may further include information on the period that is a factor of the creation condition and a suggestion for removing the factor. For example, this interface screen is displayed on the display unit without depending on the operation of the user. For example, after the user specifies each item, if the combination of each item does not satisfy the creation condition, the member store interface 72 displays the interface screen on the display unit.

[0092] As described above, the interface for member stores 72 provides information on the factors that cause a coupon not to satisfy the generation conditions and information on suggestions for removing the factors, thereby improving convenience for users.

[0093] [Variation 3] When the user specifies each item, the member store interface 72 may generate a combination of items that meets one or more creation conditions, and display an interface screen including the generated combination on the display unit. The member store interface 72 generates a combination of items that meets the creation conditions by referring to coupon information 178 of coupons created in the past. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen of the generated combination. For example, the member store interface 72 may generate a combination (four combinations) of items that meets the creation conditions by satisfying each of the above-mentioned (1)-(4), and propose the generated combination. This interface screen is an example of "an interface screen that automatically generates one or more pieces of first period information that meet the creation conditions based on the second period information of the second electronic coupon and the creation conditions, and includes the automatically generated first period information."

[0094] As described above, the interface for member stores 72 proposes combinations that satisfy the creation conditions before the user specifies each item, thereby improving user convenience.

[0095] [Variation 4] In the above-described process, the interface 72 for affiliated stores is described as determining whether or not the period information satisfies the creation conditions, but alternatively (or in lieu of) this, the payment server 100 may determine whether or not the period information satisfies the creation conditions.

[0096] Fig. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the affiliated store interface 72 and the payment server 100. The processing of S50-S58 in Fig. 18 is similar to the processing of S50-S58 in Fig. 10 described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] After the process of S58, the member store interface 72 displays an interface screen for determining a cover screen of the coupon on the display unit, and determines the cover screen in response to the creator's operation on the interface screen (S80). Next, the member store interface 72 displays an interface screen for determining a title and description of the coupon on the display unit, and determines the title and description in response to the creator's operation on the interface screen (S82). Next, the member store interface 72 displays an interface screen for determining period information of the coupon on the display unit, and accepts input of period information in response to the creator's operation on the interface screen (S84).

[0098] Next, the member store interface 72 transmits the period information received in the process of S84 to the payment server 100 and requests a determination as to whether the period information satisfies the creation condition (S86). Next, in response to the request, the payment server 100 determines whether the period information satisfies the creation condition (S90) and transmits the determination result to the member store interface 72 (S92). As a result, the determination result is displayed on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70. In the above process, for example, when a button for displaying the next interface screen included in the interface screen or a button for determining the input period information is operated, the period information may be transmitted to the payment server 100 by, for example, command information. Alternatively, the period information may be transmitted to the payment server 100 without operating the above button. For example, the member store interface 72 may repeat a process of monitoring whether the period information has been input based on the command information, and when it is determined that the period information has been input, transmit the period information to the payment server 100. For example, when the period information is input and the input period information is maintained for a predetermined time, the member store interface 72 transmits the period information to the payment server 100. In this manner, the interface for affiliated stores 72 may cooperate with the payment server 100 to perform the determination process.

[0099] Next, when the creator checks the judgment result and various information entered, the interface for affiliated stores 72 transmits the confirmation result to the payment server 100 (S94). Next, the payment server 100 executes various processes based on the transmitted information (S96) and transmits a completion notice to the interface for affiliated stores 72 (S98).

[0100] As described above, the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100 cooperate to support the creation of coupons.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the electronic marketing content has been described as an electronic coupon, but in the above or later embodiments, instead of (in addition to) this, the electronic marketing content may be an electronic stamp card, an electronic flyer service, or a prepaid card. In this case, similar to the spirit of the above process, a determination is made according to the operation, and these processing results are displayed on the display unit. For example, the determination is made based on creation conditions corresponding to the type of electronic marketing content. As described above, it is possible to support creators in easily creating electronic marketing content, even for electronic marketing content other than coupons.

[0102] According to the above-described embodiment, the interface 72 for affiliated stores obtains information indicating whether the first period information satisfies the creation conditions of the electronic marketing content regarding its relationship with the second period information, the information being determined based on the first period information entered by the creator of the first electronic marketing content in the input field of the interface screen and the second period information of the second electronic marketing content previously generated by the creator or a creator related to the creator, and if the creation conditions are not satisfied, displays information indicating that the first period information does not satisfy the creation conditions in real time on the display unit, thereby assisting the creator in easily creating marketing content.

[0103] [Summary of past coupon usage] When coupon processing unit 150 receives a request to issue second electronic marketing content that references content previously created by a user and content of a first electronic marketing content with a set period and that has a changed period, coupon processing unit 150 executes processing to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to the review process.When coupon processing unit 150 receives a request to issue second electronic marketing content that does not reference part of the content of the first electronic marketing content and that has a changed period of the first electronic marketing content, coupon processing unit 150 executes processing to proceed to the review process for the second electronic marketing content.

[0104] The above content is the contents of the electronic coupon (electronic marketing content) and is information different from the above period. The content is, for example, information such as a cover image, a title, a description, a bonus rate (ratio, amount), the transaction amount to which the electronic coupon applies, the upper limit of the bonus for each transaction, and the store to which the coupon applies. The bonus rate is the rate or degree of points awarded when an electronic payment is made using an electronic coupon. The content may include the upper limit of the budget or may be excluded. If it is excluded, a newly created electronic coupon (second electronic marketing content) is issued without proceeding to the screening process, even if the upper limit of the budget is changed without changing the content.

[0105] The above period refers to some or all of the following: the start date, end date, termination conditions, and announcement date (or announcement period / posting date, posting period). Incorporation means applying the content to a new coupon without changing it.

[0106] The "process of issuing the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to the screening process" refers to the payment server 100 distributing the electronic coupon so that the user can obtain the electronic coupon, or notifying the user that the electronic coupon will be issued on a specific date. For example, it refers to making the electronic coupon viewable on a coupon list screen or an affiliated store screen that can be viewed by the user via the payment application 20.

[0107] The review process is a process for having an examiner review whether the content of the second electronic marketing content satisfies a criterion, or for having the content automatically reviewed. The process for proceeding to the review process is a process in which the payment server 100 provides information such as the content of the newly created electronic coupon to the examiner terminal device 200 to have the examiner review it, or a process in which the payment server 100 automatically determines whether the content or electronic coupon satisfies a predetermined criterion.

[0108] [Use a previously created coupon (1)] When a user performs a predetermined operation on the affiliated store interface 72, the content providing unit 120 refers to the coupon information 178 and causes the interface screen IF2 including information on coupons created by the affiliated store in the past to be displayed on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70 in cooperation with the affiliated store interface 72. The predetermined operation is an operation to display a screen for creating a coupon, a screen for checking coupons created in the past, etc. The interface screen to be displayed on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70 may be displayed by the affiliated store interface 72 without cooperation with the content providing unit 120. In this case, the coupon information 178 may be provided to the second store terminal device 70 from the payment server 100, or the coupon information 178 may be stored in the storage unit of the second store terminal device 70.

[0109] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the interface screen IF21. In the area AR11 of the interface screen IF21, for example, a list of coupon information that has been acquired by users many times among coupons created by the affiliated store in the past is displayed. For example, coupon information of coupons that have been acquired in a predetermined number of times among coupons created in the past is displayed. In the interface screen IF21, information such as coupons that are open to the user, coupons under review, coupons being applied for, and other coupons is displayed. The other coupons are, for example, coupons that have been deleted, ended, or rejected. The interface screen IF21 is an example of an "interface screen for inquiring whether or not to create new electronic marketing content using the first electronic marketing content" or an "interface screen including the first electronic marketing content created by the user in the past". It should be noted that the affiliated store interface 72 may display the interface screen IF21 (or other screens) on the display unit by referring to the coupon information 178 stored in the storage unit of the second store terminal device 70 without going through the content providing unit 120.

[0110] When the user operates the copy button B11 on the interface screen IF21 that corresponds to the desired coupon, the content provider 120 provides the interface screen IF22 for inputting period information (such as the coupon posting period, usage period, and announcement date) to the affiliated store interface 72. Operating the copy button B11 is an example of "the operation of creating" new electronic marketing content or "the operation of the user creating the second electronic marketing content by using a specific first electronic marketing content." As described above, the user can easily recognize electronic coupons that have been created in the past, and easily select a desired electronic coupon to create a new electronic coupon.

[0111] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the interface screen IF22. The interface screen IF22 displays, for example, an area for inputting the posting period of the coupon, an area for inputting the coupon usage period, an area for inputting the budget, a next button B21, a back button B22, and the like. When the user inputs the posting period, usage period, and budget, the member store interface 72 judges whether the input period information satisfies the creation conditions, and judges whether the input budget satisfies the conditions. The member store interface 72 makes the above judgment by referring to the command information. If these conditions are met, the member store interface 72 controls the next button B21 from an inactive state to an active state. If both of the above conditions are not met, the member store interface 72 displays information on the display unit that prompts the user to change the target information so as to satisfy the conditions. In this way, the member store interface 72 can support the user to input a posting period, usage period, and the like that meet the criteria.

[0112] The above-mentioned judgment regarding the budget may be omitted, and the input of the budget may also be omitted. The conditions regarding the period information are the creation conditions described above. The conditions regarding the budget are that the budget is within a preset range, that it is not below a preset threshold, that it is not above a preset threshold, etc. The interface screen IF22 is an example of an "interface screen for setting the period".

[0113] When the user operates the Next button B21, the affiliated store interface 72 provides the interface screen IF23 of Fig. 21. Instead of operating the Next button B21, the interface screen IF23 may be displayed when the above conditions are satisfied. Note that when the Back button B22 is operated, the previous interface screen IF21 is displayed.

[0114] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the interface screen IF23. The interface screen IF22 is a list screen of information (content) set in a coupon created in the past or information (content) input on the interface screen IF23. The user can check the content of the coupon to be issued on the interface screen IF23. For example, if the user wants to change part of the content, the user can change the content of the content by performing a predetermined operation. For example, when the user performs an operation to change the content, the member store interface 72 provides an interface screen (not shown) that accepts the change of the content according to the operation, and accepts the information input to the provided interface screen. The interface screen IF23 is an example of an "interface screen for checking the content of the second electronic marketing content that has been used". When the button B24 on the interface screen IF23 is operated, the member store interface 72 provides the interface screen IF22.

[0115] In the above process, when the user operates the button B23 on the interface screen IF23 without changing the content, the affiliated store interface 72 provides the interface screen IF24 of Fig. 22. The interface screen IF24 is a screen indicating that the issuance of the coupon has been completed. After the button B3 is operated, the coupon is immediately issued and the user can obtain the coupon.

[0116] In the above process, when the user changes the content and operates the button B23 on the interface screen IF23, the interface for affiliated stores 72 provides the interface screen IF25 of Fig. 22. The interface screen IF25 is a screen indicating that the coupon has progressed to the examination process.

[0117] As described above, coupon processing unit 150 performs processing to issue a new coupon when a user performs an operation to confirm the content of the new coupon on interface screen IF23 for confirming the content of the invoked new coupon, and performs processing to have the content of the new coupon reviewed when a user performs an operation to change the content of the new coupon. This allows the user to easily issue a new coupon according to the content of the new coupon, and reduces the burden of reviewing coupon issuance on the administrator of the electronic payment service.

[0118] [Sequence diagram] 23 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the member store interface 72 and the payment server 100. First, the member store interface 72 determines whether or not a specific coupon has been selected and the copy button operated on the screen of previously created coupons on the interface screen IF21 (S200). If the copy button is operated, the member store interface 72 causes the display unit to display an interface screen (e.g. IF22) that accepts an input screen for a period (S202).

[0119] Next, the member store interface 72 judges whether the input period satisfies the coupon creation conditions (S204). If the input period does not satisfy the coupon creation conditions, the process returns to S202, and the user cannot apply for the issuance of the coupon. If the input period does not satisfy the coupon creation conditions, the member store interface 72 may propose a period that satisfies the coupon creation conditions. The proposed period is the most recent period among the periods that satisfy the creation conditions. If the input period satisfies the coupon creation conditions, the member store interface 72 controls the next button of the interface screen that accepts the input screen of the period to an active state, and judges whether the next button has been operated (S206). If the next button has been operated, the member store interface 72 displays an interface screen (e.g., IF23) for confirming the content of the newly created coupon that uses the content of the copied coupon on the display unit (S208).

[0120] Next, the affiliated store interface 72 transmits information corresponding to the operation on the confirmation interface screen to the payment server 100 (S210). The information corresponding to the operation on the confirmation interface screen is, for example, information indicating that (1) an operation has been performed on the confirmation interface screen to request issuance of a coupon for the invoked content without changing the invoked content, or (2) an operation has been performed on the confirmation interface screen to request issuance of a coupon for the changed content by changing the invoked content. The information corresponding to the operation (2) above includes information on the changed content.

[0121] Next, the payment server 100 acquires the information transmitted in S210 above, and judges whether the content has been changed or not based on the acquired information (S212). If the payment server 100 judges that the content has not been changed, it issues a coupon for the invoked content (S214). If the payment server 100 judges that the content has been changed, it transmits information of the newly generated coupon (e.g., the content) to the examiner terminal device 200 (S214). This allows the examiner to examine the coupon.

[0122] As described above, when a coupon is generated using the content of an invoked coupon, the payment server 100 quickly issues the coupon without reviewing the content of the coupon, thereby improving convenience for users and reviewers.

[0123] In addition, in S212 of the above process, it may be determined whether or not a preset item among the contents has been changed. For example, if an item that allows skipping the screening process has been changed, a coupon may be issued without going through the screening process.

[0124] [Use a coupon created in the past (2)] In the above [Using a coupon created in the past (1)], we explained what happens when the coupon is copied on interface screen IF21. In [Using a coupon created in the past (2)], we will explain what happens when the new creation button is operated on interface screen IF21.

[0125] When a user operates a button for creating a new coupon, the affiliated store interface 72 displays on the display unit an interface screen (e.g., interface screen IF30 in FIG. 24) that inquires whether or not to create a new coupon using a coupon that was previously created. When a user performs an operation to create a new coupon using a coupon (e.g., when operating area AR3 in FIG. 24), the affiliated store interface 72 displays on the display unit an interface screen (interface screen IF31 in FIG. 25) that includes coupons that were previously created and that can be used to create a new coupon. The coupon processing unit 150 determines whether or not to proceed with the review process for the new coupon, depending on an operation to select a previously created coupon that can be used on the interface screen that includes previously created coupons (e.g., an operation on the copy button corresponding to a specific coupon in FIG. 25).

[0126] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a scene where the new creation button is operated. When the new creation button B30 is operated on the interface screen IF21, the interface for member stores 72 displays the interface screen IF30 on the display unit. The interface screen IF30 is an interface for selecting a coupon creation method. The creation method includes, for example, a method of creating a new coupon by copying a coupon created in the past, a method of creating by default, and a method of creating from scratch. The method of creating by default is a creation method in which information is automatically entered into fields that require input. The method of creating from scratch is a creation method in which the user inputs all fields. When the area AR11 corresponding to the method of creating by copying is operated, the interface for member stores 72 displays the interface screen IF31 on the display unit.

[0127] Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF31. The interface screen IF31 is a screen that includes a list of coupons that the user has created in the past. When a coupon is selected by the user on the interface screen IF31, the interface screen IF22 in Fig. 20 described above is displayed on the display unit.

[0128] The above-mentioned interface screens IF21 and IF30 in Fig. 24 and interface screen IF31 in Fig. 25 are examples of "interface screens for inquiring about whether or not to create new electronic marketing content using the first electronic marketing content". The above-mentioned interface screens IF21 in Fig. 24 and interface screen IF31 in Fig. 25 are examples of "interface screens including the first electronic marketing content created by the user in the past".

[0129] As described above, even when the user operates the new creation button, a coupon can be created by using a coupon that was previously created, thereby improving user convenience.

[0130] [Use a coupon created in the past (3)] In the above example, the relationship between the timing of coupons created in the past and the timing of coupons to be created in the future was not taken into consideration, but [Using coupons created in the past (3)] takes this relationship into consideration.

[0131] If the period of the previously created coupon and the reference period of the new coupon satisfy a criterion (for example, within a predetermined period such as one year), the coupon processing unit 150 executes a process of issuing a new coupon that uses the content of the previously created coupon without proceeding to the screening process. If the period of the previously created coupon and the reference period of the new coupon do not satisfy a criterion, the coupon processing unit 150 executes a process of proceeding to the screening process of the new coupon that uses the content of the previously created coupon without changing it. The period of the previously created coupon is, for example, the issue date of the previously created coupon, the date of approval of the screening, the creation date, the period based on the posting period (posting start date, posting end date), or the period based on the usage period (use start date, usage end date). The reference period is, for example, the current day, the scheduled issue date, the predetermined approval date, the period based on the posting period of the new coupon (posting start date, posting end date), or the period based on the usage period of the new coupon (use start date, usage end date). The date and time corresponding to the above-mentioned period of the previously created coupon or the reference period may be other dates and times.

[0132] The interface 72 for affiliated stores displays an interface screen on the display unit for inputting the posting period and usage period of a new coupon, and if the reference period meets the criteria, controls the operation button on the interface screen for proceeding to the next process from an inactive state to an active state, and if the reference period does not meet the criteria, displays information on the interface screen that the second electronic marketing content requires re-review (see interface screen IF22# in Figure 27).

[0133] When issuing a new coupon that does not use part of the content of a previously created coupon and has a changed period of a previously created coupon, if the reference period is met and an active operation button is operated, the coupon processing unit 150 executes processing to issue the new coupon without advancing it to the review process, and if the reference period does not meet the criteria and an active operation button is operated, it executes processing to advance the new coupon to the review process.

[0134] [Sequence diagram] FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow of [Use of coupon created in the past (3)]. The following mainly describes the differences from the sequence diagram in FIG. 23. The member store interface 72 displays an interface screen (e.g., IF22) on the display unit for accepting an input screen for a period (S202). Next, the member store interface 72 determines whether the period (reference period) of the coupon to be copied satisfies a criterion (S203A). For example, the criterion is satisfied when the due date of the coupon to be copied does not deviate from the base date by a predetermined period or more. The due date of the coupon to be copied is the posting start date, posting end date, use start date, or use end date of a coupon created in the past. The base date is the posting start date, posting end date, use start date, use end date, or the current date of the coupon to be created.

[0135] If the period (reference period) of the coupon to be copied meets the criteria, the process proceeds to S204. If the period (reference period) of the coupon to be copied does not meet the criteria, the interface for member stores 72 displays a message indicating that review is required (S203B) and proceeds to the process of step S204. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF22# including a message indicating that review is required. For example, the interface screen IF22# displays information indicating that the copied coupon does not meet the criteria and therefore re-review is required. Note that the criteria may be criteria for other items instead of the period (reference period). For example, it may be determined whether the coupon application conditions, the bonus award rate, the amount, the transaction amount to which the coupon is applied, the upper limit of the bonus award per transaction, etc. meet the criteria.

[0136] After the processing of S204-S208, the member store interface 72 transmits information according to the operation on the confirmation interface screen and information indicating whether or not review is necessary (information indicating whether or not the period satisfies the criteria) to the payment server 100 (S210#). For example, if it is determined in S203A that re-screening is necessary, the member store interface 72 transmits information indicating that re-screening is necessary to the payment server 100 in S210#.

[0137] The payment server 100 acquires the information transmitted in S210# above, and determines whether the content has not been changed and the period satisfies the criteria based on the acquired information (S212#). If the payment server 100 determines that the content has not been changed and that the period satisfies the criteria, it issues a coupon for the invoked content (S214). If the payment server 100 determines that the content has been changed or that the period does not satisfy the criteria, it transmits information about the newly generated coupon (e.g., the content) to the examiner terminal device 200 (S216). This allows the examiner to examine the coupon.

[0138] In the above example, the process of S203A and the process of S204 are described as different processes so that the differences from the flowchart in FIG. 23 are easily understood, but these processes may be integrated into one process. For example, if the creation conditions are met but the period to be copied does not meet the criteria, a message indicating that review is required is displayed as shown in FIG. 27. If the period to be copied meets the criteria but does not meet the creation conditions, the process returns to S202, so that the user cannot apply for coupon issuance, or the affiliated store interface 72 suggests a period that meets the creation conditions for the coupon. The suggested period is the most recent period that meets the creation conditions.

[0139] In the above example, the interface screen IF22 displays information indicating that reexamination is required, but instead of (or in addition to) this, coupons created in the past that do not meet the criteria may be excluded from selection. For example, the interface screen IF21 or the interface screen IF31 in FIG. 19 may be controlled so that they are not displayed so that the user cannot select them.

[0140] As described above, the necessity of re-examination is determined depending on whether the coupon to be copied satisfies the criteria. This allows newly created coupons to be examined or issued without examination depending on the necessity. As a result, it is possible to strike a balance between user convenience and execution of coupon examination.

[0141] [Use a coupon you created previously (4)] In the above example, it was explained that the criteria for the reference period were determined in advance, but in [Using a coupon created in the past (4)], when a specified event occurs, the payment server 100 provides the criteria to the affiliated store interface 72.

[0142] [Sequence diagram] FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow of [Use of coupon created in the past (4)]. The following mainly describes the differences from the sequence diagram of FIG. 26. The payment server 100 judges whether an event has occurred (S100A). An event is, for example, an input of a change in criteria by the administrator of the payment server 100. When an event has occurred, the payment server 100 transmits the criteria to the affiliated store interface 72 (S100B). The affiliated store interface 72 stores the transmitted criteria in the storage unit of the second store terminal device 70 (S100C). The stored criteria are used in the process of S203C. After the process of S202, the affiliated store interface 72 judges, for example, whether the period (reference period) of the new coupon satisfies the transmitted criteria (S203C). If the period does not satisfy the criteria, the process of S203B is executed, and if the period satisfies the criteria, the process proceeds to S204.

[0143] For example, if rules or laws have changed since a coupon was created in the past, a newly created coupon may need to be subject to screening. In such a case, the criteria are changed so that if a coupon created before the rule or law was changed is used as the new criteria, screening will be performed. This allows coupons that require screening to be appropriately guided to screening.

[0144] According to the embodiment described above, when the coupon processing unit 150 receives a request to issue second electronic marketing content that references content previously created by a user and content of a first electronic marketing content with a set period and that has a changed period, the coupon processing unit 150 executes a process to issue the second electronic marketing content without progressing to the review process, and when the coupon processing unit 150 receives a request to issue the second electronic marketing content that does not reference part of the content of the first electronic marketing content and that has a changed period of the first electronic marketing content, the coupon processing unit 150 executes a process to progress the second electronic marketing content to the review process, thereby assisting creators in easily creating electronic marketing content.

[0145] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 70 Second store terminal device 72 Merchant Interface 100 Payment Server 120 Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Coupon Processing Unit 178 Coupon Information 200 Examiner terminal device

Claims

1. When a request for issuing a second electronic marketing content is received that uses content previously created by a user and content of a first electronic marketing content with a set period and that has a changed period, a process is executed to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to a review process; a processing unit that, when a request for issuing the second electronic marketing content in which a part of the content of the first electronic marketing content is not used and a period of the first electronic marketing content is changed, executes a process for advancing the second electronic marketing content to a review process; An information processing system comprising:

2. The review step is a process step of having a reviewer or an automatic reviewer review whether the second electronic marketing content satisfies a criterion. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. a control unit that causes a display unit to display an interface screen for inquiring whether or not to create new electronic marketing content using the first electronic marketing content; the processing unit, when the operation of creating the second electronic marketing content is performed on the interface screen and the request is accepted, determines whether or not to proceed to a review process of the second electronic marketing content.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. displaying an interface screen including the first electronic marketing content previously created by the user on a display unit; when the user performs an operation to create the second electronic marketing content by using a specific first electronic marketing content, displaying on a display unit an interface screen for allowing the user to set one or both of a posting period and a validity period of the second electronic marketing content; If the period satisfies a criterion, displaying an interface screen on a display unit for confirming the content of the second electronic marketing content using the content of the first electronic marketing content; a control unit that, when the period does not satisfy a criterion, causes a display unit to display information that prompts the user to change the period so that the period satisfies the criterion, without displaying an interface screen for checking the content of the second electronic marketing content that has been incorporated.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the processing unit performs a process for issuing the second electronic marketing content when the user performs an operation for confirming the content of the second electronic marketing content on an interface screen for confirming the content of the second electronic marketing content that has been incorporated.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4.

6. the processing unit performs processing for reviewing the content of the second electronic marketing content when an operation for changing the content of the second electronic marketing content is performed by the user on an interface screen for confirming the content of the second electronic marketing content that has been incorporated.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5.

7. The processing unit includes: If the period of the first electronic marketing content and the reference period of the second electronic marketing content satisfy a criterion, a process is executed to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to a review process for the second electronic marketing content that incorporates the content of the first electronic marketing content; If the period of the first electronic marketing content and the reference period of the changed second electronic marketing content do not satisfy a criterion, a process is executed to advance the second electronic marketing content, which incorporates the content of the first electronic marketing content without changing it, to a review process; the reference period is a current day, a period based on a posting period of the second electronic marketing content, or a period based on a usage period of the second electronic marketing content; 3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. displaying an interface screen for inputting the posting period and the usage period of the second electronic marketing content on a display unit; If the period satisfies a criterion, an operation button for proceeding to a next process is controlled from an inactive state to an active state on the interface screen; a control unit that displays, on the interface screen, information indicating that the second electronic marketing content needs to be re-examined if the reference period does not satisfy a criterion; The processing unit includes: In issuing the second electronic marketing content, the second electronic marketing content does not incorporate any part of the content of the first electronic marketing content and the second electronic marketing content has a changed duration. If the reference period is satisfied and the operation button in the active state is operated, a process of issuing the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to a review process is executed; if the reference period is not satisfied and the operation button in the active state is operated, execute a process for advancing the second electronic marketing content to a review process. The information processing system according to claim 7.

9. When the user operates a button for creating a new coupon, an interface screen is displayed on a display unit, inquiring whether or not the second electronic marketing content is to be created using the first electronic marketing content that was previously created; a control unit that, when the user performs an operation to create the second electronic marketing content by using the first electronic marketing content, causes the display unit to display an interface screen including the first electronic marketing content that can be used to create the second electronic marketing content; the processing unit determines whether to advance the second electronic marketing content to a review process in response to an operation of selecting the available first electronic marketing content on an interface screen including the first electronic marketing content.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. a control unit included in a first device that, when the user performs an operation to create the second electronic marketing content by using a specific first electronic marketing content, causes a display unit to display an interface screen for allowing the user to set one or both of a posting period and a validity period of the second electronic marketing content; The processing unit is included in a second device, When the period is input, the control unit determines whether the period satisfies a criterion, and further determines whether a reference period related to the second electronic marketing content satisfies a criterion; If the period satisfies a criterion, control an operation button for proceeding to a next process on the interface screen from an inactive state to an active state; If the reference period does not meet the criteria, display information on the interface screen that the second electronic marketing content needs to be re-examined; providing information to the processing unit indicating whether the reexamination is necessary; the processing unit determines whether to proceed to a review process for the second electronic marketing content based on the information indicating whether re-review is necessary. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

11. When the period satisfies a criterion, the control unit causes a display unit to display an interface screen for confirming the content of the second electronic marketing content using the content of the first electronic marketing content; when an operation for changing the content of the second electronic marketing content is performed by the user on an interface screen for confirming the content of the second electronic marketing content that has been used, providing information indicating that the change has been made to the control unit; the control unit performs a process for causing the content of the second electronic marketing content to be reviewed in response to acquiring at least one of the information indicating whether the re-examination is necessary or the information indicating that the change has been made. The information processing system according to claim 10.

12. The computer When a request for issuing a second electronic marketing content is received that uses content previously created by a user and content of a first electronic marketing content with a set period and that has a changed period, a process is executed to issue the second electronic marketing content without proceeding to a review process; when a request for issuing the second electronic marketing content in which a part of the content of the first electronic marketing content is not used and a period of the first electronic marketing content is changed is received, a process is executed to advance the second electronic marketing content to a review process. Information processing methods.

13. On the computer, a process of issuing, when a request for issuing a second electronic marketing content is received, the second electronic marketing content being issued without going through a review process, by using content previously created by a user and content of a first electronic marketing content having a set period and by changing the period; a process for advancing the second electronic marketing content to a review process when a request for issuing the second electronic marketing content is received that does not use a part of the content of the first electronic marketing content and has a changed period of the first electronic marketing content; A program for executing the above.

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