Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus which reduces the burden of visiting multiple stores for purchasing a commodity.SOLUTION: A settlement server 100 serving as an information processing apparatus includes a store management DB 18 that stores first association obtained by associating a commodity with the price of the commodity, for each store, and second association obtained by associating a user with points that the user is allowed to use at the store. The server acquires purchase price of a first commodity purchased by a first user and first commodity information identifying the first commodity, identifies, by referring to the first association, the lowest price associated with the first commodity information and a first store associated with the lowest price, and associates the first user with points available for use at the first store, the points corresponding to the difference between the lowest price and the purchase price, in the second association.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] A system that gives points according to the price of a purchased product is used (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a customer sees a store selling the same product at a lower price after purchasing the product, the customer may feel that they have suffered a loss. In order to reduce such a loss in terms of price, the customer may visit multiple stores and purchase the product at the store selling it at the lowest price. However, visiting multiple stores is a burden on the customer.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed technology aims to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can reduce the burden of visiting multiple stores when purchasing a product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed technology is exemplified by an information processing apparatus as follows. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a first correspondence relationship associating product information for identifying a product with the price of the product for each store, and a second correspondence relationship associating a user with points available to the user at the store, and a processor connected to the storage unit. The processor acquires the purchase price of a first product purchased by a first user and first product information for identifying the first product, refers to the first correspondence relationship to identify the lowest price associated with the first product information and the first store associated with the lowest price, and in the second correspondence relationship, associates the first user with points available at the first store corresponding to the difference between the lowest price and the purchase price.

[0007] According to the information processing apparatus, even if the first user cannot purchase the first product at the lowest price, points corresponding to the difference from the lowest price are associated with the first user. Since the difference from the lowest price can be compensated for by the points, the first user can shop with peace of mind in terms of price without having to search for stores that sell the product at the lowest price. That is, according to the information processing apparatus, the burden of visiting multiple stores when purchasing a product can be reduced. Here, when a plurality of stores corresponding to the first store are acquired, the information processing apparatus may grant the first user the points available at the plurality of first stores.

[0008] The information processing apparatus may further have the following feature. When the processor acquires store information for identifying the store where the first user purchased the product and the price of the product purchased by the first user, the processor updates the first correspondence relationship. By having such a feature, even when the product price is revised at the store, points can be granted based on the revised price.

[0009] The information processing apparatus may further have the following feature. The processor is relative to the difference When the point in question is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit point, the point corresponding to the upper limit point may be given to the first user. By setting an upper limit point for the points to be given, it is possible to suppress excessive point giving due to the influence of sale prices and the like implemented in stores during the sale period.

[0010] This information processing apparatus may further have the following features. The storage unit further stores a third correspondence relationship associating the user with the user's address, and a fourth correspondence relationship associating a plurality of the stores with the locations of the respective stores. And the processor may acquire the first address of the first user by referring to the third correspondence relationship, and may specify the first store from among the stores located within a predetermined range from the first address by referring to the fourth correspondence relationship. By having such a feature, this information processing apparatus can exclude stores that the first user cannot substantially visit from the stores that are the targets of point giving. Therefore, according to this information processing apparatus, the given points will not be wasted.

[0011] The technology described above can also be grasped from the aspects of an information processing method and an information processing program.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to reduce the burden of visiting multiple stores when purchasing goods.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

[0014] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cashless payment system 1 according to the embodiment. The cashless payment system 1 includes a payment server 100, registers R1 and R2, store computers SC1 and SC2, and user terminals 20 0. The registers R1 and R2 are connected to the store computers SC1 and SC2. The payment server 100, the store computers SC1 and SC2, and the user terminals 200 are connected by, for example, a network N1.

[0015] In the cashless payment system 1, cashless payment by a consumer C1 who has been pre-registered as a member and assigned a member number is used. Cashless payment is exemplified by, for example, credit cards, debit cards, and electronic money. Also, in the cashless payment system 1, points corresponding to the amount of cashless payment used are given to the consumer C1. The points have a monetary value corresponding to the number of points at the available stores.

[0016] The store computers SC1 and SC2 are information processing devices that manage the inventory of stores ST1 and ST2. The store computers SC1 and SC2 store the names, inventory quantities, prices, and code information attached to the products sold in stores ST1 and ST2. The store computer SC1 is arranged in the store ST1. Also, the store computer SC2 is arranged in the store ST2.

[0017] The registers R1 and R2 are Point of Sale (POS) registers. The registers R1 and R2 read code information such as barcodes attached to the products purchased by the consumer C1 at the stores ST1 and ST2, and sell the products to the consumer C1. The registers R1 and R2 can accept, for example, cashless payment provided by the cashless payment system 1. When accepting cashless payment, the registers R1 and R2 acquire the member number of the consumer C1. The registers R1 and R2 notify the store computers SC1 and SC2 of the member number and the name of the purchased product. When accepting a return, the registers R1 and R2 notify the store computers SC1 and SC2 of the member number, the purchase date, and the name of the returned product. The purchase date can be confirmed, for example, from the purchase history of the cashless payment application program installed on the user terminal 200. The register R1 is arranged in the store ST1. Also, the register R2 is arranged in the store ST2.

[0018] When the store computers SC1 and SC2 receive the name of the purchased product and the member number of the consumer C1 from the registers R1 and R2, they notify the settlement server 100 of transaction information including the member number of the consumer C1, the purchase date, the name of the purchased product, the price of the product, and the names of the stores ST1 and ST2.

[0019] In addition, when the store computers SC1 and SC2 receive the member number and the name of the returned product from the registers R1 and R2, they notify the settlement server 100 of return information including the member number of the consumer C1, the purchase date, the name of the returned product, the price of the product, and the names of the stores ST1 and ST2. The communication between the store computers SC1 and SC2 and the settlement server 100 is performed in accordance with, for example, ISO20022, which is a format of an international standard financial communication message.

[0020] The settlement server 100 is an information processing device that manages cashless settlements in the stores ST1 and ST2. When the consumer C1 makes a payment by cashless settlement in the stores ST1 and ST2, the settlement server 100 cooperates with the store computers SC1 and SC2 to perform settlement processing related to the cashless settlement. In addition, the settlement server 100 manages points assigned to users of the cashless settlement system 1 such as the consumer C1. The settlement server 100 is an example of an "information processing device".

[0021] The user terminal 200 is a portable information processing device owned by the consumer C1. The user terminal 200 is connected to, for example, the network N1 and the mobile communication network. The consumer C1 is a user of the cashless settlement system 1 who has registered as a member in the cashless settlement system 1. The consumer C1 can execute a cashless settlement by the cashless settlement system 1 using the application program installed in the user terminal 200. The consumer C1 is an example of a "first user".

[0022] Network N1 is a computer network that communicably connects information processing devices. Network N1 may be a wireless network or a wired network. Network N1 is, for example, the Internet.

[0023] (Hardware Configuration of Settlement Server 100) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of settlement server 100 according to the embodiment. Settlement server 100 includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, and a communication unit 104. The CPU 101, the main memory unit 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, and the communication unit 104 are mutually connected by a connection bus B1.

[0024] The CPU 101 is also called a microprocessor unit (MPU) or a processor. The CPU 101 is not limited to a single processor and may have a multi-processor configuration. Also, a single CPU 101 connected by a single socket may have a multi-core configuration. At least some of the processes executed by the CPU 101 may be performed by processors other than the CPU 101, such as dedicated processors like Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), numerical calculation processor, vector processor, image processing processor, etc. Also, at least some of the processes executed by the CPU 101 may be executed by an integrated circuit (IC) or other digital circuits. Also, an analog circuit may be included in at least a part of the CPU 101. The integrated circuit includes a Large Scale Integrated circuit (LSI), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD includes, for example, a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The CPU 101 may be a combination of a processor and an integrated circuit. The combination is called, for example, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a System-on-a-chip (SoC), a system LSI, a chipset, etc. In the settlement server 100, the CPU 101 expands the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the working area of the main storage unit 102 and controls the peripheral devices through the execution of the program. Thereby, the settlement server 100 can execute processes that meet a predetermined purpose. The main storage unit 102 and the auxiliary storage unit 103 are recording media readable by the CPU 101.

[0025] The main storage unit 102 is exemplified as a storage unit directly accessible from the CPU 101. The main storage unit 102 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM).

[0026] The auxiliary storage unit 103 reads and writes various programs and various data to and from a recording medium. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is also called an external storage device. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc. The OS includes a communication interface program that transfers data to and from external devices connected via the communication unit 104. The external devices include, for example, other information processing devices and external storage devices connected by a computer network or the like.

[0027] The auxiliary storage unit 103 is, for example, an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like. Also, the auxiliary storage unit 103 is, for example, a Compact Disc (CD) drive device, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) drive device, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc (BD) drive device, or the like. Also, the auxiliary storage unit 103 may be provided by a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or a Storage Area Network (SAN).

[0028] The communication unit 104 is, for example, an interface with the network N1. The communication unit 104 communicates with external devices via the network N1.

[0029] (Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 200) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 200 according to the embodiment. The user terminal 200 includes a CPU 201, a main storage unit 202, an auxiliary storage unit 203, a communication unit 204, a display 205, and a touch panel 206. The CPU 201, the main storage unit 202, the auxiliary storage unit 203, the communication unit 204, the display 205, and the touch panel 206 are interconnected by a connection bus B2.

[0030] The CPU 201, main memory unit 202, auxiliary memory unit 203, and communication unit 204 are the same as the CPU 101, main memory unit 102, auxiliary memory unit 103, and communication unit 104 of the settlement server 100. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

[0031] The display 205 displays the data processed by the CPU 201 and the data stored in the main memory unit 202. The display 205 is, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), an inorganic Electroluminescence (EL) panel, or an organic EL panel.

[0032] The touch panel 206 detects a touch operation by the finger or the like of the consumer C1. The touch panel 206 is, for example, disposed so as to overlap the display 205. By providing the touch panel 206 so as to overlap the display 205 in the user terminal 200, an intuitive operation environment can be provided to the consumer C1.

[0033] <Processing blocks of the settlement server 100> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the processing blocks of the settlement server 100 according to the embodiment. The settlement server 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, a specifying unit 12, a calculation unit 13, an awarding unit 14, a point management database 15, a transaction history database 16, a user management database 17, and a store management database 18. The settlement server 100 executes, by the CPU 101 executing a computer program developed to be executable in the main memory unit 102, the processing as each unit such as the acquisition unit 11, the specifying unit 12, the calculation unit 13, the awarding unit 14, the point management database 15, the transaction history database 16, the user management database 17, and the store management database 18 of the settlement server 100.

[0034] The point management database 15 is a database that manages consumers who shop at stores ST1 and ST2 including consumer C1. Information of consumers who have registered as members in advance is stored in the point management database 15. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a point management table 151 stored in the point management database 15. The point management table 151 has columns of "member number", "point ID", "expiration date", "points", and "used flag". The "member number" stores the member number uniquely assigned when consumer C1 registers in the cashless payment system 1. The "point ID" stores ID information for identifying the assigned points. The "expiration date" stores the expiration date when the points can be used. The "points" stores the number of points granted. The "used flag" stores flag information indicating whether the points have been used or not.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a store management table 152 stored in the point management database 15. The store management table 152 has columns of "point ID" and "usable stores". Since the "point ID" is the same as the "point ID" in the point management table 151, its description is omitted. The "usable stores" stores information indicating stores where the points specified by the corresponding point ID can be used. The point management table 151 and the store management table 152 are an example of a "second correspondence relationship".

[0036] The transaction history database 16 is a database that manages the prices of products sold at stores ST1 and ST2 for each store. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction history table 161 stored in the transaction history database 16. The transaction history table 161 has columns for "member number", "transaction date", "product name", "price", and "store name". Since the "member number" is the same as the "member number" in the point management table 151, its description is omitted. The "transaction date" stores the date of purchase of the product. The "product name" stores the name of the purchased product. The "price" stores the price of the purchased product. The "store name" stores the name of the store where the product was purchased. The transaction history table 161 is an example of a "first correspondence relationship".

[0037] The user management database 17 manages information on users such as consumer C1 registered in the cashless payment system 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a user management table 171 stored in the user management database 17. The user management table 171 includes columns for "member number", "name", and "address". Since the "member number" is the same as the "member number" in the point management table 151, its description is omitted. The "name" stores the name of the registered user. The "address" stores the address of the registered user.

[0038] The store management database 18 manages information on stores such as stores ST1 and ST2 participating in the cashless payment system 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a store management table 181 stored in the store management database 18. The store management table 181 includes columns for "store name" and "address". Since the "store name" is the same as the "store name" in the transaction history table 161, its description is omitted. The "address" stores the address of the store.

[0039] The point management database 15, the transaction history database 16, the user management database 17, and the store management database 18 are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is an example of a "storage unit".

[0040] The acquisition unit 11 acquires transaction information from stores ST1 and ST2. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the member number of consumer C1, the transaction date, the name of the purchased product, and the price of the product from the acquired transaction information, and stores them in the transaction history table 161. In addition, when the acquisition unit 11 acquires return information from stores ST1 and ST2, it deletes the record related to the returned product from the transaction history table 161. The name of the product is an example of "product information".

[0041] The specifying unit 12 refers to the transaction history table 161 to specify the store that sells the product purchased by consumer C1 at the lowest price within a predetermined period and its selling price. The predetermined period is determined according to, for example, the closing date and the settlement date of cashless settlement. In this embodiment, the process by the specifying unit 12 is executed once a month, and the predetermined period is from the beginning of the previous month to the end of the month before the process by the specifying unit 12 is executed. The timing when the process by the specifying unit 12 is executed is also referred to as the point-in-time of grant. The specifying unit 12 refers to the transaction history table 161 to acquire the product name and price of the purchased product for each member number. Then, the specifying unit 12 specifies the store that sells at a price lower than the purchased price for each member number. Here, the specifying unit 12 may specify the store that sells at a price lower than the purchased price by narrowing down the stores within a predetermined range from the member's address based on the member's address stored in the user management table 171 and the store's address stored in the store management table 181.

[0042]

[0043] The calculation unit 13 calculates the difference between the lowest price specified by the specifying unit 12 and the purchased price for each member number.

[0044] The awarding unit 14 has the value of the difference calculated by the calculating unit 13, and awards points that can be used at the store specified by the specifying unit 12 to each member number. The awarding unit 14 issues a point ID that uniquely identifies the points to be awarded. The awarding unit 14 stores information related to the points to be awarded in the point management table 151. The information related to the points includes the member number of the target to whom the points are to be awarded, the point ID of the points to be awarded, and the number of points to be awarded. Further, the awarding unit 14 may set an expiration date for the points to be awarded. When the awarding unit 14 sets an expiration date for the points to be awarded, it may store the expiration date set in the "Expiration Date" of the point management table 151. Note that the awarding unit 14 does not award points to members whose member numbers match the purchased price and the lowest price.

[0045] (Processing Sequence of Cashless Settlement System 1) FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing an example of the processing sequence of the cashless settlement system 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 10, the processing sequence in the purchase of goods at the store ST1 is illustrated, but the processing sequence in the purchase of goods at the store ST2 is the same. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, the processing sequence of the cashless settlement system 1 at the time of purchasing goods will be described.

[0046] In step S1, the user terminal 200 starts an application program for cashless settlement and displays, for example, a barcode on the display 205. In step S2, the register R1 reads the barcode displayed on the display 205 of the user terminal 200 and the barcode attached to the goods to be purchased, and accepts settlement by cashless settlement. The register R1 obtains, for example, the member number of the consumer C1 from the barcode displayed on the display 205.

[0047] In step S3, the register R1 notifies the store computer SC1 of the name of the purchased product and the membership number of the consumer C1. In step S4, the store computer SC1 notifies the settlement server 100 of the transaction information including the membership number of the consumer C1, the purchase date, the name of the purchased product, and the price of the product. In step S5, the settlement server 100 stores the transaction information received from the store computer SC1 in the transaction history table 161.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing an example of the processing sequence of the cashless settlement system 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 11, the processing sequence in the return at the store ST1 is illustrated, but the processing sequence in the return at the store ST2 is the same. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, the processing sequence of the cashless settlement system 1 at the time of return will be described.

[0049] In step S11, the register R1 starts an application program for cashless settlement and, for example, displays a barcode on the display 205. Also, the consumer C1 brings the product to be returned. In step S12, the register R1 reads the barcode displayed on the display 205 of the user terminal 200 and the barcode attached to the product to be returned, and accepts the return.

[0050] In step S13, the register R1 notifies the store computer SC1 of the name of the returned product and the membership number of the consumer C1. In step S14, the return information including the membership number of the consumer C1, the purchase date, the name of the returned product, and the price of the product is notified to the settlement server 100.

[0051] In step S15, the settlement server 100 identifies the record related to the product to be returned in the transaction history table 161 based on the purchase date, the name of the product, and the store name included in the return information received from the store computer SC1, and deletes the identified record from the transaction history table 161.

[0052] (Processing Flow of Settlement Server 100) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the settlement server 100 according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of the processing flow of the settlement server 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Here, the point granting for six months will be described as an example.

[0053] In step S21, the acquisition unit 11 acquires transaction information from the store computers SC1 and SC2. The acquisition unit 11 stores the acquired transaction information in the transaction history table 161. Here, if it is the point granting period (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23. If it is not the point granting period (NO in step S22), the process of step S21 is repeated.

[0054] The processes from step S23 to step S25 are repeatedly executed for each member number. In step S23, the specifying unit 12 refers to the transaction history table 161 to specify the store that sells the product purchased by the consumer C1 at the lowest price within a predetermined period and its selling price. For example, in the case of the processing for the member number "1111" in the transaction history table 161 illustrated in FIG. 7, the specifying unit 12 refers to the transaction history table 161 to specify that the member number "1111" purchased the product name "a i u e" for "950" yen at the store named "A" on June 2, 2023. The specifying unit 12 refers to the transaction history table 161 to specify the store names "B" and "C" that sold the product name "a i u e" at the lowest price of "900" yen in June.

[0055] In step S24, the calculation unit 13 calculates the difference between the lowest price specified by the specifying unit 12 and the purchased price. For example, in the case of the processing for the member number "1111" in the transaction history table 161 illustrated in FIG. 7, the calculation unit 13 calculates "50" yen, which is the difference between "950" yen and "900" yen.

[0056] In step S25, the awarding unit 14 awards the member the points available at the store specified in step S23 by the amount of the difference calculated in step S24. For example, in the case of the processing for the member number "1111" in the transaction history table 161 illustrated in FIG. 7, the awarding unit 14 sets the points for "50" yen calculated by the calculating unit 13 as points available at the store with the store name "B" and the store with the store name "C". The set results are illustrated in, for example, the record in the first row of FIG. 5 and the records in the first and second rows of FIG. 6.

[0057] <Operational effects of the embodiment> There are cases where a product purchased at a certain store is sold at a lower price at another store. According to the present embodiment, when there is a store with a lower price, the consumer C1 is awarded the points for the difference that can be used at that store. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the product cannot be purchased at the lowest price, since the difference can be compensated with points, the consumer C1 can shop with peace of mind in terms of price without having to search for the store that sells the product at the lowest price. That is, according to the present embodiment, the burden of visiting multiple stores when purchasing a product can be reduced. According to the present embodiment, points that can be used at the store that sells at the lowest price are awarded. Therefore, for the store that has made efforts in terms of price, customers can be attracted by the points. Also, in the store where the price could not be set to the lowest, the opportunity to lose customers can be reduced.

[0058] According to the present embodiment, points that can be used at the store that sells at the lowest price are awarded. Therefore, for the store that has made efforts in terms of price, customers can be attracted by the points. Also, in the store where the price could not be set to the lowest, the opportunity to lose customers can be reduced.

[0059] Also, in the present embodiment, the specifying unit 12 can specify the store that sells at the lowest price for the stores within a predetermined range from the address of the consumer C1 by referring to the user management table 171 and the store management table 181. Here, the predetermined range is appropriately determined based on the range that the consumer C1 can use for shopping. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, stores that the consumer C1 cannot substantially visit can be excluded from the stores that are the targets of point awarding. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the awarded points will not be wasted.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the acquisition unit 11 receives transaction information, it stores the received transaction information in the transaction history table 161. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the commodity prices are revised at stores ST1 and ST2, points can be awarded according to the revised prices.

[0061] <Modification Example> In the embodiment described above, points are awarded at regular intervals, but points may be awarded each time a commodity is purchased. In such a case, each time the settlement server 100 receives transaction information from the store computers SC1 and SC2, it may execute the processing by the specifying unit 12, the calculating unit 13, and the awarding unit 14.

[0062] In the embodiment described above, when receiving transaction information, the acquisition unit 11 stores the received transaction information in the transaction history table 161. However, the commodity name, price, and store name may be stored in the transaction history table 161 in advance in association with each other. Then, when the acquisition unit 11 receives transaction information, it may update the transaction history table 161 based on the received transaction information.

[0063] In the embodiment described above, the awarding unit 14 awards points for the difference calculated by the calculating unit 13, but an upper limit may be provided for the points to be awarded. For example, the awarding unit 14 may set the upper limit of the points to be awarded to 10% of the price of the purchased commodity. By setting an upper limit for the points to be awarded, excessive point awarding due to the sale price implemented at the store during the sale period can be suppressed.

[0064] The embodiments and modification examples disclosed above can be combined with each other.

[0065] <Computer-readable Recording Medium> An information processing program for causing a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter referred to as a computer or the like) to implement any of the above functions can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Then, by causing the computer or the like to read and execute the program on this recording medium, the function can be provided.

[0066] Here, a computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that accumulates information such as data and programs by means of electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical actions and can be read by a computer or the like. Among such recording media, removable ones from a computer or the like include, for example, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, Com pact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc-Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disc-ReWriterable (CD-RW), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), Blu-ray Disc (BD), Digital Audio Tape (DAT), 8mm tape, flash memory, external hard disk drives, Solid State Drive (SSD), etc. Also, as recording media fixed to a computer or the like, there are built-in hard disk drives, SSDs, ROMs, etc.

Explanation of Signs

[0067] 1 ·· Cashless payment system 11 ·· Acquisition unit 12 ·· Identification unit 13 ·· Calculation unit 14 ·· Granting unit 15 ·· Point management database 16 ·· Transaction history database 17 ·· User management database 18 ·· Store management database 100 ·· Payment server 101 ·· CPU 102 ·· Main memory unit 103 ·· Auxiliary storage unit 104 ··· Communication unit 151 ··· Point management table 152 ··· Utilized store management table 161 ··· Transaction history table 171 ··· User management table 181 ··· Store management table 200 ··· User terminal 201 ··· CPU 202 ··· Main memory unit 203 ··· Auxiliary memory unit 204 ··· Communication unit 205 ··· Display 206 ··· Touch panel B1 ··· Connection bus B2 ··· Connection bus C1 ··· Consumer ST1 ··· Store ST2 ··· Store R1 ··· Register R2 ··· Register SC1 ··· Store computer SC2 ··· Store computer N1 ··· Network

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a first correspondence relationship in which product information for identifying a product and the price of the product are associated with each store, and a second correspondence relationship in which a user and points available to the user at the store are associated; A processor connected to the storage unit; The processor: Obtains the purchase price of a first product purchased by a first user and first product information for identifying the first product; Refers to the first correspondence relationship to identify the lowest price associated with the first product information and the first store associated with the lowest price; In the second correspondence relationship, associates points corresponding to the difference between the lowest price and the purchase price and available at the first store with the first user; An information processing apparatus.

2. When the processor obtains the price of the product purchased by the first user and store information for identifying the store where the product was purchased, the processor updates the first correspondence relationship. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When a plurality of stores corresponding to the first store are obtained, the processor grants the first user points available at the plurality of first stores. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the points corresponding to the difference are equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit of points, the processor grants the first user points corresponding to the upper limit of points. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The storage unit further stores a third correspondence relationship in which the user and the user's address are associated, and a fourth correspondence relationship in which the plurality of stores and the location of each of the plurality of stores are associated; The processor: Referring to the third correspondence relationship, obtain the first address of the first user, Referring to the fourth correspondence relationship, identify the first store from among the stores located within a predetermined range from the first address, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A computer comprising: a storage unit that stores a first correspondence relationship associating product information for identifying a product with the price of the product for each store, and a second correspondence relationship associating a user with points available to the user at the store; and a processor connected to the storage unit, Obtain the purchase price of the first product purchased by the first user and the first product information for identifying the first product, Referring to the first correspondence relationship, identify the lowest price associated with the first product information and the first store associated with the lowest price, In the second correspondence relationship, associate points available at the first store, corresponding to the difference between the lowest price and the purchase price, with the first user, Information processing method.

7. In a computer comprising: a storage unit that stores a first correspondence relationship associating product information for identifying a product with the price of the product for each store, and a second correspondence relationship associating a user with points available to the user at the store; and a processor connected to the storage unit, Cause the first user to obtain the purchase price of the first product purchased by the first user and the first product information for identifying the first product, Cause the first correspondence relationship to be referred to, to identify the lowest price associated with the first product information and the first store associated with the lowest price, In the second correspondence relationship, cause points available at the first store, corresponding to the difference between the lowest price and the purchase price, to be associated with the first user, Information processing program.

Images