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

Abstract

To encourage a user to save money.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit which stores first association between commodity information and category, and second association between user information, purchase commodity information, a date of purchase, price and category; and a processor. The processor is configured to: acquire transaction information including first commodity information of a first commodity purchased by a first user, first price, first date of purchase, and first user information; identify the first category of the first commodity information by referring to the first association; add the first category and the transaction information to the second association; calculate first sub-total of prices classified into a predetermined category for a predetermined price, in the second association; calculate the lowest price total by acquiring the lowest price in the predetermined period, for each of commodities classified into the predetermined category, in the second association; and output the difference between the first sub-total and the lowest price total.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] There is a household account book program that supports grasping of financial income and expenditure (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] By using a household account book program, for example, it is possible to organize and grasp financial income and expenditure for each category such as food and clothing. However, even if it is possible to grasp financial income and expenditure for each category, it is difficult to prompt the user to save, such as choosing a store that sells products at a lower price.

[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 prompt a user to save.

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 identifying a product with a category to which the product is classified, and a second correspondence relationship associating user information identifying a user, purchase product information identifying a purchased product, the purchase date and time when the user purchased the purchase product, the price of the purchase product, and the category to which the purchase product is classified; and a processor connected to the storage unit. The processor acquires transaction information including first product information identifying a first product purchased by a first user, a first price of the first product, a first purchase date and time when the first product was purchased, and first user information identifying the first user, refers to the first correspondence relationship to identify a first category corresponding to the first product information, adds the identified first category and the transaction information to the second correspondence relationship, calculates a first category subtotal by summing the prices classified into a predetermined category among the categories associated with the first user information in the second correspondence relationship over a predetermined period, obtains the minimum price for each of the products classified into the predetermined category over the predetermined period in the second correspondence relationship, calculates a minimum price total by summing the obtained minimum prices, calculates a difference between the first category subtotal and the minimum price total, and outputs the calculated difference.

[0007] According to the information processing apparatus, for products classified into the predetermined category, a difference between the total amount of products purchased by the first user and the total amount when purchased at the minimum price is output. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can inform the user by presenting the difference as to how much money can be specifically saved by shopping at a lower-price store. As a result, the information processing apparatus can encourage the user to save. Note that the predetermined category may be a category designated by the first user.

[0008] The information processing device may further include the following feature: the processor sums up the prices associated with the first user information in the second correspondence relationship for each of the categories. The subtotal amount calculated for the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period following the first predetermined period is calculated, and the category in which the subtotal amount calculated for the second predetermined period is higher than the subtotal amount calculated for the first predetermined period is determined as the predetermined category. With this information processing device, the difference amount is output for the increase category in which expenditures have increased. Therefore, with this information processing device having such characteristics, it is possible to encourage the user to save money on categories in which it is considered particularly desirable to save money.

[0009] The information processing device may further include the following feature: The product information and the first product information are product names, and if the product information matching a character string of the first product information does not exist in the first correspondence relationship, the processor divides the first product information into a plurality of words, and if any of the divided words exists in the first correspondence relationship, identifies the category associated with any of the words in the first correspondence relationship as the first category. According to the information processing device having such features, it is possible to increase the possibility of identifying a category for the first product information that is a combination of a plurality of words.

[0010] The disclosed technology can also be understood from the aspects of an information processing method and an information processing program. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The disclosed technology can encourage users to save money. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] <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 an embodiment. The cashless payment system 1 includes a payment server 100, registers R1, R2, store computers SC1, SC2, and user terminals 200. The registers R1, R2 are connected to the store computers SC1, SC2. The payment server 100, the store computers SC1, SC2, and the user terminals 200 are connected by, for example, a network N1.

[0014] 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.

[0015] The store computers SC1, SC2 are information processing devices that perform inventory management for the stores ST1, ST2. The store computers SC1, SC2 store the names, inventory quantities, prices, and code information attached to the products sold in the stores ST1, ST2. The store computer SC1 is arranged in the store ST1. Also, the store computer SC2 is arranged in the store ST2.

[0016] The registers R1, R2 are Point of Sale (POS) registers. The registers R1, R2 read code information such as barcodes attached to the products purchased by the consumer C1 in the stores ST1, ST2, and sell the products to the consumer C1. The registers R1, R2 can accept, for example, cashless payment provided by the cashless payment system 1. When accepting cashless payment, the registers R1, R2 acquire the member number of the consumer C1. The registers R1, R2 notify the store computers SC1, SC2 of the member number and the names of the purchased products. The register R1 is arranged in the store ST1. Also, the register R2 is arranged in the store ST2. The product to be purchased is an example of a "purchased product". The member number is an example of "user information".

[0017] Then, 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. 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.

[0018] 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. The settlement server 100 is an example of an "information processing device".

[0019] The user terminal 200 is a portable information processing device owned by the consumer C1. The user terminal 200 is connected, for example, to 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 cashless settlement by the cashless settlement system 1 by using the application program installed in the user terminal 200. The consumer C1 is an example of a "first user".

[0020] The network N1 is a computer network that communicably connects information processing devices. The network N1 may be a wireless network or a wired network. The network N1 is, for example, the Internet.

[0021] (Hardware Configuration of the Settlement Server 100) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the settlement server 100 according to the embodiment. The 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.

[0022] 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 multiprocessor configuration. Also, a single CPU 101 connected by a single socket may have a multi-core configuration. At least a part of the processes executed by the CPU 101 may be performed by a processor other than the CPU 101, for example, a dedicated processor such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a numerical calculation processor, a vector processor, an image processing processor, etc. Also, at least a part 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 to the work area of the main memory 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 memory unit 102 and the auxiliary storage unit 103 are recording media readable by the CPU 101.

[0023] The main memory unit 102 is exemplified as a memory unit directly accessible from the CPU 101. The main memory unit 102 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM).

[0024] The auxiliary storage unit 103 reads and writes various programs and various data to a recording medium in a rewritable manner. 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 for transferring data with external devices connected via the communication unit 104. External devices include, for example, other information processing devices and external storage devices connected by a computer network or the like.

[0025] The auxiliary storage unit 103 is, for example, an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), a Solid State Drive (SSD), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), etc. 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, etc. Also, the auxiliary storage unit 103 may be provided by a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or a Storage Area Network (SAN).

[0026] 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.

[0027] (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 memory unit 202, an auxiliary storage unit 203, a communication unit 204, a display 205, and a touch panel 206. The CPU 201, the main memory 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.

[0028] The CPU 201, the main memory unit 202, the auxiliary storage unit 203, and the communication unit 204 are the same as the CPU 101, the main memory unit 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, and the communication unit 104 of the settlement server 100. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

[0029] The display 205 displays data processed by the CPU 201 and 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.

[0030] The touch panel 206 detects a touch operation by a finger or the like of the consumer C1. The touch panel 206 is, for example, disposed to overlap the display 205. By providing the touch panel 206 to overlap the display 205 in the user terminal 200, an intuitive operation environment can be provided to the consumer C1.

[0031] (Processing block of the settlement server 100) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of processing blocks of the settlement server 100 according to the embodiment. The settlement server 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, a category identification unit 12, a subtotal calculation unit 13, an increased category identification unit 14, a difference calculation unit 15, a product classification database 16, a transaction history database 17, a user management database 18, and a store management database 19. The CPU 101 executes a computer program developed executable in the main memory unit 102, so that the settlement server 100 performs processing as each of the acquisition unit 11, the category identification unit 12, the subtotal calculation unit 13, the increased category identification unit 14, the difference calculation unit 15, the product classification database 16, the transaction history database 17, the user management database 18, the store management database 19, and the like.

[0032] The product classification database 16 is a database that manages the correspondence between products and the categories into which the products are classified. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a category management table 161 stored in the product classification database 16. The category management table 161 has columns of "product name" and "category". In the "product name", the name of the product is stored. In the "category", the category into which the product is classified is stored. As the category, for example, a category used when classifying products purchased when recording in a household account book can be adopted. The category management table 161 is an example of the "first correspondence".

[0033] The transaction history database 17 is a database that manages the prices of products sold at stores ST1 and ST2 for each store. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction history table 171 stored in the transaction history database 17. The transaction history table 171 has columns of "member number", "transaction date", "product name", "price", "store name", and "category". In the "member number", the member number uniquely assigned when the consumer C1 registers in the cashless settlement system 1 is stored. In the "transaction date", the date of purchase of the product is stored. Since the "product name" is the same as the "product name" in the category management table 161, The description is omitted. The "price" stores the price of the purchased product. The "store name" stores the name of the store where the product was purchased. Since the "category" is the same as the "category" in the category management table 161, its description is omitted. The transaction history table 171 is an example of the "second correspondence relationship". The "product name" in the transaction history table 171 is an example of the "purchased product information".

[0034] The user management database 18 manages information of users such as the consumer C1 registered in the cashless payment system 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table 181 stored in the user management database 18. The user management table 181 includes items of "member number", "name", and "address". Since the "member number" is the same as the "member number" in the transaction history table 171, its description is omitted. The "name" stores the name of the registered user. The "address" stores the address of the registered user.

[0035] The store management database 19 manages information of stores such as stores ST1 and ST2 participating in the cashless payment system 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the store management table 191 stored in the store management database 19. The store management table 191 includes items of "store name" and "address". Since the "store name" is the same as the "store name" in the transaction history table 171, its description is omitted. The "address" stores the address of the store.

[0036] The product classification database 16, the transaction history database 17, the user management database 18, and the store management database 19 are stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage unit 103. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is an example of the "storage unit".

[0037] The acquisition unit 11 acquires transaction information from the store computers SC1 and SC2. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the member number of the consumer C1, the transaction date, the name of the purchased product, and the price of the product from the acquired transaction information. The name of the product is an example of the "product information".

[0038] The category identification unit 12 refers to the category management table 161 to identify the category corresponding to the name of the product included in the transaction information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. For example, when the character string of the product name matches the character string of the product name stored in the category management table 161, the category associated with the product name is identified as the category corresponding to the name of the product included in the transaction information. The category identification unit 12 stores the member number of the consumer C1, the transaction date, the name of the purchased product, the price of the product, and the identified category in the transaction history table 171. When there is no product name that matches the character string of the product name in the category management table 161, the category identification unit 12 may set the category corresponding to the name of the product as "unknown".

[0039] The subtotal calculation unit 13 calculates the subtotal of the prices associated with a certain member number for each category in the transaction history table 171. The calculation of the subtotal by the subtotal calculation unit 13 is performed, for example, at every predetermined period. The predetermined period is determined according to, for example, the closing date and the settlement date of the cashless settlement. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the process by the subtotal calculation unit 13 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 subtotal calculation unit 13 is executed. Further, the subtotal calculation unit 13 may calculate the total amount (the amount to be billed to the member with the member number) during the predetermined period of the prices associated with a certain member number.

[0040] The increasing category identification unit 14 compares the subtotals for each category in the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period after the first predetermined period, and identifies the increasing category in which the subtotal in the second predetermined period has increased compared to the subtotal in the first predetermined period.

[0041] The difference calculation unit 15 refers to the transaction history table 171 and is caused by the increasing category identification unit 14 For each product classified into the identified increasing category, obtain the lowest price during the second predetermined period. The difference calculation unit 15 calculates the total lowest price obtained by summing up the obtained lowest prices. The difference calculation unit 15 calculates the difference between the subtotal of the increasing category and the total lowest price amount during the second predetermined period. The difference calculation unit 15 notifies the calculated difference and the increasing category to the user terminal 200 via the network N1. Further, the difference calculation unit 15 may also notify the claim amount calculated by the subtotal calculation unit 13 to the user terminal 200.

[0042] Also, when obtaining the lowest price during the second predetermined period, the difference calculation unit 15 may narrow down to stores within a predetermined range from the member's address based on the member's address stored in the user management table 181 and the store's address stored in the store management table 191, and obtain the lowest price.

[0043] (Processing block of user terminal 200) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a processing block of the user terminal 200 according to the embodiment. The user terminal 200 includes a settlement unit 21 and an increasing category display unit 22. The CPU 201 of the user terminal 200 executes a computer program developed executable in the main storage unit 202, thereby executing the processing of each unit such as the settlement unit 21 and the increasing category display unit 22 of the user terminal 200.

[0044] The settlement unit 21 executes cashless settlement in cooperation with the registers R1 and R2. The settlement unit 21 may, for example, display the code information used for cashless settlement on the display 205 and have it read by the registers R1 and R2. Further, the settlement unit 21 may execute settlement by Near Field Communication (NFC).

[0045] The increased category display unit 22 causes the display 205 to display the difference amount and the increased category notified from the settlement server 100. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an increased category guidance screen 221 displayed by the settlement unit 21 in the embodiment. On the increased category guidance screen 221, for example, the claimed amount 2211, the increased category 2212, and the difference amount 2213 calculated by the difference amount calculation unit 15 are displayed.

[0046] (Processing sequence of the cashless settlement system 1) FIG. 11 is a first 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 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. 11, the processing sequence of the cashless settlement system 1 at the time of purchasing goods will be described.

[0047] In step S1, the settlement unit 21 of the user terminal 200 causes the display 205 to display, for example, a barcode for cashless settlement. 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 purchased goods, and accepts settlement by cashless settlement. The register R1 acquires, for example, the member number of the consumer C1 from the barcode displayed on the display 205.

[0048] In step S3, the register R1 notifies the store computer SC1 of the name of the purchased goods and the member number of the consumer C1. In step S4, the store computer SC1 notifies the settlement server 100 of the transaction information including the member number of the consumer C1, the purchase date, the name of the purchased goods, and the price of the goods. In step S5, the settlement server 100 stores the transaction information received from the store computer SC1 in the transaction history table 171.

[0049] (Processing flow of the 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, it is assumed that the predetermined period is one month for the description.

[0050] In step S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires transaction information from the store computers SC1 and SC2. In step S12, the category identification unit 12 refers to the category management table 161 and classifies the names of the products included in the transaction information acquired in step S11 into categories. The category identification unit 12 stores the member number of the consumer C1, the transaction date, the name and price of the purchased product, and the identified category in the transaction history table 171.

[0051] The processes from step S13 to step S16 are repeatedly executed for each member number at predetermined intervals. In step S13, the subtotal calculation unit 13 calculates the subtotal of the prices associated with a certain member number in the transaction history table 171 for each category.

[0052] In step S14, the increasing category identification unit 14 compares the subtotal for each category calculated last month with the subtotal for each category calculated this month, and identifies the increasing category in which the subtotal this month has increased compared to the subtotal last month.

[0053] In step S15, the difference calculation unit 15 acquires the lowest price in this month among the prices stored in the transaction history table 171 for each product classified into the increasing category identified in step S14. The difference calculation unit 15 calculates the total amount of the lowest prices obtained. The difference calculation unit 15 calculates the difference between the total amount of the lowest prices and the subtotal of the increasing category calculated in step S14. The difference calculation unit 15 notifies the calculated difference and the increasing category to the user terminal 200.

[0054] (Operation and effect of the embodiment) In this embodiment, transaction history table 171 stores transaction information for various stores such as stores ST1 and ST2. Even for the same product, the price may vary depending on the store. And in this embodiment, an increasing category is specified based on the subtotals for each category for the previous month and this month. Then, for the specified increasing category, the difference from the minimum price total amount is calculated, and the calculated difference is notified to user terminal 200. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to notify consumer C1 of how much money can be specifically saved by shopping at a lower - priced store. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage consumer C1 to save. Also, according to this embodiment, by outputting the difference for the increasing category where saving is particularly considered necessary, it is possible to encourage consumer C1 to save for the increasing category.

[0055] <First Modification Example> In the embodiment described above, when classifying products into categories, it was performed by matching the product name and category management table 161 as character strings. However, since the product name can vary, even for the same product, the names assigned by stores ST1 and ST2 may be different. In the first modification example, a configuration for improving the accuracy of specifying the category into which a product is classified will be described even when there is variation in the product name. Components common to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Hereinafter, the first modification example will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0056] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the processing blocks of settlement server 100A according to the first modification example. Settlement server 100A is different from settlement server 100 according to the embodiment in that it includes category specifying unit 12A instead of category specifying unit 12.

[0057] When the category identification unit 12A, for example, cannot find a product name string in the category management table 161 that matches the product name string included in the transaction information, it splits the product name included in the transaction information into words. Then, for each of the split words, the category identification unit 12A determines whether there is a product name that matches the product name string stored in the category management table 161. If there is a matching product name for any of the split words, the category identification unit 12A may identify the category that matches the matching product name in the category management table 161 as the category corresponding to the product name included in the transaction information. Also, when none of the split words match the product names stored in the category management table 161, the category identification unit 12A may set the category corresponding to the product name included in the transaction information as "unknown".

[0058] According to the first modification example, it is possible to increase the possibility of identifying the category for a product name that is a combination of multiple words. For example, consider the case where the product name included in the transaction information is "milk from Mr. XX's house" and there is no product name in the category management table 161 that matches the string "milk from Mr. XX's house". In such a case, the category identification unit 12A, for example, decomposes "milk from Mr. XX's house" into four words: "Mr. XX", "house", "of", and "milk". Then, for each of these four words, "Mr. XX", "house", "of", and "milk", the category identification unit 12A determines whether there is a match with the product names in the category management table 161A. When the category management table 161 is in the state illustrated in FIG. 5, the category identification unit 12A can identify the category for "milk" among the four split words as "foodstuffs". Therefore, the category identification unit 12A can identify the category corresponding to the product name "milk from Mr. XX's house" as "foodstuffs".

[0059] <Other Modifications> In the embodiment described above, the difference from the total minimum price for the increasing category is calculated and the calculated difference is notified to the user terminal 200. However, the disclosed technology is not limited to the notification for the increasing category. The disclosed technology may, for example, calculate the difference from the total minimum price for the category specified by the consumer C1 who operates the user terminal 200 and notify the calculated difference to the user terminal 200.

[0060] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

[0061] <Computer-readable recording medium> An information processing program for causing a computer or other machines and devices (hereinafter referred to as computers, etc.) to realize any of the above functions can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Then, by causing the computer, etc. to read and execute the program of this recording medium, the function can be provided.

[0062] Here, a computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that accumulates information such as data and programs by an electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read by a computer, etc. Examples of such removable recording media from a computer, etc. include flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, Compact 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 tapes, flash memories, external hard disk drives, Solid State Drives (SSD), etc. Also, examples of recording media fixed to a computer, etc. include built-in hard disk drives, SSDs, ROMs, etc.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0063] 1. Cashless payment system 11. Acquisition unit 12. Category identification unit 12A. Category identification unit 13. Subtotal calculation unit 14. Increased category identification unit 15. Difference calculation unit 16. Product classification database 17. Transaction history database 18. User management database 19. Store management database 21. Settlement unit 22. Increased category display unit 100. Payment server 100A. Payment server 101. CPU 102. Main memory unit 103. Auxiliary memory unit 104. Communication unit 161. Category management table 171. Transaction history table 181. User management table 191. Store management table 200. User terminal 201. CPU 202. Main memory unit 203. Auxiliary memory unit 204. Communication unit 205. Display 206. Touch panel 221. Increased category guidance screen 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 first correspondence relationship that associates product information identifying a product with a category to which the product is classified, user information identifying a user, purchase product information identifying a purchased product, a purchase date on which the user purchased the purchase product, a price of the purchase product, and a second correspondence relationship that associates the category to which the purchase product is classified, a storage unit that stores the above, A processor connected to the storage unit, The processor is, Obtain transaction information including first product information identifying a first product purchased by a first user, a first price of the first product, a first purchase date on which the first product was purchased, and first user information identifying the first user, Refer to the first correspondence relationship, identify a first category corresponding to the first product information, and add the identified first category and the transaction information to the second correspondence relationship, In the second correspondence relationship, calculate a first category subtotal amount obtained by summing the prices classified into a predetermined category among the categories associated with the first user information for a predetermined period, In the second correspondence relationship, obtain the lowest price for each of the products classified into the predetermined category during the predetermined period, and calculate a total lowest price amount obtained by summing the obtained lowest prices, Calculate a difference between the first category subtotal amount and the total lowest price amount, and output the calculated difference, An information processing apparatus.

2. The processor is, In the second correspondence relationship, calculate a subtotal amount obtained by summing the prices associated with the first user information for each category for a first predetermined period and a second predetermined period following the first predetermined period, A category in which the subtotal amount calculated for the second predetermined period is greater than the subtotal amount calculated for the first predetermined period is set as the predetermined category, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The processor sets the category designated by the first user as the predetermined category, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The product information and the first product information are the names of the products, The processor is, When the product information that matches the character string of the first product information does not exist in the first correspondence relationship, the first product information is divided into a plurality of words, When any one of the plurality of divided words exists in the first correspondence relationship, the category associated with the any one word in the first correspondence relationship is specified as the first category. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A computer comprising: a storage unit that stores a first correspondence relationship that associates product information for identifying a product with a category into which the product is classified, user information for identifying a user, product information for identifying a purchased product, a purchase date on which the user purchased the purchased product, a price of the purchased product, and a second correspondence relationship that associates the category into which the purchased product is classified; and a processor connected to the storage unit. First product information for identifying a first product purchased by a first user, the first price of the first product, the first purchase date on which the first product was purchased, and first user information for identifying the first user. Obtain transaction information including the first product information, the first price of the first product, the first purchase date on which the first product was purchased, and the first user information for identifying the first user. With reference to the first correspondence relationship, identify a first category corresponding to the first product information, and add the identified first category and the transaction information to the second correspondence relationship. In the second correspondence relationship, calculate a first category subtotal amount obtained by summing the prices classified into a predetermined category among the categories associated with the first user information for a predetermined period. In the second correspondence relationship, obtain the minimum price for each of the products classified into the predetermined category for the predetermined period, and calculate a minimum price total amount obtained by summing the obtained minimum prices. Calculate a difference between the first category subtotal amount and the minimum price total amount, and output the calculated difference. An information processing method.

6. In a computer comprising: a storage unit that stores a first correspondence relationship that associates product information for identifying a product with a category into which the product is classified, user information for identifying a user, product information for identifying a purchased product, a purchase date on which the user purchased the purchased product, a price of the purchased product, and a second correspondence relationship that associates the category into which the purchased product is classified; and a processor connected to the storage unit. Cause the computer to obtain transaction information including first product information for identifying a first product purchased by a first user, the first price of the first product, the first purchase date on which the first product was purchased, and first user information for identifying the first user. With reference to the first correspondence relationship, identify the first category corresponding to the first product information, and add the identified first category and the transaction information to the second correspondence relationship. In the second correspondence relationship, calculate a first category subtotal amount obtained by summing up the prices classified into a predetermined category among the categories associated with the first user information for a predetermined period. In the second correspondence relationship, for each of the products classified into the predetermined category, obtain the lowest price during the predetermined period, and calculate a total lowest price amount obtained by summing up the obtained lowest prices. Calculate the difference between the first category subtotal amount and the total lowest price amount, and output the calculated difference. Information processing program.

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