Management apparatus and management method

Abstract

To provide a management apparatus configured to flexibly modify, for each user, valid period of an electronic stamp card which is available in a local government.SOLUTION: A management apparatus 10A includes: an offering unit 115 which offers an incentive to a first user U when it is determined that the number of purchases of commodities or services in a period until a first expiration date is equal to or larger than a first reference value, based on a first dataset FDS associated with a first user U and related to purchase time and date of commodities or services at a store located in a first area; and a period modifying unit 116 which modifies the first expiration date in accordance with user data UD pertaining to the first user U.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and a management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic stamp cards are sometimes provided for sales promotion campaigns. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for automatically generating and providing electronic stamp cards for stores that are expected to be of interest to users.

[0003] Furthermore, in order to revitalize local communities, stamp rallies are sometimes held in which participants travel around the local government and stamp their electronic stamp cards. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes an example of a stamp rally held within a local government using AR (Augmented Reality) technology. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-128684 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Cloud Circus Co., Ltd., "What are the latest trends in stamp rally initiatives? Detailed introduction to local event plans and success stories!", Internet<URL:https: / / www.coco-ar.jp / media / column / stamprally> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the past, when a local government conducted a campaign to revitalize a local area using stamp cards that could be used within the local government, the expiration date of the stamp cards was standardized. However, if the expiration date could be changed for each user, the convenience of stamp cards would increase.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a management device that can flexibly change the validity period of an electronic stamp card that can be used within a local government for each user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a management device that is linked to a first user and includes an incentive granting unit that grants an incentive to the first user when it is determined, based on a first data set regarding purchases of goods or services at stores located in a first region, that the number of purchases of the goods or services during the period until a first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value, and an expiration date changing unit that changes the first expiration date in accordance with user data regarding the first user.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the management method of the present invention includes: granting an incentive to a first user when it is determined, based on a first data set related to purchases of goods or services at stores located in a first region and linked to the first user, that the number of purchases of the goods or services during a period up to a first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value; and changing the first expiration date according to user data related to the first user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the validity period of a stamp card that can be used within a local government can be flexibly changed for each user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a management system 1A. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device 20A[k]. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic stamp card SC1A. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management device 10A. [Figure 5] A table showing an example of the configuration of the stamp card database SDB. [Figure 6] 10 is a table showing an example of the configuration of a user database UDB. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an update operation of the first data set FDS. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a first change operation of a first expiration date. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second change operation of the first expiration date. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third change operation of the first expiration date. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth change operation of the first expiration date. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth change operation of the first expiration date. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an ID database SID. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1: First embodiment A management system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0013] A management device 10A of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1 manages electronic stamps. Generally, stamps are managed according to purpose, such as convenience store sales promotion measures and local government measures. In addition, stamps managed for convenience store sales promotion measures and local government measures are generally stamped on physical stamp cards. By stamping a predetermined number of stamps on a stamp card, the owner of the stamp card can, for example, earn incentives. In this specification, a stamp card refers to an image displaying an electronic stamp card. An electronic stamp card SC1A is displayed on the terminal device 20A shown in Fig. 1, and an image of an electronic stamp is displayed in a predetermined area within the image of the electronic stamp card SC1A.

[0014] For example, when a user U[k] purchases a product or service at a store located in a first region, the management device 10A of the present disclosure updates a first data set FDS associated with the user U[k] and related to purchases of products or services at stores located in the first region. Furthermore, when the management device 10A determines, based on the first data set FDS, that the number of purchases of the product or service during the period until the first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value, it grants an incentive to the user U[k]. The first dataset FDS is, for example, linked to the user U[k] and is a dataset relating to the purchase history of goods or services in a first region.

[0015] The management device 10A uses the data included in the first data set FDS to cause the terminal device 20A to display an electronic stamp card SC1A. A first stamp FS is displayed in a predetermined area within the electronic stamp card SC1A. In other words, the first data set FDS is a data set used to display an image of an electronic stamp card SC1A including an image of an electronic stamp on the terminal device 20A.

[0016] The first data set FDS also includes first stamp data FD, which is data for displaying an image of the first stamp FS within the image of the electronic stamp card SC1A. As will be described later, the first stamp data FD corresponds to the date and time when the product or service was purchased.

[0017] Furthermore, the management device 10A changes the expiration date of the stamp card SC1A in accordance with the user data UD relating to the user U[k].

[0018] As a result, the management device 10A can flexibly change the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A that can be used within the local government for each user.

[0019] 1-1: Configuration of the first embodiment 1-1-1: Overall structure FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a management system 1A according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1A includes a management device 10A and n terminal devices 20A[1], terminal device 20A[2], ... terminal device 20A[k], ... terminal device 20A[n]. n is an integer equal to or greater than 1. k is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than n. In the following description, terminal devices 20A[1] to 20A[n] may be collectively referred to as "terminal device 20A." In FIG. 1, user U uses terminal device 20A. User U[k] uses terminal device 20A[k]. In the following description, terminal device 20A[k] is used as a representative example of terminal device 20A, as necessary. User U[k] is an example of a "first user."

[0020] The management device 10A is a device used to manage data related to the electronic stamp card SC1A. The electronic stamp card SC1A is displayed individually on each of the terminal devices 20A[1] to 20A[n]. As an example, when a user U[k] purchases a product or service at a store in a specific area, a first stamp FS is displayed on the electronic stamp card SC1A displayed on the terminal device 20A[k].

[0021] As an example, when user U[k] purchases goods or services at a store located in the specific area, a first QR code is printed on a receipt printed by the store's cash register. When user U[k] launches a specific application for electronic stamp card SC1A on terminal device 20A[k] and reads the first QR code, the first stamp FS is displayed on the electronic stamp card SC1A displayed on terminal device 20A[k]. Note that additional conditions for displaying the first stamp FS may be set for the electronic stamp card SC1A. For example, the first QR code may be printed on the receipt only after user U[k] purchases goods or services worth a predetermined amount or more at a store located in the specific area. "QR Code" is a registered trademark.

[0022] In the above example, the management device 10A manages data relating to the electronic stamp card SC1A and the first stamp FS.

[0023] The terminal device 20A[k] is a device that the user U[k] uses to view the electronic stamp card SC1A and check the first stamp FS displayed on the electronic stamp card SC1A. As described above, as an example, the user U[k] can display the first stamp FS on the electronic stamp card SC1A displayed on the terminal device 20A[k] by reading the first QR code printed on a receipt with the terminal device 20A[k]. The terminal device 20A[k] may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or may be a PC (Personal Computer). The same applies to other terminal devices 20A other than the terminal device 20A[k].

[0024] 1-1-2: Terminal device configuration Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a terminal device 20A[k]. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 20A[k] includes a processing device 21A, a storage device 22A, an imaging device 23, a display device 24, an input device 25, and a communication device 26. The elements of the terminal device 20A[k] are connected to each other by one or more buses for communicating information. Note that the term "device" in this specification may be interpreted as other terms such as circuit, device, or unit.

[0025] The processing device 21A is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 20A[k]. The processing device 21A is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 21A is also configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Some or all of the functions of the processing device 21A may be realized by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing device 21A executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0026] The storage device 22A is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 21A. The storage device 22A includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The volatile memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The storage device 22A also stores a control program PR2A executed by the processing device 21A. The storage device 22A also functions as a work area for the processing device 21A.

[0027] The imaging device 23 outputs imaging data obtained by capturing an image of the external world. The imaging device 23 includes, for example, a lens, an imaging element, an amplifier, and an AD converter. Light collected through the lens is converted into an imaging signal, which is an analog signal, by the imaging element. The amplifier amplifies the imaging signal and outputs it to the AD converter. The AD converter converts the amplified imaging signal, which is an analog signal, into imaging data, which is a digital signal. The converted imaging data is output to the processing device 21A.

[0028] The display device 24 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 24 displays various images under the control of the processing device 21A. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL display panel are suitably used as the display device 24.

[0029] The input device 25 is a device that receives operations from the user U. For example, the input device 25 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, or a pointing device such as a mouse. Here, when the input device 25 includes a touch panel, it may also serve as the display device 24.

[0030] The communication device 26 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 26 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 26 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 26 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0031] The processing device 21A functions as an acquisition unit 211, a communication control unit 212, and a display control unit 213 by reading and executing the control program PR2A from the storage device 22A.

[0032] The acquisition unit 211 acquires data including the date and time when the user U[k] purchased a product or service. As an example, when the user U[k] purchased a product or service at a store located in a specific area, the acquisition unit 211 acquires data indicating the date and time when the user U[k] purchased the product or service at the store located in the specific area, data indicating the store, and data indicating the specific area. More specifically, when user U[k] purchases a product or service at a store located in a specific area, user U[k] launches a specific app related to the electronic stamp card SC1A as described above, and then captures an image of a first QR code printed on a receipt printed at a cash register of the store with the imaging device 23. The acquisition unit 211 decodes the first QR code captured by the imaging device 23 to acquire data indicating the date and time of purchase of the product or service at a store located in the specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store, together with data indicating user U[k]. The specific region is an example of a "first region."

[0033] The communication control unit 212 causes the communication device 26 to transmit and receive various data to and from the management device 10A. As an example, the communication control unit 212 causes the management device 10A to transmit to the communication device 26 a set of data indicating the user U[k] acquired by the acquisition unit 211, data indicating the purchase date and time of a product or service at a store located in a specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store. Furthermore, the communication control unit 212 causes the communication device 26 to receive data for displaying the electronic stamp card SC1A on the display device 24 from the management device 10A.

[0034] The display control unit 213 uses the data received from the management device 10A to cause the display device 24 to display the electronic stamp card SC1A.

[0035] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic stamp card SC1A that the display control unit 213 causes the display device 24 to display. The electronic stamp card SC1A has a purpose display area US, a stamp display area SA, and a prize display area CD. The purpose display area US is an area that displays the purpose of the electronic stamp card SC1A. In the example shown in Figure 3, the purpose display area US indicates that the electronic stamp card SC1A is a card that is used to display the first stamp FS while purchasing goods or services at multiple stores in City A. Hereinafter, purchasing goods or services at multiple stores will be referred to as "shopping around." The stamp display area SA is an area in which the first stamp FS is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the stamp display area SA includes four sections in which the first stamp FS is displayed. The prize display area CD is an area that displays the prizes that can be won when the first stamp FS is displayed in all sections included in the stamp display area SA. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the prize display area CD displays that after launching the above app, the first stamp FS will be displayed in the stamp display area SA when the target operation is performed, and that if the user U[k] wins four first stamps FS, the user U[k] will receive 100 points.

[0036] 1-1-3: Management device configuration Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device 10A. As shown in Fig. 4, the management device 10A includes a processing device 11A, a storage device 12A, a display device 13, an input device 14, and a communication device 15. The elements of the management device 10A are connected to each other by one or more buses for communicating information.

[0037] The processing device 11A is a processor that controls the entire management device 10A. The processing device 11A is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 11A is also configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Some or all of the functions of the processing device 11A may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The processing device 11A executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0038] The storage device 12A is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11A. The storage device 12A includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, or an EEPROM. The storage device 12A also stores a control program PR1A executed by the processing device 11A, a stamp card database SDB, and a user database UDB, and also functions as a work area for the processing device 11A.

[0039] The stamp card database SDB is a database that stores data related to the electronic stamp card SC1A. Figure 5 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the stamp card database SDB. The stamp card database SDB has the following items: "stamp card ID," "user," "first region," "expiration date," "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time."

[0040] "Stamp card ID" indicates the identifier of the electronic stamp card SC1A.

[0041] In the first data set FDS in the first line of the stamp card database SDB shown in Figure 5, the data "3872528341" is entered in the "Stamp Card ID" field. The data "3872528341" is entered in the "Stamp Card ID" field because the first data set FDS in the first line is a data set for an electronic stamp card SC1A whose "Stamp Card ID" is "3872528341".

[0042] The "User" column indicates the user U of the electronic stamp card SC1A. The "User" data in the first data set FDS in the first row of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5 indicates that the user U is user U[k].

[0043] "First region" indicates the target region for shopping that the electronic stamp card SC1A is used for. The data for "Region 1" in the first data set FDS in the first row of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5 indicates that the purpose of the electronic stamp card SC1A with the "stamp card ID" "3872528341" is to display the first stamp FS while purchasing goods or services at multiple stores located in City P.

[0044] "Expiration Date" indicates the expiration date of the electronic stamp card SC1A. The "Expiration Date" data in the first row of the first data set FDS of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5 indicates that the expiration date of the stamp card with the "Stamp Card ID" "3872528341" is January 31, 2025. The data indicating the expiration date initially stored in the "Expiration Date" column is an example of the "first expiration date."

[0045] The "first purchase date and time" indicates the date and time when the first product or service was purchased in the shopping trip corresponding to the electronic stamp card SC1A. The data for "First purchase date and time" in the first data set FDS in the first row of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5 indicates that user U[k] purchased a product or service at a store located in city P on February 19, 2024.

[0046] The "second purchase date and time" indicates the date and time when the second product or service was purchased in the shopping trip corresponding to the electronic stamp card SC1A. The data for "Second Purchase Date and Time" in the first data set FDS in the first row of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5 indicates that user U[k] purchased a product or service at a store located in city P on March 21, 2024.

[0047] The "third purchase date and time" indicates the date and time when the third product or service was purchased in the shopping trip corresponding to the electronic stamp card SC1A.

[0048] The "fourth purchase date and time" indicates the date and time when the fourth product or service was purchased in the shopping trip corresponding to the electronic stamp card SC1A.

[0049] In the first data set FDS of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Fig. 5, the data of "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" correspond one-to-one to one of the first stamps FS displayed in the stamp display area SA of the electronic stamp card SC1A. The data of "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" stored in the first data set FDS are an example of "first stamp data FD." The "first stamp data FD" may include data on the store of purchase corresponding to the "first purchase date and time" in addition to the data on the "first purchase date and time." Similarly, the "first stamp data FD" may include data on the "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time," as well as data on the store of purchase corresponding to each of the "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time." As described above, the first dataset FDS is linked to the user U[k] and is a dataset related to purchases of goods or services at stores located in a specific area.

[0050] In the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5, the data for "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" are displayed as years, months, and days. However, the data for "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" may be displayed in other ways. For example, the data for "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" may be displayed as dates and times. As described above, in this specification, "date and time" is not limited to a combination of date and time, but may be a date alone or a combination of date and time.

[0051] In Fig. 6, the user database UDB is a database that stores user data UD related to user U. Fig. 6 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the user database UDB. The user database UDB has the following items: "User," "First residence area," "First residence start date and time," "First residence end date and time," "First residence area," "First residence start date and time," and "First residence end date and time."

[0052] The "User" column indicates user U. The "User" data in the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in FIG. 6 indicates that user U is user U[1]. Furthermore, the "User" data in the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U is user U[3].

[0053] The "First area of ​​residence" column indicates the area where user U currently resides. The "First area of ​​residence" data of the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6 indicates that user U[1] currently resides in City A. Furthermore, the "First area of ​​residence" data of the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U[3] currently resides in City A.

[0054] The "First residence start date and time" column indicates the date and time when user U began residing in the "first residence area." The "First residence start date and time" data of the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in FIG. 6 indicates that user U[1] has been residing in City A since November 5, 2022. Furthermore, the "First residence start date and time" data of the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U[3] has been residing in City A since September 24, 2021.

[0055] The "first end date and time of residence" column indicates the date and time when user U plans to end his or her residence in the "first region of residence." The data for "first end date and time of residence" in the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in FIG. 6 is blank. The data for "first end date and time of residence" is blank because user U[1] does not currently have plans to end his or her residence in City A. Furthermore, the data for "first end date and time of residence" in the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U[3] plans to end his or her residence in City A on December 29, 2023.

[0056] The "Second Region of Residence" column indicates the region where user U plans to live next after the region where he or she currently resides. The data for "Second Region of Residence" in the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6 is blank. The data for "Second Region of Residence" is blank because there is no region where user U[1] plans to live after City A. Furthermore, the data for "Second Region of Residence" in the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U[3] plans to live in City D after City A, where he or she currently resides.

[0057] The "second residence start date and time" column indicates the date and time when user U plans to start residing in the "second residence area." The data for "second residence start date and time" in the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6 is blank. The data for "second residence start date and time" is blank because there is no area where user U[1] plans to live next to City A. In addition, the data for "second residence start date and time" in the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U[3] plans to live in City D from December 30, 2023.

[0058] The "second end date and time of residence" column indicates the date and time when user U plans to end his or her residence in the "second area of ​​residence." The data for "second end date and time of residence" in the user data UD in the first row of the user database UDB illustrated in FIG. 6 is blank. Because there is no area where user U[1] plans to live next to City A, the data for "second end date and time of residence" in the user data UD in the first row is blank. Furthermore, the data for "second end date and time of residence" in the user data UD in the third row of the user database UDB indicates that user U[3] plans to end his or her residence in City D on February 8, 2024.

[0059] In the user database UDB shown in Figure 6, "residency" does not necessarily mean that user U[1] has a resident registration in a "first region of residence." For example, if user U[1] plans to stay in a region other than the "first region of residence" for a predetermined period of time or longer while traveling, the region other than the "first region of residence" becomes the "second region of residence." The "predetermined period" is an example of a "second period."

[0060] In FIG. 4, the processing device 11A functions as a communication control unit 111, a display control unit 112, a determination unit 113, an update unit 114, an assignment unit 115, and a term change unit 116 by reading and executing a control program PR1A from the storage device 12A.

[0061] The communication control unit 111 causes the communication device 15 to transmit and receive various information to and from the terminal device 20A[k]. As an example, the communication control unit 111 causes the communication device 15 to receive from the terminal device 20A[k] a set of data indicating the user U[k], data indicating the purchase date and time of a product or service at a store located in a specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store.

[0062] The display control unit 112 causes the terminal device 20A[k] to display the electronic stamp card SC1A. Specifically, the display control unit 112 causes the terminal device 20A[k] to display the electronic stamp card SC1A based on a data set extracted from the stamp card database SDB. For example, if the first data set FDS extracted from the stamp card database SDB includes data for a "first date and time," the data for the display control unit 112 to display the electronic stamp card SC1A on the terminal device 20A[k] includes image data for a first stamp FS. The image data for the first stamp FS may be image data indicating the store where the purchase was made that corresponds to the "first purchase date and time." The same applies to the case where the first data set FDS extracted from the stamp card database SDB includes data on the "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time."

[0063] The determination unit 113 determines whether the user U[k] has purchased a product or service at a store located in the first region, based on the data received from the terminal device 20A[k] by the communication device 15. More specifically, when the data received from the terminal device 20A[k] by the communication device 15 includes data indicating the user U[k] and data indicating the first region, the determination unit 113 determines that the user U[k] has purchased a product or service at a store located in the first region.

[0064] Furthermore, when data indicating user U[k] and data indicating the first region are included in data received by communication device 15 from terminal device 20A[k], determination unit 113 refers to stamp card database SDB to identify user U[k] and the first data set FDS that includes the first region. Then, determination unit 113 may determine whether the purchase date and time of the product or service is before the date and time indicated by the expiration date data included in the first data set FDS.

[0065] When a user U[k] purchases a product or service at a store located in a first region, the update unit 114 updates a first dataset FDS associated with the user U[k] and related to the purchase date and time of the product or service in the first region. More specifically, the update unit 114 records data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," or "fourth purchase date and time" of the first dataset FDS.

[0066] When the determination unit 113 determines that the user U[k] purchased a product or service at a store located in the first region, the update unit 114 stores data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," or "fourth purchase date and time" of the first dataset FDS.

[0067] More specifically, if no data is stored in any of the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" in the first data set FDS, the update unit 114 stores data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the "first purchase date and time" of the first data set FDS.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first data set FDS, if data is stored in the "first purchase date and time" and no data is stored in any of the "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time," the update unit 114 stores data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the "second purchase date and time" of the first data set FDS.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first data set FDS, if data is stored in the "first purchase date and time" and "second purchase date and time", but no data is stored in either the "third purchase date and time" or the "fourth purchase date and time", the update unit 114 stores data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the "third purchase date and time" of the first data set FDS.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first data set FDS, if data is stored in the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," and "third purchase date and time," but no data is stored in the "fourth purchase date and time," the update unit 114 stores data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the "fourth purchase date and time" of the first data set FDS.

[0071] However, if data is stored in all of the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" in the first data set FDS, the update unit 114 does not store data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the first data set FDS.

[0072] Alternatively, in the first data set FDS, when data is stored in all of the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time," the updating unit 114 may store the data that was previously stored in the "second purchase date and time" in the "first purchase date and time," store the data that was previously stored in the "third purchase date and time" in the "second purchase date and time," and store the data that was previously stored in the "fourth purchase date and time" in the "third purchase date and time." Then, the updating unit 114 may store data indicating the purchase date and time of a new product or service in the "fourth purchase date and time" of the first data set FDS.

[0073] In addition, when the determination unit 113 determines that the user U[k] purchased a product or service at a store located in the first region and determines that the purchase date and time of the product or service is before the date and time indicated by the expiration date data included in the first data set FDS, the update unit 114 may store data indicating the purchase date and time of the product or service in the ``first purchase date and time,'' ``second purchase date and time,'' ``third purchase date and time,'' or ``fourth purchase date and time'' of the first data set FDS.

[0074] The granting unit 115 grants an incentive to the user U[k].

[0075] When data indicating the purchase date and time of a predetermined quantity or more is recorded in the first data set FDS, the granting unit 115 grants an incentive to the user U[k]. The "predetermined quantity" is an example of a "first reference value."

[0076] For example, in the first data set FDS of the stamp card database SDB illustrated in FIG. 5, if all of the data for the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," and "fourth purchase date and time" are stored, the granting unit 115 grants an incentive to user U[k]. In this case, the "first reference value" is four. In addition, in the example of the electronic stamp card SC1A illustrated in FIG. 3, the incentive is "100 points."

[0077] In FIG. 4, the term changing unit 116 changes the first term of validity in accordance with the user data UD relating to the user U[k].

[0078] As an example, if the user data UD stored in the user database UDB indicates that the user U[k] is a resident of the "first region" in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS. On the other hand, if the user data UD stored in the user database UDB does not indicate that the user U[k] is a resident of the "first region" in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 cannot change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS.

[0079] More specifically, if the "first residence area" in the user database UDB, which is the area where user U[k] currently resides, is included in the area indicated by the "first area" in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS. On the other hand, if the "first residence area" in the user database UDB, which is the area where user U[k] currently resides, is not included in the area indicated by the "first area" in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 cannot change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS.

[0080] For example, referring to the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6, if City A, where user U[1] currently resides, is included in the area indicated by the "first area" of the first data set FDS linked to user U[1] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS. On the other hand, if City A, where user U[1] currently resides, is not included in the area indicated by the "first area" of the first data set FDS linked to user U[1] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 cannot change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS.

[0081] When the expiration date changing unit 116 changes the first expiration date, the first expiration date may be changed to a date and time earlier than the first expiration date, or may be changed to a date and time later than the first expiration date.

[0082] As another example, if the user data UD stored in the user database UDB indicates that the user U[k] is a resident of the "first region" in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the second expiration date. On the other hand, if the user data UD stored in the user database UDB does not indicate that the user U[k] is a resident of the "first region" in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the third expiration date. Here, the third expiration date may be later than the second expiration date, or the second expiration date may be later than the third expiration date.

[0083] More specifically, if the "first residence area" in the user database UDB, which is the area where user U[k] currently resides, is included in the area indicated by the "first area" in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the second expiration date. On the other hand, if the "first residence area" in the user database UDB, which is the area where user U[k] currently resides, is not included in the area indicated by the "first area" in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the third expiration date.

[0084] For example, referring to the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6, if City A, where user U[1] currently resides, is included in the area indicated by the "first area" of the first data set FDS linked to user U[1] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the second expiration date. On the other hand, if City A, where user U[1] currently resides, is not included in the area indicated by the "first area" of the first data set FDS linked to user U[1] in the stamp card database SDB, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "expiration date" column of the first data set FDS to the third expiration date.

[0085] As another example, if the user data UD stored in the user database UDB indicates that the user U[k] became a resident of the "first region" of the stamp card database SDB within a predetermined period going back from the present time, the expiration date changing unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" field of the first data set FDS to the fourth expiration date. The predetermined period is an example of the "first period."

[0086] More specifically, if the "first residence area" in the user database UDB, which is the area where user U[k] currently resides, is included in the area indicated by the "first area" in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, and user U[k] begins to reside in the "first residence area" within a specified period going back from the present time, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the fourth expiration date.

[0087] For example, referring to the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6, if City A, where user U[1] currently resides, is included in the "first region" of the stamp card database SDB, and November 5, 2022, when user U[1] began living in City A, is included in the "first period" going back from the present time, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS linked to user U[1] to the fourth expiration date.

[0088] As another example, if the number of purchases of a product or service indicated by the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB does not meet the first reference value, and the difference between the number of purchases and the first reference value is less than or equal to the second reference value, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the fifth expiration date.

[0089] More specifically, in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, although the first stamp data FD is not stored for all of the "first purchase date and time" through "fourth purchase date and time", if the difference between the number of first stamp data FD stored among the "first date and time" through "fourth purchase date and time" and the first reference value is less than or equal to the second reference value, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the fifth expiration date.

[0090] For example, referring to the stamp card database SDB illustrated in Figure 5, in the first data set FDS linked to user U[k], although the first stamp data FD is not stored for all of the "first purchase date and time" to "fourth purchase date and time", if the difference between the number of first stamp data FD stored for the "first purchase date and time" and "second purchase date and time", which is 2, and the first reference value, which is 4, is less than or equal to the second reference value, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column of the first data set FDS to the fifth expiration date.

[0091] As another example, if the user data UD stored in the user database UDB indicates that the user U[k] is a resident of the "first region" in the stamp card database SDB and that the user U[k] is located outside the "first region" for at least a predetermined period from a first reference date that is included in the period up to the first expiration date, the expiration date changing unit 116 can change the first expiration date to the day before the first reference date. The predetermined period is an example of a "second period."

[0092] More specifically, if the "first residence area" in the user database UDB, where the user U[k] currently resides, is included in the area indicated by the "first area" in the first data set FDS linked to the user U[k] in the stamp card database SDB, and the user U[k] is located outside the "first area" for at least a predetermined period from the first reference date, the expiration date changing unit 116 can change the first expiration date to the day before the first reference date. The first reference date is included in the period from the present time to the first expiration date stored in the "expiration date" of the first data set FDS.

[0093] For example, referring to the user database UDB illustrated in Figure 6, if City A, where user U[3] currently resides, is included in the "first region" of the stamp card database SDB, and user U[3] is located in City D, outside the "first region," for at least a predetermined period from the first reference date, December 30, 2023, the expiration date change unit 116 can change the first expiration date stored in the "Expiration Date" column in the first dataset FDS linked to user U[3] in the stamp card database SDB to December 29, 2023, the day before the first reference date.

[0094] 1-2: Operation of the first embodiment 1-2-1: Update the first dataset FDS FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an update operation of the first data set FDS by the management device 10A provided in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0095] In step S1, the processing device 11A functions as the determination unit 113. The processing device 11A determines whether or not the user U[k] has purchased a product or service at a store located in a first region. When it is determined that the user U[k] has purchased a product or service at a store located in the first region (YES in step S1), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S2. When it is determined that the user U[k] has not purchased any product or service at a store located in the first region (NO in step S1), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S1.

[0096] In step S2, the processing device 11A functions as the determination unit 113. The processing device 11A determines whether the purchase date and time of a product or service in the first data set FDS including the user U[k] and the first region is before the date and time indicated by the expiration date data included in the first data set FDS. In other words, the processing device 11A determines whether the purchase date and time of the product or service is within the expiration date of the electronic stamp card SC1A. If it is determined that the purchase date and time of the product or service is before the date and time indicated by the expiration date data included in the first data set FDS (YES in step S2), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S3. If it is determined that the purchase date and time of the product or service is later than the date and time indicated by the expiration date data included in the first data set FDS (NO in step S2), the processing device 11A ends all processing.

[0097] In step S3, the processing device 11A functions as the update unit 114. The processing device 11A records the first stamp data FD in the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," or "fourth purchase date and time" of the first data set FDS.

[0098] 1-2-2: Change of first expiration date 8 to 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of changing the first expiration date by the management device 10A provided in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0099] 1-2-2-1: First change operation FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first change operation of the first expiration date by the management device 10A provided in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0100] In step S11, the processing device 11A functions as the deadline changing unit 116. The processing device 11A determines whether or not the user U[k] is a resident of the first region. If it is determined that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region (YES in step S11), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S12. If it is determined that the user U[k] is not a resident of the first region (NO in step S11), the processing device 11A ends all processing.

[0101] In step S12, the processing device 11A functions as the term change unit 116. The processing device 11A changes the first term of validity.

[0102] 1-2-2-2: Second change operation FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a second change operation of the first expiration date by the management device 10A provided in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0103] In step S21, the processing device 11A functions as the deadline changing unit 116. The processing device 11A determines whether or not the user U[k] is a resident of the first region. If it is determined that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region (YES in step S21), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S22. If it is determined that the user U[k] is not a resident of the first region (NO in step S11), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S23.

[0104] In step S22, the processing device 11A functions as the term change unit 116. The processing device 11A extends the first term of validity to the second term of validity.

[0105] In step S23, the processing device 11A functions as the term change unit 116. The processing device 11A extends the first term of validity to the third term of validity.

[0106] 1-2-2-3: Third change operation FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third change operation of the first expiration date by the management device 10A provided in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0107] In step S31, the processing device 11A functions as the deadline changing unit 116. The processing device 11A determines whether or not the user U[k] has become a resident of the first region within a first period going back from the present time. When it is determined that the user U[k] has become a resident of the first region within the first period going back from the present time (YES in step S31), the processing device 11A executes the process of step S32. When it is determined that the user U[k] has not been a resident of the first region within the first period going back from the current time point (NO in step S31), the processing device 11A ends all processing.

[0108] In step S32, the processing device 11A functions as the term change unit 116. The processing device 11A extends the first term of validity to the fourth term of validity.

[0109] 1-2-2-4: Fourth change action FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth change operation of the first expiration date by the management device 10A provided in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0110] In step S41, the processing device 11A functions as the deadline changing unit 116. The processing device 11A determines whether or not the number of times that the user U[k] has purchased a product or service in a first region is less than a first reference value and whether or not the difference between the number of purchases and the first reference value is equal to or less than a second reference value. If it is determined that the number of times that user U[k] has purchased goods or services in the first region does not meet the first reference value and the difference between the number of purchases and the first reference value is less than or equal to the second reference value (YES in step S41), the processing device 11A executes processing in step S42. If the number of times that user U[k] has purchased goods or services in the first region does not meet the first reference value, and if it is not determined that the difference between the number of purchases and the first reference value is less than or equal to the second reference value (NO in step S41), the processing device 11A terminates all processing.

[0111] In step S42, the processing device 11A functions as the term change unit 116. The processing device 11A extends the first term of validity to the fifth term of validity.

[0112] 1-2-2-5: 5th change action FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth change operation of the first expiration date by the management device 10A included in the management system 1A according to this embodiment.

[0113] In step S51, the processing device 11A functions as the expiration date changing unit 116. The processing device 11A determines whether the user U[k] is a resident of the first region and whether the user U[k] is located outside the first region for at least a predetermined period from a first reference date that is included in the period until the first expiration date. If it is determined that user U[k] is a resident of the first region and that user U[k] has been located outside the first region for at least a predetermined period from the first reference date (YES in step S51), the processing device 11A executes processing in step S52. If the processing device 11A determines that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region and that the user U[k] is not located outside the first region for at least a predetermined period from the first reference date (NO in step S51), the processing device 11A terminates all processing.

[0114] In step S52, the processing device 11A functions as the term change unit 116. The processing device 11A changes the first term of validity to the day before the first reference date.

[0115] 1-3: Effects of the First Embodiment The management device 10A according to this embodiment includes a granting unit 115 and a term change unit 116. The granting unit 115 grants an incentive to the user U[k] when it is determined that the number of purchases of a product or service during the period until the first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value, based on a first data set FDS related to purchases of products or services at stores located in a first region and linked to the user U[k]. The term change unit 116 changes the first expiration date in accordance with user data UD related to the user U[k].

[0116] The management device 10A has the above configuration, and therefore can flexibly change the validity period of the electronic stamp card that can be used within the local government for each user U. More specifically, the management device 10A can change the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A according to the user data UD that indicates the personal information of the user U[k]. For example, when the electronic stamp card SC1A is used for a campaign within the local government, the management device 10A can change the usage period of the electronic stamp card SC1A according to whether the user U[k] is a resident or non-resident of the local government.

[0117] Furthermore, in the management device 10A, if the user data UD indicates that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region, the expiration date changing unit 116 can change the first expiration date. If the user data UD does not indicate that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region, the expiration date changing unit 116 cannot change the first expiration date.

[0118] The management device 10A has the above configuration, so that, for example, when the electronic stamp card SC1A is used in a campaign within a local government, residents of the local government can be given preferential treatment.

[0119] Furthermore, in the management device 10A, if the user data UD indicates that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region, the term change unit 116 can extend the first term of validity to the second term of validity. If the user data UD does not indicate that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region, the term change unit 116 can extend the first term of validity to the third term of validity. The third term of validity is later than the second term of validity.

[0120] Because the management device 10A has the above configuration, for example, when an electronic stamp card SC1A is used in a campaign within a local government, the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A for non-residents of the local government can be extended longer than the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A for residents. As a result, the management device 10A can more easily attract non-residents to the local government.

[0121] Furthermore, in the management device 10A, if the user data UD indicates that the user U[k] became a related party in the first region during a first period going back from the present time, the expiration date changing unit 116 can extend the first expiration date to the fourth expiration date.

[0122] The management device 10A has the above configuration, so that the expiration date of the electronic stamp card SC1A of a user U[k] who has only recently become involved with the local government and is therefore unfamiliar with the local government can be made longer than that of a user U who has detailed knowledge of the local government. As a result, the user U[k] who is unfamiliar with the local government can become more familiar with the local government.

[0123] Furthermore, in the first data set FDS of the management device 10A, if the number of purchases does not meet the first reference value and the difference between the number of purchases and the first reference value is equal to or less than the second reference value, the expiration date change unit 116 can extend the first expiration date to the fifth expiration date.

[0124] Because the management device 10A has the above configuration, a user U[k] who has only a few stamps left to acquire a benefit while there is little time left until the expiration date of the electronic stamp card SC1A expires can more easily acquire the benefit by extending the first expiration date to the fifth expiration date.

[0125] Furthermore, in the management device 10A, when the user data UD indicates that the user U[k] is a resident of the first region and that the user U[k] is located outside the first region for at least a second period from a first reference date that is included in the period up to the first expiration date, the expiration date change unit 116 can change the first expiration date to the day before the first reference date.

[0126] Because the management device 10A has the above-mentioned configuration, for example, if an electronic stamp card SC1A is used in a campaign within a local government and a resident of the local government leaves the local government during the campaign period, the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A can be shortened to the date of departure from the local government, thereby encouraging the resident to purchase goods or services in order to obtain stamps.

[0127] The management method of this embodiment includes granting an incentive to user U[k] at a store located in a first region when it is determined that the number of purchases of goods or services during the period up to the first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value based on a first data set FDS related to purchases of goods or services at stores located in the first region and linked to user U[k], and changing the first expiration date according to user data UD related to user U[k].

[0128] The management method according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and therefore, the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A that can be used within the local government can be flexibly changed for each user U. More specifically, the management method can change the validity period of the electronic stamp card SC1A according to the user data UD that indicates the personal information of the user U[k]. For example, if the electronic stamp card SC1A is used for a campaign within the local government, the management method can change the usage period of the electronic stamp card SC1A according to whether the user U[k] is a resident or non-resident of the local government.

[0129] 2: Variation The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below.

[0130] 2-1: Variation 1 In the management system 1A according to the first embodiment described above, the terminal device 20A[k] transmits to the management device 10A a set of data indicating the user U[k] acquired by the acquisition unit 211, data indicating the date and time of purchase of a product or service at a store located in a specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store.

[0131] However, the terminal device 20A[k] may transmit to the management device 10A a set of data indicating the purchase date and time of a product or service at a store located in a specific area, data indicating the store, and a stamp card ID.

[0132] In this case, the storage device 22A of the terminal device 20A[k] stores the ID database SID. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the ID database SID.

[0133] As an example, when a user U[k] purchases a product or service at a store located in a specific area, the user U[k] launches a specific app associated with the electronic stamp card SC1A as described above, and then captures a first QR code printed on a receipt printed at a cash register at the store using the imaging device 23. The acquisition unit 211 decodes the first QR code captured by the imaging device 23 to acquire data indicating the date and time of purchase of the product or service at a store located in the specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 211 acquires a stamp card ID by referring to the ID database SID illustrated in FIG. 13 using the data indicating the specific area. The communication control unit 212 causes the management device 10A to transmit the data indicating the date and time of purchase of the product or service at a store located in the specific area, the data indicating the store, and the stamp card ID acquired by the acquisition unit 211 to the communication device 26.

[0134] The management device 10A uses the stamp card ID obtained from the terminal device 20A[k] to identify the first data set FDS in the stamp card database SDB, and records data indicating the purchase date and time of a product or service at a store located in a specific area in the "first purchase date and time," "second purchase date and time," "third purchase date and time," or "fourth purchase date and time" of the identified first data set FDS.

[0135] 2-2: Variation 2 In the management system 1A according to the first embodiment, a user U[k] launches a specific application associated with an electronic stamp card SC1A and then captures an image of a first QR code printed on a receipt printed at a cash register of the store using the imaging device 23 of the terminal device 20A[k]. The terminal device 20A[k] then decodes the captured image to obtain data indicating the date and time of purchase of a product or service at a store located in a specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store, along with data indicating the user U[k]. The data indicating the user U[k], the data indicating the date and time of purchase of a product or service at a store located in the specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store are transmitted from the terminal device 20A[k] to the management device 10A.

[0136] However, instead of the first QR code being printed on the receipt printed at the store's cash register, the user U[k] may launch a specific app related to the electronic stamp card SC1A on the terminal device 20A[k], which may cause a second QR code indicating the electronic stamp card SC1A to be displayed on the terminal device 20A[k].

[0137] In this case, by reading the second QR code with a POS system located at the store's cash register, data indicating user U[k], data indicating the date and time of purchase of the product or service at a store located in a specific area, data indicating the specific area, and data indicating the store are transmitted from the POS system to management device 10A.

[0138] 2-3: Variation 3 The user database UDB in the above embodiment has the following fields: "User," "First residence area," "First start date and time of residence," "First end date and time of residence," "First residence area," "First start date and time of residence," and "First end date and time of residence."

[0139] However, the user database UDB may have an item for a "first related area" which is an area with which the user U is currently related, instead of a "first residential area" which is an area where the user U currently resides. Here, the "area with which the user U is currently related" refers to, in addition to the area where the user U currently resides, for example, an area where the school the user U attends is located, or an area where the workplace the user U works is located.

[0140] In this case, the user database UDB may have an item for "first relationship start date and time" which is the date and time when the user U started to be related to the "first related area" instead of "first residence start date and time" which is the date and time when the user U started to be related to the "first related area". Also, the user database UDB may have an item for "first relationship end date and time" which is the date and time when the user U is scheduled to end to be related to the "first related area" instead of "first residence end date and time" which is the date and time when the user U is scheduled to end to be related to the "first related area".

[0141] Similarly, the user database UDB may have an item for "second related area" instead of "second residence area," an item for "second relationship start date and time" instead of "second residence start date and time," and an item for "second relationship end date and time" instead of "second residence end date and time."

[0142] In this case, for example, in step S11 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the processing device 11A may determine whether or not the user U[k] is a related person in the first region. The same applies to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0143] 2-4: Variation 4 In the above embodiment, for example, in step S22 of the flowchart in Fig. 9, the processing device 11A extends the first expiration date to the second expiration date. However, the processing device 11A may also shorten the first expiration date to the second expiration date. Similarly, in step S23, the processing device 11A extends the first expiration date to the third expiration date. However, the processing device 11A may also shorten the first expiration date to the third expiration date.

[0144] Also, for example, in step S32 of the flowchart in Fig. 10, the processing device 11A extends the first expiration date to the fourth expiration date. However, the processing device 11A may also shorten the first expiration date to the fourth expiration date.

[0145] Also, for example, in step S42 of the flowchart in Fig. 10, the processing device 11A extends the first expiration date to the fifth expiration date. However, the processing device 11A may also shorten the first expiration date to the fifth expiration date.

[0146] 3:Other (1) In the above-described embodiment, ROM and RAM are exemplified as storage devices 12A and 22A, but other suitable storage media may also be used, such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks (e.g., compact disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray (registered trademark) discs), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-ROMs), registers, removable disks, hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, magnetic strips, databases, servers, or other suitable storage media.

[0147] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the described information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0148] (3) In the above-described embodiment, input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0149] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the determination may be made by a value (0 or 1) represented using one bit, by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0150] (5) The order of the process procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. illustrated in the above-described embodiments may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0151] (6) Each function illustrated in Figures 1 to 13 is realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. A functional block may be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

[0152] (7) The programs exemplified in the above-described embodiments should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

[0153] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0154] (8) In each of the foregoing embodiments, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0155] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0156] (10) In the above-described embodiments, the terminal device 20A may be a mobile station (MS). A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate terminology. In this disclosure, terms such as "mobile station," "user terminal," "user equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0157] (11) In the above-described embodiments, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0158] (12) In the above embodiments, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0159] (13) As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0160] (14) In the above embodiments, when "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" as used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0161] (15) In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are plural.

[0162] (16) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0163] (17) Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0164] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1A: management system, 10A: management device, 11A: processing device, 12A: storage device, 13: display device, 14: input device, 15: communication device, 20A: terminal device, 21A: processing device, 22A: storage device, 23: imaging device, 24: display device, 25: input device, 26: communication device, 111: communication control unit, 112: display control unit, 113: determination unit, 114: update unit, 115: granting unit, 116: expiration date change unit, 211: acquisition unit, 212: communication control unit, 213: display control unit, CD: prize display area, FD: first stamp data, FDS: first data set, FS: first stamp, PR1A: control program, PR2A: control program, SA: stamp display area, SC1A: stamp card, SDA: stamp card database, SID: ID database, U: user, UD: user data, UDA: user database, US: usage display area

Claims

1. an incentive granting unit that grants an incentive to a first user when it is determined that the number of purchases of a product or service made by the first user during a period up to a first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value, based on a first data set related to purchases of the product or service at a store located in a first region and linked to the first user; a term change unit that changes the first term of validity in accordance with user data related to the first user; A management device comprising:

2. When the user data indicates that the user is a resident of the first region, the expiration date changing unit can change the first expiration date; If the user data does not indicate that the first user is a resident of the first region, the expiration date changing unit cannot change the first expiration date. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. When the user data indicates that the first user is a resident of the first region, the expiration date changing unit can extend the first expiration date to a second expiration date; If the user data does not indicate that the first user is a resident of the first region, the expiration date changing unit may extend the first expiration date to a third expiration date; The third expiration date is later than the second expiration date. The management device according to claim 1 .

4. When the user data indicates that the first user has become a related party to the first region within a first period going back from the present time, the expiration date changing unit can extend the first expiration date to a fourth expiration date. The management device according to claim 1 .

5. In the first data set, when the number of purchases is less than the first reference value and the difference between the number of purchases and the first reference value is equal to or less than a second reference value, the expiration date changing unit can extend the first expiration date to a fifth expiration date. The management device according to claim 1 .

6. When the user data indicates that the first user is a resident of the first region and the first user is located outside the first region for at least a second period from a first reference date that is included in a period until the first expiration date, the expiration date changing unit can change the first expiration date to the day before the first reference date. The management device according to claim 1 .

7. granting an incentive to a first user when it is determined that the number of purchases of the goods or services made by the first user during a period up to a first expiration date is equal to or greater than a first reference value based on a first data set relating to purchases of the goods or services at stores located in a first region and associated with the first user; Varying the first expiration date in response to user data relating to the first user; A management method having the following.

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