Information processing device, system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve convenience of points with an expiration date.SOLUTION: A management unit (11) manages an expiration date of points given to a user of a point service. A providing unit (12) provides the user with an opportunity to draw a lottery using the points when the managed expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time. A determination unit (13) determines a prize for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of commodities handled by a store participating in the point service and sales data of the store.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for handling points that can be used in sales transactions between customers and stores. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art As part of attracting customers or providing services to customers, many stores give (present) points to customers when the customers visit the store or purchase products at the store.

[0003] In addition, local currencies such as digital coins and coupons are being used to increase the number of visitors to shopping districts and malls and to improve customer convenience. Generally, legal tender and local currencies are exchanged at a fixed rate according to customer preference.

[0004] In recent years, a system has been considered that uses flat-rate or subscription-based services to grant service users a set amount of points (including local currency) for a set period (for example, one month) during the contract period. This system is called a point service or point program.

[0005] Flat-rate services provide customers with products or services on an ongoing basis for a set fee, while subscription services provide users with the right to use content such as movies and music selected by the subscription service in exchange for a periodic fee collected from users who sign up for the service.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes that points that can be used in games are given to members of an Internet game every month.

[0007] Patent document 2 describes a system for awarding points to users of a point service when they make a transaction, in which the expiration date of the points awarded to the user is determined based on the user's transaction history over a specific period. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-27889 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-53812 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-91759 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In many cases, points are set with an expiration date (for example, Patent Document 2). If a user is unable to use all of the points granted by a point service by the expiration date, the remaining points will expire. This may cause dissatisfaction among users.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to improve the convenience of points that have expiration dates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a management means for managing the expiration date of points granted to users of a point service, a provision means for providing the user with an opportunity to enter a lottery using the managed points when the expiration date of the managed points is within a predetermined time, and a determination means for determining prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores.

[0012] A system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a point management device that manages information indicating the number of points granted to users of a point service, a lottery device that the users use to enter lotteries using the points they have been granted, and an information processing device, wherein the information processing device manages the expiration date of the points granted to the users, and when the expiration date of the managed points is within a predetermined time, provides the users with an opportunity to enter lotteries using the points, and determines prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores.

[0013] In one aspect of the information processing method of the present invention, a computer manages the expiration date of points granted to a user of a point service, and when the expiration date of the managed points is within a predetermined time, the computer provides the user with an opportunity to enter a lottery using the points, and determines the prize for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores.

[0014] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to manage the expiration date of points granted to users of a point service, provide the users with an opportunity to enter a lottery using the points when the expiration date of the managed points is within a predetermined time, and determine prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of points with expiration dates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application of the system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of an application of the system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to second and third embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [Embodiment 1] A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the first embodiment, a system 1 for giving points from a store to a customer will be described.

[0018] (System 1) 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system 1 according to the present embodiment 1. The system 1 is a mechanism for a store to provide a point service to customers.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 includes an information processing device 10 (20), a point management server 100, a POS (Point Of Sales) register 200, and a lottery device 300. Here, the "information processing device 10 (20)" represents either the information processing device 10 or 20 according to embodiments 2 and 3 described below. The information processing device 10 (20), the point management server 100, the POS register 200, and the lottery device 300 are communicatively connected via a communication network.

[0020] The POS register 200 can be replaced with a terminal device (e.g., a barcode reader) that handles only point card information (e.g., barcodes) and prize information, so the POS register 200 is not essential to the configuration of the system 1. In the following, the "POS register 200 or terminal device" will be referred to as the "POS register 200."

[0021] The point management server 100 and the POS register 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an application of the system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0022] (Point management server 100) The point management server 100 manages point card information linked to information for identifying a customer. The point management server 100 is an example of a point management device.

[0023] In one example, the point management server 100 is provided as application software installed on a smartphone or the like owned by a customer, similar to the lottery device 300 (FIG. 2) described later.

[0024] The information identifying a customer is, for example, a number or identifier (ID) unique to the customer. The point card information includes a unique point card number. Furthermore, the point card information may also include personal information and attribute information about the customer.

[0025] In addition, the point management server 100 accepts operations for inputting point card information and payment information. Payment information is information used or referenced for payment, such as a credit card number or debit card number.

[0026] The point management server 100 associates the point card information and payment information with information that identifies the customer and stores them in a customer database (not shown).

[0027] The point management server 100 acquires information indicating the number of points to be awarded to a customer along with point card information from the POS register 200 (described later). At this time, the point management server 100 links the information indicating the number of points to be awarded to the customer to the information identifying the customer. The point management server 100 then identifies the customer's contact information (e.g., email address or telephone number) from the information identifying the customer, and sends information indicating the number of points to be awarded to the customer ("points acquisition notification") to the identified customer's contact information.

[0028] Alternatively, when the point management server 100 acquires information indicating the number of points used together with point card information from the POS register 200 (described later), it links the information indicating the number of points used to information identifying the customer. Then, the point management server 100 transmits information indicating the number of points used ("point usage notification") to the customer's contact information identified from the customer's identification information.

[0029] Furthermore, the point management server 100 grants a certain amount of points to users of the point service each time a contract is renewed or at certain intervals during the contract period. There are no particular limitations on the number of points that the point management server 100 grants to a user. In one example, the point management server 100 may increase or decrease the number of points that are granted to a user depending on the amount paid by the user.

[0030] (POS register 200) When a customer purchases a product sold by a store or uses a service provided by a store, the customer pays the price and presents the point card to a store clerk. The store clerk uses a barcode reader or scanner to have the POS register 200 read the point card information (including the point card number) from the point card held by the customer.

[0031] The POS register 200 transmits the point card information read from the customer's point card and information indicating the number of points to be awarded to the customer to the point management server 100. There are no particular limitations on how the store determines the number of points to be awarded to the customer.

[0032] Alternatively, when a customer requests the clerk to use points in place of all or part of the payment, the clerk performs an input operation to use points linked to information identifying the customer into the POS register 200. After that, the clerk uses a barcode reader or scanner to have the POS register 200 read the point card information (including the point card number) from the point card held by the customer.

[0033] The POS register 200 transmits to the point management server 100 the point card information read from the customer's point card, as well as information indicating the number of points used.

[0034] The information processing device 10 (20) and the lottery device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing another example of application of the system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] (Information processing device 10(20)) The information processing device 10 (20) manages the expiration date of points given to users (customers) of the point service. The expiration date of points is set by the point management server 100 (FIG. 1) when points are given to the user (customer). There are no particular limitations on how the point management server 100 determines the expiration date of points.

[0036] The information processing device 10 (20) provides users with an opportunity to use points to enter a lottery. Here, "lottery" includes not only a method in which winning and losing are determined randomly (by chance), but also a method in which the probability of winning varies depending on various conditions such as the user's attributes and store inventory. For example, "lottery" is a lottery drawing.

[0037] For example, the information processing device 10 (20) acquires information indicating the expiration date set for points granted to a user from the point management server 100. Then, when the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time, the information processing device 10 (20) notifies the user of lottery information together with an alert that the points will soon expire.

[0038] At this time, the information processing device 10 (20) transmits the lottery information to the lottery device 300, which will be described later. For example, the lottery information includes data of an execution program for the lottery device 300 to conduct the lottery, data on the winning probability for each prize, and information indicating the prizes in the lottery.

[0039] The information indicating the prizes in the lottery includes the name of the prize, the contents of the prize, the number of prizes, and an image of the prize (e.g., a photo). The prizes in the lottery may be products sold by the store or services provided by the store. Alternatively, the prizes in the lottery may be intangible items such as coupons or rights.

[0040] The information processing device 10 (20) also receives information indicating the prizes won by the user (referred to as "used prize information") from the POS register 200. The information processing device 10 (20) uses the used prize information to determine prizes to be drawn in lotteries for other users. For example, if the user wins "prize A," the information processing device 10 (20) ensures that "prize A" is not included in the prizes to be drawn in lotteries for other users.

[0041] In one example, the information processing device 10 (20) may be part of a POS server managed by a store (FIG. 4). Alternatively, the information processing device 10 (20) may be a cloud server.

[0042] (lottery device 300) The lottery device 300 is used by users to hold lotteries using the points they have been given.

[0043] In one example, the lottery device 300 receives lottery information from the information processing device 10 (20). When a user performs an input operation to the lottery device 300 to execute a lottery, the lottery device 300 executes a lottery in accordance with a predetermined program. Alternatively, the lottery device 300 may automatically execute a lottery using points when the expiration date of the points has arrived.

[0044] The lottery device 300 may vary the user's probability of winning according to various conditions related to the user's attributes, behavioral history, etc. For example, the lottery device 300 may increase the user's probability of winning the more times the user has entered the lottery. Alternatively, the lottery device 300 may increase the user's probability of winning the more times the user has visited the store. Alternatively, the lottery device 300 may increase the user's probability of winning the more points the user uses in the lottery.

[0045] After the lottery, the lottery device 300 generates prize information indicating the prize that the user has won. In one example, the lottery device 300 issues a QR code (registered trademark) corresponding to the prize that the user has won. The lottery device 300 displays the issued QR code on the screen of a smartphone or the like carried by the customer. In addition, if the prize that the user has won is sold as a product in a store, the lottery device 300 may display the location of the product (prize) in the store on the screen of a smartphone or the like carried by the customer.

[0046] Furthermore, the lottery device 300 may display an image of the prize that the user has won on a smartphone or the like carried by the customer. If the customer has a smart device capable of displaying AR (Augmented Reality) images, the lottery device 300 may display an AR image of the prize that the user has won on the smart device.

[0047] (Handing over the prizes won) The customer goes to the store and presents the QR code issued by the lottery device 300 to a store clerk. The store clerk uses a barcode reader, scanner, or the like to have the POS register 200 read the QR code presented by the customer.

[0048] The POS register 200 outputs information (for example, product name, product code) indicating the product (prize) corresponding to the QR code. The store clerk checks the prize that the user has won based on the information output by the POS register 200. The store clerk then hands over the prize to the user from the store's inventory. Alternatively, if the prize that the user has won is not in the store's inventory, the store clerk will order the prize that the user has won from another store or a product supplier.

[0049] After handing over the prize to the user, the store clerk inputs used prize information indicating the prize handed over to the user into the POS register 200. The POS register 200 transmits the used prize information indicating the prize handed over to the user to the information processing device 10 (20).

[0050] (An example of the network configuration of System 1) Fig. 4 shows an example of the network configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment 1. In the example shown in Fig. 4, an on-premise or cloud server (including the point management server 100 and the information processing device 10 (20)) and a user's smartphone (lottery device 300) communicate via the Internet. On the other hand, a store (including the POS register 200) and a server (including the point management server 100 and the information processing device 10 (20)) communicate using a wired or wireless dedicated line.

[0051] In another example, the store (including the POS register 200) and the server (including the point management server 100 and the information processing device 10 (20)) may communicate via the Internet.

[0052] In yet another example, when there are multiple stores affiliated with the system 1, such as when multiple stores belonging to a shopping mall or chain are affiliated with the system 1, a server (including the point management server 100 and the information processing device 10 (20)) may be installed inside one of the stores. In this case, other stores communicate with the server via the Internet.

[0053] In this way, the system 1 provides users of the point service with an opportunity to use their points to enter a lottery. This allows users to use their awarded points without wasting them. The system 1 also allows users to receive prizes they have won at the store. This can attract customers (users) to the store, which is expected to revitalize the store.

[0054] In the following second and third embodiments, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 (20) included in the system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] (Configuration of information processing device 10) The configuration of an information processing device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 constitutes the system (Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment. The information processing device 10 may be incorporated into a POS server of any store affiliated with the system 1, or may be a cloud server that provides online services.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing device 10 includes a management unit 11, a providing unit 12, and a determining unit 13.

[0058] The management unit 11 manages the expiration date of points given to users of the point service. The management unit 11 is an example of a management means. In one example, the expiration date of points is set by the point management server 100 (FIG. 1).

[0059] For example, the management unit 11 acquires from the point management server 100 information indicating the expiration date of the points given to the user.

[0060] The management unit 11 continues to manage the expiration date of points unless the points granted to the user are used. Specifically, the management unit 11 manages the time remaining until the expiration date of the points. The management unit 11 outputs information indicating the time remaining until the expiration date of the points to the provision unit 12.

[0061] The providing unit 12 provides the user with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery when a predetermined time remains until the expiration date of the managed points. The providing unit 12 is an example of a providing means.

[0062] For example, the providing unit 12 receives information indicating the time remaining until the expiration date of the points from the management unit 11. The providing unit 12 determines whether the time remaining until the expiration date of the points is a predetermined time or shorter. If the time remaining until the expiration date of the points is the predetermined time or shorter, the providing unit 12 creates lottery information to be sent to the lottery device 300 (FIG. 1).

[0063] The lottery information includes data of an execution program for the lottery device 300 to conduct the lottery, data on the probability of winning each prize, and information indicating the prizes to be drawn.

[0064] Before transmitting the lottery information to the lottery device 300, the providing unit 12 requests the determining unit 13 to determine the prize for the lottery. At this time, the providing unit 12 may notify the determining unit 13 of the number of points that are within a predetermined time until the expiration date.

[0065] When a user renews the contract for the point service, the providing unit 12 may provide the user with the right to participate in a lottery without using points.

[0066] The determination unit 13 determines the prizes to be awarded based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in the point service and sales data of the stores. The determination unit 13 is an example of a determination means.

[0067] For example, the determination unit 13 is requested by the provision unit 12 to determine a prize for a lottery. The determination unit 13 acquires store sales data from a POS server (not shown) of the store. Then, based on the store sales data, the determination unit 13 identifies a best-selling item or a standard item of the store from among the products handled by the store. The determination unit 13 determines the best-selling item or the standard item of the store as a prize for a lottery.

[0068] Alternatively, the determination unit 13 determines products that the store wants to sell based on the store's inventory data. For example, the determination unit 13 determines that products that have not been sold for one month or more are products that the store wants to sell. Then, the determination unit 13 determines the products that the store wants to sell as prizes for the lottery.

[0069] Alternatively, the determination unit 13 may determine a prize for the lottery based on a combination of inventory that the store wants to sell and points to be awarded to the user. Alternatively, the determination unit 13 may acquire data on products purchased using points from the point management server 100 or the POS server, and determine a prize for the lottery based on the acquired data.

[0070] After determining the prize for the lottery in this way, the determination unit 13 outputs, to the provision unit 12, information indicating the determined prize for the lottery (for example, a product name or a product code).

[0071] After receiving the information indicating the prize of the lottery determined by the determination unit 13, the providing unit 12 transmits the above-mentioned lottery information to the lottery device 300 (FIG. 3).

[0072] (Operation of information processing device 10) The operation of the information processing device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0073] 6, the management unit 11 manages the expiration date of points given to users of the point service (S101). The management unit 11 outputs information indicating the time remaining until the expiration date of the points to the provision unit 12.

[0074] The providing unit 12 receives information indicating the time remaining until the expiration date of the points from the management unit 11. The providing unit 12 determines whether the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time (S102). If the expiration date of the points is not within the predetermined time (No in S102), the flow returns to step S101.

[0075] On the other hand, if the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time (Yes in S102), the providing unit 12 provides the user with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery (S103). The providing unit 12 requests the determining unit 13 to determine a prize for the lottery.

[0076] The determination unit 13 determines the prize for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores (S104). The determination unit 13 outputs information indicating the determined prize for the lottery to the provision unit 12.

[0077] After receiving the information indicating the prize of the lottery determined by the determination unit 13, the providing unit 12 transmits the above-mentioned lottery information to the lottery device 300 (FIG. 3).

[0078] This completes the operation of the information processing device 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0079] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the management unit 11 manages the expiration date of points granted to users of the point service. The provision unit 12 provides users with an opportunity to use their points to enter a lottery when a predetermined time is remaining until the expiration date of the managed points. The determination unit 13 determines prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores.

[0080] In this way, when there is a predetermined time remaining until the expiration date of the points, users of the point service are provided with an opportunity to use their points to enter a lottery. If users cannot find a use for their points, they can choose to take advantage of the lottery opportunity. If the user wins, they can receive a prize. On the other hand, the store that presents the prize to the user benefits from an increase in customers. This can improve the convenience of points that have an expiration date.

[0081] [Embodiment 3] A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In this third embodiment, a configuration for granting points to users of a point service each time a contract for the point service is renewed or at regular intervals will be described. In this third embodiment, with respect to the configurations common to the second embodiment, the description of the second embodiment will be cited, and a description of those configurations will be omitted.

[0082] (Configuration of information processing device 20) The configuration of the information processing device 20 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 constitutes the system (Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment. The information processing device 20 may be incorporated into a POS server of any store affiliated with the system 1, or may be a cloud server that provides online services.

[0083] 7, the information processing device 20 includes a management unit 11, a providing unit 12, and a determining unit 13. The information processing device 20 further includes an attaching unit .

[0084] The granting unit 24 grants points to the user every time a contract for the point service is renewed or at regular intervals. The granting unit 24 is an example of a granting means.

[0085] For example, if the point service employs a continuous billing system (for example, a flat-rate service or a subscription-based service), the user will continue to be subscribed to the point service unless the user cancels the contract.

[0086] The granting unit 24 refers to a customer database (not shown) to check the user's subscription status for the point service (for example, the number of days of the contract). Then, the granting unit 24 determines whether the point service contract has been renewed within the last certain number of days. If the point service contract has been renewed within the last certain number of days, the granting unit 24 grants points to the user.

[0087] Alternatively, the granting unit 24 may grant points to the user when a certain period of time has passed since the last time points were granted to the user.

[0088] (Operation of information processing device 20) The operation of the information processing device 20 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8, the granting unit 24 grants points to a user every time a contract for a point service is renewed or every fixed period (S201).

[0090] The management unit 11 manages the expiration date of the points given to the user of the point service (S202). The management unit 11 outputs, to the provision unit 12, information indicating the time remaining until the expiration date of the points.

[0091] The providing unit 12 receives information indicating the time remaining until the expiration date of the points from the management unit 11. The providing unit 12 determines whether the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time (S203). If the expiration date of the points is not within the predetermined time (No in S203), the flow returns to step S101.

[0092] On the other hand, if the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time (Yes in S203), the providing unit 12 provides the user with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery (S204). The providing unit 12 requests the determining unit 13 to determine a prize for the lottery.

[0093] The determination unit 13 determines the prize for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores (S205). The determination unit 13 outputs information indicating the determined prize for the lottery to the provision unit 12.

[0094] After receiving the information indicating the prize of the lottery determined by the determination unit 13, the providing unit 12 transmits the above-mentioned lottery information to the lottery device 300 (FIG. 3).

[0095] Thereafter, the granting unit 24 determines whether the contract for the point service has been renewed within the last certain number of days, or whether a certain period of time has passed since the last time points were granted to the user (S206).

[0096] If the contract for the point service has been renewed within the last certain number of days, or if a certain period of time has passed since the last time points were awarded to the user (Yes in S206), the flow returns to step S201.

[0097] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the management unit 11 manages the expiration date of points granted to users of the point service. The provision unit 12 provides users with an opportunity to use their points to enter a lottery when a predetermined time is remaining until the expiration date of the managed points. The determination unit 13 determines prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores.

[0098] In this way, when there is a predetermined time remaining until the expiration date of the points, users of the point service are provided with an opportunity to use their points to enter a lottery. If users cannot find a use for their points, they can choose to take advantage of the lottery opportunity. If the user wins, they can receive a prize. On the other hand, the store that presents the prize to the user benefits from an increase in customers. This can improve the convenience of points that have an expiration date.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the granting unit 24 grants points to the user every time the contract for the point service is renewed or at regular intervals, thereby making the user feel that there is a benefit in continuing the contract for the point service.

[0100] (Hardware configuration of information processing devices 10 and 20) Each of the components of the information processing devices 10 and 20 described in the second and third embodiments represents a functional block. Some or all of these components are realized by an information processing device such as that shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device.

[0101] 9, the computer 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a main memory 112, a storage device 113, an input interface 114, a display controller 115, a data reader / writer 116, and a communication interface 117. These components are connected to each other via a bus 121 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. Note that the computer 110 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) in addition to or instead of the CPU 111.

[0102] The CPU 111 loads the programs (codes) of this embodiment stored in the storage device 113 into the main memory 112 and executes them in a predetermined order to perform various calculations. The main memory 112 is typically a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The programs of this embodiment are provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 120. The programs of this embodiment may be distributed over the Internet connected via the communication interface 117.

[0103] Specific examples of the storage device 113 include a hard disk drive and a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory. The input interface 114 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and input devices 118 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display controller 115 is connected to a display device 119 and controls the display on the display device 119.

[0104] The data reader / writer 116 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and the recording medium 120, reads programs from the recording medium 120, and writes processing results from the computer 110 to the recording medium 120. The communication interface 117 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and other computers.

[0105] Specific examples of the recording medium 120 include general-purpose semiconductor storage devices such as CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) and SD (Secure Digital), magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, or optical recording media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory).

[0106] [Note] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0107] (Appendix 1) a management means for managing the expiration date of points given to users of the point service; providing means for providing the user with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery when a predetermined time remains until the expiration date of the points; a determination means for determining a prize for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores; An information processing device comprising:

[0108] (Appendix 2) The determination means determines the prize based on the number of points used in the lottery. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,

[0109] (Appendix 3) The system further includes a granting unit that grants the points to the user every time the contract for the point service is renewed or every fixed period of time. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0110] (Appendix 4) a point management device that manages information indicating the number of points given to users of the point service; a lottery device used by the user to hold a lottery using the awarded points; an information processing device, The information processing device includes: Manage the expiration date of the points granted to the user; When the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time, the user is provided with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery; The prizes to be awarded in the lottery are determined based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in the point service and sales data of the stores. system.

[0111] (Appendix 5) The lottery device uses the points when the expiration date of the points has arrived to hold the lottery. 5. The system of claim 4.

[0112] (Appendix 6) The lottery device increases the probability of the user winning as the number of times the user has participated in the lottery increases. 5. The system of claim 4.

[0113] (Appendix 7) The more times the user visits the store, the higher the probability of the user winning. 5. The system of claim 4.

[0114] (Appendix 8) The more points the user uses in the lottery, the higher the probability of the user winning. 5. The system of claim 4.

[0115] (Appendix 9) The computer Manage the expiration date of points given to users of the point service, When the expiration date of the points is within a predetermined time, the user is provided with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery; The prizes to be awarded in the lottery are determined based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in the point service and sales data of the stores. An information processing method that performs the following:

[0116] (Appendix 10) Managing the expiration date of points given to users of the point service; When a predetermined time remains until the expiration date of the points, providing the user with an opportunity to use the points to participate in a lottery; determining prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores affiliated with the point service and sales data of the stores; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0117] (Appendix 11) When the user renews the contract for the point service, the providing means provides the user with the right to participate in the lottery without using the points. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,

[0118] (Appendix 12) The determining means determines the best-selling product or the standard product of the store as the prize for the lottery based on sales data of the store. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,

[0119] (Appendix 13) The determining means determines the stock that the store wants to sell as the prize for the lottery based on the stock data of the store. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,

[0120] (Appendix 14) The determining means determines a combination of inventory that the store wants to sell and points to be awarded to the user as a prize for the lottery. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, [Industrial Applicability]

[0121] The present invention can be used in, for example, point management applications and cash registers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1 System 10. Information processing equipment 11 Management Department 12 Providing Department 13 Decision Section 20 Information processing equipment 24 Granting Department 100 Point management server (point management device) 200 POS register (or terminal equipment) 300 Lottery Device

Claims

1. A determination means for determining prizes for a lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in a point service and sales data of said stores; providing means for transmitting lottery information including at least information indicating the determined prize to a lottery device that executes a lottery when a predetermined time is within the expiration date of points given to a user of the point service; An information processing device comprising:

2. The point service further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the expiration date of points granted to a user, the providing means transmits the lottery information when a predetermined time is within the expiration date of the points indicated by the information acquired by the acquiring means. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The lottery information further includes data on an execution program for the lottery device to conduct the lottery, and data on the winning probability for each prize.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes an awarding unit that awards the points to the user every time the contract for the point service is renewed or every fixed period of time. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. a lottery device used by a user of the point service to use the awarded points to enter a lottery; an information processing device, The information processing device includes: determining prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in the point service and sales data of the stores; When the expiration date of the points given to the user of the point service is within a predetermined time, lottery information including at least information indicating the determined prize is transmitted to a lottery device that executes the lottery. system.

6. The information processing device Acquire information indicating the expiration date of the points granted to the user; When the expiration date of the points indicated by the acquired information is within a predetermined time, the lottery information is transmitted to a lottery device that executes the lottery; The lottery information further includes data on an execution program for the lottery device to conduct the lottery and data on the probability of winning each prize. The system of claim 5.

7. The computer determining prizes for the lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in the point service and sales data of the stores; When the expiration date of the points given to the user of the point service is within a predetermined time, lottery information including at least information indicating the determined prize is transmitted to a lottery device that executes the lottery. An information processing method that performs the following:

8. Determining prizes for a lottery based on at least one of inventory data of products handled by stores participating in the point service and sales data of the stores; When the expiration date of the points given to the user of the point service is within a predetermined time, transmitting lottery information including at least information indicating the determined prize to a lottery device that executes the lottery; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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