Information management system, information management device, control method, and program

Abstract

To manage payment of expenses that is based on the use of benefits by a customer.SOLUTION: A second store terminal 200 generates benefit issuance information and transmits it to a management server 500, and a first store terminal 100 generates benefit usage information and transmits it to the management server 500. The management server 500 generates payment schedule information based on the received benefit issuance information and benefit usage information and transmits it to the first store terminal 100. The first store terminal 100 receives the payment schedule information, generates payment actual record information, and transmits it to the management server 500. The management server 500 transmits the received payment actual record information to the second store terminal 200, and the second store terminal 200 receives the payment actual record information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in order to encourage customers to visit their own stores, they have asked other stores that the customers are likely to visit to issue benefits such as gift certificates, discount coupons, and coupons for exchange for prizes and points that can be used at their own stores.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes an electronic coupon management system in which a server device provides a coupon that can be used at commercial facility A in a locked state to a consumer's user terminal, and the consumer can then use the coupon by going to a designated commercial facility B and completing an unlocking process with an external terminal.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a bonus issuing agency system in which a bonus issuing agency center receives from a requester the content of the bonus and the designation of the store that will issue the bonus, transmits a request including the requester's information and the content of the bonus to a terminal installed in the designated store, and the terminal that receives the request issues the bonus to the requester designated in the request. Note that in Patent Document 2, the bonus issuing agency center charges the requester, for example, 10 yen per bonus issued, as an agency fee for acting on the request to issue the bonus.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a coupon system that realizes a coupon service by combining an existing payment terminal and a coupon issuing terminal. Patent Document 3 also describes that the store that can issue the coupon and the store where the coupon can be used may be different, and that any store may issue a coupon that can be used at other stores that have some kind of partnership with the store, and the coupon may be used at the other stores. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-26395 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-182119 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-141679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] While the systems described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are expected to attract customers not only to stores where the benefits can be used but also to stores that issue the benefits, they have the problem of not taking into consideration the costs borne by each store when consumers use the benefits.Furthermore, the system described in Patent Document 2 has the problem that the benefit issuance agency center simply charges an agency fee to the client who requested the agency to issue the benefit, but the store that actually issues the benefit does not receive any compensation from the client or the benefit agency center.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to manage payment of expenses based on a customer's use of a special benefit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, an information management system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a benefit activation store terminal that is a terminal of a benefit activation store that activates a benefit granted to a customer, a benefit utilization store terminal that is a terminal of a benefit utilization store that is a store where the customer uses the activated benefit, and a management server that manages information regarding the benefit activation store and the benefit utilization store.The benefit activation store terminal also includes an information generation unit that generates benefit activation information indicating that the benefit granted to the customer has been activated by the benefit activation store, and an information transmission unit that transmits the benefit activation information to the management server.The benefit utilization store terminal also includes an information generation unit that generates benefit utilization information indicating that the benefit has been used by the customer when the benefit activated at the benefit utilization store, and an information transmission unit that transmits the benefit utilization information to the management server. The management server also includes an information receiving unit that receives the benefit activation information when the benefit activation store terminal transmits the benefit activation information and receives the benefit utilization information when the benefit utilization store terminal transmits the benefit utilization information, an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information indicating that either the benefit activation store serving as the payment source store or the benefit utilization store serving as the payment destination store will pay the expenses incurred based on the customer's utilization of the activated benefit, to the other store serving as the payment destination store or the benefit utilization store, based on the benefit activation information and the benefit utilization information, and an information transmitting unit that transmits the payment schedule information to either the benefit activation store terminal serving as the payment source store terminal or the benefit utilization store terminal. The payment source store terminal also includes an information receiving unit that receives the payment schedule information transmitted by the management server. In addition, in the payment source store terminal, an information generation unit generates payment history information that indicates that the payment source store has paid the payment to the payment destination store when the payment source store has paid the payment to the payment destination store based on the payment schedule information, and an information transmission unit transmits the payment history information to the management server. In addition, in the management server, an information reception unit receives the payment history information transmitted by the payment source store terminal, and an information transmission unit transmits the payment history information to the other store terminal of the benefit activation store terminal or the benefit usage store terminal, which is a payment destination store terminal that is a terminal of the payment destination store.The payment destination store terminal further includes an information receiving unit that receives the payment record information transmitted by the management server.

[0010] To achieve the above object, an information management system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a reward use store terminal, which is a terminal of a reward use store where a customer uses a reward granted to the customer; a payment source store terminal, which is a terminal of a payment source store where the customer pays the reward use store for expenses incurred as a result of the customer's use of the reward; and a management server that manages information regarding the reward use store and the payment source store. The reward use store terminal includes an information generation unit that generates reward use information indicating that the customer has used a reward when the customer uses the reward at the reward use store, and an information transmission unit that transmits the reward use information to the management server. The management server also includes an information reception unit that receives the reward use information when the reward use store terminal transmits the reward use information, an information generation unit that generates payment schedule information based on the reward use information, which is information indicating that the payment source store plans to pay expenses to the reward use store, and an information transmission unit that transmits the payment schedule information to the payment source store terminal. The payment source store terminal also includes an information receiving unit that receives payment schedule information sent by the management server, an information generating unit that generates actual payment information, which is information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid expenses to the benefit use store when the payment source store has paid expenses to the benefit use store based on the payment schedule information, and an information sending unit that sends the actual payment information to the management server.In the management server, the information receiving unit receives the actual payment information sent by the payment source store terminal, and the information sending unit sends the actual payment information to the benefit use store terminal.The benefit use store terminal further includes an information receiving unit that receives the actual payment information sent by the management server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, payment of fees based on the customer's use of a benefit can be managed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall information management system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a first store terminal, a second store terminal, and a management server according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying payment history information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Flowchart of payment management processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a timing chart showing transmission and reception of information between a first store terminal, a second store terminal, and a management server according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an overall information management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying payment history information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] Flowchart of payment management processing according to the second embodiment [Figure 10] 10 is a timing chart showing transmission and reception of information between a first store terminal, a second store terminal, and a management server according to a second embodiment; [Figure 11] Overall explanatory diagram of an information management system according to a third embodiment [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of benefit history information according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] Overall explanatory diagram of an information management system according to a fourth embodiment [Figure 14] 10 is a timing chart showing transmission and reception of information between a first store terminal, a second store terminal, and a management server according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] Overall explanatory diagram of an information management system according to a fifth embodiment [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying payment history information according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] Flowchart of payment management processing according to the fifth embodiment [Figure 18] 10 is a timing chart showing transmission and reception of information between a customer terminal, a first store terminal, a second store terminal, and a management server according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an information management system, an information management device, a control method, and a program according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] (Regarding the information management system 1 according to the first embodiment) An information management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a system used in a commercial facility for residents of a local area such as a city, town, or village, for example, called a local community mall, in order to encourage residents to shop at each store, along with a central store and multiple affiliated stores. In the following description of this embodiment, the "central store" will be referred to as the "first store," the "multiple affiliated stores" will be referred to as the "second store," the "third store," ..., the "nth store," and "residents" will be referred to as "customers."

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the information management system 1 includes a first store terminal 100 as an example of a benefit redemption store terminal and a payment source store terminal, which is a terminal of a first store as an example of a benefit redemption store and a payment source store; a second store terminal 200 as an example of a benefit activation store terminal and a payment destination store terminal, which is a terminal of a second store as an example of a benefit activation store and a payment destination store; a third store terminal 300 as an example of a benefit activation store terminal and a payment destination store terminal, which is a terminal of a third store as an example of a benefit activation store and a payment destination store; ..., an nth store terminal 400 as an example of a benefit activation store terminal and a payment destination store terminal, which is a terminal of an nth store as an example of a benefit activation store and a payment destination store. The information management system 1 also includes a management server 500 as an example of an information management device that manages information about each store. Each of the store terminals 100-400 and the management server 500 can send and receive information via the Internet, which is an example of a communications network.

[0016] In this embodiment, the second store, the third store, ..., the nth store issues a benefit that can be used at the first store to customers who shop at their stores. Here, the benefit is, for example, a lottery ticket for a lottery using a lottery device such as an Arai-style rotating lottery machine, also known as a Garapon (registered trademark), which can be drawn after shopping at the first store. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second store, the third store, ..., the nth store issues the benefit by having a store clerk hand over a paper lottery ticket to the customer who has made a purchase. Note that in this embodiment, customers can enter the lottery in exchange for a lottery ticket, but this is not limited to this. For example, customers can enter the lottery in exchange for a predetermined number of points accumulated on a point card, or a stamp card with a predetermined number of stamps. Furthermore, the prize for the lottery is, for example, a gift certificate, discount coupon, points, or novelty goods from the store where the customer received the lottery ticket after shopping.

[0017] Therefore, for example, when a customer shops at the second store, he or she can receive a lottery ticket for a lottery to be held at the first store according to shopping-related values ​​such as the number of times he or she has shopped and the amount of money spent. After shopping at the first store, the customer can exchange the lottery ticket for a lottery ticket and receive a prize related to the second store. As a result, the customer is not only motivated to shop at the second, third, ..., nth stores by receiving the lottery ticket, but also motivated to shop at the first store by receiving a prize related to the second, third, ..., nth stores from which he or she received the lottery ticket. Furthermore, the first store can encourage customers who have shopped at the second, third, ..., nth stores to shop at its store as well. Therefore, in exchange for the second, third, ..., nth stores attracting customers to their stores, the first store bears the costs of lottery tickets and prize purchases, and each time it hands over a prize related to the second, third, ..., nth stores to a customer, the first store pays the second, third, ..., nth stores the purchase price of that prize.

[0018] By doing this, the local community mall makes it easier for customers to repeatedly shop between the first store and the second, third, ..., nth affiliated stores than if there were no special offer, and the first store can play a central role in promoting all the stores in the mall.In the information management system 1, each store terminal 100-400 and the management server 500 send and receive information related to the above-mentioned special offers and information related to payment of fees.Therefore, in the information management system 1, each store can share this information via the management server 500 by using each store terminal 100-400, and can also check the status of payment of fees from the first store.

[0019] (Regarding each of the store terminals 100 to 400 according to the first embodiment) Each of the store terminals 100-400 is a computer device such as a personal computer (PC), laptop computer, or tablet terminal used by a store clerk at each store. As shown in FIG. 2, the first store terminal 100 includes an information generation unit 110 that generates information, an information transmission unit 120 that transmits information, and an information reception unit 130 that receives information. Similarly to the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200 also includes an information generation unit 210 that generates information, an information transmission unit 220 that transmits information, and an information reception unit 230 that receives information. The third store terminal 300, ..., the n-th store terminal 400 have the same configuration as the second store terminal 200, and include the information generation unit 210, information transmission unit 220, and information reception unit 230.

[0020] (Regarding the management server 500 according to the first embodiment) The management server 500 is a computer device that functions as a server device such as a database server, a cloud server, etc. The management server 500 includes an information receiving unit 510 that receives information, an information generating unit 520 that generates information, an information transmitting unit 530 that transmits information, and an information storage unit 540 that stores information.

[0021] (Hardware Configuration of the First Store Terminal 100 According to the First Embodiment) 3, the first store terminal 100 includes a control unit 51 that executes processing in accordance with a control program 59. The control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In accordance with the control program 59, the control unit 51 functions as the information generation unit 110 shown in FIG.

[0022] 3, the first store terminal 100 includes a main memory unit 52 into which the control program 59 is loaded and which is used as a working area for the control unit 51. The main memory unit 52 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0023] The first store terminal 100 also includes an external storage unit 53 that stores a control program 59 in advance. The external storage unit 53 supplies the information stored by this program to the control unit 51 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 51, and stores data supplied from the control unit 51. The external storage unit 53 includes non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0024] The first store terminal 100 also includes an operation unit 54 that is operated by a user. Information input via the operation unit 54 is supplied to the control unit 51. The operation unit 54 includes information input components such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0025] The first store terminal 100 also includes a display unit 55 that displays information input via the operation unit 54 and information output by the control unit 51. The display unit 55 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0026] The first store terminal 100 also includes a transmitting / receiving unit 56 that transmits and receives information. The transmitting / receiving unit 56 includes information communication components such as a communication network terminal device that connects to a network and a wireless communication device. The transmitting / receiving unit 56 functions as the information transmitting unit 120 and the information receiving unit 130 shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 3, in the first store terminal 100, the main memory unit 52, external memory unit 53, operation unit 54, display unit 55 and transmission / reception unit 56 are all connected to the control unit 51 via the internal bus 50.

[0028] 2 by the control unit 51 using the main memory unit 52, the external memory unit 53, the operation unit 54, the display unit 55, and the transmission / reception unit 56 as resources. For example, the first store terminal 100 executes an information generation step performed by the information generation unit 110, an information transmission step performed by the information transmission unit 120, and an information reception step performed by the information reception unit 130.

[0029] (Hardware Configuration of the Second Store Terminal 200 According to the First Embodiment) 3, like the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200 also includes a control unit 51, a main memory unit 52, an external memory unit 53, an operation unit 54, a display unit 55, and a transmission / reception unit 56. The control unit 51 functions as the information generation unit 210 shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with a control program 59, and the transmission / reception unit 56 functions as the information transmission unit 220 and the information reception unit 230. Returning to FIG. 3, the second store terminal 200 realizes the functions of the above-mentioned units 210 to 230 shown in FIG. 2 by the control unit 51 using the main memory unit 52, the external memory unit 53, the operation unit 54, the display unit 55, and the transmission / reception unit 56 as resources. For example, the second store terminal 200 executes an information generation step performed by the information generation unit 210, an information transmission step performed by the information transmission unit 220, and an information reception step performed by the information reception unit 230.

[0030] The third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400 have the same configuration as the second store terminal 200, and the above explanation would be the same if, for example, "second store terminal 200" were read as "third store terminal 300" or "nth store terminal 400." Therefore, to reduce redundant explanation, illustrations and detailed explanations of the hardware configurations of the third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400 will be omitted.

[0031] (Hardware Configuration of Management Server 500 According to First Embodiment) 3, like the first store terminal 100 and the second store terminal 200, the management server 500 also includes a control unit 51, a main memory unit 52, an external memory unit 53, an operation unit 54, a display unit 55, and a transmission / reception unit 56. In accordance with a control program 59, the control unit 51 functions as an information generation unit 520 shown in FIG. 2, the external memory unit 53 functions as an information storage unit 540, and the transmission / reception unit 56 functions as an information reception unit 510 and an information transmission unit 530.

[0032] 3, the management server 500 realizes the functions of the above-mentioned units 510 to 540 shown in FIG. 2 by the control unit 51 using the main memory unit 52, the external memory unit 53, the operation unit 54, the display unit 55, and the transmission / reception unit 56 as resources. For example, the management server 500 executes a first information receiving step, a second information receiving step, a third information receiving step, and a fourth information receiving step performed by the information receiving unit 510. Also, for example, the management server 500 executes an information generating step performed by the information generating unit 520, a first information transmitting step and a second information transmitting step performed by the information transmitting unit 530, and an information storing step performed by the information storing unit 540.

[0033] (Details of the Functional Configuration of the Management Server 500 According to the First Embodiment) When the second store terminal 200 transmits, as an example of benefit activation information, benefit issuance information indicating that the second store has issued a benefit to the customer, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Here, the benefit issuance information is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 4, and includes items and their values, such as a "benefit ID" indicating the benefit identifier, an "issue date and time" indicating the date and time the benefit was issued, an "issuing store" indicating the store that issued the benefit, and a "use period" indicating the period during which the benefit can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the benefit issuance information includes information such as a "benefit ID" of "ID0001," a "issue date and time" of "April 1, 2024 13:00:04," a "issuing store" of "Store B," and a "use period" of "April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2024."

[0034] Returning to FIG. 2 , when the first store terminal 100 transmits benefit use information indicating that the customer has used a benefit at the first store, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit use information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Here, the benefit use information is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 4 , and includes items and their values, such as a "benefit ID," a "use date and time" indicating the date and time when the benefit was used, a "store used" indicating the store where the benefit was used, and a "prize purchase price" indicating the price of a prize as an example of an expense incurred as a result of using the benefit. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the benefit use information includes information such as a "benefit ID" of "ID0001," a "use date and time" of "April 3, 2024 15:00:42," a "store used" of "Store A," and a "prize purchase price" of "10,000 yen."

[0035] Returning to FIG. 2, the information generation unit 520 generates payment schedule information, which is information indicating that the first store plans to pay the above-mentioned expenses to the second store, based on the benefit issuance information and the benefit usage information, and stores the information in the information storage unit 540. Here, the payment schedule information is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 4, and includes items and their values, such as a "benefit ID," a "generation date and time" indicating the date and time of generation, a "payment source store" indicating the store from which the expenses are paid, a "payment destination store" indicating the store to which the expenses are paid, and a "payment amount" indicating the payment amount. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the payment schedule information includes information such as a "benefit ID" of "ID0001," a "generation date and time" of "April 3, 2024, 15:01:04," a "payment source store" of "Store A," a "payment destination store" of "Store B," and a "payment amount" of "10,000 yen."

[0036] Returning to FIG. 2, the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information generated by the information generating unit 520 to the first store terminal 100.

[0037] When the first store terminal 100 transmits payment history information indicating that the first store has actually paid the above-mentioned expenses to the second store, the information receiving unit 510 receives the payment history information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Here, the payment history information is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 4, and includes items such as "benefit ID," "generation date and time," "payment source store," "payment destination store," and "payment amount" and their values. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the payment history information includes information such as "benefit ID" is "ID0001," "generation date and time" is "April 20, 2024 11:20:13," "payment source store" is "Store A," "payment destination store" is "Store B," and "payment amount" is "10,000 yen."

[0038] Returning to FIG. 2, the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information received by the information receiving unit 510 to the second store terminal 200.

[0039] The information storage unit 540 stores payment history information, which is information including bonus issuance information, bonus usage information, payment schedule information, and actual payment information. As shown in Figure 4, the information storage unit 540 stores, as payment history information, information including bonus issuance information, bonus usage information, payment schedule information, and actual payment information that have the same value for "bonus ID."

[0040] The third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400 have the same configuration as the second store terminal 200. For this reason, if the "second store terminal 200" is read as the "third store terminal 300" or the "nth store terminal 400" and the "second store" is read as the "third store" or the "nth store", the same explanation as above will be obtained. Therefore, in order to reduce redundant explanation, detailed explanation of the third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400 in the detailed functional configuration of the management server 500 will be omitted.

[0041] (Details of Functional Configuration of the Second Retail Terminal 200 According to the First Embodiment) When the second store issues a benefit to a customer, the information generating unit 210 generates benefit issuance information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the benefit issuance information generated by the information generating unit 210 to the management server 500. In addition, the information receiving unit 230 receives payment history information transmitted from the management server 500.

[0042] The third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400 have the same configuration as the second store terminal 200, and the above explanation will be the same if, for example, "second store terminal 200" is read as "third store terminal 300" or "nth store terminal 400" and "second store" is read as "third store" or "nth store". Therefore, to reduce redundant explanation, illustrations and detailed explanations of the functional configurations of the third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400 will be omitted.

[0043] (Details of Functional Configuration of First Store Terminal 100 According to First Embodiment) When a customer uses a benefit at the first store, the information generating unit 110 generates benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the benefit usage information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the management server 500. In addition, the information receiving unit 130 receives payment schedule information from the management server 500, and when the first store pays a fee to the second store based on the payment schedule information, the information generating unit 110 generates actual payment information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the actual payment information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the management server 500.

[0044] (Regarding payment management processing according to embodiment 1) Next, the operation of the management server 500 to manage the payment of the above-mentioned expenses will be described using a flowchart. When the management server 500 is turned on, it starts executing the payment management process shown in Fig. 5. First, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information sent by the second store terminal 200 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S101). After receiving the benefit issuance information, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit usage information sent by the first store terminal 100 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S102).

[0045] After receiving the benefit usage information, the information generation unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit issuance information and the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S103), and the information transmission unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information generated by the information generation unit 520 to the first store terminal 100 (step S104). After transmitting the payment schedule information, the information reception unit 510 receives the actual payment information transmitted by the first store terminal 100 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S105), and the information transmission unit 530 transmits the actual payment information received by the information reception unit 510 to the second store terminal 200 (step S106), thereby terminating the process.

[0046] As described above, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, in the second store terminal 200, the information generation unit 210 generates benefit issuance information when the second store issues a benefit to a customer, and the information transmission unit 220 transmits the benefit issuance information to the management server 500. Also, in the first store terminal 100, the information generation unit 110 generates benefit usage information when the customer uses a benefit at the first store, and the information transmission unit 120 transmits the benefit usage information to the management server 500.

[0047] In the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information sent by the second store terminal 200 and also receives the benefit usage information sent by the first store terminal 100. The information generating unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit issuance information and the benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information to the first store terminal 100.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first store terminal 100, the information receiving unit 130 receives the scheduled payment information sent by the management server 500, the information generating unit 110 generates actual payment information when the first store pays an expense to the second store based on the scheduled payment information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the actual payment information to the management server 500. Furthermore, in the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the actual payment information sent by the first store terminal 100, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the actual payment information to the second store terminal 200. Furthermore, in the second store terminal 200, the information receiving unit 230 receives the actual payment information sent by the management server 500.

[0049] In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage, via the management server 500, that the expenses based on the customer's use of a benefit at the first store are paid from the first store as the paying store to the second store as the paying store.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, in the management server 500, the information storage unit 540 stores payment history information including bonus issuance information, bonus usage information, payment schedule information, and actual payment information that have the same value for "bonus ID." In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage the situation from the time the second store issues a benefit to the customer to the time the first store pays the second store the cost of using the benefit using the management server 500.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the payment source store is the first store, which is the central store in the mall and serves as a reward redemption store, and the payment source store terminal is the first store terminal 100, which serves as a reward redemption store terminal. Furthermore, the payment destination stores are the second store, the third store, ..., the nth store, which serve as reward validation stores, and the payment destination store terminals are the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400, which serve as reward validation store terminals. By doing this, the information management system 1 of this embodiment allows customers to use benefits by having the first store, which is the central store, become the benefit-using store where the benefits are used and the store from which the expenses are paid, thereby encouraging customers to shop at all affiliated stores.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the second store, third store, ..., nth store, which are the benefit activation stores, activate the benefit by issuing a lottery ticket as a benefit to the customer. In this way, the customer can obtain the activated benefit by acquiring the lottery ticket issued as a benefit from the benefit-activating store.

[0053] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a first store, which is a central store in a local community mall, pays the purchase price of a prize as an example of expenses based on the use of a special benefit to a second store, a third store, ..., an nth store, which are affiliated stores, but this is not limited to this. For example, all stores including the first store may be on an equal footing, and the second store, the third store, ..., the nth store may pay expenses to the first store. Below, the information management system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Note that in the second embodiment, configurations different from those in the first embodiment will be described, and explanations of the same configurations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0054] (Regarding the information management system 1 according to the second embodiment) An information management system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a system used, for example, in a local community mall, where multiple affiliated stores on an equal footing encourage residents to shop at each store. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the "multiple affiliated stores on an equal footing" will be described as a "first store," a "second store," a "third store," ..., and an "nth store."

[0055] 7, the information management system 1 includes a first store terminal 100, a second store terminal 200, a third store terminal 300, ..., an n-th store terminal 400 as examples of a benefit activation store terminal, a benefit usage store terminal, a payment source store terminal, and a payment destination store terminal. The information management system 1 also includes a management server 500 as an example of an information management device.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first store, second store, third store, ..., nth store, which are examples of benefit activation stores, benefit use stores, payment source stores, and payment destination stores, issue benefit with usage restrictions that can be redeemed at other stores to customers who shop at their stores. Here, benefit with usage restrictions is, for example, a gift certificate, discount coupon, points, or a voucher for novelty goods from their own store. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first store, second store, third store, ..., nth store issue benefit with usage restrictions by having a store clerk hand over a paper voucher to the customer who makes a purchase.

[0057] For example, if a customer shops at a first store (an example of a reward redemption store and a payment destination store), they can also shop at a second store (an example of a reward activation store and a payment source store) to receive a reward voucher that can be used at the first store. When they subsequently shop at the second store, they can exchange the voucher for a reward based on a shopping metric, such as the number of purchases or the amount of money spent. As a result, after shopping at the first store (an example of a reward redemption store and a payment destination store), the customer is motivated to shop at a second store (an example of a reward activation store and a payment source store), and the second store can then invite customers who shop at the first store to shop at their store. Therefore, in exchange for the first store attracting customers to its store, the second store bears the costs incurred when customers use rewards, such as gift certificates, discount coupons, points, and novelty goods, at the first store and pays those costs to the first store.

[0058] By doing this, the local community mall makes it easier for customers to shop among affiliated stores (store 1, 2, 3, ..., n) than if there were no special offer, and all stores can liven up the mall as a whole. In the information management system 1, each store terminal 100-400 and the management server 500 send and receive information about the above-mentioned special offers and information about payment of fees. Therefore, in the information management system 1, each store can share this information via the management server 500 by using each store terminal 100-400, and can also check the status of payment of fees from the next store to the first store.

[0059] The following describes a case where a customer shops at a first store as the first store, and then shops at a second store as the next store. In this embodiment, each of the store terminals 100 to 400 has the same configuration. Therefore, for example, if the terms "first store," "first store terminal 100," "second store," and "second store terminal 200" are replaced with "third store," "third store terminal 300," "nth store," and "nth store terminal 400," the following description will be of a case where a customer shops at the third store as the first store, and then shops at the nth store as the next store. Therefore, to reduce redundant explanation, detailed descriptions of the configuration in which the "first store terminal 100" and the "second store terminal 200" are interchanged, and of the functional configurations of the "third store terminal 300" and the "nth store terminal 400" will be omitted.

[0060] (Details of Functional Configuration of Management Server 500 According to Second Embodiment) Returning to FIG. 2, when the second store terminal 200 transmits, as an example of benefit activation information, benefit restriction release information indicating that the second store has released the benefit usage restriction for the customer, the information receiving unit 510 according to the present embodiment receives the benefit restriction release information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Here, the benefit restriction release information is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 8, and includes items such as a "benefit ID," a "release date and time" indicating the date and time when the benefit usage restriction was released, a "release store" indicating the store that released the benefit usage restriction, and an "usable period," and their values. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the benefit restriction release information includes information such as a "benefit ID" of "ID0011," a "release date and time" of "May 1, 2024 14:23:18," a "release store" of "Store B," and a "usable period" of "May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024."

[0061] Returning to FIG. 2, when the first store terminal 100 transmits the benefit usage information, the information receiving unit 510 according to this embodiment receives the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. As shown in FIG. 8, the benefit usage information according to this embodiment is information that includes items such as "benefit ID," "usage date and time," "store used," and "cost" indicating the cost incurred based on the use of the benefit, and their values. For example, the benefit usage information includes information such as "benefit ID" is "ID00011," "usage date and time" is "May 15, 2024 15:17:44," "store used" is "Store A," and "cost" is "5,000 yen."

[0062] Returning to FIG. 2, the information generation unit 520 according to this embodiment generates payment schedule information based on the benefit restriction release information and the benefit usage information, and stores the information in the information storage unit 540. As shown in FIG. 8, the payment schedule information according to this embodiment is information including items such as "benefit ID," "generation date and time," "payment source store," "payment destination store," and "payment amount" and their values. For example, the payment schedule information includes information such as "benefit ID" is "ID0011," "generation date and time" is "May 15, 2024 15:28:49," "payment source store" is "Store B," "payment destination store" is "Store A," and "cost" is "5,000 yen."

[0063] Returning to FIG. 2, the information transmitting unit 530 according to this embodiment transmits the payment schedule information generated by the information generating unit 520 to the second store terminal 200.

[0064] When the second store terminal 200 transmits payment history information indicating that the second store has actually paid the above-mentioned expenses to the first store, the information receiving unit 510 according to this embodiment receives the payment history information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. As shown in FIG. 8, the payment history information according to this embodiment is information including items such as "benefit ID," "generation date and time," "payment source store," "payment destination store," and "payment amount" and their values. For example, the payment history information includes information such as "benefit ID" is "ID0011," "generation date and time" is "June 20, 2024 18:21:19," "payment source store" is "Store B," "payment destination store" is "Store A," and "payment amount" is "5,000 yen."

[0065] Returning to FIG. 2, the information transmitting unit 530 according to this embodiment transmits the payment schedule information received by the information receiving unit 510 to the first store terminal 100.

[0066] The information storage unit 540 according to this embodiment stores payment history information, which is information including benefit restriction release information, benefit usage information, payment schedule information, and actual payment information. As shown in Fig. 8, the information storage unit 540 stores, as payment history information, information including benefit restriction release information, benefit usage information, payment schedule information, and actual payment information that have the same value for "benefit ID."

[0067] (Details of Functional Configuration of the Second Retail Terminal 200 According to the Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, when the second store lifts the restriction on the use of a benefit for a customer, the information generating unit 210 generates benefit restriction lifting information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the benefit restriction lifting information generated by the information generating unit 210 to the management server 500. In addition, the information receiving unit 230 receives payment schedule information transmitted from the management server 500, and when the second store pays expenses to the first store based on the payment schedule information, the information generating unit 210 generates actual payment information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the actual payment information generated by the information generating unit 210 to the management server 500.

[0068] (Details of Functional Configuration of First Store Terminal 100 According to Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, when a customer uses a benefit at the first store, the information generating unit 110 generates benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the benefit usage information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the management server 500. In addition, the information receiving unit 130 receives payment history information from the management server 500.

[0069] (Payment Management Process According to Embodiment 2) When the management server 500 according to this embodiment is powered on, it starts executing the payment management process shown in Fig. 9. First, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit restriction release information transmitted by the second store terminal 200 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S111), and the information receiving unit 510 executes the process of step S102. After receiving the benefit usage information, the information generating unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit restriction release information and the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S113), and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information generated by the information generating unit 520 to the second store terminal 200 (step S114). After transmitting the payment schedule information, the information receiving unit 510 receives the actual payment information transmitted by the second store terminal 200 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S115), and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the actual payment information received by the information receiving unit 510 to the first store terminal 100 (step S116), thereby completing the processing.

[0070] As described above, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, in the second store terminal 200, the information generation unit 210 generates benefit restriction lifting information when the second store lifts the benefit usage restriction for the customer, and the information transmission unit 220 transmits the benefit restriction lifting information to the management server 500. Also, in the first store terminal 100, the information generation unit 110 generates benefit usage information when the customer uses a benefit at the first store, and the information transmission unit 120 transmits the benefit usage information to the management server 500.

[0071] In the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit restriction release information sent by the second store terminal 200 and also receives the benefit usage information sent by the first store terminal 100. The information generating unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit restriction release information and the benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information to the second store terminal 200.

[0072] Furthermore, in the second store terminal 200, the information receiving unit 230 receives the scheduled payment information sent by the management server 500, the information generating unit 210 generates actual payment information when the second store pays an expense to the first store based on the scheduled payment information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the actual payment information to the management server 500. Furthermore, in the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the actual payment information sent by the second store terminal 200, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the actual payment information to the first store terminal 100. Furthermore, in the first store terminal 100, the information receiving unit 130 receives the actual payment information sent by the management server 500.

[0073] In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage, via the management server 500, that the expenses based on the customer's use of a benefit at the first store are paid from the second store as the paying store to the first store as the paying store.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, in the management server 500, the information storage unit 540 stores payment history information including benefit restriction release information, benefit usage information, payment schedule information, and actual payment information, all of which have the same value for "benefit ID." In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage the situation from the time the second store lifts the restrictions on the customer's use of the benefit via the management server 500 to the time the second store pays the first store the cost associated with the use of the benefit.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the payment source store is a benefit validation store, for example, the second store, and the payment source store terminal is a benefit validation store terminal, for example, the second store terminal 200. The payment destination store is a benefit usage store, for example, the first store, and the payment destination store terminal is a benefit usage store terminal, for example, the first store terminal 100. All affiliated stores, including the first store and the second store, can be both a benefit validation store that is a payment source store and a benefit usage store that is a payment destination store. In this way, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment can, for example, allow each affiliated store on an equal footing to become the store that pays the expenses and allow customers to use the benefits, thereby encouraging customers to shop at all affiliated stores.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the second store, third store, ..., nth store, which are the benefit activation stores, remove the usage restrictions on the benefit and activate the benefit by having the customer exchange a voucher, which is a benefit with usage restrictions issued by the benefit utilization store, for the benefit. In this way, a customer can obtain a benefit with usage restrictions from a benefit-using store, and then obtain the activated benefit by having the usage restrictions on the benefit lifted from a benefit-activating store. In addition, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the information management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0077] [Embodiment 3] In the second embodiment, the first store, the second store, the third store, ..., the n-th store issued a limited-use benefit by having a store clerk hand over a paper voucher to a customer who made a purchase, but this is not limited to this. For example, each store may issue a limited-use benefit by having each store terminal 100-400 generate voucher information, which is information indicating the voucher, as electronic data and send it to a terminal used by the customer. The information management system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. Note that in the third embodiment, configurations different from those in the second embodiment will be described, and redundant descriptions of the same configurations as those in the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0078] (Regarding the information management system 1 according to the third embodiment) 11, each of the store terminals 100 to 400 according to the present embodiment can transmit and receive information to and from a customer terminal 600, which is a terminal used by a customer, by short-distance wireless communication conforming to the NFC (Near Field Communication) communication standard, which is an example of close proximity wireless communication. Here, the customer terminal 600 is, for example, a computer device such as a smartphone used by a customer.

[0079] Each store terminal 100-400 issues a limited-use benefit by transmitting exchange voucher information to the customer terminal 600 when a customer uses the customer terminal 600 to make a purchase. If the customer terminal 600 stores exchange voucher information issued at another store, the store terminal 100-400 replaces the exchange voucher information with benefit information indicating a benefit that can be used at the other store, thereby lifting the benefit usage restriction. Each time the store terminal 100-400 issues a limited-use benefit or lifts the benefit usage restriction, it acquires customer identification information from the customer terminal 600. Here, customer identification information refers to, for example, the customer terminal 600's telephone number, the customer's email address, or an identification number used for point cards, electronic money, or cashless payments.

[0080] (Details of Functional Configuration of First Store Terminal 100 According to Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, when a customer makes a purchase at the first store for the first time, the information generating unit 110 generates exchange voucher information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the exchange voucher information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the customer terminal 600 for storage. The information receiving unit 130 also receives customer identification information from the customer terminal 600, and the information generating unit 110 generates use-restricted benefit issuance information, which includes the customer identification information and indicates that a use-restricted benefit has been issued. The information transmitting unit 120 transmits the use-restricted benefit issuance information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the management server 500. When a customer makes a purchase using a benefit whose use restriction has been lifted, the information receiving unit 130 also receives the customer identification information from the customer terminal 600, and the information generating unit 110 generates benefit usage information including the customer identification information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the benefit usage information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the management server 500.

[0081] (Details of Functional Configuration of the Second Retail Terminal 200 According to the Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, when a customer shops at a second store after shopping at a first store, the information receiving unit 230 receives exchange voucher information and customer identification information from the customer terminal 600, the information generating unit 210 generates benefit information based on the exchange voucher information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the benefit information generated by the information generating unit 210 and instruction information indicating an instruction to update the exchange voucher information to the benefit information to the customer terminal 600, thereby updating the exchange voucher information stored in the customer terminal 600 to the benefit information. In addition, the information generating unit 210 generates benefit restriction release information including the customer identification information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the benefit restriction release information generated by the information generating unit 210 to the management server 500.

[0082] (Details of Functional Configuration of Management Server 500 According to Third Embodiment) Returning to FIG. 2, the information receiving unit 510 according to this embodiment receives the use-restricted benefit issuance information transmitted by the first store terminal 100 and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Here, the use-restricted benefit issuance information is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 12, and includes items and their values, such as a "customer ID," "benefit ID," "issue date and time," "issuing store," and a "cancellation period" indicating the period during which the benefit use restriction can be released. For example, the use-restricted benefit issuance information includes information such as a "customer ID" of "00000000A," a "benefit ID" of "ID0021," a "issue date and time" of "May 3, 2024 12:20:58," a "issuing store" of "Store A," and a "cancellation period" of "May 3, 2024 to June 30, 2024."

[0083] The information receiving unit 510 also receives the benefit restriction release information transmitted by the second store terminal 200, and stores it in the information storage unit 540. As shown in FIG. 12, the benefit restriction release information according to this embodiment is information including items such as "customer ID," "benefit ID," "release date and time," "release store," and "usable period," and their values. For example, the benefit restriction release information includes information such as "customer ID" being "00000000A," "benefit ID" being "ID0021," "release date and time" being "May 5, 2024 11:50:43," "release store" being "Store B," and "usable period" being "May 5, 2024 to July 5, 2024."

[0084] Returning to FIG. 2, when the first store terminal 100 transmits the benefit usage information, the information receiving unit 510 according to this embodiment receives the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. As shown in FIG. 12, the benefit usage information according to this embodiment is information including items such as "customer ID," "benefit ID," "usage date and time," "store used," and "cost," and their values. For example, the benefit usage information includes information such as "customer ID" is "00000000A," "benefit ID" is "ID00021," "usage date and time" is "May 5, 2024 12:23:11," "store used" is "Store A," and "cost" is "5,000 yen."

[0085] The information storage unit 540 according to this embodiment stores privilege history information, which is information including use-restricted privilege issuance information, privilege restriction release information, and privilege usage information. As shown in Fig. 12, the information storage unit 540 stores information including use-restricted privilege issuance information, privilege restriction release information, and privilege usage information that have the same value for "privilege ID" as privilege history information.

[0086] As described above, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, in the first store terminal 100, the information generation unit 110 generates voucher information when a customer first shops at the first store, and the information transmission unit 120 transmits the voucher information generated by the information generation unit 110 to the customer terminal 600 for storage. In the second store terminal 200, when a customer shops at the second store after shopping at the first store, the information reception unit 230 receives the voucher information from the customer terminal 600, and the information generation unit 210 generates benefit information based on the voucher information. The information transmission unit 220 transmits the benefit information generated by the information generation unit 210 and instruction information to the customer terminal 600, updating the voucher information stored in the customer terminal 600 with the benefit information.

[0087] In this way, the information management system 1 according to the present embodiment allows the customer to use the exchange voucher information and the benefit information as electronic data using the customer terminal 600 to take advantage of the benefit.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, in the management server 500, the information storage unit 540 stores privilege history information including restricted privilege issuance information, privilege restriction release information, and privilege usage information, all of which have the same value for "privilege ID." In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage the situation from when the first store issues a benefit with usage restrictions to a customer via the management server 500 to when the second store lifts the usage restrictions on the benefit and the customer uses the benefit again at the first store.

[0089] In particular, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the limited benefit issuance information, benefit restriction release information, and benefit usage information included in the benefit history information include customer identification information. In this way, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment can use the management server 500 to manage information on customers who shop in the local community mall and obtain and use benefits. In addition, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the information management systems 1 according to the first and second embodiments.

[0090] [Embodiment 4] In the first embodiment, the second store, the third store, ..., the nth store, which are multiple stores affiliated with the first store, which is the central store in the local community mall, issued the bonuses, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the first store, which is the central store, may issue the bonuses. Below, the information management system 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Note that in the fourth embodiment, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0091] 13, the information management system 1 includes a first store terminal 100 as an example of a benefit activation store terminal, a benefit redemption store terminal, a payment source store terminal, and a payment destination store terminal. The information management system 1 also includes a second store terminal 200, a third store terminal 300, ..., an n-th store terminal 400 as examples of a benefit redemption store terminal and a payment destination store terminal. The information management system 1 also includes a management server 500 as an example of an information management device.

[0092] In this embodiment, the first store, which is the benefit activation store, issues a benefit that can be used at all the benefit utilization stores to customers who shop at its store. Here, the benefit is, for example, points that can be used to discount the price paid when shopping at all the stores in the mall. Specifically, 500 points can be used to discount 500 yen.

[0093] Therefore, for example, when a customer shops at a first store, they can receive points that can be used at all stores based on shopping metrics such as the number of times they shop and the amount of their purchases. As a result, customers are not only motivated to shop at the first store by receiving points, but also motivated to shop at all stores in the mall. The first store can also encourage customers who shop at its store to shop at all stores in the mall. The first store covers the cost of discounts based on points and pays the discounts to each store where the points are used. In this way, the local community mall makes it easier for customers to shop at all affiliated stores than if there were no points common to all stores as a benefit, and the first store can serve as a central player in promoting all stores in the mall.

[0094] (Details of Functional Configuration of Management Server 500 According to Fourth Embodiment) Returning to Fig. 2, when the first store terminal 100 transmits, as an example of benefit activation information, benefit issuance information indicating that the first store has issued a benefit to a customer, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Note that the benefit issuance information according to this embodiment may be, for example, benefit issuance information according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4, in which the value of the "Issuing Store" field has been changed from "Store B" to "Store A."

[0095] Returning to Fig. 2, for example, when the second store terminal 200 transmits benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used a benefit at the second store, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Note that the benefit usage information according to this embodiment may be, for example, the benefit usage information according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4, in which the value of the "Store Used" field has been changed from "Store A" to "Store B" and the value of the "Prize Purchase Price" field has been changed to "Discount Price".

[0096] (Details of Functional Configuration of First Store Terminal 100 According to Fourth Embodiment) 2, when the first store issues a benefit to a customer, the information generating unit 110 generates benefit issuance information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the benefit issuance information generated by the information generating unit 110 to the management server 500. In addition, the information receiving unit 130 receives the payment record information transmitted from the management server 500.

[0097] (Details of Functional Configuration of the Second Retail Terminal 200 According to the Fourth Embodiment) When a customer uses a benefit at the second store, the information generating unit 210 generates benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the benefit usage information generated by the information generating unit 210 to the management server 500. In addition, the information receiving unit 230 receives payment schedule information from the management server 500, and when the first store pays expenses to the second store based on the payment schedule information, the information generating unit 210 generates actual payment information, and the information transmitting unit 220 transmits the actual payment information generated by the information generating unit 210 to the management server 500.

[0098] (Payment Management Process According to the Fourth Embodiment) The payment management process according to this embodiment will be explained in the same manner as the payment management process according to Embodiment 1 if the "second store terminal 200" in step S101 shown in Figure 5 is replaced with the "first store terminal 100" and the "first store terminal 100" in step S102 is replaced with the "second store terminal 200." Therefore, to reduce redundant explanation, flowcharts and detailed explanations of the payment management process according to this embodiment will be omitted.

[0099] As described above, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, in the first store terminal 100, the information generation unit 110 generates benefit issuance information when the first store issues a benefit to a customer, and the information transmission unit 120 transmits the benefit issuance information to the management server 500. Also, in the second store terminal 200, the information generation unit 210 generates benefit usage information when the customer uses a benefit at the second store, and the information transmission unit 220 transmits the benefit usage information to the management server 500.

[0100] In the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information sent by the first store terminal 100 and also receives the benefit usage information sent by the second store terminal 200. The information generating unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit issuance information and the benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information to the first store terminal 100.

[0101] Furthermore, in the first store terminal 100, the information receiving unit 130 receives the scheduled payment information sent by the management server 500, the information generating unit 110 generates actual payment information when the first store pays an expense to the second store based on the scheduled payment information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the actual payment information to the management server 500. Furthermore, in the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the actual payment information sent by the first store terminal 100, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the actual payment information to the second store terminal 200. Furthermore, in the second store terminal 200, the information receiving unit 230 receives the actual payment information sent by the management server 500.

[0102] In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage, via the management server 500, that the expenses based on the use of benefits acquired by a customer from a first store at a second store are paid from the first store as the paying store to the second store as the paying store.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the payment source store is the first store, which is the central store in the mall and serves as the benefit validation store, and the payment source store terminal is the first store terminal 100 used by the first store. Furthermore, the payment destination stores are the first store, second store, third store, ..., nth store, which serve as benefit usage stores, and the payment destination store terminals are the first store terminal 100, second store terminal 200, third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400, which serve as benefit usage store terminals. In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment allows, for example, the first store, which is the central store, to become the benefit activation store that issues the benefit and the store that pays the fee, allowing customers to use the benefit, thereby encouraging customers to shop at all affiliated stores.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the first store, which is the benefit validation store, validates the benefit by issuing points to the customer that are common to all stores in the mall. In this way, the customer can obtain the activated benefit by acquiring points issued as a benefit from the benefit-activating store. In addition, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the information management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0105] [Embodiment 5] In the fourth embodiment, the first store, which is the central store, issues points common to all stores in the mall as a benefit, but this is not limited to this, and for example, all stores including the first store do not have to issue points. Below, the information management system 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 15 to 18. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration different from the first, third, and fourth embodiments will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first, third, and fourth embodiments will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 15, the information management system 1 includes a first store terminal 100 as an example of a benefit redemption store terminal, a payment source store terminal, and a payment destination store terminal. The information management system 1 also includes a second store terminal 200, a third store terminal 300, ..., an n-th store terminal 400 as examples of a benefit redemption store terminal and a payment destination store terminal. The information management system 1 also includes a management server 500 as an example of an information management device. As in the third embodiment, each of the store terminals 100 to 400 according to this embodiment is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from a customer terminal 600 as an example of a benefit activation terminal via short-range wireless communication. The management server 500 is also capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the customer terminal 600 via, for example, the Internet.

[0107] When a customer uses the customer terminal 600 to make a purchase, each store terminal 100-400 transmits shopping information, which is an example of a limited benefit and indicates the details of the purchase, to the customer terminal 600. The customer terminal 600 validates the benefit by issuing points common to all stores each time a numerical value determined based on the shopping information, such as the number of stores purchased, the number of purchases made, or the amount of purchases, related to shopping within the mall, becomes an integer multiple of a predetermined threshold. The customer terminal 600 according to this embodiment issues points by generating point information, which is an example of benefit information, in the form of electronic data.

[0108] Therefore, for example, when a customer shops at each store in the mall, they can receive points that can be used at all stores according to their shopping values. As a result, customers are motivated to shop at all stores in the mall by receiving and using the points. The first store bears the cost of the discount corresponding to the points and pays the discount corresponding to the points to each store where the points are used. In this way, the local community mall makes it easier for customers to shop at all affiliated stores than if there were no points common to all stores as a benefit, and the first store can act as a central player in promoting all stores in the mall.

[0109] (Details of Functional Configuration of Management Server 500 According to Fifth Embodiment) Returning to FIG. 2, when the customer terminal 600 transmits, as an example of benefit activation information, benefit issuance information indicating that the customer terminal 600 has issued a benefit, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Note that the benefit issuance information according to this embodiment is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 16, and is information that includes items such as "customer ID," "benefit ID," and "issue date and time" and their values. For example, the benefit issuance information includes information such as "customer ID" being "00000001A," "benefit ID" being "ID0031," and "issue date and time" being "May 1, 2024 18:25:48."

[0110] Returning to FIG. 2, for example, when the second store terminal 200 transmits benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used a benefit at the second store, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. Note that the benefit usage information according to this embodiment is information that can be displayed in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 16, and includes items such as "customer ID," "benefit ID," "usage date and time," "store used," and "discount amount" and their values. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the benefit usage information includes information such as "customer ID" is "00000001A," "benefit ID" is "ID0031," "usage date and time" is "May 3, 2024 20:03:42," "store used" is "Store B," and "discount amount" is "1,000 yen."

[0111] Returning to Fig. 2, the information generation unit 520 generates payment schedule information, which is information indicating that the first store plans to pay the above-mentioned expenses to the second store, based on the benefit usage information, and stores the information in the information storage unit 540. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, the payment schedule information includes information such as "benefit ID" is "ID0031," "generation date and time" is "May 3, 2024 20:05:04," "payment source store" is "Store A," "payment destination store" is "Store B," and "payment amount" is "1,000 yen."

[0112] Returning to Fig. 2, the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the planned payment information generated by the information generating unit 520 to the first store terminal 100, and when the actual payment information is transmitted by the first store terminal 100, the information receiving unit 510 receives the actual payment information and stores it in the information storage unit 540. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, the actual payment information includes information such as "Benefit ID" is "ID0031", "Generation Date and Time" is "May 20, 2024 15:30:15", "Paying Store" is "Store A", "Payment Destination Store" is "Store B", and "Payment Amount" is "1,000 yen".

[0113] (Regarding payment management processing according to embodiment 5) Next, the operation of the management server 500 to manage the payment of the above-mentioned expenses will be described using a flowchart. When the management server 500 is powered on, it starts executing the payment management process shown in FIG. 17. First, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information sent by the customer terminal 600 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S121). After receiving the benefit issuance information, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit usage information sent by the second store terminal 200 and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S122). After receiving the benefit usage information, the information generating unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit usage information and stores it in the information storage unit 540 (step S123). After generating the payment schedule information, the management server 500 executes the processes of steps S104 to S106 and ends the process.

[0114] As described above, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 18, when a predetermined condition for issuing a benefit is met and a benefit is issued, the customer terminal 600 generates benefit issuance information and transmits the benefit issuance information to the management server 500. Also, in the second store terminal 200, the information generation unit 210 generates benefit usage information when a customer uses a benefit at the second store, and the information transmission unit 220 transmits the benefit usage information to the management server 500.

[0115] In the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the benefit issuance information sent by the customer terminal 600 and also receives the benefit usage information sent by the second store terminal 200. The information generating unit 520 generates payment schedule information based on the benefit usage information, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the payment schedule information to the first store terminal 100.

[0116] Furthermore, in the first store terminal 100, the information receiving unit 130 receives the scheduled payment information sent by the management server 500, the information generating unit 110 generates actual payment information when the first store pays an expense to the second store based on the scheduled payment information, and the information transmitting unit 120 transmits the actual payment information to the management server 500. Furthermore, in the management server 500, the information receiving unit 510 receives the actual payment information sent by the first store terminal 100, and the information transmitting unit 530 transmits the actual payment information to the second store terminal 200. Furthermore, in the second store terminal 200, the information receiving unit 230 receives the actual payment information sent by the management server 500.

[0117] In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment can manage, via the management server 500, that the expenses based on the benefits that a customer has acquired by shopping at each store and using them at a second store are paid from the first store as the paying store to the second store as the paying store.

[0118] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the payment source store is the first store, which is the central store in the mall, and the payment source store terminal is the first store terminal 100 used by the first store. Furthermore, the payment destination stores are the first store, second store, third store, ..., nth store, which are stores where a benefit is used, and the payment destination store terminals are the first store terminal 100, second store terminal 200, third store terminal 300, ..., nth store terminal 400, which are store terminals where a benefit is used. In this way, the information management system 1 of this embodiment allows, for example, the first store, which is the central store, to be the store that pays the expenses and allows customers to use the benefits, thereby encouraging customers to shop at all affiliated stores.

[0119] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the customer terminal 600, which is an external device of the system, validates the benefit by issuing points common to all stores when the specified conditions for issuing the benefit are met. In this way, customers can obtain activated benefits by shopping at each store in the mall and acquiring points that are issued as benefits when certain conditions are met.

[0120] Furthermore, according to the information management system 1 of this embodiment, the benefit issuance information and benefit usage information included in the payment history information include customer identification information. In this way, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment can use the management server 500 to manage information on customers who shop in the local community mall and obtain and use benefits. In addition, the information management system 1 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the information management systems 1 according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments.

[0121] (Example of change) In the above-mentioned third embodiment, each store terminal 100 to 400 generates exchange voucher information and benefit information and transmits them to the customer terminal 600, but this is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated terminal for issuing benefits or a terminal for removing benefit restrictions may generate exchange voucher information and benefit information and transmit them to the customer terminal 600.

[0122] In the fifth embodiment, the customer terminal 600 generates point information based on shopping information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the point information may be generated by each of the store terminals 100-400 at each store where the customer last shopped, or by a dedicated bonus issuing terminal. In this case, the store terminals 100-400 or the dedicated bonus issuing terminal may generate point information and send it to the customer terminal 600 when it is determined that a predetermined condition for issuing points is met, based on the shopping information acquired from the customer terminal 600.

[0123] In the first embodiment, the second store, the third store, ..., the n-th store issued the bonus by having the store clerk hand over a paper lottery ticket to the customer who made a purchase, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the third embodiment, each store may issue a bonus by having the store terminals 200-400 or a dedicated bonus issuing terminal generate lottery ticket information as electronic data and send it to the customer terminal 600. In this case, as in the third embodiment, each store terminal 200-400 or the bonus issuing terminal may obtain customer identification information from the customer terminal 600 and generate bonus issuance information including the customer's identification information. In this way, the management server 500 can also manage information about customers to whom bonuses have been issued.

[0124] In the first embodiment, the information generating unit 210 of the second store terminal 200 generates the benefit issuance information, but this is not limiting. For example, the second store terminal 200 may acquire the benefit issuance information generated by a benefit issuance terminal (not shown) in a second store different from the second store terminal 200. In the second embodiment, the information generating unit 210 of the second store terminal 200 generates the benefit restriction release information, but this is not limiting. For example, the second store terminal 200 may acquire the benefit restriction release information generated by a benefit restriction release terminal (not shown) in a second store different from the second store terminal 200. In the first and second embodiments, the information generating unit 110 of the first store terminal 100 generates the benefit usage information, but this is not limiting. For example, the first store terminal 100 may acquire the benefit usage information generated by a benefit usage reception terminal (not shown) in a second store different from the first store terminal 100.

[0125] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the store terminals 100 to 400 do not acquire the payment history information stored in the information storage unit 540 of the management server 500. However, this is not limited thereto, and each store terminal 100 to 400 may be able to acquire the payment history information. In this case, for example, the first store terminal 100 may send request information requesting the payment history information to the management server 500, and when the management server 500 receives the request information from the first store terminal 100, it may send payment history information corresponding to the request information to the first store terminal 100. In this case, for example, when the management server 500 receives the request information from the first store terminal 100, it may send only the payment history information related to the first store terminal 100 to the first store terminal 100, but may not send payment history information not related to the first store terminal 100 to the first store terminal 100. This prevents the payment history information from being viewed by stores other than the payment source store and the payment destination store.

[0126] In the above-described first, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the information storage unit 540 of the management server 500 stores information including bonus issuance information, bonus usage information, scheduled payment information, and actual payment information as payment history information. However, the payment history information is not limited to this and need not include all of the above-described information. For example, the information storage unit 540 of the management server 500 may store, as payment history information, information that does not include actual payment information, information that does not include scheduled payment information and actual payment information, or information that does not include bonus usage information, scheduled payment information, and actual payment information. In other words, the management server 500 may store, as payment history information, information including bonus issuance information with the same "bonus ID" as progress information from the issuance of a bonus to the first store paying the purchase price for the prize.

[0127] In the second and third embodiments, the information storage unit 540 of the management server 500 stores, as payment history information, information including benefit restriction release information, benefit usage information, scheduled payment information, and actual payment information. However, the payment history information is not limited to this and need not include all of the above-mentioned information. For example, the information storage unit 540 of the management server 500 may store, as payment history information, information that does not include actual payment information, information that does not include scheduled payment information and actual payment information, or information that does not include benefit usage information, scheduled payment information, and actual payment information. In other words, the management server 500 may store, as payment history information, information including benefit restriction release information with the same "benefit ID" as progress information from when the benefit usage restriction is released to when the first store pays the fee to the next store.

[0128] In the third embodiment, the management server 500 stores information in the information storage unit 540 including limited-use benefit issuance information, benefit restriction release information, and benefit usage information as benefit history information, but the benefit history information is not limited to this and need not include all of the information described above. For example, the management server 500 may store information in the information storage unit 540 as benefit history information that does not include benefit usage information, or information that does not include benefit restriction release information and benefit usage information. In other words, the management server 500 may store information including limited-use benefit issuance information with the same "benefit ID" as benefit history information, as progress information from when a limited-use benefit is issued to when the benefit is used.

[0129] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the management server 500 automatically transmits the payment schedule information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store where the customer used the benefit after receiving the benefit usage information from each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store where the customer used the benefit, but this is not limited to this. For example, the management server 500 may transmit the payment schedule information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store where the customer used the benefit, on the condition that it receives request information from each of the store terminals 100-400 to provide information related to the payment.

[0130] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the management server 500 receives payment history information from each store terminal 100-400 of the store that is the payment source, and then automatically transmits the payment history information to each store terminal 100-400 of the store that is the payment destination, but this is not limiting. For example, the management server 500 may transmit the payment history information to each store terminal 100-400 of the store that is the payment destination on the condition that request information has been received from each store terminal 100-400.

[0131] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the management server 500 does not transmit or receive information to or from each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store that is the source of payment after transmitting the scheduled payment information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store that is the source of payment until transmitting the actual payment information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store that is the destination of payment. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the management server 500 may have the information generation unit 520 generate payment reminder information that reminds the store that is the source of payment to make payment, and the information transmission unit 530 transmit the payment reminder information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store that is the source of payment. In this case, after transmitting the scheduled payment information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store that is the source of payment, the management server 500 may transmit the payment reminder information to each of the store terminals 100-400 of the store that is the source of payment each time a predetermined period has elapsed.

[0132] In the above-described fifth embodiment, the customer terminal 600 transmits and receives information necessary for issuing and using points to and from each of the store terminals 100 to 400 via short-range wireless communication, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the customer terminal 600 may transmit and receive information necessary for issuing and using points to and from each of the store terminals 100 to 400 via a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark).

[0133] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, each of the store terminals 100 to 400 transmits and receives payment history information via the management server 500, but the information transmitted and received between each of the store terminals 100 to 400 is not limited to this. For example, information required for other stores to carry out in conjunction with matters decided and carried out by a first store, which is the central store in the mall, may be transmitted from the first store terminal 100 to each of the other store terminals 200 to 400 via the management server 500.

[0134] In the fourth embodiment, the management server 500 stores the bonus issuance information transmitted by the first store terminal 100 when the first store issues points, but the management server 500 may be configured to be able to check the status of point issuance at the first store based on the stored bonus issuance information. Also, in the fourth embodiment, the management server 500 stores the bonus usage information transmitted by each store terminal 100-400 when points are used at each store, but the management server 500 may be configured to be able to check the status of point usage at each store or check the balance of unused points based on the stored bonus issuance information and bonus usage information.

[0135] In the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, the management server 500 stores the benefit issuance information sent by the customer terminal 600 when the customer terminal 600 issues points, and the benefit usage information sent by each store terminal 100 to 400 when the customer uses points at each store. However, for example, the management server 500 may be configured to check the status of point issuance, accumulation, and usage for each customer based on the stored benefit issuance information and benefit usage information.

[0136] In the above-mentioned third and fifth embodiments, each of the store terminals 100 to 400 of the information management system 1 transmits and receives information related to the issuance and use of benefits, such as exchange voucher information, benefit information, instruction information, shopping information, point information, and benefit issuance information, as well as information related to customer management, such as customer identification information, to the customer terminal 600. However, the information transmitted and received by the customer terminal 600 is not limited to this. For example, each of the store terminals 100 to 400 or the management server 500 may transmit event information to the customer terminal 600, which provides information about events in the mall.

[0137] In this case, the event guide information may be any information that motivates customers to shop at each store in the mall, such as information about new products and services at each store, information about sales promotions and advertisements at each store, information that the number of points awarded to customers will be increased more than usual for a certain period of time, or information that the winning rate for winning a high-value prize in a lottery will be higher than usual for a certain period of time. In this case, each store terminal 100-400 and the management server 500 may transmit only event guide information that is likely to match each customer's preferences, based on information that manages customers by linking it to customer identification information such as shopping information and point information stored in the management server 500.

[0138] In addition, each store may send paper media such as flyers, pamphlets, and direct mail containing information including the above-mentioned event information to residents of a particular area targeted by the mall, and may send such paper media only to specific customers if the customer's address can be identified from the customer identification information.

[0139] In the first embodiment, a lottery is held at the first store to award a special benefit in order to encourage customers to actually visit the first store and make a purchase. However, the form of the event for awarding the special benefit is not limited to this. For example, the lottery may be held at the customer terminal 600 without the customer actually visiting the first store. In this case, a new configuration is required in which the customer terminal 600 draws the lottery based on information such as lottery ticket information and point information stored in the customer terminal 600, and the customer terminal 600 acquires the special benefit prize after the lottery is held.

[0140] In this case, the first store may change the type of event for granting benefits, including the lottery held in the store and the lottery held at the customer terminal 600, at any timing. For example, the first store may hold the lottery only at the customer terminal 600 during busy periods, and hold the lottery only in the store during other periods, or may hold the lottery simultaneously in the store and at the customer terminal 600 to allow the user to make a selection.

[0141] In the above fourth and fifth embodiments, local points that can be used only at each store in the mall are exemplified as an example of a benefit, but these points may also be exchangeable for global points that can be used outside the mall. In this case, for example, a new configuration is required in which a first store, which is the central store in the mall, purchases global points in advance, gives them to customers, and exchanges the local points stored in the customer terminal 600 for the global points purchased by the first store.

[0142] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the information management system 1 is used to encourage shopping at each store in a local community mall, but the use of the information management system 1 is not limited to this. For example, the information management system 1 may be used to encourage shopping at each store on a so-called electronic commerce site, such as an EC site or online shop, also known as an Internet mall, online mall, EC (Electronic Commerce) mall, or cyber mall. Furthermore, for example, the information management system 1 may be used to encourage shopping at each store in a national group to which predetermined stores in Japan belong.

[0143] The core processing portion of the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400, and the management server 500, which are equipped with the control unit 51, main memory unit 52, external memory unit 53, operation unit 54, transmission / reception unit 56, and internal bus 50, may be configured by, for example, storing and distributing the programs for executing the above-mentioned operations on a recording medium readable by the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400, and the management server 500, such as a flash memory, and installing the programs to configure the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400, and the management server 500 that execute the above-mentioned processing. In addition, each program may be stored in a memory device of a server device on a communication network such as a LAN or the Internet, and the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400, and the management server 500 may configure the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400, and the management server 500 by downloading each program.

[0144] Furthermore, if the functions of the first store terminal 100, the second store terminal 200, the third store terminal 300, ..., the nth store terminal 400 and the management server 500 are realized by sharing the functions between the OS and an application program, or by collaboration between the OS and an application program, only the application program portion may be stored on a recording medium or storage device.

[0145] The program may also be superimposed on a carrier wave and provided via a communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network and provided via the network. The program may then be started and executed under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby executing the above-mentioned processing.

[0146] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1...information management system, 50...internal bus, 51...control unit, 52...main memory unit, 53...external memory unit, 54...operation unit, 55...display unit, 56...transmission / reception unit, 59...control program, 100...first store terminal, 110, 210, 520...information generation unit, 120, 220, 530...information transmission unit, 130, 230, 510...information reception unit, 200...second store terminal, 300...third store terminal, 400...nth store terminal, 500...management server, 540...information storage unit, 600...customer terminal.

Claims

1. An information management system including: a benefit activation store terminal, which is a terminal of a benefit activation store that is a store that activates a benefit granted to a customer; a benefit utilization store terminal, which is a terminal of a benefit utilization store that is a store where the customer utilizes the activated benefit; and a management server that manages information related to the benefit activation store and the benefit utilization store, The benefit activation store terminal is an information generating unit that generates benefit activation information indicating that the benefit granted to the customer has been activated when the benefit activation store activates the benefit; an information transmitting unit that transmits the benefit activation information to the management server; Including, The reward use store terminal is an information generating unit that generates benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used the benefit when the customer has used the benefit that has been validated at the benefit usage store; an information transmitting unit that transmits the benefit usage information to the management server; Including, The management server an information receiving unit that receives the benefit activation information when the benefit activation store terminal transmits the benefit activation information, and receives the benefit usage information when the benefit usage store terminal transmits the benefit usage information; an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information based on the benefit activation information and the benefit usage information, which indicates that one of the benefit activation store (as a payment source store) and the benefit usage store (as a payment destination store) plans to pay the expenses incurred as a result of the customer's use of the activated benefit to the other of the benefit activation store and the benefit usage store (as a payment destination store); an information transmitting unit that transmits the payment schedule information to one of the benefit activation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; Including, The payment source store terminal an information receiving unit that receives the payment schedule information transmitted by the management server; Further comprising: At the payment source store terminal, the information generating unit generates payment history information which is information indicating that the payment source store has made a payment history to the payment destination store when the payment source store has paid the expense to the payment destination store based on the payment schedule information; the information transmitting unit transmits the payment history information to the management server; In the management server, the information receiving unit receives the payment record information transmitted by the payment source store terminal, the information transmitting unit transmits the payment record information to the other of the benefit validation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment destination store terminal that is a terminal of the payment destination store; The payment destination store terminal an information receiving unit that receives the payment record information transmitted by the management server; Further comprising: Information management system.

2. The management server an information storage unit that stores payment history information, which is information including the benefit activation information, the benefit usage information, the payment schedule information, and the payment record information; Further comprising: The information management system according to claim 1 .

3. the payment source store and the payment source store terminal are the benefit validation store and the benefit validation store terminal, the payment destination store and the payment destination store terminal are the benefit use store and the benefit use store terminal, The information management system according to claim 1 .

4. the payment source store and the payment source store terminal are the benefit use store and the benefit use store terminal, the payment destination store and the payment destination store terminal are the benefit activation store and the benefit activation store terminal, The information management system according to claim 1 .

5. The reward activation store activates the reward by issuing the reward to the customer.

5. The information management system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The benefit activation store activates the benefit by removing the usage restriction on the benefit with usage restrictions issued to the customer by the benefit utilization store.

5. The information management system according to claim 3 or 4.

7. An information management system including: a benefit use store terminal, which is a terminal of a benefit use store where a customer uses a benefit granted to the customer; a payment source store terminal, which is a terminal of a payment source store where the customer pays the benefit use store for expenses incurred as a result of the customer using the benefit; and a management server that manages information relating to the benefit use store and the payment source store, The reward use store terminal is an information generating unit that generates benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used the benefit when the customer has used the benefit at the benefit usage store; an information transmitting unit that transmits the benefit usage information to the management server; Including, The management server an information receiving unit that receives the benefit usage information when the benefit usage store terminal transmits the benefit usage information; an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information indicating that the payment source store plans to pay the fee to the benefit use store based on the benefit use information; an information sending unit that sends the payment schedule information to the payment source store terminal; Including, The payment source store terminal an information receiving unit that receives the payment schedule information transmitted by the management server; an information generating unit that generates payment history information that indicates that the payment source store has paid the expenses to the special offer use store when the payment source store has paid the expenses to the special offer use store based on the payment schedule information; an information transmitting unit that transmits the payment record information to the management server; Including, In the management server, the information receiving unit receives the payment record information transmitted by the payment source store terminal, the information transmitting unit transmits the payment history information to the bonus use store terminal; The reward use store terminal is an information receiving unit that receives the payment record information transmitted by the management server; Further comprising: Information management system.

8. An information management device that manages information regarding benefit activation stores that are stores that activate a benefit granted to a customer and benefit utilization stores that are stores that allow the customer to utilize the activated benefit, an information receiving unit that receives benefit activation information indicating that the benefit granted to the customer has been activated when the benefit activation store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit activation store, transmits the benefit activation information, and receives benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used the activated benefit when the benefit usage store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit usage store, transmits the benefit usage information; an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information based on the benefit activation information and the benefit usage information, which indicates that one of the benefit activation store (as a payment source store) and the benefit usage store (as a payment destination store) plans to pay the expenses incurred as a result of the customer's use of the activated benefit to the other of the benefit activation store and the benefit usage store (as a payment destination store); an information transmitting unit that transmits the payment schedule information to one of the benefit activation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; Including, the information receiving unit receives payment history information when the payment source store terminal transmits the payment history information, the payment history information being information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid the expense to the payment destination store; the information transmitting unit transmits the payment record information to the other of the benefit validation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment destination store terminal that is a terminal of the payment destination store; Information management device.

9. An information management device that manages information regarding a benefit utilization store, which is a store where a customer utilizes a benefit granted to the customer, and a payment source store, which is a store that pays expenses incurred as a result of the customer utilizing the benefit to the benefit utilization store, an information receiving unit that receives benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used the benefit when the benefit usage information is transmitted from a benefit usage store terminal that is a terminal of the benefit usage store; an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information indicating that the payment source store plans to pay the fee to the benefit use store based on the benefit use information; an information sending unit that sends the payment schedule information to a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; Including, the information receiving unit receives payment history information when the payment source store terminal transmits the payment history information, the payment history information being information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid the fee to the benefit use store; the information transmitting unit transmits the payment history information to the bonus use store terminal; Information management device.

10. a first information receiving step in which an information management device that manages information regarding a benefit activation store, which is a store that activates a benefit granted to a customer, and a benefit utilization store, which is a store where the customer utilizes the activated benefit, receives benefit activation information, which is information indicating that the benefit granted to the customer has been activated, when the benefit activation store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit activation store, transmits the benefit activation information; a second information receiving step in which the information management device receives, when a benefit use store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit use store, transmits benefit use information indicating that the customer has used the activated benefit; an information generating step in which the information management device generates payment schedule information based on the benefit activation information and the benefit usage information, which indicates that either one of the benefit activation store as a payment source store and the benefit usage store as a payment destination store plans to pay the expenses incurred based on the customer's use of the activated benefit to the other of the benefit activation store and the benefit usage store as a payment destination store; a first information transmission step in which the information management device transmits the payment schedule information to one of the benefit activation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; a third information receiving step in which the information management device receives payment history information when the payment source store terminal transmits the payment history information, the payment history information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid the expense to the payment destination store; a second information transmission step in which the information management device transmits the payment record information to the other of the benefit validation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment destination store terminal that is a terminal of the payment destination store; A control method comprising:

11. a first information receiving step in which an information management device that manages information regarding a benefit utilization store, which is a store where a customer utilizes a benefit granted to the customer, and a payment source store, which is a store that pays the costs incurred as a result of the customer utilizing the benefit to the benefit utilization store, receives benefit utilization information, which is information indicating that the customer utilized the benefit, when the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit utilization store, transmits the benefit utilization information; an information generating step in which the information management device generates payment schedule information indicating that the payment source store plans to pay the fee to the benefit use store based on the benefit use information; a first information transmission step in which the information management device transmits the payment schedule information to a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; a second information receiving step in which the information management device receives payment history information when the payment source store terminal transmits the payment history information, the payment history information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid the fee to the benefit use store; a second information transmission step in which the information management device transmits the payment history information to the bonus use store terminal; A control method comprising:

12. an information management device that manages information regarding benefit activation stores, which are stores that activate a benefit granted to a customer, and benefit utilization stores, which are stores that allow the customer to utilize the activated benefit; an information receiving unit that receives benefit activation information, which is information indicating that the benefit granted to the customer has been activated, when the benefit activation store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit activation store, transmits the benefit activation information, and that receives benefit usage information, which is information indicating that the customer has used the activated benefit, when the benefit usage store terminal, which is a terminal of the benefit usage store, transmits the benefit usage information; an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information, which is information indicating that one of the benefit activation store (as a payment source store) and the benefit usage store (as a payment destination store) plans to pay the expenses incurred as a result of the customer's use of the activated benefit, based on the benefit activation information and the benefit usage information, to the other of the benefit activation store (as a payment destination store) and the benefit usage store; an information transmitting unit that transmits the payment schedule information to one of the benefit activation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; It functions as the information receiving unit receives payment history information when the payment source store terminal transmits the payment history information, the payment history information being information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid the expense to the payment destination store; the information transmitting unit transmits the payment record information to the other of the benefit validation store terminal and the benefit utilization store terminal, which is a payment destination store terminal that is a terminal of the payment destination store; program.

13. an information management device that manages information regarding a benefit utilization store, which is a store where a customer utilizes a benefit granted to the customer, and a payment source store, which is a store that pays the expenses incurred as a result of the customer utilizing the benefit to the benefit utilization store; an information receiving unit that receives benefit usage information indicating that the customer has used the benefit when the benefit usage information is transmitted from a benefit usage store terminal that is a terminal of the benefit usage store; an information generating unit that generates payment schedule information indicating that the payment source store plans to pay the fee to the benefit use store based on the benefit use information; an information sending unit that sends the payment schedule information to a payment source store terminal that is a terminal of the payment source store; It functions as the information receiving unit receives payment history information when the payment source store terminal transmits the payment history information, the payment history information being information indicating that the payment source store has actually paid the fee to the benefit use store; the information transmitting unit transmits the payment history information to the bonus use store terminal; program.

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