Point processing system, information processing apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a point processing system, an information processor, a method and a program for saving the labor of searching for a point card.SOLUTION: In a point processing system 1 in which an information processor 10 and a terminal 11 are connected via a communication network, a terminal outputting unit 111 of the terminal 11 displays a code including information of a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information capable of identifying a customer, an acquiring unit 101 of the information processor 10 reads the code displayed on the terminal 11, and a point processing unit 103 performs processing related to points based on information of a point card available in a shop among the information of the point cards included in the read code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a point processing system and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known point services that give customers points calculated under certain conditions according to the purchase amount of various products and services, the number of visits to a store, etc. For example, customers can use the points as part of the purchase price of their next purchase or exchange them for products. Point cards can be realized as an application program on a customer's terminal device or as a portable medium.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for converting purchase points given to a point card into administrative points given to a My Number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-40332 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If a customer has many point cards, it may take time and effort to search for a point card that can be used at a store from an application program installed on a terminal device or a portable medium.

[0006] One example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a point processing system that eliminates the need to search for a point card that can be used in a store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A point processing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a customer terminal device and an information processing device that performs processing related to points. In the point processing system, the terminal device includes a terminal device output means that displays a code including information on multiple point cards associated with unique identification information that can identify the customer, and the information processing device includes an acquisition means that reads the code displayed on the terminal device and a point processing means that performs processing related to points based on information on point cards that can be used at the store among the information on the multiple point cards included in the read code.

[0008] An information processing device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition means for acquiring a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on multiple point cards associated with unique identification information, and a point processing means for performing processing related to points based on information on point cards that can be used at a store among the information on the multiple point cards included in the read code.

[0009] In one aspect of the method disclosed herein, a computer acquires a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on multiple point cards associated with unique identification information, and performs processing related to points based on information on point cards that can be used at a store among the information on the multiple point cards included in the code that has been read.

[0010] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process to acquire a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on multiple point cards associated with unique identification information, and perform processing related to points based on information on point cards that can be used at a store among the information on the multiple point cards included in the read code.

[0011] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to eliminate the need to search for a point card that can be used at a store. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a point processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the point processing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a point processing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selection screen for a point card. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a code further including information on the category of the driver's license and age information is displayed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of receiving coffee using a code. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the point processing system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a point processing system, an information processing device, a method, a program, and a non-transitory recording medium for recording a program according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. The present embodiments do not limit the disclosed technology.

[0015] (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example of basic functions of an information processing device will be described.

[0016] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a point processing system. The point processing system 1 is a system that performs processing related to point cards held by users. The users are, for example, customers who use stores. In the following explanation, customers will be used as examples of users. The type of store is not limited to a retail store, a restaurant, a service store, etc. For example, the retail store is not limited to a convenience store, a supermarket, a supercenter, a drugstore, a home appliance store, a clothing store, a bookstore, etc.

[0017] 1, the point processing system 1 includes, for example, an information processing device 10 and a terminal device 11. The information processing device 10 and the terminal device 11 are connected via, for example, a communication network.

[0018] The information processing device 10 performs processing related to points. The information processing device 10 has a function of acquiring point card information from, for example, a terminal device 11. The information processing device 10 may be, for example, a POS (Point Of Sales) device, but is not particularly limited to, a POS system in which a product registration device that registers products and a payment device that settles the registered products are separated. In this case, the information processing device 10 that performs processing related to points may be either the product registration device or the payment device, or both. The information processing device 10 may be, for example, a tablet terminal installed on a table in a restaurant or the like.

[0019] The terminal device 11 is a terminal device 11 used by a customer. The terminal device 11 has a function of providing point card information linked to identification information unique to the customer to the information processing device 10. For example, the terminal device 11 may be pre-installed with a specific application program capable of providing information to the information processing device 10. For example, the terminal device 11 may be capable of accessing a specific website via a communication network and providing information to the information processing device 10. The type of the terminal device 11 is not particularly limited, and may be a smartphone, a tablet device, or the like. The terminal device 11 may be provided for each customer, and therefore the number of terminal devices 11 is not particularly limited.

[0020] For example, if the unique identification information is a My Number, the specific application program may be a My Number application program, and the specific web service may be a My Number web service.Furthermore, the specific web service may be a web service that uses a My Number API (Application Programming Interface).

[0021] In FIG. 1, devices necessary for realizing general POS functions, such as a product DB accessed by the information processing device 10, are omitted, but existing technologies may be used.

[0022] The type of communication network is not particularly limited, and the communication network in Fig. 1 may be configured by a plurality of communication networks.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each device. The information processing device 10 has an acquisition unit 101 and a point processing unit 103. The terminal device 11 has a terminal device output unit 111.

[0024] First, the terminal device output unit 111 has a function of providing point card information to the information processing device 10. For example, the terminal device output unit 111 displays a code including point card information associated with unique identification information that can identify a customer. Here, an example will be described in which information on multiple point cards is associated with unique identification information in advance. The information on multiple point cards is information about each of multiple different point cards. The unique identification information that can identify a customer may be a My Number, may be biometric information of the customer, or may be identification information that can be used for a specific service.

[0025] The management database associates, for example, unique identification information that can identify a customer with information on multiple point cards. The management database may be provided in the terminal device 11, or in a management server that manages the unique identification information. For example, if My Number is used as the unique identification information, the management server may be an administrative server that manages My Numbers by the government.

[0026] Here, an example of providing information on multiple point cards using a specific application will be described. For example, when a customer purchases a product at a store, the customer operates terminal device 11 to start a specific application program on terminal device 11.

[0027] The specific application program may have, for example, a function to link unique identification information with information on multiple point cards and a function to provide information on the multiple point cards to the information processing device 10. For example, if the unique identification information is a My Number, the specific application program may use the My Number to obtain information on the point cards linked to the My Number.

[0028] The terminal device output unit 111 may display a button capable of displaying a code in a specific application program. When the button is pressed, the terminal device output unit 111 may display a code including information on multiple point cards in the specific application program.

[0029] The code may be a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, or both.

[0030] Point card information includes at least identification information that identifies the point card. Here, the point card number is used as an example of identification information that identifies the point card, but this is not limited to this. Point card information may also include information on the type of points. For example, assume that a customer has a point card called Point A and a point card called Point B. The customer links information about the Point A point card, such as the Point A point card number, and information about the Point B point card, such as the Point B point card number, to unique identification information in a management database in advance. The code includes the point card type A point and point card number xxxxx as information about Company A's point card, and the point card type B point and point card number yyyyy as information about Company B's point card.

[0031] The point card information only needs to include information that can identify the type of point card, and the information that can identify the type of point card is not particularly limited. For example, if the type of point card can be identified by the point card number, the point card information only needs to include the point card number. The point card information may also include company identification information that identifies the company that issues the point card as information that can identify the type of point card. The point card information may also include other information, such as the number of points, if it can be obtained from a company server, for example.

[0032] The acquisition unit 101 acquires information on a plurality of point cards from the terminal device 11. For example, when a code having information on a plurality of point cards is displayed on the terminal device 11, the acquisition unit 101 reads the code displayed on the terminal device 11. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 reads the code using a reader provided in the information processing device 10. The reader may be a code scanner or an imaging device. Furthermore, the reader may be built into the information processing device 10 or may be externally attached to the information processing device 10.

[0033] In the information processing device 10, the timing at which the code is read from the terminal device 11 may be before product registration, during product registration, or before payment, and is not particularly limited.

[0034] The point processing unit 103 performs processing related to points based on the point information of a point card that can be used at the store from the information of multiple point cards contained in the read code. For example, the point processing unit 103 identifies a point card that can be used at the store from the type of points contained in the point card information. The point processing unit 103 performs processing related to points of the identified point card. Processing related to points includes processing related to granting points and processing related to using points. In each embodiment, granting points refers to accumulating points, and using points refers to using points for payment. Methods of using points are given as examples of granting points and using points, but are not particularly limited.

[0035] (flowchart) 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the point processing system 1. First, the terminal device output unit 111 of the terminal device 11 displays a code including information on a plurality of point cards linked to unique identification information that can identify a customer (step S111). For example, unique identification information that can identify a customer is associated with information on a plurality of point cards in a management database.

[0036] Then, the acquisition unit 101 of the information processing device 10 reads the code displayed on the terminal device 11 (step S101). The point processing unit 103 of the information processing device 10 performs processing related to points based on the point information of the point card that can be used in the store, among the information of multiple point cards included in the read code (step S102). The terminal device 11 and the information processing device 10 end the processing shown in FIG.

[0037] As described above, in the first embodiment, the terminal device 11 displays a code including information on multiple point cards associated with unique identification information that can identify a customer. The information processing device 10 then reads the code displayed on the terminal device 11 and performs processing related to points based on the points of a point card that can be used at the store among the information on the multiple point cards included in the read code. This allows the customer to use a point card that can be used at the store by displaying the code using the terminal device 11. This saves the customer the trouble of searching for a point card that can be used at the store. Furthermore, for example, the point processing system 1 can centrally manage point cards using unique identification information such as My Number.

[0038] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a point card selected from point cards available at a store is used. In addition, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a code is used when a customer receives a redeemable product after payment. Below, explanations of content that overlaps with the above explanation will be omitted to the extent that the explanation of the second embodiment is not unclear.

[0039] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a point processing system. In FIG. 4, the point processing system 2 includes a POS device 20, a terminal device 21, a store server 22, a management server 23, a product exchange device 24, and a company server 25.

[0040] The POS device 20 is an example of the information processing device 10. The POS device 20 may be a self-service device operated by a customer or a device operated by a store clerk, and is not particularly limited. Like the information processing device 10, the POS device 20 may be equipped with a reader capable of reading codes.

[0041] In the point processing system 2, each device is connected via a communication network. For example, the POS device 20 is connected to a terminal device 21, a management server 23, a store server 22, and a company server 25.

[0042] The POS device 20 and the terminal device 21 may be the same as the information processing device 10 and the terminal device 21 shown in FIG. 1, respectively, and are not particularly limited.

[0043] The corporate server 25 is, for example, a server of each company that operates a point card service. In Figure 4, the corporate servers 25 are exemplified by corporate server 25-A of company A and corporate server 25-B of company B, but the number of corporate servers 25 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, unless a specific corporate server is being referred to, it will be referred to as corporate server 25. Any existing technology may be used as a method for managing the point card service. Here, an example is given in which each corporate server 25 is equipped with a point card DB 2500 and manages information about users of the point card service. The user information includes, for example, a point card number and the number of points as identification information for identifying the point card.

[0044] In some cases, a store may have its own point system. In this case, the company server 25 may be the store server 22.

[0045] Existing technology may be used for the procedures for granting and using points between the company server 25 and the POS device 20. For example, the POS device 20 may use a point card number to send a request for granting or using points to the company server 25. Then, the company server 25 may process the points associated with the point card number according to the request.

[0046] The management server 23 is a server that manages unique identification information that uniquely identifies an individual. For example, the management server 23 manages the unique identification information using a management DB 2300. For example, the management DB 2300 may store the unique identification information in association with information on multiple point cards. This links the unique identification information to the information on multiple point cards. For example, a user may operate their own terminal device 21, and the terminal device 21 may register the information on the point card in the management DB 2300. Note that at least a portion of the information in the management DB 2300 may be stored in the terminal device 21. The management server 23 may also be able to access the company server 25, and may acquire the number of points and the like as part of the information on the point card and store it in the management DB 2300.

[0047] In Fig. 4, the management server 23 has the management DB 2300, but the management DB 2300 may be managed by a server other than the management server 23. For example, if the unique identification information is the My Number, the management server 23 is an administrative server. When the My Number is used as the unique identification information, the management method of the management DB 2300, etc. is not made public for security reasons. Thus, the management method of the management DB 2300 in Fig. 4 is one example.

[0048] When the unique identification information is a My Number, the management DB 2300 may further include information related to a driver's license, age, etc. in addition to the unique identification information. Note that the driver's license and age are merely examples, and the information is not particularly limited as long as it can be linked to the My Number, such as information related to an insurance card.

[0049] For example, the information about the driver's license may be information such as the type of license, the license classification, and the license expiration date. The license classification here refers to a classification assigned according to the license acquisition period, driving violations, etc., such as "good driver," "ordinary driver," "violator driver," "first-time driver," and "new driver." For example, if the license classification is a "good driver" gold license, it is expected that special benefits may be available. However, in order to use these special benefits, it is necessary to obtain an SD (Safe Driver) card, which limits its widespread use. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a code displayed on the terminal device 21 includes information about this classification.

[0050] The product exchange device 24 is a device for delivering redeemable products to a customer after payment. The product exchange device 24 is, for example, a device that is redeemed by a customer's operation. In FIG. 4, the product exchange device 24 is a coffee machine, but it may also be a hot snack exchange machine, and is not particularly limited. As described above, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a code is used when a customer receives a redeemable product after payment. For this reason, the product exchange device 24 may be equipped with a reader that can read the code. Furthermore, the reader may be built into the product exchange device 24 or may be externally attached to the product exchange device 24.

[0051] Furthermore, devices and the like necessary for realizing general POS functions, such as a product DB accessed by the POS device 20, are omitted, but existing technologies and the like may be used.

[0052] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each device. The POS device 20 has an acquisition unit 201, a points processing unit 203, a reception unit 205, an output unit 207, a bonus processing unit 209, and a purchase history management unit 210. The terminal device 21 has a terminal device output unit 211. The product exchange device 24 has an acquisition unit 221, a control unit 222, and an exchange management unit 223.

[0053] The acquisition unit 201 may have, as a basic function, the function of the acquisition unit 101 shown in Fig. 2. The point processing unit 203 may have, as a basic function, the function of the point processing unit 103 shown in Fig. 2. The terminal device output unit 211 may have, as a basic function, the function of the terminal device output unit 111 shown in Fig. 2. For this reason, the same functions as those described in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0054] As described in the first embodiment, the terminal device output unit 211 displays a code including information on multiple point cards based on the management DB 2300, which associates unique identification information that can identify a customer with information on multiple point cards. For example, when a specific application is started, the terminal device output unit 211 obtains information on multiple point cards from the management DB 2300.

[0055] Here, an example will be described in which the terminal device output unit 211 displays a code containing information on multiple point cards when the unique identification information is a My Number. When a customer operates a specific application to issue an instruction to display the code and read the My Number card, the terminal device output unit 211 may send an instruction to the administrative server, the management server 23, to send the information on the multiple point cards along with the read My Number. The information on the multiple point cards is then sent to the specific application. The terminal device output unit 211 then displays the code containing the information on the multiple point cards. The mechanism by which the terminal device 21 reads the My Number from the My Number card may be any existing technology. An electronic certificate or the like may also be sent to the administrative server, the management server 23. For example, the terminal device 21 may read an electronic certificate from an IC (Integrated Circuit) card of the My Number card, and the terminal device output unit 211 may send an instruction to the administrative server, the management server 23, to send the information on the multiple point cards along with the read electronic certificate. The management server 23 then authenticates the customer using the electronic certificate. If the authentication is successful, the management server 23 transmits information on the multiple point cards associated with the My Number to a specific application. Then, the terminal device output unit 211 displays a code including the information on the multiple point cards received from the management server 23.

[0056] Furthermore, if the terminal device 21 is a device having the functionality of a My Number card, when a customer operates a specific application to instruct the display of a code, password entry or biometric authentication may be used, and the terminal device output unit 211 may transmit an electronic certificate to the management server 23 and an instruction to send information on multiple point cards. The management server 23 then authenticates the customer using the electronic certificate. If authenticated, the management server 23 transmits information on multiple point cards associated with the My Number to the specific application. The terminal device output unit 211 then displays the code including information on the multiple point cards received from the management server 23.

[0057] The method by which a user obtains information linked to the My Number from the administrative server using his / her own terminal device 21 is not particularly limited, as long as existing technology can be used.

[0058] If the unique identification information is the user's biometric information, when a customer operates a specific application to instruct the display of a code, the customer's biometric information is acquired, and the terminal device output unit 211 may transmit the acquired biometric information along with an instruction to send information on multiple point cards to the management server 23, which is an administrative server. The management server 23 then performs authentication using the biometric information received from the management server 23 and the biometric information stored in the management DB 2300, and transmits information on multiple point cards associated with the authenticated biometric information in the management DB 2300 to the specific application. The terminal device output unit 211 then displays a code including information on the multiple point cards. The type of biometric authentication is not particularly limited, and may include face authentication, iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, etc., so the method of acquiring the biometric information is also not particularly limited.

[0059] Furthermore, information that is linked to the unique identification information and that is permitted by the user may be stored in advance in the terminal device 21. Therefore, for example, information on a plurality of point cards that are linked to the unique identification information assigned to the customer in the management DB 2300 may be stored in the terminal device 21. Therefore, when an instruction to display a code is given by a customer's operation in a specific application, the terminal device output unit 211 displays a code that includes information on the plurality of point cards stored in the terminal device 21.

[0060] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which processing related to points is performed based on information on a point card that can be used at a store among information on multiple point cards linked to unique identification information. For example, there may be multiple point cards that can be used at a store.

[0061] In some cases, multiple point cards can be used at the same time in a store. For example, if multiple point cards can be used at the same time in a store, the point processing unit 203 performs processing related to points for each of the multiple point cards.

[0062] For example, even if multiple point cards are available at a store, the number of available point cards may be limited. For example, both point A and point B may be available, but one of the point cards may allow points to be used and awarded, while the other card may only award points. In such cases, the priority of point card use may be set in advance by the customer. Alternatively, point cards may be selectable at the POS device 20.

[0063] An example will be described in which the priority of point card usage is set in advance by a customer. The priority of usage for multiple point cards may be registered in advance in the management DB 2300. For example, the management DB 2300 may store unique identification information, information on multiple point cards, and information on the priority of point card usage in association with each other. The code displayed by the terminal device output unit 211 includes information on the priority. The point processing unit 203 performs processing related to points based on information on a point card selected from multiple point cards available at the store based on information on the priority. For example, the point processing unit 203 may select the point card with the highest priority from multiple point cards available at the store.

[0064] Here, before the processing related to points is performed, the output unit 207 may display the type of the selected point card and the number of points of the selected point card. The number of points may be included as part of the information on the point card, or may be newly acquired from the company server 25. Then, the reception unit 205 may receive information related to the use of points. The information related to the use of points is information related to whether or not to use points. Specifically, for example, the reception unit 205 may receive, through an operation by the user of the POS device 20, whether or not to use points.

[0065] Furthermore, the user operating the POS device 20 may be able to select a point card to be used by the customer from point cards available in the store. The reception unit 205 receives the selection of a point card to be used from point cards available in the store. To receive this selection, the output unit 207 may display the type and number of points for each point card available in the store so that the customer can select one of the cards available in the store. The number of points may be included as part of the information on the point card, or may be newly obtained from the company server 25.

[0066] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a point card selection screen. In FIG. 6, the screen of the POS device 20 displays the type of point card and the current number of points on the point card. For example, the type of point card is displayed as a selectable button. For example, in FIG. 6, the button for point A displays 50 points as the number of points for point A, and the button for point B displays 200 points as the number of points for point B. The reception unit 205 receives the selection of the point card corresponding to the button pressed by the user's operation. Then, the point processing unit 203 performs processing related to points based on the selected point card.

[0067] The user operating the POS device 20 may be a customer who uses a point card, or a store clerk. For example, if the POS device 20 is a self-service device operated by a customer, the output unit 207 displays a selection screen on a display device provided in the POS device 20 that is visible to the customer. The POS device 20 may also be a device operated by a store clerk, and the output unit 207 may display the selection screen on a display device provided in the POS device 20 that is visible to the store clerk. Even if the POS device 20 is a device operated by a store clerk, if there are display devices on both the customer side and the store clerk side, the output unit 207 may display the selection screen on at least one of the display devices. In this way, the reception unit 205 may receive various information through operation by a customer or operation by a store clerk.

[0068] Furthermore, the code displayed by the terminal device 21 may include information other than the point card information. For example, the information other than the point card information is not particularly limited as long as it is information linked to unique identification information in the management DB 2300.

[0069] <Examples of use for benefits and age verification> For example, information other than point card information includes information about the user's attributes, other personal information that can be linked to My Bar, and membership information for some service. For example, information about the user's attributes includes information about age and information about gender. Age information is used for age verification, etc.

[0070] For example, if the unique identification information is a My Number, the My Number can be linked to a driver's license. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a code further including information on the driver's license category and age information is displayed. The code is, for example, information on the driver's license category and age information. Therefore, the terminal device output unit 211 may further acquire information on the driver's license category and age information, similar to the point card information, and display a code including information on the driver's license category and age information, similar to the point card information.

[0071] The age information may be used for age verification when purchasing products with age restrictions. Furthermore, the category information indicating the category of the driver's license is used to use a special benefit if the special benefit is available at the store according to the category of the driver's license. The content of the special benefit may be stored in the POS device 20 or in a database of the store server 22. The special benefit processing unit 209 performs processing to apply the special benefit if the special benefit is available according to the category indicated by the category information included in the read code. If there is no special benefit according to the category indicated by the category information included in the read code, the special benefit processing unit 209 does not perform any processing.

[0072] The process for using the benefit can be carried out using existing technology, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0073] Here, a driver's license has an expiration date. Therefore, if information linked to the unique identification information that is permitted by the user can be stored in the terminal device 21, the terminal device 21 may store information on the driver's license category and age information if the driver's license is not yet expired. The terminal device output unit 211 displays a code including information on multiple point cards, information on the driver's license category, and age information stored in the terminal device 21. If the driver's license has expired, the terminal device 21 does not use the information on the driver's license category and age information stored in the terminal device 21. For example, the terminal device output unit 211 newly acquires information on the category and age information of a driver's license that is not yet expired from the management DB 2300. The acquisition method is as described above. The terminal device output unit 211 then displays a code including information on multiple point cards, information on the category of a driver's license that is not yet expired, and age information stored in the terminal device 21. The acquired information on the category and age information of a driver's license that is not yet expired may be stored in the terminal device 21.

[0074] The classification information of a driver's license is an example of a case where the unique identification information is a My Number, and other information linked to the My Number may also be used. When information related to an insurance card and information related to a health checkup are linked to the My Number, at least part of that information may be included in the code displayed on the terminal device 21. Information related to the insurance card may also be information such as age information and the health insurance association to which the person belongs.

[0075] In addition, a store may provide special benefits that can be used by members of a certain service. For this reason, information about the member may be linked to unique identification information in advance. The terminal device output unit 211 may display a code that further includes information about the member linked to the unique identification information.

[0076] <Example of redeeming a product> A user may receive a product after purchasing it. For example, if a user at a convenience store wants to purchase freshly brewed coffee from a coffee machine installed in the store, the user pays for the coffee at the POS device 20 and then brews the coffee in the coffee machine. The coffee machine is an example of the product redemption device 24 shown in FIG. 4. In such a case, the information on the used point card may be used to redeem the product.

[0077] The purchase history management unit 210 manages the purchase history by associating information on products purchased by a customer that can be redeemed at the product redemption device 24 with information on the point card used. Specifically, for example, the purchase history management unit 210 may store, in the customer purchase DB 2200, information on the point card used as customer information and information on the redeemable products in association with each other.

[0078] Then, the terminal device output unit 211 displays a code including information on a plurality of point cards. Then, the acquisition unit 221 of the product redemption device 24 reads the code displayed on the terminal device 21. If there is a redeemable product associated with the point card usable at the store included in the code in the customer purchase DB 2200, the control unit 222 performs control so that the customer can receive the product.

[0079] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of receiving coffee using a code. For example, in FIG. 8(1), the acquisition unit 201 of the POS device 20 reads a code containing information on multiple point cards from the terminal device 21. Then, the purchase history management unit 210 associates and stores information on the point card used as customer information, information on redeemable products, and product receipt information in the customer purchase DB 2200. The product receipt information indicates, for example, whether the customer has received the product. For example, in the customer purchase DB 2200, xxx is registered as point card information, a medium-sized coffee is registered as redeemable product information, and "not yet" is registered as product receipt information, indicating that the product has not been received.

[0080] For example, in FIG. 8(2), the acquisition unit 221 of the product redemption device 24 reads a code including information on multiple point cards from the terminal device 21. If the customer purchase DB 2200 indicates that there is a redeemable product associated with a point card that can be used at the store included in the code and the product receipt information indicates that the product has not been received, the control unit 222 of the product redemption device 24 performs control to enable the customer to receive the product. Then, after the customer is able to receive the product, the exchange management unit 223 of the product redemption device 24 registers the product receipt information in the customer purchase DB 2200 as information indicating that the customer has received the product. In FIG. 8, the product receipt information associated with the point card information in the customer purchase DB 2200 has been updated from "not yet" to "completed."

[0081] If the used point card is not available, the output unit 207 may print a code including information for redeeming a redeemable product. For example, the code may be printed on paper. For example, the paper may be a receipt. The redemption information may be, for example, identification information related to redemption or a transaction number. The purchase history management unit 210 associates and stores information about products purchased by the customer that are redeemable at the product redemption device 24 with the redemption information included in the printed code. Specifically, for example, the purchase history management unit 210 associates and stores, in the customer purchase DB 2200, the redemption information included in the printed code as customer information, information about the redeemable product, and product receipt information. As with the example using a point card, the receipt information is registered as "not yet received," which indicates that the product has not been received.

[0082] The acquisition unit 221 of the product redemption device 24 reads the code printed on the paper. If the customer purchase DB 2200 contains a redeemable product associated with the redemption information included in the code and the product receipt information indicates that the product has not been received, the control unit 222 controls the product so that the customer can receive the product. Then, after the customer is able to receive the product, the redemption management unit 223 of the product redemption device 24 registers the product receipt information in the customer purchase DB 2200 as information indicating that the customer has received the product.

[0083] Although the receipt status is managed by the receipt information, the exchange management unit 223 of the product exchange device 24 may delete the records of the customer information and the information of the redeemable product from the customer purchase DB 2200 after receipt.

[0084] In each embodiment, an example is given in which information from multiple point cards is linked in advance, but if information from a single point card is linked, the code includes information from one point card.

[0085] Alternatively, a specific application program may access a server of a company that operates a point system to obtain point information associated with the point card information. In such a case, the point card information may further include point information associated with the point card. The point information may be a numerical value of the points, etc. Alternatively, the POS device 20 may access a server of a company that operates the point system from the point card information to obtain point information associated with the point card information.

[0086] (flowchart) 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the point processing system 2. First, the terminal device output unit 211 of the terminal device 21 displays a code including information on a plurality of point cards based on the management DB 2300 that associates unique identification information that can identify a customer with information on a plurality of point cards (step S211).

[0087] Then, the acquisition unit 201 of the POS device 20 reads the code displayed on the terminal device 21 (step S201). The point processing unit 203 identifies a point card that can be used at the store from the information on multiple point cards included in the read code (step S202). The output unit 207 displays the types of point cards that can be used at the store and the number of points (step S203). The reception unit 205 receives information related to the use of points (step S204). Note that the reception unit 205 may perform step S203 if the point card is one that can be used to issue points.

[0088] The point processing unit 203 performs processing related to points based on the point information and information regarding point usage (step S205). In step S205, if the point processing unit 203 has accepted the use of points in step S204, it uses points for payment and awards points based on the point information. Also, in step S205, if the point processing unit 203 has accepted the decision not to use points in step S204, it awards points based on the point information.

[0089] As described above, in the second embodiment, the priority order for using point cards is pre-registered in the information of multiple point cards associated with unique identification information, and the code contains information regarding the priority order. The POS device 20 performs point-related processing based on the information of a point card selected from among the point cards available at the store based on the priority order information contained in the code. This allows customers to easily use their desired point card. The POS device 20 may also display the type of point card selected based on the priority order information and the number of points on the selected point card. This allows customers to confirm which point card will be used and the number of points on that point card.

[0090] The POS device 20 may accept the selection of a point card to be used from among the point cards that can be used in the store. Then, the POS device 20 performs processing related to points based on the information of the selected point card. This allows the customer to select the point card they want to use from the point cards they own and that can be used in the store. Therefore, the customer can easily use the point card they want.

[0091] The unique identification information is further linked to information about the driver's license, and the code further includes category information that indicates the category of the driver's license, which is included in the information about the driver's license. If a benefit corresponding to the category indicated by the category information included in the read code is available, the POS device 20 performs processing to apply the benefit. This allows the customer to easily use the benefit corresponding to the category of the driver's license.

[0092] Taking a coffee machine as an example, a customer may intentionally or unintentionally brew a different size of coffee than the one they purchased. The POS device 20 manages purchase histories by associating the products purchased by the customer that can be redeemed at the product redemption device with the information on the point card used. The product redemption device then reads a code from the terminal device and, if there is a redeemable product based on the purchase history of products associated with the point card usable at the store contained in the code, controls the product so that the customer can receive the product. This allows a customer to easily receive a redeemable product simply by having the product redemption device read the code displayed on the terminal device. Furthermore, the store can prevent customers from unauthorized redemption of products, etc., by customers who have not purchased the redeemable product. Furthermore, the store can provide customers with redeemable products without mistake.

[0093] This concludes the description of each embodiment. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined. In each embodiment, the information processing device 10 and the POS device 20 may be configured to include some of the functional units and information.

[0094] Furthermore, the embodiments are not limited to the examples described above and can be modified in various ways. For example, the embodiments may be modified in various ways. Modifications are shown below.

[0095] <Modification> For example, in the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the POS device 20 reads a code displayed by the terminal device 21. For example, the POS device 20 may be equipped with a reader for short-range wireless communication. The reader for short-range wireless communication may be built into the POS device 20 or may be externally attached to the POS device 20. The terminal device 21 may transmit information including information on a plurality of point cards to the POS device 20 by short-range wireless communication. Then, the POS device 20 reads the information including information on the plurality of point cards via the reader for short-range wireless communication.

[0096] Also, an example has been described in which the product redemption device 24 reads a code displayed by the terminal device 21. For example, the product redemption device 24 may be equipped with a reader for short-range wireless communication. The reader for short-range wireless communication may be built into the product redemption device 24 or may be externally attached to the POS device 20. The terminal device 21 may transmit information including information on a plurality of point cards to the product redemption device 24 by short-range wireless communication. Then, the product redemption device 24 reads the information including information on the plurality of point cards via the reader for short-range wireless communication.

[0097] This concludes the description of the modified examples. The embodiments may be combined, and the embodiments and the modified examples may be combined.

[0098] Furthermore, the configuration of the information processing device 10 and the POS device 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the functional units of the information processing device 10 and the POS device 20 may be implemented by a single device. Alternatively, for example, each functional unit or database of the information processing device 10 and the POS device 20 may be implemented by a different device and configured as a system. For example, each functional unit of the information processing device 10 and the POS device 20 may be implemented by a plurality of devices and configured as a system. For example, they may be implemented by a database server including a database and a server having each functional unit.

[0099] In the embodiment, each database may include part of the information described above. Also, each piece of information may include information other than the information described above.

[0100] Furthermore, the process of generating information to be displayed on the terminal device 21 may be performed, for example, by a server that manages a specific application program. This process may also be performed by the terminal device 21. That is, the terminal device 21 generates information for a screen to be displayed on the terminal device 21 based on data received from the server that manages the specific application program, and displays the screen. Furthermore, the user interface, such as the screen example, is merely an example, and various modifications are possible.

[0101] (Example of computer hardware configuration) Next, an example of a hardware configuration in which each device, such as the information processing device 10, the POS device 20, the terminal device 21, the store server 22, the company server 25, and the product exchange device 24, is realized by a computer will be described.

[0102] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. For example, some or all of the devices can be realized using any combination of a computer 80 and a program as shown in Fig. 10.

[0103] The computer 80 includes, for example, a processor 801, a read-only memory (ROM) 802, a random access memory (RAM) 803, and a storage device 804. The computer 80 also includes a communication interface 805 and an input / output interface 806. The components are connected to each other, for example, via a bus 807. The number of each component is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more of each component.

[0104] The processor 801 controls the entire computer 80. The processor 801 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, or a combination of these, and is not particularly limited.

[0105] The computer 80 also includes a ROM 802, a RAM 803, and a storage device 804. Examples of the storage device 804 include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). For example, the storage device 804 stores an operating system (OS) program, application programs, and programs according to the embodiments. Alternatively, the ROM 802 stores application programs and programs according to the embodiments. The RAM 803 is used as a work area for the processor 801.

[0106] The processor 801 also loads programs stored in the storage device 804, ROM 802, etc. The processor 801 then executes each process coded in the program. The processor 801 may also download various programs via the communication network NT. The processor 801 also functions as a part or all of the computer 80. The processor 801 may then execute the processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0107] The communication interface 805 is connected to a communication network NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network) via a wireless or wired communication line. The communication network NT may be composed of multiple communication networks NT. As a result, the computer 80 is connected to external devices and external computers 80 via the communication networks NT. The communication interface 805 serves as an interface between the communication network NT and the inside of the computer 80. The communication interface 805 also controls the input and output of data from external devices and external computers 80.

[0108] Furthermore, the input / output interface 806 is connected to at least one of an input device, an output device, and an input / output device. The connection method may be wireless or wired. Examples of the input device include a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone. Examples of the output device include a display device, a lighting device, and an audio output device that outputs audio. Examples of the input / output device include a touch panel display. The input device, output device, and input / output device may be built into the computer 80 or may be external to the computer 80.

[0109] The hardware configuration of computer 80 is an example. Computer 80 may have some of the components shown in FIG. 10 . Computer 80 may have components other than those shown in FIG. 10 . For example, computer 80 may have a drive device or the like. Then, processor 801 may read programs and data stored in a recording medium attached to the drive device or the like into RAM 803. Examples of non-transitory tangible recording media include optical disks, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories. As described above, computer 80 may have input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. Computer 80 may have an output device such as a display. Computer 80 may also have an input device, an output device, and an input / output device.

[0110] The computer 80 may also have various sensors (not shown). The types of sensors are not particularly limited. The computer 80 may also have an imaging device capable of capturing images or videos.

[0111] This concludes the description of the hardware configuration of each device. There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a different computer and program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0112] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by circuits for specific applications. Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of circuits for specific applications and general-purpose circuits. Furthermore, these circuits may be a single integrated circuit. Alternatively, these circuits may be divided into multiple integrated circuits. Furthermore, the multiple integrated circuits may be configured by being connected via a bus or the like.

[0113] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of each device are realized by a plurality of computers, circuits, etc., the plurality of computers, circuits, etc. may be centrally located or distributed.

[0114] The methods described in each embodiment may be realized by being executed by a computer such as the information processing device 10, the POS device 20, the terminal device 21, or the product exchange device 24.

[0115] Each program described in each embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or USB memory. Each program is executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer. Each program may also be distributed via a communication network NT.

[0116] The functions of each of the components of the information processing device 10, the POS device 20, the terminal device 21, and the product redemption device 24 described above may be realized by dedicated hardware such as a computer. Alternatively, each component may be realized by software. Alternatively, each component may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0117] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The configuration and details of the present disclosure may include embodiments to which various modifications that would be apparent to those skilled in the art are applied within the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may include embodiments in which the features described herein are appropriately combined or substituted as necessary. For example, features described using a particular embodiment may also be applied to other embodiments to the extent that no contradiction occurs. For example, although multiple operations are described in sequence in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the multiple operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing the embodiments, the order of the multiple operations may be changed as long as the content is not affected.

[0118] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows: However, some or all of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the following.

[0119] (Appendix 1) a customer terminal device; an information processing device that processes points; Equipped with The terminal device, a terminal device output means for displaying a code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information that can identify the customer; Equipped with The information processing device, an acquisition means for reading the code displayed on the terminal device; point processing means for performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at a store among information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; A point processing system comprising:

[0120] (Appendix 2) The priority order of the use of the point cards is registered in advance in the information of the plurality of point cards associated with the unique identification information, the code includes information regarding the priority; the point processing means performs processing related to points based on information of a point card selected from among point cards available at the store based on information about the priority included in the code; A points processing system as described in Appendix 1.

[0121] (Appendix 3) The information processing device, an output means for displaying the type of the selected point card and the number of points associated with the selected point card; A point processing system as described in Appendix 2, comprising:

[0122] (Appendix 4) The information processing device includes: A reception means for receiving a selection of a point card to be used from the available point cards; Equipped with the point processing means performs processing related to points based on the information of the selected point card. A points processing system as described in Appendix 1.

[0123] (Appendix 5) The information processing device, an output means for displaying the type and points of each point card so that the user can select any one of the point cards available at the store from the information of the plurality of point cards included in the read code; A point processing system as described in Appendix 4, comprising:

[0124] (Appendix 6) The unique identification information is further linked to information about a driver's license, The code further includes category information indicating a category of the driver's license included in the information about the driver's license, The information processing device includes: a benefit processing means for applying a benefit according to a category indicated by the category information included in the read code if the benefit is available; A point processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, comprising:

[0125] (Appendix 7) Furthermore, a product exchange device is provided, The information processing device includes: a purchase history management means for managing a purchase history by associating the products purchased by the customer that can be redeemed at the product redemption device with information on the point card used; Equipped with the terminal device output means displays the code; The product exchange device an acquisition means for reading the code; a control means for controlling the customer to receive a redeemable product when the redeemable product is available based on the purchase history of the product associated with the point card usable at the store and included in the code; A point processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, comprising:

[0126] (Appendix 8) The unique identification information is a My Number. A points processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.

[0127] (Appendix 9) An acquisition means for acquiring a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; point processing means for performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at a store among information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; An information processing device comprising:

[0128] (Appendix 10) The computer Acquire a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at the store out of information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; How to perform the action.

[0129] (Appendix 11) On the computer, Acquire a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at the store out of information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; A program that executes a process.

[0130] (Appendix 12) On the computer, Acquire a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at the store out of information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; A non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer that records a program for executing processing.

[0131] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 9, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 10, 11, and 12 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 9. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 10, 11, and 12, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1,2 point processing system 10. Information processing equipment 11, 21 Terminal equipment 21 Terminal equipment 22 Store Server 23 Management Server 24 Product exchange device 25, 25-A, 25-B Corporate Server 80 Computer 101, 201 Acquisition Department 103, 203 Point processing section 111, 211 Terminal device output section 205 Reception 207 Output section 209 Bonus Processing Unit 210 Purchase History Management Department 221 Acquisition Department 222 Control Unit 223 Exchange Management Department 801 processor 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 Storage device 805 Communication Interface 806 Input / Output Interface 807 Bus 2200 Customer purchase DB 2300 Management DB 2500 point card DB NT Communications Network

Claims

1. a customer terminal device; an information processing device that processes points; Equipped with The terminal device, a terminal device output means for displaying a code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information that can identify the customer; Equipped with The information processing device, an acquisition means for reading the code displayed on the terminal device; point processing means for performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at a store among information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; A point processing system comprising:

2. The priority order of use of the plurality of point cards is registered in advance in the information of the plurality of point cards associated with the unique identification information, the code includes information regarding the priority; the point processing means performs processing related to points based on information of a point card selected from among point cards available at the store based on information about the priority included in the code; The point processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The information processing device, an output means for displaying the type of the selected point card and the number of points associated with the selected point card; The point processing system according to claim 2 .

4. The information processing device includes: A reception means for receiving a selection of a point card to be used from the available point cards; Equipped with the point processing means performs processing related to points based on the information of the selected point card. The point processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The information processing device, an output means for displaying the type and points of each point card so that the user can select any one of the point cards available at the store from the information of the plurality of point cards included in the read code; The point processing system according to claim 4, comprising:

6. The unique identification information is further linked to information about a driver's license, The code further includes category information indicating a category of the driver's license included in the information about the driver's license, The information processing device includes: a benefit processing means for applying a benefit according to a category indicated by the category information included in the read code if the benefit is available; The point processing system according to claim 1 , comprising:

7. Furthermore, a product exchange device is provided, The information processing device includes: a purchase history management means for managing a purchase history by associating the products purchased by the customer that can be redeemed at the product redemption device with information on the point card used; Equipped with the terminal device output means displays the code; The product exchange device an acquisition means for reading the code; a control means for controlling the customer to receive a redeemable product when the redeemable product is available based on the purchase history of the product associated with the point card usable at the store and included in the code; The point processing system according to claim 1 , comprising:

8. An acquisition means for acquiring a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; point processing means for performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at a store among information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; An information processing device comprising:

9. The computer Acquire a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at the store out of information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; How to perform the action.

10. On the computer, Acquire a code displayed on a terminal device, the code including information on a plurality of point cards associated with unique identification information; performing processing related to points based on information on a point card that can be used at the store out of information on the plurality of point cards included in the read code; A program that executes a process.

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