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

Abstract

To provide a technique for enabling a participant to obtain information on a participating stamp rally in real time.SOLUTION: An information providing device includes a storage unit that stores participant information including stamp history information in which a store identifier of a stamp rally participating store visited by a stamp rally participant is associated with a customer identifier for identifying the stamp rally participant, a stamp rally management unit that stores stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier in the stamp history information when the stop information is received, a presentation information determination unit that determines information of the stamp rally participating store to be presented to the stamp rally participant, and a presentation information management unit that presents the information of the stamp rally participating store.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Stamp rally events are sometimes held as sales promotion events in designated areas, such as shopping districts. Stamp rally events include various features designed to entertain customers. Customers can enjoy these features while receiving incentives such as discounts, and stamp rally participating stores have the opportunity to attract customers and promote sales. For example, a typical stamp rally involves customers visiting a predetermined number of participating stores, earning stamps at the stores. By visiting a predetermined number of stores, customers can receive prizes or services. In recent years, technologies are being developed that allow such stamp rallies to be conducted using information processing devices (such as smartphones) used by customers, recording information about the stores visited as stamps, and displaying predetermined information and information about participating stores.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that includes "a notification server comprising a control unit, a communication unit, and a database, wherein the communication unit receives geofence information sent from outside and sends it to the control unit, and the control unit records the sent geofence information in the database. The communication unit receives a geofence information request message sent from an external stamp rally terminal and sends it to the control unit, and the control unit searches for geofence information in the database based on the position of the stamp rally terminal in the geofence information request message, selects geofence information close to the stamp rally terminal, and sends it to the communication unit, and the communication unit sends the geofence information to the stamp rally terminal." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-004338 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above technology uses geofencing to enable organizers to publicize stamp rally information based on geographical conditions. In other words, it is possible to announce stamp rally events related to a specific geofenced area. However, it does not include a mechanism for informing participants of the area while they are actually participating in the stamp rally.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows participants to obtain information (recommended stores, etc.) about the stamp rally they are participating in in real time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present application includes multiple means for resolving at least some of the above problems, examples of which are as follows: An information provision device according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with the store identifiers of stamp rally member stores visited by the stamp rally participant, a stamp rally management unit that stores stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier in the stamp history information upon receiving the stop information, the stamp history information including the customer identifier and the store identifier, a presentation information determination unit that determines information about the stamp rally member stores to be presented to the stamp rally participant, and a presentation information management unit that presents the information about the stamp rally member stores.

[0008] In the information providing device, the presentation information determination unit may exclude, from among the stamp rally member stores, stores included in the stamp history information related to the customer identifier.

[0009] In addition, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit may include stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and the presentation information determination unit may determine, among the stamp rally member stores, those stores with the highest rank as the stores to be presented.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit may include stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that changes the rank of the stamp rally member stores, and the presentation information determination unit may use the presentation information customization information to change the rank of the stamp rally member stores and determine the stores with the highest rank as the stores to be presented.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit includes stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that includes content that changes the rank of priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores, and the presentation information determination unit may change the rank of stores that are priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores included in the stop-by information according to the content, and determine stores with high ranks as targets for presentation.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit may include stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner and rank change conditions that change the rank of the stamp rally member stores depending on the weather, and the presentation information determination unit may acquire weather information from an external device, change the rank of the stamp rally member stores depending on the weather and the rank change conditions, and determine the stamp rally member stores with the highest rank as the stores to be presented.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit may include stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner and rank change conditions that change the rank of the stamp rally member stores according to the temperature, and the presentation information determination unit may acquire temperature information from an external device, change the rank of the stamp rally member stores according to the temperature and the rank change conditions, and determine the stamp rally member stores with the highest rank as the stores to be presented.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit includes stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that includes content that changes the rank of priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores, and is equipped with a store registration unit that accepts editing of the content included in the presentation information customization information, and the presentation information determination unit may change the rank of stores among the stamp rally member stores that are priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores included in the stop-by information in accordance with the content, and determine stores with high ranks as targets for presentation.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit includes stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that includes content that varies the rank of the stamp rally member stores depending on the weather, temperature, or distance, and the presentation information determination unit may obtain weather, temperature, or distance information from an external device, vary the rank of the stamp rally member stores depending on the weather, temperature, or distance, and determine stores with high ranks as targets for presentation.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information providing device, the memory unit may include stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores, the rank being determined in relation to the geography or history of the area targeted by the stamp rally, and the presentation information determination unit may determine the stores with the highest rank as the stores to be presented.

[0017] In the information providing device, the ranking may be determined by giving priority to local products of the area targeted by the stamp rally and souvenir shops that sell such products.

[0018] In the information providing device, the ranking may be determined by giving priority to famous places in the area that is the target of the stamp rally.

[0019] In the information providing device, the rank may be determined by giving priority to the stamp rally member stores that appear in a story related to the target area of ​​the stamp rally.

[0020] Another aspect of the information provision system of the present invention is an information provision system including a participant terminal used by a stamp rally participant and an information provision device communicatively connected to the participant terminal, wherein the information provision device comprises: a memory unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies the stamp rally participant with the store identifier of a stamp rally member store visited by the stamp rally participant; a stamp rally management unit that stores visit information including the customer identifier and the store identifier in the stamp history information upon receiving it from the participant terminal; a presentation information determination unit that determines information about the stamp rally member store to be presented to the stamp rally participant; and a presentation information management unit that presents the information about the stamp rally member store.

[0021] Another aspect of the information provision program of the present invention is an information provision program that causes an information processing device to realize an information provision function, and the information processing device is equipped with a memory unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with the store identifier of a stamp rally member store visited by the stamp rally participant, and a processing unit, and is characterized in that, when stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier is received, the processing unit is caused to perform a stamp rally management step of storing the stop information in the stamp history information, a presentation information determination step of determining information about the stamp rally member store to be presented to the stamp rally participant, and a presentation information management step of presenting the information about the stamp rally member store.

[0022] Another aspect of the information provision method of the present invention is an information provision method that causes an information processing device to realize an information provision function, and the information processing device is equipped with a memory unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with the store identifier of a stamp rally member store visited by the stamp rally participant, and a processing unit, and is characterized in that, when the processing unit receives stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier, it performs the following steps: a stamp rally management step that stores the stop information in the stamp history information; a presentation information determination step that determines information about the stamp rally member store to be presented to the stamp rally participant; and a presentation information management step that presents the information about the stamp rally member store. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, participants can obtain information (recommended stores, etc.) about the stamp rally in which they are participating in real time.

[0024] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1]1 is an example of a block diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of participant information. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of store information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of stamp rally member store information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of presentation information customization information. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an information providing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a participant terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of stamp recording processing (reading at a store terminal). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information presentation screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of stamp recording processing (reading at a participant terminal). [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an example of a block diagram of an information providing system according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a rank change condition. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a presentation information identification process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An information providing system 1 to which an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] In general, it is useful for stores participating in stamp rallies to announce and introduce information about other participating stores to participants in order to liven up the stamp rally event as a whole. On the other hand, it is also meaningful for stores participating in stamp rallies to prioritize announcing and introducing affiliated stores, sister stores, or stores they want to support, in order to retain customers and increase the number of customers at stores with which they have cooperative relationships.

[0028] By using the information provision system 1 according to this embodiment, participants can obtain information about the stamp rally they are participating in (recommended stores, etc.) in real time. Also, member stores can give priority to advertising certain stores, which is beneficial for both the stamp rally event as a whole and the member stores of the stamp rally.

[0029] 1 is a block diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information providing system 1 includes an information providing device 100, a participant terminal 200, and a shop terminal 300.

[0030] The participant terminal 200 is a terminal owned and used by participants in the stamp rally. The store terminal 300 is communicably connected to the information providing device 100 via the network 50 and is a terminal used by participating stores in the stamp rally for payment and stamp recording.

[0031] The participant terminal 200 may be a terminal such as a smartphone that is owned and used by a participant of the stamp rally, i.e., a customer of the store, regardless of the stamp rally. The store terminal 300 may be a terminal such as a cash register, tablet, or smartphone that is owned and used by the stamp issuer of the stamp rally, i.e., the affiliated store.

[0032] The network 50 is a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, a mobile phone network, etc. The network 50 may also be a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on a wireless communication network such as a mobile phone communication network.

[0033] The information providing device 100 is a so-called server device, but is not limited to this, and the information providing device 100 may be various information processing devices such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a workstation, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), or a tablet device.

[0034] The information providing device 100 receives stop information including information identifying a participant who visited a store from a store terminal 300 (which may be a participant terminal 200 as described below) via the network 50, and records a stamp from that store in the participant's stamp history, thereby realizing a stamp rally function. Furthermore, once the information providing device 100 records the stamp in the stamp history, it transmits information about other stamp rally member stores other than the store the participant visited to the participant terminal 200, causing the participant terminal 200 to present the information.

[0035] The store terminal 300 is, for example, a terminal such as a personal computer or a tablet device, but is not limited to this, and each device may be various information processing devices such as a smartphone, a workstation, or a PDA.

[0036] The participant terminal 200 and the store terminal 300 perform output processing when they receive an instruction to display a predetermined screen from the information providing device 100 via the network 50. In addition, the participant terminal 200 and the store terminal 300 transmit input information received from input devices (described below) provided in their own devices to the information providing device 100 via the network 50.

[0037] The information providing device 100 includes a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130. The processing unit 110 includes a stamp rally management unit 111, a presentation information determination unit 112, a presentation information management unit 113, a store registration unit 114, and a participant registration unit 115. The storage unit 120 includes participant information 121, store information 122, stamp rally member store information 123, and presentation information customization information 124.

[0038] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of participant information. Participant information 121 includes stamp history information that associates a customer identifier, which identifies a stamp rally participant, with the store identifiers of stamp rally participating stores visited by the stamp rally participant. Specifically, participant information 121 stores a rally identifier 121a, a customer identifier 121b, a customer name 121c, a gender 121d, an age 121e, an email address 121f, an address 121g, and a stamp history 121h, all of which are associated with one another.

[0039] The rally identifier 121a is information that identifies the stamp rally in which the participant is participating. The customer identifier 121b is information that identifies the participant. The customer name 121c, gender 121d, age 121e, email address 121f, and address 121g are information that identify the participant's name, gender, age, email address, and address, respectively. The stamp history 121h is information that associates the store identifiers of stamp rally member stores visited by the stamp rally participant with the stamp identifiers. For example, the stamp history 121h stores information that associates the date and time the stamp rally participant visited with the store identifiers and stamp identifiers of the stamp rally member stores according to the number of visits.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of store information. Store information 122 includes associated information related to store identifiers that identify stores that may participate in the stamp rally. Specifically, the store information 122 stores a store identifier 122a, a store name 122b, an address 122c, a telephone number 122d, a store chain 122e, a store genre 122f, a representative product 122g, and a push advertisement 122h, all of which are associated with one another. The store identifier 122a is information that identifies a store. The store name 122b, the address 122c, and the telephone number 122d are information that specifies the name of the store, such as its trade name, the store's address, and a telephone number for contacting the store.

[0041] The store affiliation 122e is information that identifies a group made up of stores that are linked by some kind of relationship, such as a capital relationship, a franchise agreement, or a chamber of commerce. The store genre 122f is information that identifies the store genre, such as the type of products or services offered. For example, store genres include predetermined genres such as "restaurant," "cafe," "souvenirs," "accommodation," "miscellaneous goods," and "cosmetics." The representative product 122g includes information on products or services that the store wishes to promote. The push advertisement 122h includes information on advertisements that the store wishes to present to participants (for example, flyers, still images, videos, audio, or a combination thereof).

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of stamp rally member store information. Stamp rally member store information 123 includes information for ranking stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner. Specifically, stamp rally member store information 123 stores a store identifier 123a, a store name 123b, a stamp identifier 123c, and a rally contribution rank 123d, all of which are associated with each other. The store identifier 123a is information for identifying a store. The store name 123b is the name of the store, such as its trade name. The stamp identifier 123c is the store's identifier in the stamp rally. The rally contribution rank 123d is rank information for a store determined by management when participating in a stamp rally event. For example, the rally contribution rank 123d is rank information for a store determined by management based on the level of leadership demonstrated in the stamp rally event, the level of effort contributed, etc.

[0043] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the presentation information customization information. The presentation information customization information 124 includes information for changing the rank of a priority store set by each stamp rally member store for that store. Specifically, the presentation information customization information 124 stores a store identifier 124a, a store name 124b, a priority store identifier 124c, and an insertion rank 124d in association with each other.

[0044] The store identifier 124a is information that identifies the store. The store name 124b is the name of the store, such as its trade name. The priority store identifier 124c is information that identifies the identifier of the store that the store identified by the store identifier 124a wishes to prioritize in presenting information about during the stamp rally, or information that identifies the priority series. The insertion rank 124d is information that identifies the rank that the priority store identifier 124c wishes to set as the rank of the store that the priority store identifier 124c wishes to prioritize in presenting information about.

[0045] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 1, when the stamp rally management unit 111 receives the visit information including the customer identifier and the store identifier, it stores the information in the stamp history information.

[0046] The presentation information determination unit 112 determines information about stamp rally member stores to be presented to stamp rally participants. The presentation information determination unit 112 also excludes, from among the stamp rally member stores, stores included in the stamp history information related to the customer identifier. The presentation information determination unit 112 also determines, from among the stamp rally member stores, stores with a high rank as stores to be presented. The presentation information determination unit 112 also changes the rank of among the stamp rally member stores using the presentation information customization information 124, and determines, as among the stamp rally member stores, stores with a high rank as stores to be presented. The presentation information determination unit 112 also changes the rank of among the stamp rally member stores, which are priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores included in the stop information, according to the content, and determines, as among the stamp rally member stores, stores with a high rank as stores to be presented.

[0047] The presented information management unit 113 presents information on participating stores in the stamp rally.

[0048] The store registration unit 114 receives information about stores participating in the stamp rally and stores it in stamp rally member store information 123. When the store registration unit 114 receives information about stores that may participate in the stamp rally, it stores the information in store information 122. The store registration unit 114 also provides functions for adding, editing, and deleting conditions to presentation information customization information 124, which stores conditions used when determining stores stored in the stamp rally member store information 123 as targets for presentation.

[0049] Specifically, the store registration unit 114 provides a function to accept arbitrary changes to the presentation information customizing information 124 in real time via the store terminal 300, etc. Furthermore, when using such a change function, the store registration unit 114 authenticates the stamp rally member store and confirms the update authority for the table (presentation information customizing information 124). Furthermore, the store registration unit 114 changes the rank by inserting a new record into the already set presentation information customizing information 124.

[0050] The participant registration unit 115 receives information about participants in the stamp rally and stores it in participant information 121. The participant registration unit 115 also provides the participant information 121 with functions for adding, editing, and deleting participant information.

[0051] The communication unit 130 communicates with other devices, such as the participant terminal 200 and the store terminal 300, via the network 50.

[0052] The participant terminal 200 includes a display unit 210, an input receiving unit 220, a communication unit 230, and a stamp rally processing unit 240. When the display unit 210 receives screen information in a predetermined format instructed to be displayed by the information providing device 100 from the communication unit 230, the display unit 210 draws the screen information, such as a flat barcode, instructed by the stamp rally processing unit 240 on the display device. The input receiving unit 220 receives input instructions from an operator of the participant terminal 200, for example, a participant, and transmits the input instructions to the information providing device 100. The communication unit 230 communicates with the information providing device 100, which is another device, via the network 50.

[0053] The stamp rally processing unit 240 realizes the stamp rally function by combining the display unit 210, the input receiving unit 220, and the communication unit 230. Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 converts information including a customer identifier into a flat barcode using a predetermined algorithm and displays it on the display unit 210. The stamp rally processing unit 240 also associates the email addresses of participants when they participate in a stamp rally. This enables the stamp rally processing unit 240 to receive push notifications from the information providing device 100. The stamp rally processing unit 240 also displays information about stamp rally participating stores and the like presented by the information providing device 100.

[0054] The store terminal 300 includes a processing unit 310 and a communication unit 320. The processing unit 310 includes a purchase processing unit 311 and a code reading unit 312. The purchase processing unit 311 realizes functions such as a point-of-sales (POS) register, and performs accounting processing, for example, by inputting the type and quantity of products to be sold. The code reading unit 312 reads the flat barcode displayed on the display unit 210 of the participant terminal 200, decodes it to extract a customer identifier, and generates visit information including a combination of the store identifier and the customer identifier, which is then transmitted to the information providing device 100.

[0055] The communication unit 320 communicates with the information providing device 100, which is another device, via the network 50.

[0056] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information providing device. The information providing device 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, a communication device 104, and a bus 105 connecting the devices. The information providing device 100 may also include an input device.

[0057] The processor 101 is an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes processing according to a program recorded in the memory 102 or the storage 103. In the information providing device 100, processing is performed by the processor 101 operating according to a program read onto the memory 102 or the storage 103. The processing unit 110, the stamp rally management unit 111, the presentation information determination unit 112, the presentation information management unit 113, the store registration unit 114, and the participant registration unit 115 each realize their respective functions by the processor 101 executing the program.

[0058] The memory 102 is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, and functions as a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read. The storage 103 is a writable and readable storage device. The functions of the storage unit 120 are realized by the memory 102 or the storage 103. Note that the functions of the storage unit 120 may be realized by a storage device connected via the communication device 104.

[0059] The communication device 104 is an interface for connecting the information providing device 100 to an external device for communication. For example, the communication device 104 performs wireless communication using an antenna that can use a predetermined radio wave (for example, 5 GHz band, 2.4 GHz band, etc.) to establish a connection with the store terminal 300 according to the Wi-Fi standard.

[0060] The processing of each component of the information providing device 100 may be executed by one piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware. Furthermore, the processing of each component of the information providing device 100 may be realized by one program or by multiple programs.

[0061] The processor 101, memory 102, storage 103, and communication device 104 are connected to one another by connecting wires such as a bus 105.

[0062] The storage unit 120 of the information providing device 100 described above is realized by the memory 102 and the storage 103. Furthermore, the communication unit 130 of the information providing device 100 is realized by the communication device 104. The above is an example of the hardware configuration of the information providing device 100.

[0063] Each configuration of the information providing device 100 can be further divided into more components depending on the processing content, and each component can also be divided into more components that perform more processing.

[0064] Furthermore, each processing unit (processing unit 110, stamp rally management unit 111, presentation information determination unit 112, presentation information management unit 113, store registration unit 114, participant registration unit 115) may be constructed using dedicated hardware (ASIC, GPU, etc.) that realizes each function. Furthermore, the processing of each processing unit may be executed by one piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware.

[0065] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a participant terminal 200. The participant terminal 200 includes an input device 201, a processor 202, a storage 203, a memory 204, a display 205, a communication device 206, a camera 207, and a bus 208 connecting the devices.

[0066] The input device 201 is a variety of input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc. The input receiving unit 220 of the participant terminal 200 is realized by the input device 201, processor 202, and camera 207. The processor 202 is a computing device such as a CPU or GPU, and executes processing according to a program recorded in memory 204 or storage 203. In the participant terminal 200, processing is performed by the processor 202 operating according to a program read onto the memory 204 or storage 203. The stamp rally processing unit 240 realizes each function by the processor 202 executing the program.

[0067] The memory 204 is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, and functions as a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read. The storage 203 is a writable and readable storage device.

[0068] The display 205 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The display unit 210 is realized by the display 205 and the processor 202.

[0069] The communication device 206 is an interface for connecting the participant terminal 200 to an external device for communication. For example, the communication device 206 performs wireless communication using an antenna that can use a predetermined radio wave (e.g., 5 GHz band, 2.4 GHz band, etc.) to establish a connection with the information providing device 100 according to the Wi-Fi standard. The communication unit 230 of the participant terminal 200 is realized by the communication device 206 and the processor 202.

[0070] The processing of each component of the participant terminal 200 may be executed by one piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware. Furthermore, the processing of each component of the participant terminal 200 may be realized by one program or by multiple programs.

[0071] The input device 201, processor 202, storage 203, memory 204, display 205, communication device 206, and camera 207 are connected to one another by connecting wires such as a bus 208. The above is an example of the hardware configuration of the participant terminal 200.

[0072] Each configuration of the participant terminal 200 can be further divided into more components depending on the processing content, and each component can also be divided into more processes.

[0073] Furthermore, each processing unit (display unit 210, input receiving unit 220, communication unit 230, stamp rally processing unit 240) may be constructed using dedicated hardware (ASIC, GPU, etc.) that realizes the respective functions. Furthermore, the processing of each processing unit may be executed by a single piece of hardware, or may be executed by multiple pieces of hardware.

[0074] The store terminal 300 basically has the same hardware configuration as the participant terminal 200, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] Next, the operation of the information providing system 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0076] First, a store participating in the stamp rally accesses the information providing device 100 via the store terminal 300 or the like and sets any changes to the presentation information customizing information 124. Furthermore, when making such changes, the store registration unit 114 performs various authentication procedures, such as password authentication or biometric authentication, on the stamp rally participating store to confirm the update authority of the table (presentation information customizing information 124). Furthermore, the store registration unit 114 changes the rank by inserting a new record into the already-set presentation information customizing information 124 in accordance with any changes made. This updates the presentation information customizing information 124, and preparations are made for the stamp recording process (read by the store terminal) described below.

[0077] 8 is a diagram showing the flow of the stamp recording process (read at the store terminal). The stamp recording process (read at the store terminal) is a process that is initiated when a stamp rally participant visits a stamp rally affiliated store and displays a flat barcode, into which information including a customer identifier is encoded, on the display 210 of the participant terminal 200 and presents it to the store terminal 300 of the stamp rally affiliated store. Note that the stamp recording process is not limited to the case where a flat barcode is displayed on the display 210 of the participant terminal 200, but also corresponds to the stamp recording process (read at the participant terminal) described below when a flat barcode, into which information including a store identifier is encoded, is presented to the participant terminal 200 and is printed at the store.

[0078] First, the stamp rally processing unit 240 displays a code including a customer identifier on the display unit 210 (step S001). Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 encodes information including a participant identifier previously provided to the participant terminal 200 using a predetermined algorithm to create a flat barcode such as a QR code (registered trademark), and displays it on the display unit 210.

[0079] Then, the code reading unit 312 of the store terminal 300 reads the presented code (step S002). Specifically, the code reading unit 312 reads the presented flat barcode using a camera or the like.

[0080] Then, the code reading unit 312 of the store terminal 300 extracts the customer identifier from the code (step S003). Specifically, the code reading unit 312 of the store terminal 300 decodes the read flat barcode using a predetermined algorithm and extracts the included customer identifier.

[0081] Then, the code reading unit 312 of the store terminal 300 generates stop information including the store identifier and the customer identifier (step S004). Specifically, the code reading unit 312 generates predetermined stop information including the store identifier previously assigned to the store terminal 300 and the customer identifier extracted in step S003.

[0082] Then, the code reading unit 312 transmits the stop information (step S005). Specifically, the code reading unit 312 transmits the stop information generated in step S004 to the information providing device 100.

[0083] Then, stamp rally management unit 111 of information providing device 100 receives the stop information including the combination of the store identifier and the customer identifier (step S006). Specifically, stamp rally management unit 111 receives the stop information transmitted in step S005.

[0084] Then, the stamp rally management unit 111 identifies the stamp history of the customer (step S007). Specifically, the stamp rally management unit 111 identifies the stamp history 121h by referring to the participant information 121 related to the customer identifier included in the stop information.

[0085] Then, the stamp rally management unit 111 determines whether or not this is the customer's first visit to the store (step S008). Specifically, the stamp rally management unit 111 references the stamp history 121h identified in step S007, and if the stamp information related to the store identifier included in the stop information is not included, it determines that this is the customer's first visit to the store. If this is not the customer's first visit to the store ("No" in step S008), the stamp rally management unit 111 advances control to step S010, which will be described later.

[0086] If it is the customer's first visit to the store ("Yes" in step S008), the stamp rally management unit 111 adds a stamp history to the customer (step S009). Specifically, the stamp rally management unit 111 identifies the stamp identifier 123c corresponding to the store identifier included in the visit information in the stamp rally member store information 123, generates information that associates the date and time the stamp rally participant visited, the store identifier of the stamp rally member store, and the stamp identifier, and adds this information to the stamp history 121h.

[0087] The presentation information determination unit 112 then determines information to be presented to the customer using the presentation information customizing information 124 (step S010). Specifically, the presentation information determination unit 112 identifies, in the presentation information customizing information 124, the priority store identifier 124c and the insertion rank 124d associated with the store identifier included in the stop information. The presentation information determination unit 112 then references the stamp rally member store information 123, sorts the rally contribution ranks 123d in descending order, and varies the rally contribution ranks of the member stores corresponding to the priority store identifiers 124c according to the insertion ranks 124d. As a result, the presentation information determination unit 112 determines one or more member stores with the highest ranks as the information to be presented to the customer, and acquires the push advertisement 122h of the store information 122 as information about the member stores.

[0088] For example, if there is an affiliated store whose insertion rank 124d is set to "2," the presentation information determination unit 112 inserts the affiliated store into the second-place position in the ranking after sorting the rally contribution rank 123d in descending order. Accordingly, the presentation information determination unit 112 demotes the subsequent affiliated store that was originally ranked second to third place, and demotes each of the affiliated stores ranked below it by one place.

[0089] Then, the presentation information management unit 113 presents information about the stamp rally member stores to the customer (participant) (step S011). Specifically, the presentation information management unit 113 uses the customer identifier to refer to the participant information 121 to obtain the email address 121f, and sends a push notification via the stamp rally processing unit 240 of the participant terminal 200 associated with that email address, transmitting the information to be presented to the customer determined by the presentation information determination unit 112 in step S010. In other words, push advertisement information for one or more member stores with high rankings is sent to the participant terminal 200 by the presentation information management unit 113.

[0090] Then, the stamp rally processing unit 240 displays the received information (step S012). Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 displays, on the display unit 210, information about the push advertisements of one or more affiliated stores with high rankings.

[0091] Then, the stamp rally processing unit 240 determines whether or not an instruction to switch to other information has been received (step S013). Specifically, when the information to be presented to the customer includes multiple affiliated stores, the stamp rally processing unit 240 determines whether or not an instruction to switch to other information to switch the display to information about the affiliated store that is next in rank to the currently displayed affiliated store has been received within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 30 seconds). If an instruction to switch to other information has not been received or if an instruction to end display has been received ("No" in step S013), the stamp rally processing unit 240 ends the screen displaying the push advertisement information.

[0092] If an instruction to switch to other information is received ("Yes" in step S013), the stamp rally processing unit 240 switches the displayed information (step S014). Specifically, if the information to be presented to the customer includes multiple affiliated stores, the stamp rally processing unit 240 switches the display to information about the affiliated store that is next in rank to the currently displayed affiliated store.

[0093] The above is the flow of the stamp recording process (reading at the store terminal). By performing the stamp recording process (reading at the store terminal), participants can obtain information about the stamp rally they are participating in (recommended stores, etc.) in real time.

[0094] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an information presentation screen. Information presentation screen 500 is an example of a screen displayed on display unit 210 of participant terminal 200 in step S012 of the stamp recording process (reading at store terminal). Information presentation screen 500 includes store information 510, route guidance information 520 from the participant's current location to the store, next recommendation button 530, and close button 540.

[0095] In the store information 510, information included in the store information 122, such as a store name 122b, an address 122c, a telephone number 122d, a store category 122f, a representative product 122g, and a push advertisement 122h, is displayed.

[0096] The route guidance information 520 displays a route from the current location of the participant terminal 200 to the address indicated by the address information 122c in the store information 510 superimposed on a map. When input is received, the next recommendation button 530 generates an instruction to switch to other information. When input is received, the close button 540 generates an instruction to end display and closes the information presentation screen 500.

[0097] The information providing system 1 to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied has been described above. According to this embodiment, participants can obtain information (recommended stores, etc.) about the stamp rally in which they are participating in real time.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various modifications of the above-described embodiment are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the store terminal 300 reads a code including a customer identifier displayed on the participant terminal 200. However, the participant terminal 200 may also read a code including a store identifier displayed in front of an affiliated store so that the stamp rally function can be realized even at affiliated stores that do not have a store terminal 300. Such an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0099] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the flow of the stamp recording process (read at the participant terminal). The flow of the stamp recording process (read at the participant terminal) is basically the same as the flow of the stamp recording process (read at the store terminal), but there are some differences in the process. The following explanation will focus on the differences.

[0100] First, the stamp rally processing unit 240 of the participant terminal 200 reads a code including a store identifier posted in front of the affiliated store (step S101). Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 reads the posted flat barcode using a camera or the like.

[0101] Then, the stamp rally processing unit 240 extracts the store identifier from the code (Step S102). Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 decodes the read flat barcode using a predetermined algorithm and extracts the included store identifier.

[0102] Then, the stamp rally processing unit 240 generates stop information including the store identifier and the customer identifier (step S103). Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 generates predetermined stop information including the store identifier and the participant identifier extracted in step S102.

[0103] Then, the stamp rally processing unit 240 transmits the stop information (step S104). Specifically, the stamp rally processing unit 240 transmits the stop information generated in step S103 to the information providing device 100.

[0104] The process from step S006 onwards is the same as the flow of the stamp recording process (read by the store terminal).

[0105] The above is a diagram showing the flow of the stamp recording process (reading at the participant terminal). According to the flow of the stamp recording process (reading at the participant terminal), the stamp rally function can be realized even at affiliated stores that do not have a store terminal 300.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the store registration unit 114 can edit the presentation information customization information 124 for customizing the presentation information for each stamp rally member store, but it is not possible to change the rank according to various external conditions. For example, it is not possible to change the presentation information in detail, such as presenting stores that offer services indoors depending on the weather. Below, an example of an embodiment of the information provision system 1' that allows the presented store information to be changed depending on the weather will be described. Note that, as a prerequisite for changing the presented store information depending on the weather, the process of determining the information to be presented to customers using the presentation information customization information 124 as shown in the above embodiment is not necessarily required. Even stamp rally member stores that do not have specific presentation information customization information 124 may change the presented store information depending on the weather.

[0107] 11 is an example of a block diagram of an information provision system according to another embodiment. The information provision system 1′ is basically the same as the information provision system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, so the following description will focus on the differences.

[0108] In the information providing device 100′ included in the information providing system 1′, the memory unit 120′ includes rank change conditions 125. The rank change conditions 125 are information that defines the degree to which the rank of a stamp rally participating store is changed depending on the weather and / or temperature.

[0109] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the rank change conditions. The rank change conditions 125 include a visited store identifier 125a, a change target store identifier 125b, a change target store name 125c, an unfavorable weather rank change amount 125d, a high temperature rank change amount 125e, and a low temperature rank change amount 125f.

[0110] The visited store identifier 125a is the identifier of the affiliated store visited by the participant. The change target store identifier 125b is the identifier of the store whose rank will be changed depending on the affiliated store visited by the participant. The change target store name 125c is the name of the store identified by the change target store identifier 125b. The bad weather rank change amount 125d is information specifying the amount of change in rank that will occur in the event of bad weather at the store identified by the change target store identifier 125b. The high temperature rank change amount 125e is information specifying the amount of change in rank that will occur in the event of high temperatures at the store identified by the change target store identifier 125b. The low temperature rank change amount 125f is information specifying the amount of change in rank that will occur in the event of low temperatures at the store identified by the change target store identifier 125b.

[0111] The above-mentioned criteria for high temperature, low temperature, and bad weather are determined based on whether or not a predetermined condition is met, and bad weather and high or low temperature can coexist. That is, when it is rainy and the temperature is lower than the average temperature for the year by a predetermined amount, both the fluctuation based on the bad weather rank fluctuation amount 125d and the fluctuation based on the low temperature rank fluctuation amount 125f are applied.

[0112] In addition, in the information providing device 100' included in the information providing system 1', the presentation information determination unit 112' included in the processing unit 110' acquires weather information from an external device via the network 50, and determines the highest ranked stores to be presented among the stamp rally member stores by changing their ranks according to the weather and / or temperature and the rank change condition 125.

[0113] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the presented information identification process. The presented information identification process is performed in step S010 of the stamp recording process (read by the store terminal) or the stamp recording process (read by the participant terminal).

[0114] First, the presentation information determination unit 112 identifies the priority store identifier 124c and the insertion rank 124d related to the store identifier included in the stop information in the presentation information customization information 124. Then, the presentation information determination unit 112 refers to the stamp rally member store information 123, sorts the stamp rally member store information 123 in descending order of rally contribution rank 123d, and performs processing to change the rally contribution rank of the member store corresponding to the priority store identifier 124c in accordance with the insertion rank 124d, similar to step S010 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0115] Thereafter, the presentation information determination unit 112′ acquires weather information (step S201). Specifically, the presentation information determination unit 112′ acquires weather information in the vicinity of the affiliated store from an external device such as a weather information providing server via the network 50.

[0116] Then, when the weather is bad in the vicinity of the member store, the presented information determination unit 112' changes the rally contribution rank of the member store that is the subject of the presented information in accordance with the rank change amount (step S202).

[0117] Then, when the temperature is high in the vicinity of the member store, the presented information determination unit 112' changes the rally contribution rank of the member store that is the subject of the presented information in accordance with the rank change amount (step S203).

[0118] Then, when the temperature is low in the vicinity of the member store, the presented information determination unit 112' changes the rally contribution rank of the member store that is the subject of the presented information in accordance with the rank change amount (step S204).

[0119] Then, the presented information determination unit 112' determines one or more affiliated stores with a high rank after the change as the information to be presented to the customer, and acquires the push advertisement 122h of the store information 122 as information about the affiliated store (step S205).

[0120] The above is an example of the flow of the presentation information identification process. According to this example of the flow of the presentation information identification process, it is possible to change the store information to be presented depending on the weather. However, without being limited to this, for the stamp rally member stores to be presented, predetermined index values ​​may be calculated using a predetermined algorithm based on the weather, weather forecast, distance to the store, etc., and the information may be determined in order of the index values. In this case, the presentation information determination unit 112′ may determine the distance to the store based on the route and distance from the stamp rally member store associated with the store identifier included in the stop information, and use this as the index value. Furthermore, the presentation information determination unit 112′ may search for a predetermined route from the stamp rally member store associated with the store identifier included in the stop information, calculate a predicted required time to arrive along the route, and use this as the index value.

[0121] As described above, the rally contribution rank 123d may be, but is not limited to, information on the ranking of stores determined by the organizers based on the level of leadership shown in the stamp rally event, the level of labor contributed, and the like. For example, the ranking may be information announcing local specialties and souvenir shops that sell them, or information that completes a specific story (e.g., a story tracing the footsteps of a great person) by touring the stores in the presented order, or information that serves as a guide to famous places to learn more about the history of the area (e.g., from the start of development to the end of development). Specifically, the rally contribution rank 123d may be determined based on the geography or history of the area targeted by the stamp rally. For example, the ranking may be determined by giving priority to local specialties and souvenir shops that sell them, or to famous places in the area targeted by the stamp rally. Furthermore, the ranking may be determined by giving priority to stamp rally member stores that appear in a story related to the area targeted by the stamp rally.

[0122] Furthermore, the technical elements of the above-described embodiments may be applied independently, or may be divided into multiple parts such as program parts and hardware parts and applied.

[0123] The present invention has been described above mainly with reference to the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 information provision system, 50 network, 100 information provision device, 110 processing unit, 111 stamp rally management unit, 112 presentation information determination unit, 113 presentation information management unit, 114 store registration unit, 115 participant registration unit, 120 storage unit, 121 participant information, 122 store information, 123 stamp rally member store information, 124 presentation information customization information, 130 communication unit, 200 participant terminal, 210 display unit, 220 input acceptance unit, 230 communication unit, 240 stamp rally processing unit, 300 store terminal, 310 processing unit, 311 purchasing processing unit, 312 code reading unit, 320 communication unit.

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with the store identifier of a stamp rally participating store that the stamp rally participant has visited; a stamp rally management unit that, upon receiving stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier, stores the stop information in the stamp history information; a presentation information determination unit that determines information about the stamp rally member stores to be presented to participants of the stamp rally; a presentation information management unit that presents information about the stamp rally participating stores; An information providing device comprising:

2. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, the presentation information determination unit excludes stores included in the stamp history information related to the customer identifier from among the stamp rally member stores; An information providing device characterized by:

3. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner; the presentation information determination unit determines, from among the stamp rally member stores, stores with high rankings as targets to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

4. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that changes the rank of the stamp rally member stores, the presentation information determination unit varies the rank of the stamp rally member stores using the presentation information customization information, and determines stores with high ranks as stores to be presented. An information providing device characterized by:

5. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that includes content that changes the rank of priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores, the presentation information determination unit varies the rank of a store that is a priority store set by the stamp rally member store included in the stop-by information among the stamp rally member stores in accordance with the content, and determines the store with the highest rank as a target to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

6. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information for ranking the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and rank change conditions for changing the rank of the stamp rally member stores depending on the weather, the presentation information determination unit acquires weather information from an external device, varies the ranks of the stamp rally member stores in accordance with the weather and the rank variation conditions, and determines stores with high ranks as stores to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

7. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information for ranking the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and rank change conditions for changing the rank of the stamp rally member stores according to temperature, the presentation information determination unit acquires temperature information from an external device, varies the rank of the stamp rally member stores in accordance with the temperature and the rank variation conditions, and determines stores with high ranks as stores to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

8. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that includes content that changes the rank of priority stores set by the stamp rally member stores, a store registration unit that accepts editing of the content included in the presentation information customization information; the presentation information determination unit varies the rank of a store that is a priority store set by the stamp rally member store included in the stop-by information among the stamp rally member stores in accordance with the content, and determines the store with the highest rank as a target to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

9. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores in a predetermined manner, and presentation information customization information that includes content that varies the rank of the stamp rally member stores depending on weather, temperature, or distance, the presentation information determination unit acquires information on weather, temperature, or distance from an external device, varies the rank of the stamp rally member stores according to the weather, temperature, or distance, and determines stores with high ranks as targets to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

10. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The storage unit includes: Stamp rally member store information that ranks the stamp rally member stores, The rank is determined in relation to the geography or history of the target area of ​​the stamp rally, the presentation information determination unit determines the store with the highest rank as a target to be presented; An information providing device characterized by:

11. The information providing device according to claim 10, The ranking is determined by giving priority to local specialties of the area targeted by the stamp rally and souvenir shops that sell such specialties. An information providing device characterized by:

12. The information providing device according to claim 10, The ranking is determined by giving priority to famous places in the area where the stamp rally is to be held. An information providing device characterized by:

13. The information providing device according to claim 10, The rank is determined by giving priority to the stamp rally participating stores that appear in a story related to the target area of ​​the stamp rally. An information providing device characterized by:

14. An information provision system including a participant terminal used by a stamp rally participant and an information provision device communicably connected to the participant terminal, The information providing device a storage unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with the store identifier of a stamp rally participating store that the stamp rally participant has visited; a stamp rally management unit that receives stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier from the participant terminal and stores the stop information in the stamp history information; a presentation information determination unit that determines information about the stamp rally member stores to be presented to participants of the stamp rally; a presentation information management unit that presents information about the stamp rally participating stores; An information providing system comprising:

15. An information providing program that causes an information processing device to realize an information providing function, The information processing device includes: A storage unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with a store identifier of a stamp rally participating store that the stamp rally participant has visited, and a processing unit, The processing unit a stamp rally management step of receiving stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier and storing the stop information in the stamp history information; a presentation information determination step of determining information about the stamp rally member stores to be presented to the stamp rally participants; a presentation information management step of presenting information about the stamp rally participating stores; An information providing program characterized by causing the program to execute the above.

16. An information providing method for causing an information processing device to realize an information providing function, The information processing device includes: A storage unit that stores participant information including stamp history information that associates a customer identifier that identifies a stamp rally participant with a store identifier of a stamp rally participating store that the stamp rally participant has visited, and a processing unit, The processing unit a stamp rally management step of receiving stop information including the customer identifier and the store identifier and storing the stop information in the stamp history information; a presentation information determination step of determining information about the stamp rally member stores to be presented to the stamp rally participants; a presentation information management step of presenting information about the stamp rally participating stores; The information providing method is characterized by carrying out the above.

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