Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system capable of more easily constructing a point program.SOLUTION: The information processing system includes a settlement method acquisition unit 432, a point ID acquisition unit 434, and a point calculation unit 440. The settlement means acquisition unit 432 acquires, from the service provider terminal, information on the settlement means presented by the user at the service provider. The point ID acquisition unit 434 acquires a point ID corresponding to the settlement means. The point calculation unit 440 calculates the number of granted points corresponding to the transaction amount of the user based on the setting information of the point program. The point calculation unit 440 transmits the calculated number of given points and the point ID to the card issuing company in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional information processing system is described in Patent Document 1. This information processing system awards points to a user upon completion of a payment corresponding to a payment request. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-001596 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an information processing system such as that described in Patent Document 1, the introduction of a points program, which is a system for managing points and customers, requires human and financial resources, making it difficult to implement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that enable a point program to be constructed more easily. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing system that solves the above problem includes a storage unit, a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, and a point calculation unit. The storage unit stores setting information related to a point program. The first acquisition unit acquires information on a payment method presented by a user at a service provider from a terminal device of the service provider. The second acquisition unit acquires point identification information corresponding to the payment method. The point calculation unit calculates the number of awarded points corresponding to the user's transaction amount based on the setting information of the point program. The point calculation unit associates the calculated number of awarded points with the point identification information and transmits them to a point-related business.

[0007] In an information processing method that solves the above problem, a computer stores setting information related to a points program in a memory unit, obtains information on the payment method used by the user at the service provider from the service provider's terminal device, obtains point identification information corresponding to the payment method, calculates the number of points to be awarded corresponding to the user's transaction amount based on the setting information of the points program, associates the calculated number of points to be awarded with the point identification information, and transmits them to a point-related business.

[0008] A program that solves the above problem causes a computer to store setting information related to a points program in a memory unit, obtain information on the payment method used by the user at the service provider from the service provider's terminal device, obtain point identification information corresponding to the payment method, calculate the number of points to be awarded corresponding to the user's transaction amount based on the setting information of the points program, and associate the calculated number of points to be awarded with the point identification information and send them to a point-related business.

[0009] According to these, if the service provider changes the setting information of the point program stored in the storage unit as needed, the service provider can create a point program that suits their own preferences without relying on point-related businesses. This makes it easier to create a point program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention, it is possible to more easily construct a points program. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a payment service provider device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing information stored in a card information DB according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a card issuer device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing information stored in a points management DB according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams each showing information stored in a program DB and a point DB according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15]4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program will be described with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] First Embodiment First, an overview of the first embodiment of the information processing system will be described.

[0014] (Outline of information processing system) The information processing system 10 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is a service that awards points to users when they use a specified payment method, and a system that enables the use of the awarded points. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 10 includes a user terminal 20, multiple service provider terminals 30, an information processing device 40, a payment service provider device 50, and multiple card issuer devices 60. Payment methods include at least one of credit cards, debit cards, payment methods using two-dimensional codes, and cash. The following description will be given taking the case where the payment method is a credit card as an example.

[0015] The user terminal 20, the plurality of service provider terminals 30, the information processing device 40, the payment service provider device 50, and the plurality of card issuer devices 60 are communicably connected to one another via a communication network N10. The communication network N10 may be a mobile phone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a long term evolution (LTE), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (registered trademark), an ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, or a connection via the cloud by displaying and reading a QR code (registered trademark).

[0016] The service provider terminal 30 is an information processing device used by each service provider. Each service provider possesses, for example, one or more service provider terminals 30. Each service provider terminal 30 has a terminal ID, which is a unique identification number. The service provider provides various services to users. The service provider terminal 30 is, for example, a POS register terminal, a tablet terminal, or a handheld terminal. The service provided by the service provider is, for example, the sale of goods or services in a store. The service provided by the service provider may be, for example, a so-called online service, such as an SNS service such as a metaverse, a game service, a streaming service such as video streaming, and / or an e-commerce service such as online shopping. The following describes an example in which the service provided by the service provider terminal 30 is the sale of goods in a store. In this embodiment, the service provider terminal 30 is an example of a terminal device of a service provider.

[0017] The payment service provider device 50 is a device used by a payment service provider. A payment service provider is a business that provides users with payment methods that can be used in services provided by a service provider, such as a credit card company or a financial institution. Payment methods provided by a payment service provider include, for example, credit cards, debit cards, payment methods using electronic money, and payment methods using two-dimensional codes. The following explanation takes as an example a case where the payment method used by the user and the payment method provided by the payment service provider are physical credit cards.

[0018] The card issuer device 60 is an information processing device used by multiple card issuers. Each card issuer issues a unique credit card or a unique virtual point card to a user. Each card issuer manages points associated with the virtual point card, in other words, points awarded to the user. For example, when a user purchases a product sold by a service provider, points corresponding to the transaction amount of the purchase are awarded to the user. Furthermore, when a user has points, the user can use the points to purchase a product sold by the service provider, for example, and pay part or all of the transaction amount of the product with the points. In this embodiment, the card issuer is an example of a point-related business.

[0019] The user terminal 20 is a device used by a user. The user terminal 20 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. A payment application is installed on the user terminal 20. The payment application is an application that can manage one or more payment methods owned by the user and manage points held by the user.

[0020] The information processing device 40 is a device for performing various processes based on a point program. The point program is a mechanism for awarding points to a user based on the user's usage of services provided by a service provider. The information processing device 40 is, for example, a cloud computer, a server computer, or a personal computer. For example, when a user purchases a product sold by a service provider, the information processing device 40 calculates points corresponding to the purchase price of the product based on the point program and transmits information on the calculated points, in other words, information on the points awarded to the user, to the card issuer device 60. Furthermore, when the user requests to use points when purchasing a product sold by the service provider, the information processing device 40 transmits information on the points used to the card issuer device 60.

[0021] As described above, the information processing system 10 of this embodiment is provided with a separate information processing device 40 that performs various processes based on the point program, and a card issuer device 60. Furthermore, in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, the service provider can set the content of the point program on the dashboard of the service provider terminal 30.

[0022] (Configuration of payment provider device) Next, the configuration of the payment service provider device 50 will be specifically described.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the payment service provider device 50 includes a payment system 51 and a PAR (Payment Account Reference) system 52.

[0024] The payment system 51 executes various payment processes based on the credit card used by the user.

[0025] The PAR system 52 transmits the PAR number to the information processing device 40 based on a request from the information processing device 40. The PAR system 52 has a card information database (DB) 520. As shown in FIG. 3, the card information DB 520 stores a PAR number, a credit card number, and one or more token numbers associated with each other for each of multiple credit cards used by each user. The PAR number is a unique number assigned to each of multiple credit card numbers. The token number is a tokenized number obtained by tokenizing the credit card number. The token number is a unique number used for one or more user terminals 20 used for credit card payments via, for example, a payment application. The token number is used in place of the actual card number of the credit card when making a credit card payment using, for example, a payment application.

[0026] (Configuration of card issuer device) Next, the configuration of the card issuer device 60 will be specifically described.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the card issuer device 60 includes a communication unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a control unit 63.

[0028] The communication unit 61 transmits and receives various information to and from the user terminal 20 and the information processing device 40 via the communication network N10.

[0029] The memory unit 62 stores various types of information held by the card issuer device 60. For example, the memory unit 62 stores various programs for operating the card issuer device 60. The memory unit 62 also stores a point management DB 620. As shown in FIG. 5, the point management DB 620 stores, for each of the multiple service providers participating in this program, a service provider ID, a point ID, a credit card number, and the number of points held, in association with each other. The service provider ID is a unique number assigned to each of the multiple service providers. The point ID is a unique number assigned to each of the multiple point members. The point ID is assigned to a user when the user registers as a member of the point program. The point management DB 620 stores the points held by each of the multiple point members. In this embodiment, the point ID is an example of point identification information.

[0030] 4 controls the card issuer device 60. The control unit 63 has a member information registration unit 630, a point update unit 631, and an application control unit 632 as functional components realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 62.

[0031] The member information registration unit 630 registers the point ID in the point management DB 620 based on the registration message transmitted from the information processing device 40. The registration message includes, for example, the card number of the user's credit card and the point ID.

[0032] When the point update unit 631 receives a point granting message or a point usage message transmitted from the information processing device 40, it updates the number of owned points registered in the point management DB 620. The point granting message includes, for example, a service provider ID, a point ID, and the number of granted points. The point usage message includes, for example, a service provider ID, a point ID, and the number of used points. The point update unit 631 updates the number of owned points corresponding to the service provider ID and point ID included in the point granting message or point usage message based on the number of granted points or the number of used points.

[0033] The application control unit 632 appropriately updates the list information of owned points displayed on the user terminal 20 through the payment application based on the number of owned points of the user registered in the point management DB 620. As shown in Fig. 6, a points display screen 80 as shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the screen 21 of the user terminal 20 as one of the operation screens of the payment application.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the points display screen 80 has a payment method selection area 81 and a points list display area 82. The payment method selection area 81 displays one or more selectable payment methods held by the user. For example, if a user uses a credit card C10 issued by a first card issuer and a credit card C20 issued by a second card issuer, "credit card C10" and "credit card C20" are displayed in the payment method selection area 81 as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the user has selected "credit card C10."

[0035] The points list display area 82 displays the number of points held by one or more service providers associated with the credit card selected in the payment method selection area 81. For example, if credit card C10 is associated with the number of points held by each of multiple service providers S10 to S13, the number of points held by each of those service providers S10 to S13 will be displayed in the points list display area 82, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, by viewing the points display screen 80, the user can check the number of points held by each of the service providers S10 to S13 associated with each payment method.

[0036] The application control unit 632 shown in Figure 4 appropriately updates the list information of owned points displayed on the user terminal 20 based on the number of points owned by the user registered in the point management DB 620, and the number of owned points displayed on the point display screen 80 is changed to the updated value.

[0037] Each of the multiple card issuers has a card issuer device 60 as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, since there is a point management DB 620 for each of the multiple card issuers, there are multiple point management DBs 620 in the information processing system 10.

[0038] (Configuration of information processing device) Next, the configuration of the information processing device 40 will be specifically described.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing device 40 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, a first control unit 43, and a second control unit 44.

[0040] The communication unit 41 transmits and receives various information to and from the service provider terminal 30, the payment provider device 50, and the card issuer device 60 via the communication network N10.

[0041] The storage unit 42 stores various types of information held by the information processing device 40. For example, the storage unit 42 stores various programs for operating the information processing device 40. The storage unit 42 also stores a program DB 420 and a point DB 421.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8(A), the program DB 420 stores, for each of a plurality of service providers that offer point programs, a service provider ID, point program setting information, and the terminal IDs of a plurality of service provider terminals 30, in association with each other. The point program setting information is information indicating the content of the point program set by each service provider. The point program setting information includes, for example, at least one of the target program period, the point validity period, and the point award rate. The point program setting information may also include other information, such as the point exchange content. The terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30 corresponding to the service provider ID is a unique number assigned to the service provider terminal 30 owned by the service provider corresponding to the service provider ID.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8(B), the point DB421 stores the point ID, PAR number, and number of points held for each of the multiple points held by multiple users who use this point service, in association with each other.

[0044] The first control unit 43 and the second control unit 44 shown in Fig. 7 control the information processing device 40. The first control unit 43 mainly executes processing related to the exchange of various information between the service provider terminal 30 and the payment service provider device 50. The second control unit 44 mainly executes processing related to the exchange of various information between the service provider terminal 30 and multiple card issuer devices 60. For example, when the second control unit 44 acquires a predetermined message from the service provider terminal 30, it determines which of the multiple card issuer devices 60 is the destination based on information included in the predetermined message, and transmits the predetermined message to the card issuer device 60 selected as the destination. In this way, the second control unit 44 performs a switching process to switch the destination of the message acquired from the service provider terminal 30 among the multiple card issuer devices 60.

[0045] The first control unit 43 has, as functional components realized by executing the programs stored in the memory unit 42, a program information acquisition unit 430, a member information registration unit 431, a payment method acquisition unit 432, a PAR number acquisition unit 433, a point ID acquisition unit 434, a point update unit 435, and a usability determination unit 436. The second control unit 44 has a point calculation unit 440. In this embodiment, the payment method acquisition unit 432 is an example of a first acquisition unit, the point ID acquisition unit 434 is an example of a second acquisition unit, the PAR number acquisition unit 433 is an example of a third acquisition unit, and the program information acquisition unit 430 is an example of a fourth acquisition unit.

[0046] These components of the first control unit 43 and the second control unit 44 execute various processes related to points. Below, as examples of the various processes, the procedures for processes related to designing and registering a point program, processes related to registering a point member, processes related to granting points, and processes related to using points will be specifically explained, including examples of the operation of each of the program information acquisition unit 430, member information registration unit 431, payment method acquisition unit 432, PAR number acquisition unit 433, point ID acquisition unit 434, point update unit 435, usability determination unit 436, and point calculation unit 440.

[0047] (An example of a process for designing and registering a points program) The program information acquisition unit 430 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 executes various processes related to the design and registration of a point program by a service provider. Fig. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of the procedure of processes related to the design and registration of a point program.

[0048] In the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, when designing and registering a point program, the service provider first operates the service provider terminal 30 to input setting information for the point program while checking the content of the point program. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 , the service provider terminal 30 acquires the input setting information for the point program (step S100) and transmits program content information including the setting information and a service provider ID to the information processing device 40 (step S101). The setting information for the point program includes, for example, at least one of the target program period, point validity period, point award rate, and point exchange content. Upon receiving the program content information transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S110), the program information acquisition unit 430 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 associates the service provider ID included in the program content information with the setting information for the point program and stores them in the program DB 420 (step S111). This completes the design and registration of the point program.

[0049] 9, the service provider operates the service provider terminal 30 to register the terminal IDs of the plurality of service provider terminals 30 that the service provider owns in the information processing device 40. As a result, the terminal IDs of the plurality of service provider terminals 30 are associated with the service provider IDs and further stored in the program DB 420, as shown in FIG.

[0050] (Example of processing related to point membership registration) The member information registration unit 431 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 shown in Fig. 7 executes various processes related to the point member registration of a user. Fig. 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of the procedure of the process related to the member registration of a user.

[0051] In the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, when a user wishes to participate in a point program of a predetermined service provider S10, for example, the service provider S10 performs an operation for new member registration on the dashboard of the service provider terminal 30. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10, the service provider terminal 30 accepts the operation for new member registration (step S200) and transmits a point ID issuance request to the information processing device 40 (step S201).

[0052] When the member information registration unit 431 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the point ID issuance request transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S210), the member information registration unit 431 issues a new point ID to the service provider terminal 30 (step S211). As a result, the service provider terminal 30 acquires the new point ID (step S202).

[0053] Next, when a user who wishes to participate in the points program loads information about the supported payment methods that the user owns or uses into the service provider terminal 30 (step S203), the service provider terminal 30 transmits payment scheme information including the information about the supported payment methods to the information processing device 40 (step S204). Supported payment methods include credit card payment, debit card payment, mobile wallet payment, QR code payment, etc. The following describes an example in which the supported payment method is credit card payment and the information about the supported payment method is the credit card number. In this case, when the user loads the card number of, for example, credit card C10 into the service provider terminal 30 in the processing of step S203, the service provider terminal 30 transmits payment scheme information including the card number of credit card C10 to the information processing device 40 in the processing of step S204.

[0054] When the member information registration unit 431 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives payment scheme information transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S212), it determines whether the target card company corresponding to the supported payment method is a card company participating in this program based on the received payment scheme information (step S213). For example, if the payment scheme information includes the card number of a credit card C10, the member information registration unit 431 identifies the target card company based on the card number and determines whether the identified target card company is participating in this program. Note that the member information registration unit 431 may identify the target card company using, for example, card company identification information that can uniquely identify the target card company instead of the card number. Information on card companies participating in this program is pre-stored in the storage unit 42. If the member information registration unit 431 determines that the target card company is not a card company participating in this program (step S213: NO), it terminates the process related to point membership registration. In this case, the service provider terminal 30 may display a message indicating that the payment method is not compatible with the program, thereby letting the user know that they cannot become a points member.

[0055] When the member information registration unit 431 determines that the target card company is a card company participating in this program (step S213: YES), it transmits a PAR inquiry request including card number information to the payment service provider device 50 (step S214). When the PAR system 52 of the payment service provider device 50 receives the PAR inquiry request transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S220), it reads the PAR number corresponding to the card number included in the PAR inquiry request from the card information DB 520 (step S221) and transmits a PAR response including the read PAR number to the information processing device 40 (step S222). When the member information registration unit 431 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the PAR response transmitted from the payment service provider device 50 (step S215), it associates the PAR number included in the PAR response with the point ID and stores them in the point DB 421 (step S216), as shown in FIG. 8(B). This completes the point member registration of the user in the information processing device 40, and the member information registration unit 431 transmits a registration completion notice including the point ID to the service provider terminal 30 (step S217).

[0056] Next, when the service provider terminal 30 receives a registration completion notification sent from the information processing device 40 (step S205), it obtains the point ID from the registration completion notification and then sends a registration message including the point ID and the card number read from the user's credit card C10 to the target card issuer device 60 corresponding to the card number via an authorization network including, for example, an acquirer server device (step S206).

[0057] When the card issuer device 60 receives the registration message transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S230), it identifies the target user based on the card number included in the registration message, and registers the point ID included in the registration message in the point management DB 620 (step S231). This completes the point membership registration of the user in the card issuer device 60.

[0058] When the user's point membership registration is completed in this manner, the application control unit 632 of the card issuer device 60 displays a virtual point card corresponding to the specified service provider for which the point membership registration was made on the point display screen 80 of the payment application of the user terminal 20. For example, if the credit card used to register as a point member is "credit card C10" and the service provider for which the point membership registration was made is "service provider S10," then the virtual point card of service provider S10 will be displayed on the point display screen 80 as one of the virtual point cards corresponding to credit card C10, as shown in Fig. 6, for example.

[0059] (Example of processing related to point allocation) The payment method acquisition unit 432, PAR number acquisition unit 433, point ID acquisition unit 434, and point update unit 435 of the first control unit 43 and the point calculation unit 440 of the second control unit 44 shown in Fig. 7 execute various processes related to the awarding of points to users. Fig. 11 is a sequence chart showing an example of the procedure of a process related to the awarding of points to users.

[0060] In the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, after a user completes point membership registration through the process shown in FIG. 10 , when the user purchases, for example, a product from a designated service provider S10 where the user has registered as a point member, points corresponding to the transaction amount of the purchase are awarded to the user. In this situation, the user first presents the designated payment method for which the user has registered as a point member to the service provider S10, and then pays the transaction amount using any payment method. For example, if credit cards C10 and C20 are registered as point members as shown in FIG. 6 , the user simply presents the credit card C10 or C20 to the service provider S10 to earn points. Meanwhile, the user can use any payment method to pay the transaction amount, including but not limited to credit cards C10 and C20, other credit cards, debit cards, QR code payments, cash, and the like. Thus, in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, the user separately presents the payment method for receiving points and the payment method for paying the transaction amount. Note that FIG. 11 only shows the processing steps related to point awarding. It is assumed that the process for settling the transaction amount is performed in parallel with the process shown in FIG.

[0061] Suppose a user presents a credit card C10 to a service provider S10 to receive points. In the case of face-to-face payment, for example, the service provider S10 reads the card number of the credit card C10 using the service provider terminal 30 as shown in FIG. 11 (step S300). In the case of non-face-to-face payment, the service provider S10 may obtain the card number of the credit card C10 using the service provider terminal 30 via, for example, an EC system. Upon obtaining the card number of the credit card, the service provider terminal 30 transmits the card number to the information processing device 40 (step S301). As a result, the payment method obtaining unit 432 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives information on the card number of the credit card C10 from the service provider terminal 30 (step S310).

[0062] Next, the PAR number acquisition unit 433 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 transmits a PAR inquiry request including the card number acquired by the payment method acquisition unit 432 to the payment service provider device 50 (step S311). When the PAR system 52 of the payment service provider device 50 receives the PAR inquiry request transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S320), it determines whether the card number included in the PAR inquiry request is registered in the card information DB 520 (step S321). If the card number is registered in the card information DB 520 (step S321: YES), the PAR system 52 reads the PAR number corresponding to the card number from the card information DB 520 (step S322) and transmits a PAR response including the read PAR number to the information processing device 40 (step S323). When the PAR number acquisition unit 433 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the PAR response transmitted from the payment service provider device 50 (step S312), it determines that a PAR number corresponding to the credit card card number exists. In this case, the point ID acquisition unit 434 reads the point ID corresponding to the PAR number included in the PAR response from the point DB 421 (step S313) and transmits the read point ID to the service provider terminal 30 (step S314). Although not shown in the figure, after the service provider terminal 30 receives the point ID from the information processing device 40, the user presents the credit card C10 to settle the transaction amount. In other words, the user presents the credit card C10 twice: once to receive the above-mentioned points and once to settle the transaction amount. As a result, the point allocation process and the transaction amount settlement process are executed as separate processes.

[0063] When the service provider terminal 30 receives the point ID from the information processing device 40 (step S302), it executes the processes from step S303 onwards after completing the process related to the settlement of the transaction amount. That is, the service provider terminal 30 generates a first point-granting message (step S303). The first point-granting message includes information related to the user's transaction, such as the transaction date and time and the transaction amount, the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30, the point ID, and card company identification information. The service provider terminal 30 transmits the generated first point-granting message to the information processing device 40 (step S304). In this embodiment, the first point-granting message is an example of a point-granting request.

[0064] When the point calculation unit 440 of the second control unit 44 of the information processing device 40 receives the first point-granting message transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S315), it reads from the program DB 420 the service provider ID corresponding to the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30 included in the first point-granting message (step S316), and further reads from the program DB 420 setting information for the point program corresponding to the read service provider ID, i.e., setting information for the point program corresponding to the service provider S10 (step S317). As a result, the point calculation unit 440 obtains information such as the point grant rate set by the service provider S10. Next, the point calculation unit 440 calculates the number of awarded points based on the point grant rate from the transaction amount included in the first point-granting message (step S318).

[0065] 12, the point calculation unit 440 generates a second point-granting message (step S319). The second point-granting message includes information about the user's transaction, such as the transaction date and time and transaction amount, the service provider ID identified in the processing of step S316, the point ID, card company identification information, and the number of awarded points. Then, the point calculation unit 440 identifies the card issuer corresponding to the current awarded points based on the card company identification information included in the first point-granting message, and transmits the second point-granting message to the card issuer device 60 corresponding to that card issuer (step S340).

[0066] When the card issuer device 60 receives the second point-granting message transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S330), it identifies the number of points held by the user based on the point ID and service provider ID included in the second point-granting message (step S331), and adds the number of granted points to the identified number of held points of the user (step S332), thereby updating the point management DB 620. This completes the granting of points to the user, and also completes the linking of the number of granted points between the information processing device 40 and the card issuer device 60.

[0067] Once the points have been awarded to the user in this manner, the application control unit 632 of the card issuer device 60 changes the number of points held by the service provider S10, which is displayed in the column for the credit card C10 on the points display screen 80 of the payment application of the user terminal 20, to the updated value.

[0068] 12, following transmission of the second point granting message, the point calculation unit 440 of the second control unit 44 of the information processing device 40 generates a point response message (step S341) and transmits the generated point response message to the service provider terminal 30 (step S342). The point response message is a message transmitted from the information processing device 40 to the service provider terminal 30 as a response to the first point granting message transmitted from the service provider terminal 30. The point response message includes the number of granted points calculated by the point calculation unit 440. Upon receiving the point response message transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S305), the service provider terminal 30 transmits granted point linkage information to the information processing device 40 (step S306). The granted point linkage information includes the number of granted points, a point ID, the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30, and the like, which were included in the point response message. When the point update unit 435 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the granted point linkage information transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S343), the point update unit 435 updates, for example, the number of retained points corresponding to the point ID based on the number of granted points, based on the point ID included in the granted point linkage information and the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30 (step S344). This completes the linking of the number of granted points between the information processing device 40 and the service provider terminal 30. As described above, the number of granted points is linked between the information processing device 40 and the card issuer device 60, and the number of granted points is also linked between the information processing device 40 and the service provider terminal 30, and synchronization is performed using the point ID as a key. If the point IDs to be managed by each card issuer and each service provider were to be managed in a single DB, the amount of information would be enormous, which would affect processing speed, etc. Therefore, by synchronizing the DBs separately for each card issuer and each service provider, the amount of information held in each DB can be reduced.

[0069] 13, if the card number of the credit card is not registered in the card information DB 520 (step S321: NO), the PAR system 52 of the payment service provider device 50 transmits a message to that effect to the information processing device 40 (step S324). In this case, when the point ID acquisition unit 434 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives from the payment service provider device 50 a message that a PAR number corresponding to the card number does not exist (step S345), the point ID acquisition unit 434 notifies the service provider terminal 30 that the point ID does not exist (step S346). If the service provider terminal 30 receives a message that the point ID does not exist (step S307), the service provider terminal 30 notifies the user that no points have been registered, for example, and displays a screen to the user that prompts the user to register as a member for the point program (step S308).

[0070] (Example of processing related to point usage) The payment method acquisition unit 432, PAR number acquisition unit 433, point ID acquisition unit 434, and point update unit 435 of the first control unit 43 and the point calculation unit 440 of the second control unit 44 shown in Fig. 7 further execute various processes related to point usage by a user. Fig. 14 is a sequence chart showing an example of the procedure of a process related to point usage by a user.

[0071] In the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, a user who has points can use the points to pay part or all of the transaction amount for a product sold by a service provider. For example, when using points to pay part of the transaction amount with a service provider S10, the user first presents the service provider S10 with a specified payment method for which the user has registered as a member of the point program and requests the service provider S10 to use the points. The user can then use any payment method to pay the amount remaining after subtracting the points used from the transaction amount. Hereinafter, the amount remaining after subtracting the points used from the transaction amount will be referred to as the transaction amount after points are used. This example will be described using an example in which the user presents a credit card C10 to the service provider S10 as a specified payment method and uses the points as part of the transaction amount. Note that FIG. 14 only shows the processing steps related to point use. The processing related to the payment of the transaction amount after points use is assumed to be performed in parallel with the processing shown in FIG. 14.

[0072] When a user presents a credit card C10 to a service provider S10 to use points, for example, in the case of face-to-face payment, the service provider S10 reads the card number of the credit card C10 using the service provider terminal 30 (step S400), as shown in Fig. 14. Note that in the case of non-face-to-face payment, the service provider S10 may obtain the card number of the credit card C10 using the service provider terminal 30 via, for example, an EC system.

[0073] In the case of face-to-face payment, when the service provider S10 inputs the number of points to be used, which has been verbally communicated by the user, into the service provider terminal 30, the number of points to be used is read by the service provider terminal 30 (step S401). Note that in the case of non-face-to-face payment, the user may input the number of points to be used into the service provider terminal 30 by himself / herself.

[0074] When the service provider terminal 30 acquires the information on the credit card number and the number of points used, it transmits the information to the information processing device 40 (step S402). As a result, the payment method acquisition unit 432 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the information on the card number of the credit card C10 and the number of points used from the service provider terminal 30 (step S410).

[0075] Next, the PAR number acquisition unit 433 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 executes the processes of steps S411 to S413, and the payment service provider device 50 executes the processes of steps S420 to S423, thereby causing the point ID acquisition unit 434 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 to read the card number of the credit card and the point ID corresponding to the PAR number from the point DB 421 (step S413). Note that the processes of steps S411 to S413 and steps S420 to S423 are the same as or similar to the processes of steps S311 to S313 and steps S320 to S323 shown in Fig. 11, and therefore detailed description of these processes will be omitted.

[0076] Following the processing of step S413, the use permission determination unit 436 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 reads the number of owned points corresponding to the point ID from the point DB 421 (step S414) and determines whether the number of points to be used exceeds the number of owned points (step S415). If the number of used points does not exceed the number of owned points (step S415: NO), that is, if the number of used points is equal to or less than the number of owned points, the use permission determination unit 436 determines that the user is allowed to use points. In this case, the point ID acquisition unit 434 transmits the point ID to the service provider terminal 30 (step S416). Although not shown in the figure, after the service provider terminal 30 receives the point ID from the information processing device 40, the user expresses his or her intention to use points. Then, the user presents the credit card C10 to settle the transaction amount after using the points. In other words, the user presents the credit card C10 twice: once to use the points as described above and once to settle the transaction amount after using the points. As a result, the process of using points and the process of settling the transaction amount are executed as separate processes.

[0077] When the service provider terminal 30 receives the point ID from the information processing device 40 (step S403), it executes the processes from step S404 onwards after completing the process related to the settlement of the transaction amount after the points have been used. That is, the service provider terminal 30 generates a first point use message (step S404). The first point use message contains information related to the user's transaction, such as the transaction date and time and transaction amount, the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30, the point ID, the number of points used, and card company identification information. The service provider terminal 30 transmits the generated first point use message to the information processing device 40 (step S405).

[0078] When the point calculation unit 440 of the second control unit 44 of the information processing device 40 receives the first point usage message transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S417), it reads from the program DB 420 the service provider ID corresponding to the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30 included in the first point usage message (step S418), and further reads the setting information of the point program corresponding to the read service provider ID, i.e., the setting information of the point program corresponding to the service provider S10 (step S419). As a result, the point calculation unit 440 acquires information such as the point award rate set by the service provider S10. Next, the point calculation unit 440 calculates the number of awarded points based on the point award rate from the transaction amount included in the first point usage message (step S440). Note that the point calculation unit 440 may also calculate the number of awarded points based on the point award rate from the transaction amount after the points are used.

[0079] 15, the point calculation unit 440 generates a second point use message (step S441). The second point use message includes information about the user's transaction, such as the transaction date and time and transaction amount, the service provider ID identified in the processing of step S418, the point ID, card company identification information, the number of awarded points, and the number of used points. The point calculation unit 440 then identifies the card issuer corresponding to the points used this time based on the card company identification information included in the first point use message, and transmits the second point use message to the card issuer device 60 corresponding to that card issuer (step S442).

[0080] When the card issuer device 60 receives the second point usage message transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S430), it identifies the number of points owned by the user based on the point ID and service provider ID included in the second point usage message (step S431), subtracts the number of points used from the identified number of points owned by the user (step S432), and adds the number of points to be granted (step S433), thereby updating the point management DB 620. This completes the user's point usage and the granting of points to the user, and also completes the collaboration of this information between the information processing device 40 and the card issuer device 60.

[0081] Once the user's points have been used and the points have been awarded to the user in this manner, the application control unit 632 of the card issuer device 60 changes the number of points held by the service provider S10, which is displayed in the column for credit card C10 on the points display screen 80 of the payment application of the user terminal 20, to the updated value.

[0082] Meanwhile, the point calculation unit 440 of the second control unit 44 of the information processing device 40 calculates the number of granted points (step S442), and then generates a point use response message (step S443), and transmits the generated point use response message to the service provider terminal 30 (step S444). The point use response message is a message transmitted from the information processing device 40 to the service provider terminal 30 as a response to the first point use message transmitted from the service provider terminal 30. The point use response message includes the number of granted points calculated by the point calculation unit 440. Upon receiving the point use response message transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S406), the service provider terminal 30 transmits usage point linkage information to the information processing device 40 (step S407). The usage point linkage information includes the number of granted points, the number of used points, a point ID, the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30, and the like, which were included in the point response message. When the point updating unit 435 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the usage point linking information transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S445), it updates, for example, the number of owned points corresponding to the point ID based on the number of granted points and the number of used points, based on the point ID included in the usage point linking information and the terminal ID of the service provider terminal 30 (step S446). This completes the linking of the number of granted points and the number of used points between the information processing device 40 and the service provider terminal 30.

[0083] 16, in the process of step S415, if the number of points to be used exceeds the number of points held (step S415: YES), the use possibility determination unit 436 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 determines that the user cannot use the points. In this case, the use possibility determination unit 436 transmits a message to the service provider terminal 30 that the points cannot be used (step S446). When the service provider terminal 30 receives the message that the points cannot be used (step S408), it notifies the user that the points cannot be used and displays a screen to the user that prompts the user to re-input the points (step S409).

[0084] Furthermore, if the PAR system 52 of the payment service provider device 50 determines in the processing of step S421 that the card number included in the PAR inquiry request is not registered in the card information DB 520, it performs processing similar to the processing shown in Fig. 13. That is, the PAR system 52 transmits to the information processing device 40 a message that the card number of the credit card is not registered in the card information DB 520. In this case, in the information processing device 40, when the PAR number acquisition unit 433 receives a message that a PAR number corresponding to the card number does not exist, the point ID acquisition unit 434 notifies the service provider terminal 30 that a point ID does not exist. When the service provider terminal 30 receives a message that a point ID does not exist, it notifies the user, for example, that no points are registered, and displays a screen to the user prompting the user to register as a member of a point program.

[0085] (Hardware configuration of information processing systems) Next, a description will be given of an example of a hardware configuration in which each device included in the information processing system 10 is realized by a computer. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them into multiple devices.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 17, the computer 70 includes a processor 700 , a storage device 702 , an input I / F 704 , a data I / F 706 , a communication I / F 708 , and a display device 710 .

[0087] The processor 700 controls various processes in the computer 70 by executing programs stored in the storage device 702. For example, the respective functional units of the control units 43, 44, 63 of the information processing device 40 and the card issuer device 60 can be realized by the processor 700 executing the programs stored in the storage device 702.

[0088] The storage device 702 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The RAM temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 700 and data required when the program is executed.

[0089] The storage device 702 may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 702 stores an operating system and various programs for implementing the above-mentioned configurations. The storage medium storing the various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In addition, the storage device 702 may also store a table for registering various pieces of information and a DB for managing the table. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage device 702 as needed and referenced by the processor 700.

[0090] The input I / F 704 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F 704 include a camera, a button, a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, and a wearable device. The input I / F 704 may be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0091] The data I / F 706 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 70. A specific example of the data I / F 706 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F 706 may be provided outside the computer 70. In this case, the data I / F 706 is connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as a USB.

[0092] The communication I / F 708 is a device for performing data communication via a communication network N10, either wired or wirelessly, with devices external to the computer 70. The communication I / F 708 may be provided external to the computer 70. In this case, the communication I / F 708 is connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as a USB.

[0093] The display device 710 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 710 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a display of a wearable device. The display device 710 may be provided outside the computer 70. In this case, the display device 710 is connected to the computer 70 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F 704, the display device 710 can be configured as an integrated part of the input I / F 704.

[0094] The components of the devices included in the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment may be configured such that a program stored in the storage device 702 is executed by the processor 700, thereby realizing a predetermined process in cooperation with other hardware. In other words, these components may be considered as software or firmware, and also as corresponding hardware. Furthermore, these components may be described as "functions," "means," "parts," "processing circuits," "units," or "modules," etc., in both of these concepts, and may be interpreted as such.

[0095] (Actions and Effects of the Information Processing System of the Present Embodiment) As described above, the information processing system 10 of this embodiment includes a memory unit 42, a payment method acquisition unit 432 (first acquisition unit), a point ID acquisition unit 434 (second acquisition unit), and a point calculation unit 440. The memory unit 42 stores setting information for a point program. The payment method acquisition unit 432 acquires information on the payment method presented by the user at the service provider from the service provider terminal 30. The point ID acquisition unit 434 acquires a point ID corresponding to the payment method. The point calculation unit 440 calculates the number of awarded points corresponding to the user's transaction amount based on the setting information for the point program. The point calculation unit 440 associates the calculated number of awarded points with the point ID and transmits them to the card issuer.

[0096] With this configuration, the service provider can create a point program that suits their preferences without relying on the card issuing company, by simply changing the setting information of the point program stored in the storage unit 42 as needed. This makes it easier to create a point program.

[0097] The point ID acquisition unit 434 acquires the point ID and transmits the acquired point ID to the service provider terminal 30. The point calculation unit 440 receives a first point granting message (point granting request) including the user's transaction amount and the point ID, which is returned from the service provider terminal 30 based on the transmission of the point ID to the service provider terminal 30, and calculates the number of points to be granted corresponding to the transaction amount included in the first point granting message based on the setting information of the point program.

[0098] This configuration makes it possible to easily calculate the number of points to be awarded corresponding to the transaction amount of the user.

[0099] The information processing system 10 of this embodiment further includes a PAR number acquisition unit 433 (third acquisition unit). The PAR number acquisition unit 433 transmits the card number of the credit card acquired by the payment method acquisition unit 432 to the payment service provider device 50, thereby acquiring a PAR number returned from the payment service provider device 50. The PAR number is an example of a unique identification number corresponding to the card number of a credit card. The point ID acquisition unit 434 transmits a point ID corresponding to the PAR number to the service provider terminal 30.

[0100] This configuration makes it possible to exchange a unique point ID corresponding to the credit card number.

[0101] The information processing system 10 of this embodiment further includes a program information acquisition unit 430 (fourth acquisition unit) that acquires setting information of the point program from the service provider terminal 30.

[0102] This configuration makes it possible to easily obtain a points program from a service provider.

[0103] The memory unit 42 stores a point ID and the number of points held by the user in association with each other. The information processing system 10 of this embodiment further includes a point update unit 435 that updates the number of held points stored in the memory unit 42. The point calculation unit 440 transmits the calculated number of granted points to the service provider terminal 30. The point update unit 435 updates the number of held points stored in the memory unit 42 based on the number of granted points transmitted from the service provider terminal 30.

[0104] According to this configuration, the number of points to be awarded can be easily linked between the information processing device 40 and the service provider terminal 30.

[0105] The payment method acquisition unit 432 acquires the number of points to be used, which is the numerical value of points to be used by the user, from the service provider terminal 30. The information processing system 10 of this embodiment further includes a usability determination unit 436. The usability determination unit 436 determines whether the user can use points by comparing the number of points to be used with the number of points held stored in the memory unit 42. If the user can use points, the point update unit 435 updates the number of points held stored in the memory unit 42 based on the number of points to be used. The point calculation unit 440 associates the number of awarded points, the number of points to be used, and the point ID and transmits them to the card issuer.

[0106] According to this configuration, the number of points used can be easily linked between the information processing device 40, the service provider terminal 30, and the card issuing company.

[0107] If the user is not allowed to use the points, the use permission determining unit 436 transmits a message to that effect to the service provider terminal 30.

[0108] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to inform the user via the service provider terminal 30 that the points cannot be used, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0109] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the information processing system 10 will be described. The following description will focus on the differences from the information processing system 10 of the first embodiment.

[0110] (Configuration of information processing system) 18, the storage unit 42 of the information processing device 40 further stores a usage status DB 422. The usage status DB 422 stores data on the point usage status of each point member for each of a plurality of point programs established by a plurality of service providers. The point usage status data includes the point usage history, the number of transactions within a certain period, the cumulative or per-transaction amount, and the last transaction date.

[0111] The first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 further includes a data analysis unit 437 as a functional configuration realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 42. The data analysis unit 437 performs various analytical processes on the point usage status data of each point member stored in the usage status DB 422. The data analysis unit 437 also updates the usage status DB 422 based on the transaction history transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 each time a user transacts with a service provider. Furthermore, the data analysis unit 437 transmits the point usage status data of each point member stored in the storage unit 42 to the service provider terminal 30, thereby enabling the service provider to view the point usage status data of each point member on the terminal 30. In this embodiment, the data analysis unit 437 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0112] The second control unit 44 of the information processing device 40 further includes a special offer linking unit 441 as a functional configuration realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 42. The special offer linking unit 441 transmits special offer details set by the service provider to the card issuer device 60. The special offer details are, for example, details that make purchases from the service provider more advantageous, such as a discount being applied to a specified product. In this embodiment, the special offer details are an example of a benefit given to the user.

[0113] FIG. 19 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 10 of this embodiment.

[0114] 19, in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, when a service provider performs a viewing operation of analytical data on the dashboard of the service provider terminal 30 (step S500), a transmission request for analytical data is transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 to the information processing device 40 (step S501). The transmission request may include various information input by the service provider on the dashboard, such as information that can narrow down the analytical data. The narrowing information for the analytical data is user attribute information, etc.

[0115] When the data analysis unit 437 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 receives the request to send the analysis data (step S510), it reads the point usage status data of each point member from the usage status DB 422 (step S511) and transmits the read point usage status data to the service provider terminal 30 (step S512). At this time, if analysis data narrowing information is included in the transmission request, the data analysis unit 437 may transmit point usage status data narrowed down based on the information to the service provider terminal 30.

[0116] When the service provider terminal 30 receives the point usage status data transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S502), it displays the point usage status data on a dashboard (step S503). This allows the service provider to view the point usage status data of each point member and analyze what kind of preferential treatment content would be effective. Note that at this time, the service provider may be able to view not only the point usage status of its own point members, but also the point usage status of point members of other service providers.

[0117] Thereafter, when the service provider issues a special offer on the dashboard of the service provider terminal 30 (step S504), the service provider terminal 30 displays multiple special offer contents on the dashboard (step S505). For multiple special offer contents, multiple templates, such as "product A free," are prepared in advance. The service provider can select a special offer content that suits their preferences from the multiple special offer contents on the dashboard. When the user selects one of the multiple special offer contents, the service provider terminal 30 acquires the selection information of the special offer content (step S506).

[0118] Furthermore, when the service provider selects a target user on the dashboard of the service provider terminal 30, the service provider terminal 30 acquires the selection information of the target user (step S507). The target user is set, for example, in the form of "a user who has visited the store Na times or less within a certain period and whose last transaction date was Nb months ago." Na and Nb are any natural numbers.

[0119] When the service provider terminal 30 acquires the selection information of the special offer content and the selection information of the target user, it transmits the information to the information processing device 40 (step S508). When the special offer content linking unit 441 of the second control unit 44 of the information processing device 40 receives the selection information of the special offer content and the selection information of the target user transmitted from the service provider terminal 30 (step S513), it transmits the received information to the card issuer device 60 (step S514). When the card issuer device 60 receives the selection information of the special offer content and the selection information of the target user transmitted from the information processing device 40 (step S520), it transmits the special offer content to the target user (step S520). The transmission of the special offer content is performed, for example, by reflecting it in the payment application of the user terminal 20 of the target user, or by a push notification on the user terminal 20, etc.

[0120] The target user can use the special offer by displaying a two-dimensional code, such as a barcode or QR code, indicating the special offer on the user terminal 20 and presenting it to a predetermined service provider. When the special offer is used to use a predetermined service provider, the usage history is sent from the service provider terminal 30 to the information processing device 40 and reflected in the usage status DB 422. Therefore, it is also possible to measure the effect of which point members actually used or did not use the issued special offer.

[0121] (Actions and Effects of the Information Processing System of the Present Embodiment) In the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, a usage status DB 422 is further stored in the memory unit 42. The usage status DB 422 stores point usage status associated with each of a plurality of point members (users). The information processing system 10 includes a data analysis unit 437 (transmission unit) and a special treatment content linking unit 441. The data analysis unit 437 transmits point usage status data stored in the usage status DB 422 to the service provider terminal 30. The special treatment content linking unit 441 links the special treatment content set by the service provider to be granted to the user with the card issuing company.

[0122] According to this configuration, effective preferential treatment can be given to the user, thereby improving convenience for the service provider.

[0123] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the above specific examples.

[0124] For example, in the above embodiment, a physical credit card was used as an example of the payment method used when earning and using points, but the payment method is not limited to a physical credit card and may also be a physical debit card, a mobile wallet payment in which payment scheme information such as a credit card is registered on a mobile device, or a QR code payment.

[0125] When a user uses QR code payment, point membership registration may be performed using the following procedure. First, the service provider terminal 30 reads a first QR code displayed on the user terminal 20, causing the service provider terminal 30 to obtain payment scheme information for the QR code payment. Next, the service provider terminal 30 displays a second QR code linked to a point ID. By reading this second QR code with the user terminal 20, a virtual point card linked to the point ID is issued within the payment application of the user terminal 20.

[0126] If QR code payment is used when points are awarded or used, there is no need for the information processing device 40 to query the payment service provider device 50 about PAR. In this case, the point DB 421 of the information processing device 40 stores, for each of a plurality of points, a point ID, code information of the QR code, and the number of points held, in association with each other. When the QR code displayed on the user terminal 20 is read by the service provider terminal 30, the service provider terminal 30 transmits the code information of the QR code to the information processing device 40. At this time, the point ID acquisition unit 434 of the first control unit 43 of the information processing device 40 acquires, from the point DB 421, a point ID corresponding to the code information of the QR code.

[0127] The functional components possessed by the service provider terminal 30, the information processing device 40, and the card issuer device 60 may be provided only in the service provider terminal 30, only in the information processing device 40, or only in the card issuer device 60, or may be provided separately in each of the service provider terminal 30, the information processing device 40, and the card issuer device 60.

[0128] Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above specific examples as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they comprise the features of the present disclosure. The elements of each of the above specific examples, as well as their arrangement, conditions, shape, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the above specific examples can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 10: Information processing system, 30: Service provider terminal (terminal device of service provider), 42: Memory unit, 70: Computer, 430: Program information acquisition unit (fourth acquisition unit), 432: Payment method acquisition unit (first acquisition unit), 433: PAR number acquisition unit (third acquisition unit), 434: Point ID acquisition unit (second acquisition unit), 435: Point update unit, 436: Usability determination unit, 437: Data analysis unit (transmission unit), 440: Point calculation unit, 441: Special treatment content linkage unit.

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing setting information related to a point program; a first acquisition unit that acquires information on a payment method presented by a user at a service provider from a terminal device of the service provider; a second acquisition unit that acquires point identification information corresponding to the payment method; a point calculation unit that calculates the number of points to be awarded corresponding to the transaction amount of the user based on setting information of the point program; The point calculation unit associates the calculated number of awarded points with the point identification information and transmits them to a point-related business. Information processing system.

2. The second acquisition unit transmits the point identification information to the terminal device, The point calculation unit receives a point granting request including the transaction amount of the user and the point identification information, which is returned from the terminal device based on the transmission of the point identification information to the terminal device, and calculates the number of points to be granted corresponding to the transaction amount included in the point granting request based on setting information of the point program. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The method further includes a third acquisition unit that acquires a unique identification number corresponding to the information on the payment means, the unique identification number being returned from the payment service provider device by transmitting the information on the payment means acquired by the first acquisition unit to the payment service provider device; The second acquisition unit transmits, to the terminal device, point identification information corresponding to the unique identification number as the point identification information. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The system further includes a fourth acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the point program from the terminal device. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The setting information of the point program includes at least one of the period of the target program, the validity period of the points, the point grant rate, and the point exchange contents. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. The storage unit stores the point identification information and the number of points held by the user in association with each other, The system further includes a point updating unit that updates the number of points held that are stored in the storage unit. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

7. The point calculation unit further transmits the number of awarded points to the terminal device, The point update unit updates the number of owned points stored in the storage unit based on the number of granted points transmitted from the terminal device. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. The first acquisition unit further acquires, from the terminal device, a number of points to be used, which is a numerical value of points to be used by the user; a use possibility determination unit that determines whether or not the user is allowed to use the points by comparing the number of use points with the number of owned points stored in the storage unit; the point update unit updates the number of retained points stored in the storage unit based on the number of points used when the points can be used; The point calculation unit associates the number of granted points, the number of used points, and the point identification information and transmits them to a point-related business. The information processing system according to claim 6.

9. If the user is unable to use the points, the use possibility determination unit transmits a message to the terminal device to that effect. The information processing system according to claim 8 .

10. The storage unit stores data on the usage status of points associated with each of a plurality of users, a transmission unit that transmits data on the point usage status stored in the storage unit to the terminal device; and a linking unit that links the benefit set by the service provider to be given to the user with the point-related business. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

11. The cooperation unit provides the user with a special benefit that makes it advantageous for purchases from the service provider. The information processing system according to claim 10.

12. The payment method includes at least one of a credit card, a debit card, a payment method using electronic money, and a payment method using a two-dimensional code. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

13. The information on the payment method includes at least one of a credit card number, a debit card number, and a token number associated with the credit card number or the debit card number. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

14. The computer storing setting information relating to the point program in a storage unit; Obtaining information on the payment method used by the user at the service provider from a terminal device of the service provider; Acquire point identification information corresponding to the payment method; Calculating the number of points to be awarded corresponding to the transaction amount of the user based on the setting information of the point program; The calculated number of awarded points and the point identification information are associated with each other and transmitted to a point-related business. Information processing methods.

15. On the computer, storing setting information relating to the point program in a storage unit; Acquire information on the payment method used by the user at the service provider from the terminal device of the service provider; Acquire point identification information corresponding to the payment method; Calculating the number of points to be awarded corresponding to the transaction amount of the user based on the setting information of the point program; The calculated number of points to be awarded and the point identification information are associated with each other and transmitted to a point-related business. program.

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