System for determining the award rate, method for determining the award rate, and program

Abstract

To promote the use of at least one of the payment method and / or points. [Solution] The usage information acquisition unit (101) of the award rate determination system (1) acquires usage information regarding the use of one of the following: a payment method available to the user in the payment service, and a point service related to points held by the user. Based on the usage information, the determination unit (102) determines whether or not the award rate conditions related to the award rate of points awarded by the use of the other of the payment method and the point service are met. The award rate determination unit (103) determines the award rate based on the determination result of the determination unit (102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a grant rate determination system, a grant rate determination method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a point service in which when a user uses a payment service, points given to the user are determined based on a predetermined grant rate. For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to promote cross - use of services provided by each company in a group, a plurality of privilege grant conditions are set for a processing target period, and when each of the plurality of privilege grant conditions is satisfied, a technique for increasing the grant rate of points as a privilege for the user is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, with the technique of Patent Document 1, although it is possible to promote cross - use of services by the privilege grant conditions provided to promote cross - use of services provided by each company in the group, it does not necessarily mean promoting the use of at least one of the payment means and the point service. Therefore, with the technique of Patent Document 1, it has not been possible to sufficiently promote the use of at least one of the payment means and points. This is not limited to the technique of Patent Document 1, but is true for conventional payment services in general.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to promote the use of at least one of the payment means and the point service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The grant rate determination system relating to this disclosure includes: a usage information acquisition unit that acquires usage information relating to the use of one of the following: a payment method available to the user in the payment service and a points service relating to points held by the user; a determination unit that determines, based on the usage information, whether or not the grant rate conditions relating to the grant rate of points granted by the use of the other of the payment method and the points service are met; and a grant rate determination unit that determines the grant rate based on the determination result of the determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure may promote the use of at least one of the payment method and the points service. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the award rate determination system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on a user's terminal. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functions implemented by the award rate determination system. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a payment database. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a points database. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the award rate data. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the process performed by the allocation rate determination system. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a function that can be achieved through modification. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the screen displayed on the user terminal in Modification Example 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the screen displayed on the user terminal in Modification Example 2. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the payment completion screen for Modification Example 3. [Figure 12]This figure shows an example of the payment completion screen for Modification Example 4. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the relationship between the first and second periods in variation 5. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the screen displayed on the user terminal in Modification Example 7. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of the screen displayed on the user terminal in Modification Example 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [1. Hardware configuration of the award rate determination system] An example of an embodiment of the grant rate determination system, grant rate determination method, and program related to this disclosure will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the grant rate determination system. For example, the grant rate determination system 1 includes a payment server 10 and a user terminal 20. Each of the payment server 10 and the user terminal 20 is connected to a network N such as the Internet or a LAN. At least one of the payment server 10 and the user terminal 20 may be present in multiple units.

[0010] The payment server 10 is a server computer for payment services. The payment service is a service that provides electronic payments (cashless payments) to users. For example, the payment server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor. The storage unit 12 includes at least one of volatile memory such as RAM and non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The communication unit 13 includes at least one of a communication interface for wired communication and a communication interface for wireless communication.

[0011] The user terminal 20 is the user's computer. For example, the user terminal 20 is a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, or a wearable terminal. The user terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a display unit 25. The hardware configurations of the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the communication unit 23 may be the same as those of the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13, respectively. The operation unit 24 is an input device such as a touch panel or a mouse. The display unit 25 is a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

[0012] Note that the programs stored in the storage units 12 and 22 may be supplied to the settlement server 10 or the user terminal 20 via the network N. Also, at least one of a reading unit (for example, a memory card slot) that reads a computer-readable information storage medium and an input / output unit (for example, a USB port) for inputting / outputting data to / from an external device may be included in the settlement server 10 or the user terminal 20. For example, a program stored in the information storage medium may be supplied to the settlement server 10 or the user terminal 20 via at least one of the reading unit and the input / output unit.

[0013] Also, the awarding rate determination system 1 may include at least one computer. The computer included in the awarding rate determination system 1 is not limited to the example of FIG. 1. For example, the awarding rate determination system 1 may include only the settlement server 10. In this case, the user terminal 20 exists outside the awarding rate determination system 1. The awarding rate determination system 1 may include the settlement server 10 and another computer not shown in FIG. 1 (for example, a server computer of a point service described later).

[0014] [2. Outline of Awarding Rate Determination System] In this embodiment, an example is given of a case where a user uses a payment service from a payment application stored in the user terminal 20. The payment application is an application provided by the administrator of the payment service. The user can use any payment method in the payment service. For example, the user may use electronic money, a balance not called electronic money, a credit card, a card other than a credit card, points, a bank account, an account other than a bank account, a cryptocurrency, a wallet, or other payment methods in the payment service. Since the payment method may be used for payment, it can also be called a payment means.

[0015] For example, the user installs a payment application on the user terminal 20 and registers as a member of the payment service. When the user completes the membership registration of the payment service, the user can start the payment application on the user terminal 20 and use the payment service. Note that the user may use the payment service from another application (for example, an application provided by the card company of a credit card, or other non-payment applications) or a browser stored in the user terminal 20.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 20. For example, when the user operates the user terminal 20 to start the payment application, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 2, the user terminal 20 causes the display unit 25 to display a code screen SC1 including a payment code C10 generated based on a payment code ID that can identify the user in the payment service. The payment code C10 is a code for payment. In the example in the upper left of FIG. 2, a case where the payment code C10 includes a barcode and a two-dimensional code is described, but the payment code C10 may be either a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The process of generating the payment code C10 from the payment code ID may be executed either by the payment server 10 or the user terminal 20.

[0017] Furthermore, payment in the payment service may be performed by methods other than having the payment code C10 read by the store's terminal. For example, payment may be of the type in which the user terminal 20 reads a code displayed on the store's terminal, of the type in which the user terminal 20 reads a code posted in the store, of the type that is completed solely by operations on the user terminal 20, of the type that utilizes the IC chip of the user terminal 20, online payment (for example, account payment using the user's account, or ID payment using the user's ID), carrier payment which is payment from the carrier used by the user terminal 20, or other types. Alternatively, for example, payment may be performed by the user reading the code on the invoice with the user terminal 20 and paying the invoice.

[0018] For example, the code screen SC1 includes a button B11 for displaying an electronic point card in the payment app. When the user selects button B11, the user terminal 20 displays a point code C12, generated based on a point code ID that can identify the user in the point service, on the code screen SC1, as shown in the upper right of Figure 2. The point service is a service that manages the points held by the user. In this embodiment, the case where the point service is linked with the payment service is given as an example, but the point service may be one of the services in the payment service. The operator of the point service and the operator of the payment service may be the same or different. The point service may be a service in which an account is used to manage the point balance without the use of a point card in particular.

[0019] In the upper right example of Figure 2, the case where the point code C12 is a barcode is explained, but the point code C12 may also be a two-dimensional code, or it may include both a barcode and a two-dimensional code. The process of generating the point code C12 from the point code ID may be performed by either the payment server 10 or the user terminal 20. If there is a server computer for the point service separate from the payment server 10, this process may be performed by the server computer for the point service. The process of issuing the point code ID may also be performed by the server computer for the point service.

[0020] In this embodiment, we take the example of a case where the payment code ID and the points code ID are different from each other, but the payment code ID and the points code ID may be the same from each other. That is, the user may be identified by a common code ID in both the payment service and the points service. In other words, the payment code C10 and the points code C12 may not be different from each other, but the same from each other. A common code may be used in both the payment service and the points service.

[0021] For example, if the user selects button B13 in the state shown in the upper right of Figure 2, the system returns to the state shown in the upper left of Figure 2. When the payment code C10 is read by the store's terminal, the payment is executed. The payment process after the payment code C10 is read may be the same as that of a known payment service. Once the payment is complete, the user terminal 20 displays a payment completion screen SC2 on the display unit 25, as shown in the lower right of Figure 2, indicating that the payment has been completed. For example, if a user reads the points code C12 at the store's terminal and then reads the payment code C10 at the store's terminal to execute the payment, points corresponding to the payment amount will be awarded to the user.

[0022] Furthermore, even if a user reads the point code C12 at a store terminal and makes a payment using a payment method other than the payment service (e.g., cash, a physical card, or another payment service), points corresponding to the payment amount may still be awarded to the user. Some stores may handle products or services that are not eligible for points. The process after the point code C12 is read at the store terminal may be the same as the process in known point services. The point code C12 may also be read after the payment has been made.

[0023] In the example in the lower right of Figure 2, the points that will be awarded to the user for payment at the store are displayed on the payment completion screen SC2. For example, the points awarded to the user are calculated based on the payment amount eligible for points and the point award rate. The award rate is sometimes called the reward rate. The number of points awarded to the user may be determined by rounding down the value obtained by multiplying the payment amount eligible for points by the award rate. The number of points awarded to the user may be determined by other calculation formulas. For example, rounding up or rounding to the nearest integer may be used instead of rounding down. Alternatively, the number of points awarded to the user may be determined by multiplying the value obtained by rounding down the payment amount eligible for points by the award rate. The number of points awarded to the user may be determined by other calculation formulas. For example, rounding up or rounding to the nearest integer may be used instead of rounding down. The method for calculating the number of points only needs to be publicly known. Points may be awarded to the user immediately or after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0024] For example, a common reward rate may be applied regardless of the type of payment method used from the payment app. However, in this embodiment, we will take the example of a case where a dedicated reward rate is set for the electronic money available from the payment app (in the example in the upper left of Figure 2, "AAA Cash"). Hereafter, this reward rate will be referred to as the reward rate for electronic money usage. As shown in the upper left of Figure 2, when a user makes a payment with electronic money set as the payment source, the reward rate for electronic money usage is applied. If a user makes a payment with another payment method such as a credit card set as the payment source, the reward rate for electronic money usage is not applied.

[0025] In this embodiment, the reward rate for electronic money usage varies depending on the user's use of the point service. For example, the reward rate for electronic money usage varies depending on the number of times the user uses the point service (for example, the number of times the point code C12, which is an electronic point card, is presented). If the number of times the point service is used is below a threshold, the reward rate for electronic money usage will be 0.5%. If the number of times the point service is used is above the threshold, the reward rate for electronic money usage will be 1.0%.

[0026] Furthermore, a base reward rate may be defined for when a user makes a payment using a payment app. The base reward rate is the rate at which points are awarded regardless of the payment method. In this case, the reward rate for electronic money usage is the rate added to the base reward rate. The reward rate for electronic money usage can also be described as the reward rate for bonus points that a user can earn by using electronic money. The reward rate for electronic money usage can also be described as the rate added to the base reward rate.

[0027] For example, let's say the base reward rate is 0.5%. Let's also say that the reward rate for electronic money usage fluctuates between 0.5% and 1.0% depending on whether the number of times the point service is used is below or above a threshold. In this case, the total reward rate when a user makes a payment using electronic money through the payment app will be 1.0% or 1.5%. If the total reward rate is 1.0%, as shown in the lower right of Figure 2, a payment of 3500 yen will award the user 35 points. If no base reward rate is specifically defined, the reward rate when a user makes a payment using electronic money through the payment app will be 0.5% or 1.0%. If a user makes a payment using a payment method other than electronic money through the payment app, the reward rate for electronic money usage will not apply. Other payment methods do not necessarily need to have a specific reward rate defined, or they may have a separate reward rate dedicated to them.

[0028] As described above, the reward rate determination system 1 of this embodiment varies the reward rate for electronic money usage based on the use of the point service. In this way, the reward rate determination system 1 promotes the use of at least one of electronic money and the point service by providing users with at least one of the following: an incentive to use electronic money in the payment app and an incentive to use the point service. The details of the reward rate determination system 1 will be described below.

[0029] [3. Functions implemented by the award rate determination system] Figure 3 shows an example of the functions implemented by the award rate determination system 1. The components implemented in the award rate determination system 1 of this embodiment can be configured by combining them into a single device or by further distributing them among multiple devices.

[0030] [3-1. Functions implemented by the payment server] For example, the payment server 10 includes a data storage unit 100, a usage information acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, and a grant rate determination unit 103. The data storage unit 100 is implemented by a storage unit 12. Each of the usage information acquisition unit 101, the determination unit 102, and the grant rate determination unit 103 is implemented by a control unit 11.

[0031] [Data Storage Unit] The data storage unit 100 stores various data related to at least one of the payment service and the point service. For example, the data storage unit 100 stores the payment database DB1, the point database DB2, and the point accrual rate data DT.

[0032] Figure 4 shows an example of a payment database DB1. The payment database DB1 is a database that stores various information for payments. For example, the payment database DB1 stores user ID, login account, password, payment code ID, expiration date, payment method information, payment source information, and charge source information. The information stored in the payment database DB1 is not limited to the example in Figure 4. Other information may be stored in the payment database DB1. For example, the payment database DB1 may store usage information regarding the user's use of payment methods.

[0033] Payment method usage information is information that shows the usage status or usage history of a payment method. For example, payment method usage information may show the date and time of payment, the payment amount, the payment location, the number of points awarded by the payment (or the number of points that are scheduled to be awarded by the payment), the balance of electronic money etc. after payment, information on the payment method set as the payer, or a combination of these. Since payment methods are used not only for payments but also for charging, payment method usage information may show the charge amount, the date and time of charging, information on the payment method set as the charge source, or a combination of these. The payment server 10 may update the payment method usage information each time a payment method is used.

[0034] A user ID is an example of user identification information that can identify a user. A login account is also an example of user identification information. A login account is user identification information that a user enters to log in to a payment service. The login account may be freely changed by the user. A user ID is user identification information that is managed separately from the login account. In this embodiment, we take the example of a case where there is a login account separate from the user ID (where there are at least two pieces of user identification information), but there may be only one piece of user identification information. That is, the user ID and login account do not have to be separate. A password is authentication information that is verified during login. The login account and password may be the user's biometric information.

[0035] A payment code ID is also an ID that can identify a user, and is therefore an example of user identification information. In this embodiment, we will take the case where the payment server 10 issues a payment code ID as an example. For example, when the payment server 10 issues a payment code ID for a user, it issues a new payment code ID so as not to overlap with other payment code IDs. The payment server 10 stores the new payment code ID and its expiration date in the payment database DB1, associating it with the user's user ID or login account. The expiration date may be determined by any method. For example, the expiration date may be a predetermined time after the issuance of the payment code ID. The payment server 10 may share the payment code ID and expiration date with the user terminal 20.

[0036] The payment code ID may be issued at any time. For example, the payment server 10 may issue the payment code ID when the payment application is launched, when the expiration date has passed, when the user instructs it to issue the payment code ID, or at any other time. The payment code ID may be issued by another computer (for example, a server computer that performs authentication during payment) rather than by the payment server 10, or it may be issued by the user terminal 20. The payment code ID does not have to have an expiration date. For example, the payment code ID may be an ID that is valid semi-permanently without a specific expiration date.

[0037] Payment method information is information that identifies a payment method. For example, payment method information may include credit card numbers, electronic money numbers, bank account information, or point card numbers. Payment source information is information that identifies the payment method selected as the payment source. The payment source is the payment method used to pay for goods or services handled by the store. Charge source information is information that identifies the payment method selected as the charge source. The charge source is the payment method that serves as the source of funds for the charge. Charging can be done to any payment method, such as electronic money. For example, a user can instruct a charge from a payment app.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of the points database DB2. The points database DB2 is a database that stores various information related to points. For example, the points database DB2 stores the user ID, point code ID, expiration date, the number of points held by the user, usage information in the points service, and the accrual rate for electronic money usage. The information stored in the points database DB2 is not limited to the example in Figure 5. Other information may be stored in the points database DB2. For example, the points database DB2 may store the login account and password for the user to log in to the points service, the base accrual rate, the accrual rate according to other payment methods, or other information.

[0039] In this embodiment, we take the case where the user ID for the payment service and the user ID for the points service are the same (where a common user ID is used for both the payment service and the points service), but the user ID for the payment service and the user ID for the points service may be different. If the user ID for the payment service and the user ID for the points service are different, a database showing their correspondence is stored in the data storage unit 100. This database may be stored in a computer or information storage medium other than the payment server 10.

[0040] The points code ID is an ID that can identify a user, and is therefore an example of user identification information. In this embodiment, we will take the case where the payment server 10 issues the points code ID as an example. For example, when the payment server 10 issues a points code ID for a user, it issues a new points code ID so as not to overlap with other points code IDs. The payment server 10 stores the new points code ID and its expiration date in the payment database DB1, associating it with the user's user ID or login account. The expiration date may be determined by any method. For example, the expiration date may be a predetermined time after the issuance of the points code ID.

[0041] The point code ID may be issued at any time. For example, the payment server 10 may issue the point code ID when the payment app is launched, when the expiration date has passed, when the user instructs it to issue the point code ID, or at any other time. The point code ID may be issued by another computer (for example, the computer for the points service) instead of the payment server 10. The point code ID does not have to have an expiration date. For example, the point code ID may be an ID that is valid semi-permanently without a specific expiration date.

[0042] The number of points can also be considered the balance of points held by the user. When points are awarded to a user, the number of points increases. When a user makes a payment using points, the number of points decreases. The process by which a user uses points may be the same as that of publicly known point services. If physical point cards are used in addition to the payment app, a point card number that can identify the physical point card may be associated with the number of points and stored in the point database DB2.

[0043] Usage information refers to information about a user's use of the points service. It can also be described as a user's usage status or history of the points service. In the example in Figure 2, an electronic points card is used, so the usage information can also be described as information about the user's use of the electronic points card. If a physical points card is used, the usage information can also be described as information about the user's use of the physical points card.

[0044] For example, the usage information may include the date and time the point card was read, information about the store where the point card was read, the date and time points were awarded, the number of points awarded, the date and time the payment for point awarding was executed, the amount of the payment, the location of the payment, the date and time points were used, the number of points used, the store where points were used, the date and time of login to the point service, or other information. When a user uses the point service, the payment server 10 updates the user's usage information to show the specific details of the user's usage.

[0045] For example, when a user scans their point card at a store, the payment server 10 updates the user's usage information to show the current date and time as the date and time the point card was scanned. When points are awarded to a user, the payment server 10 updates the user's usage information to show the current date and time as the date and time the points were awarded. When a user spends points, the payment server 10 updates the user's usage information to show the current date and time as the date and time the points were spent. If a user uses the point service in another way, the payment server 10 updates the user's usage information to show how the user used the point service.

[0046] Furthermore, usage information may be updated by other computers besides the payment server 10 (for example, a computer for the points service). Usage information may also be managed by other computers. In this case, the payment server 10 only needs to obtain the usage information from the other computers. The same applies to other information contained in the points database DB2; other information may also be managed by other computers. The payment server 10 may also obtain other information related to the points service from other computers.

[0047] The award rate stored in the points database DB2 is the award rate determined by the award rate determination unit 103. In this embodiment, the award rate for electronic money usage is stored in the points database DB2. For example, when the award rate determination unit 103 determines an award rate to be applied to a certain period, the award rate may be stored in the points database DB2 along with information that can identify the period to which the award rate is applied. The award rate to be applied in the future and the award rate to be applied at the present time may also be stored in the points database DB2. The points database DB2 may also store information indicating the determination result of the determination unit 102.

[0048] Figure 6 shows an example of grant rate data DT. Grant rate data DT is data that defines the method for determining the grant rate. Grant rate data DT may be in any format. For example, grant rate data DT may be in table format, formula format, text format, all or part of a program, a configuration file referenced by a program, a machine learning model, or other format. Grant rate data DT shows the relationship between the grant rate conditions and the grant rate for electronic money usage. Details of the grant rate conditions will be described later. The content of grant rate data DT shall be specified by the administrator of the payment service or point service.

[0049] The data stored in the data storage unit 100 is not limited to the examples above. The data storage unit 100 only needs to store various data for at least one of the payment service and the point service. For example, the data storage unit 100 may store data necessary for displaying the code screen SC1, the payment completion screen SC2, or other screens. The data storage unit 100 may also store the program necessary for payment and the program necessary for awarding points. The data storage unit 100 may also store data indicating the first period and the second period, as described later.

[0050] [Usage information acquisition department] The usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information regarding the use of either a payment method available to the user in the payment service or a points service related to points held by the user. One of the payment method and the points service is either a payment method or a points service. One of the payment method and the points service can also be the other of the payment service and the points service. In this embodiment, we will take the case where one of the payment method and the points service is a points service as an example. Therefore, we will take the case where the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information for the points service as an example.

[0051] In this embodiment, since point service usage information is stored in the point database DB2, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires the point service usage information of the user whose award rate is to be determined from the point database DB2. If the point service usage information is stored in a database other than the point database DB2, a computer other than the payment server 10, or an information storage medium, the usage information acquisition unit 101 can acquire the point service usage information of the user whose award rate is to be determined from the other database, other computer, or information storage medium.

[0052] In this embodiment, we will take as an example the case in which the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information for the first period. The first period is the period in which usage information is referenced in order to determine the award rate. The first period is a part of the entire past period. For example, the first period may be the most recent period (for example, the most recent day, the most recent week, the most recent month, or the most recent year), or it may be a period that is not the most recent. The usage information acquisition unit 101 may acquire usage information for the entire past period instead of the first period. The first period can also be said to be the period in which usage information for determining the award rate is measured. For example, the usage information may be the cumulative number of times the point card was read in the first period, the cumulative number of points awarded in the first period, the cumulative amount of payments in the first period, the highest number of times the point card was read on a specific day within the first period, the highest number of points used in the first period, the cumulative number of logins to the point service in the first period, or a combination of these cumulative numbers and the highest numbers.

[0053] The usage information acquisition unit 101 may acquire usage information for payment methods (usage information for payment services) instead of usage information for point services. In other words, one of the payment methods and point services may be a payment method. Whether one of the payment methods and point services is a payment method or points is predetermined by the administrator of the payment service or point service. The usage information acquisition unit 101 only needs to acquire the usage information of the predetermined payment method or points as usage information for one of the payment methods and point services.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will take as an example the case where the payment method in "one of the payment method and point service" and "the other of the payment method and point service" described later is electronic money. The payment method is not limited to electronic money. The payment method may be other payment methods other than electronic money. For example, the payment method may be other payment methods such as the aforementioned credit card or bank account. Where electronic money is mentioned in this embodiment, it can be read as any payment method.

[0055] Furthermore, the usage information acquisition unit 101 can acquire usage information indicating usage over any given period. For example, the usage information acquisition unit 101 may acquire usage information indicating usage over a portion of the first period in order to provide differential information, as described in the modified examples below. In this case, the usage information acquisition unit 101 may acquire usage information indicating usage over a period from the start of the first period to a point in time before the end of the first period (for example, the present time). The usage information acquisition unit 101 only needs to acquire usage information indicating usage over all or part of a past period (for example, the most recent week).

[0056] [Judgment section] The determination unit 102 determines, based on the usage information acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 101, whether the conditions for the point accrual rate related to the point accrual rate awarded by the use of the other of the payment method and point service are met. The other of the payment method and point service is the one that is not the other of the payment method and point service. If one of the payment method and point service is a point service, then the other of the payment method and point service is a payment method. If one of the payment method and point service is a payment method, then the other of the payment method and point service is a point service.

[0057] In this embodiment, we will take the example of a case where the other of the payment method and the point service is the payment method. For this reason, we will take the example of a case where the determination unit 102 determines, based on the usage information of the point service, whether or not the award rate conditions for the award rate of points awarded by using the payment method are met. When the other of the payment method and the point service is the point service, the determination unit 102 only needs to determine, based on the usage information of the payment method, whether or not the award rate conditions for the award rate of points awarded by consuming (using) points are met. In this case, the points awarded to the user are determined based on a value obtained by multiplying the amount of points consumed (used) by the award rate. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, electronic money will be explained as an example of a payment method. In the following explanation, the term "award rate" basically refers to the award rate for electronic money usage.

[0058] The grant rate condition is a condition referenced for determining the grant rate. The grant rate condition is a condition that can be determined based on usage information. The grant rate condition is whether the usage (usage status or usage history) indicated by the usage information is a predetermined usage (a predetermined usage status or usage history). In this embodiment, since the usage information indicates the number of uses, the grant rate condition is a condition related to the number of uses. For example, the grant rate condition is whether the number of uses is above a threshold. The grant rate condition can be any condition that corresponds to the usage information and is not limited to the example of this embodiment. For example, if the usage information indicates the amount used, the grant rate condition is whether the amount used is above a threshold. If the usage information indicates the location of use, the grant rate condition is whether the location of use is a predetermined location (a predetermined store).

[0059] In this embodiment, since the grant rate conditions are defined in the grant rate data DT, the determination unit 102 identifies the grant rate conditions based on the grant rate data DT. The determination unit 102 determines whether the identified grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 101. In the example of Figure 6, the determination unit 102 determines whether the grant rate conditions are met by determining whether the number of uses indicated by the usage information is 10 or more. If multiple grant rate conditions are defined in the grant rate data DT, the determination unit 102 can identify the multiple grant rate conditions based on the grant rate data DT and determine whether each of the multiple grant rate conditions is met based on the usage information acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 101.

[0060] In this embodiment, since usage information for the first period is acquired, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not the award rate conditions are met based on the usage information for the first period. The determination unit 102 determines whether or not the award rate conditions are met without relying on usage information for periods other than the first period. For example, if the number of uses indicated by the usage information for the first period is less than the threshold, the determination unit 102 determines that the award rate conditions are not met, and if the number of uses indicated by the usage information for the first period is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 102 determines that the award rate conditions are met.

[0061] The determination unit 102 may unconditionally count the usage as one when the point code C12 or a physical point card is read, or it may determine whether or not to count the usage under predetermined conditions. For example, the determination unit 102 may count the usage on the condition that the usage amount is above a predetermined amount, on the condition that the usage was made at a predetermined store, or on the condition that a predetermined product or service was purchased. The same applies when the usage information is other information besides the number of uses.

[0062] [Granting Rate Determination Unit] The grant rate determination unit 103 determines the grant rate based on the determination result of the determination unit 102. In this embodiment, the grant rate determined by the grant rate determination unit 103 is the grant rate for electronic money usage. For example, if the grant rate determination unit 103 determines that the grant rate conditions are met, it determines the grant rate so that the grant rate becomes a first value. If the grant rate determination unit 103 determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, it determines the grant rate so that the grant rate becomes a second value. The second value is a different value from the first value. For example, the second value is lower than the first value. The second value may also be higher than the first value.

[0063] In this embodiment, since the award rate is defined in the award rate data DT, the award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate based on the award rate data DT according to the determination result of the determination unit 102. The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate when the award rate conditions are met, based on the award rate data DT. The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate when the award rate conditions are not met, based on the award rate data DT. The award rate determination unit 103 updates the user's award rate in the point database DB2 to the award rate according to the determination result of the determination unit 102. The award rate determination unit 103 may store the award rate in the point database DB2 along with information that can identify the period to which the award rate is applied.

[0064] In this embodiment, the award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate for a second period that is after the first period. The second period is a period after the time when the award rate is determined. The second period may also be a period before the time when the award rate is determined. The end time of the second period may be defined, or the end time of the second period may not be defined, and a semi-permanent award rate may be determined. The start time of the second period is after the start time of the first period. The first and second periods may overlap in part, or they may not overlap at all. The second period can also be described as the period during which the award rate determined by the award rate determination unit 103 is applied.

[0065] Note that the first and second periods may be repeated. For example, if the grant rate is updated periodically, the first and second periods will be repeated. The usage information acquisition unit 101 only needs to acquire the usage information for the first period, which is the target of the acquisition of usage information. The determination unit 102 should determine whether or not the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information for the first period, which is the target of the determination of the grant rate conditions. The grant rate determination unit 103 should determine the grant rate for the second period, which is the target of the grant rate determination, based on the determination result of the determination unit 102. These processes may be executed repeatedly to determine the latest grant rate.

[0066] Furthermore, the grant rate determination unit 103 may determine the grant rate regardless of the first and second periods. In this case, the determination unit 102 may determine whether the grant rate conditions are met based on usage information during a certain period, and the grant rate determination unit 103 may determine the grant rate for that period based on the determination result of the determination unit 102. That is, the period for which usage information is acquired and the period for which the grant rate is determined may be the same. Conversely to this embodiment, the period for which usage information is acquired may be later than the period for which the grant rate is determined. In this case, the grant rate for electronic money usage before a certain period is determined based on usage information during that period.

[0067] [3-2. Functions implemented on the user terminal] For example, the user terminal 20 includes a data storage unit 200, an operation reception unit 201, and a display control unit 202. The data storage unit 200 is implemented by a storage unit 22. The operation reception unit 201 and the display control unit 202 are implemented by a control unit 21.

[0068] [Data Storage Unit] The data storage unit 200 stores data necessary for the user to use at least one of the payment service and the points service. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores the payment app. If the user uses the payment service from another app or browser instead of the payment app, the data storage unit 200 stores the other app or browser. The data storage unit 200 may also store a payment code ID, a points code ID, or other information.

[0069] [Operation Reception Section] The operation reception unit 201 receives various user operations. For example, the operation reception unit 201 receives operations on the payment application. The operation reception unit 201 transmits data indicating the user's operations to the payment server 10.

[0070] [Display Control Unit] The display control unit 202 displays various screens on the display unit 25. For example, the display control unit 202 displays the code screen SC1 and the payment completion screen SC2 on the display unit 25. The display control unit 202 communicates with the payment server 10 to receive display data for these screens and displays these screens on the display unit 25 based on the display data. The display data is the data necessary for displaying the screen. The display data may be data for the entire screen or data for a part of the screen. For example, the display data may be data in a markup language such as HTML, image data, text data, or other data.

[0071] [4. Processing performed by the allocation rate determination system] Figure 7 shows an example of the process performed by the award rate determination system 1. Figure 7 shows the process for determining the award rate among the processes performed by the award rate determination system 1. The process in Figure 7 is executed when the control unit 11 executes a program stored in the storage unit 12. The steps in Figure 7 are an example of a method for determining the award rate.

[0072] As shown in Figure 7, the payment server 10 determines whether or not the timing for determining the grant rate has arrived (S1). The timing for determination can be any predetermined timing. For example, the timing for determination may be at the end of the first period, or at a later time. The timing for determination may be at the start of the second period, or at an earlier time. If it is determined in S1 that the timing for determination has not arrived (S1:N), this process terminates.

[0073] In S1, if it is determined that the timing for making a decision has arrived (S1:Y), the settlement server 10 obtains information on the use of the point service by the users who are subject to the determination of the award rate, based on the point database DB2 (S2). In this embodiment, we take the example of a case where all users who use the settlement service are subject to the determination of the award rate, but it is also possible that only some users are subject to the determination of the award rate. Processing S2 to S5 is performed for each user who is subject to the determination of the award rate.

[0074] The payment server 10 determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the user usage information of the user to whom the grant rate is to be determined and the grant rate data DT (S3). In S3, the payment server 10 determines whether the number of times the user to whom the grant rate is to be determined has used the point service during the first period (for example, the number of times the point card has been presented) is equal to or greater than the threshold. If it is determined in S3 that the grant rate conditions are met (S3:Y), the payment server 10 determines the first value defined in the grant rate data DT as the grant rate for the user to whom the grant rate is to be determined (S4). In S4, the payment server 10 updates the grant rate of the user to whom the grant rate is to be determined in the point database DB2 so that the grant rate for the user to whom the grant rate is to be determined becomes the first value.

[0075] In S3, if it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met (S3:N), the settlement server 10 determines the second value defined in the grant rate data DT as the grant rate for the user whose grant rate is to be determined (S5). The second value is lower than the first value. In S5, the settlement server 10 updates the grant rate of the user in the points database DB2 so that the grant rate for that user whose grant rate is to be determined becomes the second value. The settlement server 10 determines whether or not the grant rate has been determined for all users (S6). If it is determined that there are users whose grant rates have not yet been determined (S6:N), the process returns to S2. If it is determined that the grant rate has been determined for all users (S6:Y), this process ends.

[0076] [5. Summary of Embodiments] The reward rate determination system 1 of this embodiment acquires usage information regarding the use of either a payment method or a point service. Based on the usage information, the reward rate determination system 1 determines whether or not the reward rate conditions are met. Based on the determination result of whether or not the reward rate conditions are met, the reward rate determination system 1 determines the reward rate. In this way, the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of at least one of the payment method and the point service. For example, the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of both the point service and the payment method by determining the reward rate when a payment method is used based on the usage information of the point service. The reward rate determination system 1 can also promote the use of both the point service and the payment method by determining the reward rate when points are used based on the usage information of the payment method.

[0077] Furthermore, the reward rate determination system 1 acquires usage information during the first period. Based on the usage information during the first period, the reward rate determination system 1 determines whether the reward rate conditions are met. The reward rate determination system 1 determines the reward rate for the second period, which is after the first period. In this way, the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of at least one of the payment methods and the point service. For example, the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of the point service during the first period and the use of the payment method during the second period by determining the reward rate when the payment method is used during the second period, based on the point service usage information during the first period. The reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of the payment method during the first period and the use of the point service during the second period by determining the reward rate when the point service is used during the second period, based on the payment method usage information during the first period.

[0078] [6. Variant] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. This disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0079] Figure 8 shows an example of a function realized by a modified version. For example, the payment server 10 includes a differential information provision unit 104, a detailed usage information provision unit 105, a grant rate display control unit 106, a location information acquisition unit 107, a facility information provision unit 108, a campaign information provision unit 109, a point granting unit 110, and a display control unit 111. Each of the differential information provision unit 104, the detailed usage information provision unit 105, the grant rate display control unit 106, the location information acquisition unit 107, the facility information provision unit 108, the campaign information provision unit 109, the point granting unit 110, and the display control unit 111 is realized by the control unit 11.

[0080] [6-1. Variation 1] For example, a user might want to know the difference until the grant rate condition is met. The difference until the grant rate condition is met is the amount of time remaining until the grant rate condition is met in the first period. In other words, the difference until the grant rate condition is met is the difference between the usage information that will be judged to meet the grant rate condition and the current usage information. Modification 1 gives an example of how to make the user aware of the difference until the grant rate condition is met.

[0081] The grant rate determination system 1 of Modification 1 includes a difference information provision unit 104. Based on usage information, the difference information provision unit 104 provides the user with difference information regarding the difference until the grant rate conditions are met. The difference information is information that shows the difference between the usage information that is determined to satisfy the grant rate conditions and the current usage information. The difference information may be in any format, for example, an image such as an icon, text, the entire screen, or other format. Since the usage information that is determined to satisfy the grant rate conditions (for example, a threshold for the number of uses) is defined in the grant rate data DT, the difference information provision unit 104 calculates the difference based on the grant rate data DT and the current usage information and provides the difference information to the user.

[0082] Figure 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in Modification Example 1. In Figure 9, the base reward rate is labeled "AAA Cash Usage," and the reward rate for electronic money usage is labeled "AAA Pay Usage." The same applies to the other figures. As shown in the upper left of Figure 9, the code screen SC1 of Modification Example 1 includes a button B14 for displaying differential information. For example, when the user selects button B14, as shown in the upper right of Figure 9, the differential information provision unit 104 provides the user with differential information I30 by displaying the reward rate performance screen SC3, which includes differential information I30, on the user terminal 20. In the example in the upper right of Figure 9, it is determined that the reward rate condition is met when the number of uses in the first period reaches 10, and the current number of uses by the user is 3. Therefore, the differential information provision unit 104 provides the user with differential information I30, such as "3 / 10 times," which identifies the difference of 7 times, on the reward rate performance screen SC3. The SC3 grant rate performance screen also displays the grant rate when the grant rate conditions are met.

[0083] In the lower right example of Figure 9, it is determined that the award rate condition is met when the number of uses in the first period reaches 10, indicating that the user's current number of uses is 10 or more. Therefore, the difference information providing unit 104 provides the user with difference information I30 indicating that there are no differences (that the award rate condition has already been met). The difference information I30 is not limited to a circular gauge image as shown in the upper right and lower right of Figure 9, but may be any other image. For example, the difference information I30 may be a rectangular gauge image, an image in a format other than a gauge, text, or a combination thereof. As shown in the upper right and lower right of Figure 9, the difference information providing unit 104 may provide the user with difference information I30 along with information indicating the first period (in the upper right and lower right examples of Figure 9, "6 / 16~7 / 15").

[0084] The differential information provider 104 can provide the differential information I30 to the user using any means of provision. For example, the differential information provider 104 may provide the differential information I30 to the user using the notification function of the payment application. The differential information provider 104 may also provide the differential information I30 to the user by means other than the payment application. For example, the differential information provider 104 may provide the differential information I30 to the user by other applications other than the payment application, a browser, email, SMS, messaging applications, push notifications, banner notifications, or other means. The differential information provider 104 may also provide the differential information I30 on payment-related screens such as the payment confirmation screen or the payment completion screen. For example, by providing the differential information I30 on the payment confirmation screen or payment completion screen, which are particularly likely to attract the user's attention when the user makes a payment using a payment method, it is possible to make the user aware of the difference in the award rate conditions and promote the use of the point service. When providing the differential information I30 by means or on screens other than the award rate performance screen SC3, it may be limited to only users who are not determined to have met the award rate conditions.

[0085] The reward rate determination system 1 of Modification 1 provides the user with differential information I30 regarding the difference until the reward rate conditions are met, based on usage information. As a result, the user can understand how much more is needed to meet the reward rate conditions using the differential information I30, thus improving user convenience. The user can also gain motivation to achieve the reward rate conditions using the differential information I30, so the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of at least one of the payment method and the point service.

[0086] [6-2. Variation 2] For example, users may want more detailed usage information than just usage information. Detailed usage information is similar to usage information in that it concerns the use of either a payment method or a points service, but it contains more information. For example, if usage information shows the number of times it was used, detailed usage information would show not only the simple number of times it was used, but also details about each individual use (for example, other information such as the location of use). Modification example 2 gives an example of how to make detailed usage information accessible to users.

[0087] The grant rate determination system 1 in Modification 2 includes a detailed usage information provision unit 105. The detailed usage information provision unit 105 provides the user with detailed usage information that is more detailed than the usage information for the first period. In Modification 2, as in the embodiment, an example is given where the usage information is information related to the use of the point service. Since the detailed usage information is also information related to the use of the point service, an example is given where the information necessary to provide the detailed usage information is stored in the point database DB2.

[0088] Note that detailed usage information may be only a part of the usage information. For example, in the embodiment, information other than the number of uses was described as an example of usage information, but detailed usage information may be other information included in the usage information that is not used in determining the award rate conditions. For example, detailed usage information may include information about the store where the point card was read, the date and time when points were awarded, the number of points awarded, the date and time when the payment for awarding points was made, the amount of the payment, the location of the payment, the date and time when points were used, the number of points used, the store where points were used, the date and time of login to the point service, or other information.

[0089] For example, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 provides detailed usage information to the user based on the points database DB2. If the information necessary for providing detailed usage information is stored in a database other than the points database DB2, a computer other than the settlement server 10, or an information storage medium, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 provides detailed usage information to the user based on the other database, the other computer, or the information storage medium.

[0090] Figure 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in Modification Example 2. As shown on the left side of Figure 10, the code screen SC1 of Modification Example 2 includes a button B15 for displaying detailed usage information. For example, when the user selects button B15, as shown on the right side of Figure 10, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 provides the user with detailed usage information I40 by displaying a detailed information screen SC4 containing detailed usage information I40 on the user terminal 20. For example, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 provides the user with detailed usage information I40, such as information about the store where the point card was read, details about point accrual (e.g., date and time when points were accrued, number of points accrued, or accrual rate at the time), details about point consumption (e.g., date and time when points were consumed, number of points consumed, or information about the store where points were consumed), or other information.

[0091] Furthermore, if the usage information concerns the use of a payment method, the detailed usage information also concerns the use of that payment method. In this case, the information necessary for displaying the detailed usage information may be stored in the payment database DB1. This information may also be stored in a database other than the payment database DB1, a computer other than the payment server 10, or an information storage medium. The detailed usage information provision unit 105 may provide the user with detailed usage information regarding the use of the payment method based on the other database, other computer, or information storage medium.

[0092] Furthermore, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 can provide the detailed usage information I40 to the user using any means of provision. For example, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 may provide the detailed usage information I40 to the user using the notification function of the payment application. The detailed usage information provision unit 105 may also provide the detailed usage information I40 to the user by means other than the payment application. For example, the detailed usage information provision unit 105 may provide the detailed usage information I40 to the user by other applications other than the payment application, a browser, email, SMS, messaging applications, push notifications, banner notifications, or other means.

[0093] The reward rate determination system 1 in the modified example 2 provides the user with detailed usage information I40, which is more detailed than the usage information for the first period. As a result, the user can understand the details of how they used the payment method or points through the detailed usage information I40, and the reward rate determination system 1 can improve user convenience.

[0094] [6-3. Modified Example 3] Traditionally, the payment completion screen SC2 displays the payment amount and the points awarded based on that amount. However, users may want to know immediately the point award rate when a payment is completed. In particular, if the award rate fluctuates depending on the period or conditions, users may want to know if the award rate is correctly reflected and if points are awarded according to the award rate. Therefore, in Modification 3, we take the example of a case where the award rate determined by the award rate determination unit 103 based on usage information in the first period is displayed on the payment completion screen SC2 when a payment is made in the second period. The award rate determination system 1 in Modification 3 includes an award rate display control unit 106. When a user makes a payment using a payment method in the second period, the award rate display control unit 106 displays not only the payment amount and the points awarded based on that payment amount, but also the award rate on the payment completion screen SC2 indicating the completion of the payment.

[0095] Figure 11 shows an example of the payment completion screen SC2 of Modification 3. For example, when a user makes a payment, the grant rate display control unit 106 obtains the grant rate of that user based on the point database DB2. The user who made the payment is identified by at least one of the payment code ID and the point code ID obtained from a computer such as a store terminal. When the payment server 10 receives a payment request from the user terminal 20, the user who made the payment may be identified based on other user identification information such as a login account.

[0096] For example, the reward rate display control unit 106 generates display data for the payment completion screen SC2 based on the reward rate of the user who made the payment, and transmits this display data to the user terminal 20 of the user, thereby displaying the payment completion screen SC2, including the reward rate, on the user terminal 20. The reward rate display control unit 106 displays text indicating the reward rate, an image such as an icon indicating the reward rate, or a combination thereof, on the payment completion screen SC2. The reward rate display control unit 106 may also display the user's past or future reward rates on the payment completion screen SC2. In this case, it is assumed that the user's past or future reward rates are stored in the point database DB2. If the base reward rate and the reward rate for electronic money usage are separate, the reward rate display control unit 106 may display the sum of these values ​​on the payment completion screen SC2, or display them separately on the payment completion screen SC2. The reward rate display control unit 106 may also display only the reward rate for electronic money usage on the payment completion screen SC2.

[0097] The upper example in Figure 11 is an example of the payment completion screen SC2 when the user does not meet the reward rate conditions. If the user does not meet the reward rate conditions, the points awarded to the user are calculated based on the sum of the base reward rate of 0.5% and the reward rate for electronic money usage of 0.5%, which is 1.0%. For this reason, as shown in the upper part of Figure 11, the reward rate display control unit 106 displays the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, showing the total value of 1.0%. The reward rate display control unit 106 may also display the base reward rate of 0.5% and the reward rate for electronic money usage of 0.5% separately on the payment completion screen SC2 when the reward rate conditions are not met. That is, the reward rate display control unit 106 may also display the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, showing the reward rates for the breakdown of the total value of 1.0%.

[0098] The lower example in Figure 11 is an example of the payment completion screen SC2 when the user meets the reward rate conditions. When the user meets the reward rate conditions, the points awarded to the user are calculated based on the sum of the base reward rate of 0.5% and the reward rate for electronic money usage of 1.0%, which is 1.5%. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of Figure 11, the reward rate display control unit 106 displays the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, showing the total value of 1.5%. The reward rate display control unit 106 may also display the base reward rate of 0.5% and the reward rate for electronic money usage of 1.0% separately on the payment completion screen SC2 when the reward rate conditions are met. That is, the reward rate display control unit 106 may also display the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, showing the reward rates broken down into the total value of 1.5%.

[0099] In the modified version 3, the reward rate determination system 1 displays the reward rate on the payment completion screen SC2, which indicates the completion of a payment, when a user makes a payment using a payment method during the second period. This allows the user to check the reward rate of points awarded for the payment they made on the payment completion screen SC2 and confirm whether points have been awarded according to the reward rate, thus improving user convenience. For example, by displaying the reward rate differently on the payment completion screen SC2 depending on whether the reward rate conditions have been met or not, the user can confirm whether the reward rate is reflected each time a payment is made. The user can also confirm the consistency between the reward rate and the points to be awarded.

[0100] [6-4. Modification 4] For example, in Modification 3, if the grant rate display control unit 106 determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, it may display the grant rate along with the grant rate conditions on the payment completion screen SC2. If a user who is determined to meet the grant rate conditions makes a payment in the second period, the grant rate display control unit 106 displays the payment completion screen SC2, as in the embodiment or Modification 3, on the user terminal 20. In Modification 4, if a user who is determined to not meet the grant rate conditions makes a payment in the second period, the grant rate display control unit 106 displays the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, which includes not only the grant rate determined by the grant rate determination unit 103 based on the usage information in the first period, but also details of the grant rate conditions. Alternatively, if a user who is determined to not meet the grant rate conditions makes a payment in the second period, the grant rate display control unit 106 may display the payment completion screen SC2, which includes details of the grant rate conditions, on the user terminal 20 without displaying the grant rate determined by the grant rate determination unit 103 based on the usage information in the first period.

[0101] Figure 12 shows an example of the payment completion screen SC2 in Modification 4. For example, if a user who is determined not to meet the award rate conditions makes a payment in the second period, the award rate display control unit 106 obtains the award rate conditions based on the award rate data DT. The award rate display control unit 106 obtains the award rate in the same manner as in Modification 3. Based on the obtained award rate conditions and award rate, the award rate display control unit 106 generates display data for the payment completion screen SC2 and transmits this display data to the user terminal 20 of the user, thereby displaying the payment completion screen SC2, including the award rate conditions and award rate, on the user terminal 20. The display of the award rate conditions is not limited to the form shown in Figure 12. For example, it may be a link to a screen where the award rate conditions can be checked.

[0102] The upper example in Figure 12 is an example of the payment completion screen SC2 when the user does not meet the reward rate conditions. If the user does not meet the reward rate conditions, the points awarded to the user are calculated based on the sum of the base reward rate of 0.5% and the reward rate for electronic money usage of 0.5%, which is 1.0%. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of Figure 12, the reward rate display control unit 106 displays the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, which shows the total value of 1.0% and the reward rate or its increase if the user had met the reward rate conditions (in the upper example of Figure 12, "0.5% increase"). In the modified example 4, the total value of 1.0% does not need to be displayed on the payment completion screen SC2.

[0103] The lower example in Figure 12 is an example of the payment completion screen SC2 when the user meets the reward rate conditions. When the user meets the reward rate conditions, the points awarded to the user are calculated based on the sum of the base reward rate of 0.5% and the reward rate for electronic money usage of 1.0%, which is 1.5%. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of Figure 12, the reward rate display control unit 106 displays the payment completion screen SC2 on the user terminal 20, which shows the total value of 1.5% and that the current reward rate will be maintained if the user meets the reward rate conditions. In the modified example 4, the total value of 1.5% does not need to be displayed on the payment completion screen SC2.

[0104] Information indicating whether or not the grant rate conditions have been met may be stored in the settlement database DB1 or the points database DB2. The grant rate display control unit 106 may use this information to identify users who have been determined not to meet the grant rate conditions. Users who have been determined not to meet the grant rate conditions may be identified by the value of the grant rate stored in the points database DB2. For example, the grant rate display control unit 106 may identify users whose grant rate is a second value as users who have been determined not to meet the grant rate conditions.

[0105] In the modified example 4, the reward rate determination system 1 displays the reward rate along with the reward rate conditions on the payment completion screen SC2 if it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met. This allows users who have been determined not to meet the reward rate conditions to check on the payment completion screen SC2 how to meet the conditions, thus improving user convenience.

[0106] [6-5. Variation 5] For example, the embodiments include cases where the second period may be later than the first period, and cases where the first and second periods do not need to be defined. When the first and second periods are defined, a certain amount of time buffer may be provided between the first and second periods. That is, the start time of the second period may be later than the end time of the first period. Modification 5 gives an example of the award rate determination unit 103 determining the award rate for the second period, which starts later than the end time of the first period.

[0107] Figure 13 shows an example of the relationship between the first and second periods in Modification 5. In Modification 5, the first and second periods are assumed to occur repeatedly. For example, the second period corresponding to a certain first period "August 16, 2024 to September 15, 2024" is "October 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024". The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate for the second period at a start time (for example, a predetermined time such as 0:00:00 on "October 1, 2024") that is later than the end time of the first period, "September 15, 2024" (for example, 23:59:59).

[0108] For example, the second period corresponding to the next first period, "September 16, 2024 to October 15, 2024," is "November 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024." The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate for the second period, which begins at a predetermined time (for example, 0:00:00 on November 1, 2024) after the end of the first period, "October 15, 2024" (for example, 23:59:59).

[0109] For example, the second period corresponding to the next first period, "October 16, 2024 to November 15, 2024," is "December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024." The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate for the second period starting at a predetermined time (for example, 0:00:00 on December 1, 2024) that is later than the end time of the first period, "November 15, 2024" (for example, 23:59:59). The award rate determination unit 103 similarly determines the award rates for other first and second periods.

[0110] In the modified example 5, the reward rate determination system 1 determines the reward rate for the second period, which begins after the end of the first period. This allows the reward rate determination system 1 to determine the reward rate appropriately, even if it is unable to obtain point service usage information in real time, by providing a time buffer between the first and second periods to acquire the point service usage information. In the example shown in Figure 13, even if it takes several days to acquire the point service usage information, the reward rate determination system 1 can reliably acquire the point service usage information between the 16th and the end of each month and determine an appropriate reward rate.

[0111] [6-6. Variation 6] For example, as briefly explained in the embodiment, the award rate determination unit 103 may determine the award rate such that, when it is determined that the award rate conditions are met, the award rate is higher than when it is determined that the award rate conditions are not met. The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate such that, when it is determined that the award rate conditions are met, the first value is higher than the second value. The award rate determination unit 103 determines the award rate such that, when it is determined that the award rate conditions are not met, the second value is lower than the first value. The award rates in each case are defined in the award rate data DT.

[0112] The reward rate determination system 1 in Modification 6 determines the reward rate such that when it is determined that the reward rate conditions are met, the reward rate is higher than when it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met. As a result, the reward rate determination system 1 can provide an incentive to users who meet the reward rate conditions, thereby effectively promoting the use of at least one of the payment method and the point service.

[0113] [6-7. Variation 7] For example, the reward rate determination system 1 not only determines the reward rate as described in the embodiment, but also provides the user with information about facilities near the user. This allows the user to be informed of facilities they can use nearby, thus effectively promoting the use of at least one of the payment method and the point service. Therefore, in Modification 7, we will take the example of a case where the reward rate determination system 1 provides the user with information about facilities near the user.

[0114] The assignment rate determination system 1 in Modification 7 includes a location information acquisition unit 107 and a facility information provision unit 108. The location information acquisition unit 107 acquires location information relating to the user's location. The location information is information that can identify the user's location. The location information may be publicly known information. In Modification 7, the case where the location information is latitude and longitude is given as an example, but the location information may be in other forms. For example, the location information may be coordinates, address, wireless communication device information, mobile base station information, or other information.

[0115] In variation 7, the case where the user terminal 20 includes a GPS receiver is given as an example. The user terminal 20 acquires location information based on the signal received by the GPS receiver. The user terminal 20 may also acquire location information using a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) other than GPS. The user terminal 20 may also acquire location information using the cell ID of a mobile network base station or an access point of a wireless network. The user terminal 20 may also acquire location information based on the communication results of the communication unit 23. The user terminal 20 may acquire location information based on known methods. For example, the user terminal 20 transmits location information to the payment server 10 at any time, such as when the payment application is launched. The location information acquisition unit 107 acquires location information from the user terminal 20. The location information acquisition unit 107 may also acquire location information based on the payment location included in the payment information transmitted from the store's terminal or the user terminal 20 when at least one of the payment service and the point service is used.

[0116] The data storage unit 100 in Modification 7 stores a facility database containing various information about facilities where at least one of the payment service and the point service is available. The facility is not limited to a store, but may be other facilities such as a public facility or an event facility. The facility may also be a participant in at least one of the payment service and the point service. The facility database may store information on at least one facility that participates in both the payment service and the point service, a facility that participates in the payment service but not the point service, and a facility that participates in the point service but not the payment service. If the reward rate condition is the use of a point card, facility information of the facility that participates in the point service may be provided to the user. Furthermore, facility information of facilities that participate in both the payment service and the point service may be provided to the user preferentially over facility information of facilities that participate in only one of them.

[0117] For example, the facility database stores a facility ID that can identify the facility, a facility name, location information about the facility's location, a facility description, a facility image, or other information. In Modification Example 7, the location information is given as an example where it is latitude and longitude, similar to the location information, but the location information may be in other formats. For example, the location information may be coordinates, an address, information about wireless communication equipment, information about a mobile base station, or other information.

[0118] The facility information provision unit 108 provides the user with facility information regarding facilities where at least one of payment methods and point services is available, based on location information. For example, the facility information provision unit 108 identifies nearby facilities to the location indicated by the location information based on the facility database. The facility information provision unit 108 may identify facilities where the distance between the location indicated by the location information and the location indicated by the location information is less than a threshold, or it may identify a predetermined number of facilities in order of proximity. The facility information provision unit 108 may also prioritize identifying facilities that the user has used in the past. The facility information provision unit 108 obtains information such as the facility name of the identified facilities from the facility database and provides the facility information to the user. For example, the facility information provision unit 108 provides the user with the facility name, facility location information, facility description, facility image, or other information as facility information. For example, the facility information provision unit 108 provides the user with a link to transition to a screen where the facility name, facility location information, facility description, facility image, or other information can be viewed as facility information.

[0119] Figure 14 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in Modification 7. Modification 7 takes the example of a case where facility information I50 is provided on the facility information screen SC5, which is accessed from the award rate performance screen SC3 described in Modification 1. As shown on the left side of Figure 14, when the user selects text T31 on the award rate performance screen SC3, the facility information provision unit 108 provides the user with facility information I50 by displaying the facility information screen SC5, which includes facility information I50, on the user terminal 20, as shown on the right side of Figure 14. Facility information I50 may be in any format, for example, an image such as an icon, text, an entire screen, or another format. Facility information I50 may not be in the format of a list as in Figure 14, but may be a map showing the location of the facility. Text T31 in Figure 14 may be an example of facility information I50. The facility information provision unit 108 may provide facility information I50 in the first period or in the second period. The facility information provision unit 108 may provide facility information I50 during periods different from the first and second periods.

[0120] The facility information provision unit 108 may also display the facility information I50 on screens other than those accessed from the grant rate performance screen SC3. For example, the facility information provision unit 108 may display the facility information I50 on the grant rate performance screen SC3. For example, the facility information provision unit 108 may display the facility information I50 on the payment completion screen SC2. The facility information provision unit 108 may provide the facility information I50 to the user using the notification function of the payment application. The facility information provision unit 108 may also provide the facility information I50 to the user by means other than the payment application. For example, the facility information provision unit 108 may provide the facility information I50 to the user by means of other applications other than the payment application, a browser, email, SMS, messaging applications, push notifications, banner notifications, or other methods.

[0121] The reward rate determination system 1 in Modification 7 acquires location information regarding the user's location. Based on the location information, the reward rate determination system 1 provides the user with facility information I50. As a result, the user can learn about facility information I50 corresponding to their location, and the reward rate determination system 1 can enhance user convenience. The reward rate determination system 1 can also inform the user about nearby facilities and motivate them to use at least one of the payment service and the point service.

[0122] [6-8. Variation 8] For example, in Modification 7, the facility information provision unit 108 may provide facility information I50 to the user if it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met. The facility information provision unit 108 provides facility information I50 to the user on the condition that it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met. The facility information provision unit 108 does not provide facility information I50 to the user if it is determined that the grant rate conditions are met.

[0123] In the example shown in Figure 14, if it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met, the grant rate performance screen SC3 includes text T31 for transitioning to the facility information screen SC5. The facility information provision unit 108 may provide the user with facility information I50 by displaying the facility information screen SC5 on the user terminal 20 when it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met and the user selects text T31. If it is determined that the grant rate conditions are met, the grant rate performance screen SC3 may not include text T31 for transitioning to the facility information screen SC5. Since the user cannot select text T31, the facility information provision unit 108 does not provide the user with facility information I50.

[0124] In the modified example 8, the reward rate determination system 1 provides the user with facility information I50 if it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met. As a result, users who are determined not to meet the reward rate conditions can learn about the facility information I50 of facilities where they can use at least one of the payment method and point service, and the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of at least one of the payment method and point service.

[0125] [6-9. Modification 9] For example, campaign information relating to one of the payment methods and point services may be provided to encourage users who have been determined not to meet the reward rate conditions to use one of the payment methods and point services. The reward rate determination system 1 in Modification 9 includes a campaign information provision unit 109. When it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met, the campaign information provision unit 109 provides the user with campaign information relating to one of the payment methods and point services.

[0126] In Modification 9, similar to the embodiment, an example is given where one of the payment method and the point service is points. The campaign information provision unit 109 provides the user with point campaign information when it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met. The point campaign information is information that encourages the use of the point service. The campaign information may be in any format, for example, an image such as an icon, text, an entire screen, or other format. The campaign information data is stored in the data storage unit 100. The campaign information provision unit 109 provides the user with campaign information based on this data.

[0127] Figure 15 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in Modification 9. For example, if the campaign information provision unit 109 determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, it provides the user with campaign information I60 by displaying a campaign information screen SC6 containing campaign information I60 on the user terminal 20. The data showing the contents of the campaign information I60 is stored in the data storage unit 100. Based on this data, the campaign information provision unit 109 generates display data for the campaign information screen SC6 and transmits this display data to the user terminal 20, thereby displaying the campaign information screen SC6 on the user terminal 20.

[0128] For example, the campaign information provision unit 109 provides campaign information I60 to the user on the condition that it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met. If it is determined that the reward rate conditions are met, the campaign information provision unit 109 does not provide campaign information I60 to the user. If one of the payment method and the point service is the payment method, the campaign information provision unit 109 can provide campaign information I60 to the user by displaying a campaign information screen SC6 containing the campaign information I60 for the payment method on the user terminal 20 when it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met. The campaign information I60 for the payment method is information that encourages the use of the payment method.

[0129] The campaign information provision unit 109 can provide campaign information I60 to the user using any method of provision. For example, the campaign information provision unit 109 may display campaign information I60 on other screens such as the payment completion screen SC2 or the reward rate performance screen SC3. The campaign information provision unit 109 may also provide campaign information I60 to the user using the notification function of the payment app. The campaign information provision unit 109 may also provide campaign information I60 to the user by methods other than the payment app. For example, the campaign information provision unit 109 may provide campaign information I60 to the user by other apps other than the payment app, a browser, email, SMS, messaging apps, push notifications, banner notifications, or other methods.

[0130] In the modified version 9, the reward rate determination system 1 provides the user with campaign information I60 regarding one of the payment methods or point services if it is determined that the reward rate conditions are not met. As a result, users who are determined not to meet the reward rate conditions can learn about the campaign information I60, and the reward rate determination system 1 can encourage the use of one of the payment methods or point services.

[0131] [6-10. Variation 10] For example, as described in the embodiment, if at least one of the payment method and the point service is points, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information regarding the use of the point service. In this case, the determination unit 102 may determine, based on the usage information of the point service, whether or not the award rate conditions for the award rate of points awarded by using the first payment method, which is one of the multiple payment methods, are met. The multiple payment methods are payment methods available in the payment service.

[0132] In Modification 10, an example is given where the first electronic money and the second electronic money, which is different from the first electronic money, correspond to multiple payment methods. The first payment method may be either of these two electronic money. The determination unit 102 may determine whether or not the award rate conditions for the point award rate awarded for the use of each of the multiple payment methods are met. The award rate determination unit 103 in Modification 10 determines the point award rate awarded for the use of the first payment method. Based on the award rate data DT, the award rate determination unit 103 determines the point award rate when the first electronic money, which is an example of the first payment method among the multiple payment methods, is used, and stores the determined award rate in the point database DB2.

[0133] The point accrual rate determination unit 103 may determine the point accrual rate for each of the multiple payment methods used. In this case, the point accrual rate when the first electronic money is used and the point accrual rate when the second electronic money is used may be the same or different. These accrual rates are defined in the point accrual rate data DT. Based on the point accrual rate data DT, the point accrual rate when the first electronic money is used and the point accrual rate when the second electronic money is used may be determined by the point accrual rate determination unit 103 and stored these accrual rates in the point database DB2.

[0134] The reward rate determination system 1 in modified example 10 acquires usage information regarding the use of the point service. Based on the usage information of the point service, the reward rate determination system 1 determines whether the reward rate conditions for the point reward rate awarded for using a first payment method, which is one of several payment methods, are met. The reward rate determination system 1 determines the point reward rate for the point reward rate awarded for using the first payment method. In this way, the reward rate determination system 1 can promote the use of the first payment method among several payment methods, along with the use of the point service.

[0135] [6-11. Variation 11] For example, in Modification 10, the user may use a second payment method different from the first payment method. In this case, points may be awarded to the user without being based on the award rate determined by the award rate determination unit 103. The award rate determination system 1 of Modification 11 includes a point awarding unit 110. The point awarding unit 110 awards points to the user when the user uses the payment service. The point awarding unit 110 calculates the number of points based on the payment amount in the payment performed by the user and a predetermined award rate, and awards that number of points to the user.

[0136] For example, the point awarding unit 110 awards points to a user by updating the point database DB2 so that the user's point balance increases. If points are not awarded immediately after using the payment service, the point awarding unit 110 awards points to the user when the timing for awarding points arrives. The timing of point awarding can be any timing, for example, it may be a predetermined time after the payment service.

[0137] For example, the point awarding unit 110 awards points to the user based on the awarding rate determined by the awarding rate determination unit 103 when the user uses the first payment method, and awards points to the user without being based on the awarding rate determined by the awarding rate determination unit 103 when the user uses a second payment method different from the first payment method. When the user uses the second payment method, the point awarding unit 110 may award points to the user based on the awarding rate set for the second payment method, or it may award points to the user based on a base awarding rate.

[0138] For example, when a user uses the first payment method, the point awarding unit 110 awards points to the user based on a value obtained by multiplying the amount of the payment using the first payment method that is eligible for point awarding by the awarding rate determination unit 103. The point awarding unit 110 may also determine the number of points to be awarded to the user by rounding down the decimal part of the said value. The point awarding unit 110 updates the point database DB2 so that the number of points held by the user increases by the number of points awarded to the user. The point awarding unit 110 may award points immediately after the payment using the first payment method is executed, or it may award points after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the payment was executed.

[0139] For example, the point accrual rate when a user uses a second payment method is stored in the point database DB2. This accrual rate is different from the accrual rate determined by the accrual rate determination unit 103. This accrual rate may be a predetermined fixed value, or it may be a value that changes depending on the use of the second payment method, etc. When a user uses a second payment method, the point accrual unit 110 accrues points to the user based on a value obtained by multiplying the amount of the payment using the second payment method that is eligible for point accrual by the accrual rate when the user uses the second payment method. The point accrual unit 110 may also determine the number of points to be accrued to the user by rounding down the decimal part of this value. The point accrual unit 110 updates the point database DB2 so that the number of points held by the user increases by the number of points accrued to the user. The point accrual unit 110 may accrue points immediately after the payment using the second payment method is executed, or it may accrue points after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the payment was executed.

[0140] In the modified version 11, the point accrual rate determination system 1 awards points to the user based on the accrual rate determined by the point accrual rate determination unit 103 when the user uses the first payment method, and awards points to the user without using the said accrual rate when the user uses the second payment method. As a result, the point accrual rate determination system 1 can promote the use of the first payment method, which is a specific payment method among multiple payment methods, while also awarding points when the user uses the second payment method.

[0141] [6-12. Variation 12] For example, the usage information acquisition unit 101 may further acquire usage information regarding the use of a third payment method different from the first payment method. Modification 12 takes the case where the first payment method is a first electronic money and the third payment method is a third electronic money different from the first electronic money. The usage information of the third payment method may be stored in the payment database DB1 or the points database DB2, but in Modification 12, it is assumed to be stored in the third payment method database stored in the data storage unit 100. The third payment method database stores the usage information of the third payment method in association with the user ID.

[0142] For example, when a user uses a third payment method, the payment server 10 updates the usage information stored in the third payment method database. The usage information for the third payment method may include the date and time of use, the payment amount, the payment location, information about the goods or services that were paid for, or other information. The usage information for the third payment method may also be updated by a computer other than the payment server 10. For example, a server computer that manages the third payment method may update the usage information for the third payment method.

[0143] For example, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information for the third payment method from the third payment method database. If the usage information for the third payment method is stored in a database other than the third payment method database, a computer other than the payment server 10, or an information storage medium, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires the usage information for the third payment method from the other database, the other computer, or the information storage medium.

[0144] In the modified example 12, the determination unit 102 determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information of the point service and the usage information of the third payment method. For example, if the usage information is the number of uses, the determination unit 102 determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the total number of uses, which is the sum of the number of uses indicated by the point service usage information and the number of uses indicated by the third payment method usage information. If the total number of uses is less than the threshold, the determination unit 102 determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, and if the total number of uses is equal to or greater than the threshold, it determines that the grant rate conditions are met.

[0145] Furthermore, if the usage information for the point service and the usage information for the third payment method are both amounts used, the determination unit 102 determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the total amount obtained by adding the usage amount indicated by the usage information for the point service and the usage amount indicated by the usage information for the third payment method. If the total amount is less than the threshold, the determination unit 102 determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, and if the total amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, it determines that the grant rate conditions are met. Similarly, if the usage information is other information besides the number of uses and the amount used, the determination unit 102 should comprehensively consider the usage information for the point service and the usage information for the third payment method to determine whether the grant rate conditions are met.

[0146] The reward rate determination system 1 in modified example 12 further acquires usage information regarding the use of a third payment method different from the first payment method. Based on the point service usage information and the third payment method usage information, the reward rate determination system 1 determines whether the reward rate conditions are met. This allows the reward rate determination system 1 to promote the use of the third payment method.

[0147] [6-13. Variation 13] For example, the usage information acquisition unit 101 may acquire usage information for services other than the payment service. In modification 13, the user can use the point service in other services as well. Other services may be used from applications other than the payment application stored in the user terminal 20. Other applications may be applications of companies other than the point service provider. Other applications may be applications that allow the use of points from the point service, or they may be applications for other companies' own point cards. Other services may be services for which applications, etc., have been developed using an SDK (Software Development Kit).

[0148] If one of the payment method and point service is a point service, the usage information for the other service is usage information related to the use of the point service from the other service. If one of the payment method and point service is a payment method, the usage information for the other service is usage information related to the use of the payment method from the other service. The usage information for the other service may be stored in the payment database DB1 or the point database DB2, but in modification 13, it is assumed to be stored in the other service database stored in the data storage unit 100. The other service database stores the usage information for the other service, associated with the user ID.

[0149] For example, when a user uses a points service in another service, the payment server 10 updates the usage information stored in the other service database. The usage information for the other service may include the date and time the points service was used in the other service, the payment amount, the payment location, information about the goods or services that were the subject of the payment, the number of points awarded, the payment amount that was eligible for point awarding, or other information. The usage information for the other service may also be updated by a computer other than the payment server 10. For example, a server computer that manages the other service may update the usage information for the other service.

[0150] For example, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information for other services from the other services database. If usage information for other services is stored in a database other than the other services database, a computer other than the payment server 10, or an information storage medium, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information for other services from the other database, the other computer, or the information storage medium.

[0151] In the modified example 13, the determination unit 102 determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on usage information from other services. For example, the determination unit 102 calculates the number of times the user has used the point service in other services based on usage information from other services. The determination unit 102 may determine that the grant rate conditions are met if the number of uses is equal to or greater than a threshold, and that the grant rate conditions are not met if the number of uses is less than a threshold. The determination unit 102 may also determine whether the grant rate conditions are met by determining whether the total number of times the point service from the payment service is used and the number of times the point service from other services is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0152] For example, if usage information from another service indicates a payment amount, the determination unit 102 may determine that the grant rate condition is met if the payment amount indicated by the usage information from the other service is equal to or greater than a threshold, and that the grant rate condition is not met if the payment amount is less than the threshold. The determination unit 102 may also determine whether the grant rate condition is met by determining whether the sum of the payment amount in the payment service and the payment amount indicated by the usage information from the other service is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0153] The reward rate determination system 1 in Modification 13 acquires usage information from services other than the payment service. Based on the usage information from the other service, the reward rate determination system 1 determines whether the reward rate conditions are met. This allows the reward rate determination system 1 to promote the use of point services or payment methods from other services.

[0154] [6-14. Variation 14] For example, users may be able to use both payment methods and points when making payments in a payment service. In this case, the point accrual rate for the portion of the payment method used and the point accrual rate for the portion of the points used may be defined separately. As in the embodiment, if electronic money corresponds to the payment method, the point accrual rate for the portion of the electronic money used and the point accrual rate for the portion of the points used may be defined separately.

[0155] The reward rate determination system 1 of Modification 14 includes a point reward unit 110. When a user uses points in conjunction with a payment method, the point reward unit 110 rewards the user with points based on the amount used for the other of the payment method and point services and the reward rate determined by the reward rate determination unit 103, and points based on the amount used for one of the payment method and point services and a reward rate determined separately from the reward rate determined by the reward rate determination unit 103. The reward rate for one of the payment method and point services is stored in the point database DB2. This reward rate may be a fixed value or may change depending on the use of one or the other. Modification 14 also includes the case where the reward rate for point usage is 0 (for example, when no points are awarded for point usage).

[0156] For example, suppose one of the payment method and the point service is points, and the other of the payment method and the point service is a payment method. In this case, when a user uses points in conjunction with the payment method, the point awarding unit 110 awards the user points based on the amount of the payment method used and the awarding rate determined by the awarding rate determination unit 103 (for example, the awarding rate for electronic money use), and points based on the amount of points used and an awarding rate determined separately from the awarding rate determined by the awarding rate determination unit 103 (the awarding rate for point use). The point awarding unit 110 calculates the first points based on the amount of electronic money used and the awarding rate for electronic money use. This calculation method may be the same as in the embodiment. The point awarding unit 110 calculates the second points based on the amount of points used and the awarding rate for point use. The calculation formula itself may be the same as for the first points. The point awarding unit 110 awards the user the sum of the first points and the second points.

[0157] For example, suppose one of the payment method and the point service is a payment method, and the other of the payment method and the point service is points. When a user uses points in conjunction with the payment method, the point awarding unit 110 awards the user points based on the amount of points used and the awarding rate determined by the awarding rate determination unit 103 (the awarding rate for points used), and points based on the amount of points used and an awarding rate determined separately from the awarding rate determined by the awarding rate determination unit 103 (for example, a predetermined awarding rate for electronic money used). The point awarding unit 110 calculates the first points based on the amount of points used and the awarding rate for points used. This calculation method may be the same as in the embodiment. The point awarding unit 110 calculates the second points based on the amount of electronic money used and the awarding rate for electronic money used. The calculation formula itself may be the same as for the first points. The point awarding unit 110 awards the user the sum of the first points and the second points.

[0158] In the modified version 14, the reward rate determination system 1 awards the user points based on the amount and reward rate of one of the payment method and the point service, and points based on a separately determined reward rate based on the amount and reward rate of the other of the payment method and the point service, when the user uses points in conjunction with a payment method. As a result, the user can earn points for both the payment method and the point service when the user uses points in conjunction with a payment method, so the reward rate determination system 1 can encourage the use of payment methods and point services. The reward rate determination system 1 can also manage the reward rates for payment methods and points separately.

[0159] [6-15. Variation 15] For example, the usage information acquisition unit 101 may acquire usage information for a predetermined measurement period. In the example of the embodiment, the measurement period is the first period. In the modified example 15, the application period to which the award rate is applied is the second period, as in the embodiment, but in the modified example 15, the application period may be a period earlier than the first period, or it may be the same as the measurement period. The application period may overlap with the measurement period in at least part. The application period in the modified example 15 is not limited to the second period. If a user requests the display of the award rate performance screen SC3, the award rate performance screen SC3 for the application period corresponding to the measurement period at that time may be displayed.

[0160] The grant rate determination system 1 of the modified example 15 includes a display control unit 111. The display control unit 111 causes the user terminal 20 to display the grant rate performance screen SC3. When the display control unit 111 receives a request from the user terminal 20 to display the grant rate performance screen SC3 regarding the grant rate performance, it identifies a measurement period corresponding to the current time and displays the grant rate performance screen SC3 for the applicable period corresponding to that measurement period on the user terminal 20. The display request is sent when the user performs a predetermined operation. In the example of Figure 9, the display request is sent when button B14 is selected. The display request can be any data in a predetermined format that indicates a request to display the grant rate performance screen SC3. The display request may also be sent based on an operation other than the selection of button B14.

[0161] For example, when the display control unit 111 receives a request from the user terminal 20 to display the award rate performance screen SC3, it identifies which measurement period the current time belongs to. In the modified example 15, the case where the measurement period is the same as the first period in Figure 13 is given as an example, but the measurement period may be a different period from that in Figure 13. The data storage unit 100 stores data that can identify the measurement period. The display control unit 111 identifies the application period corresponding to the measurement period to which the current time belongs. In the modified example 15, the case where the relationship between the measurement period and the application period is the same as the first and second periods in Figure 13 is given as an example, but these relationships may be different from those in Figure 13. The display control unit 111 displays the award rate performance screen SC3 for the identified application period on the user terminal 20.

[0162] In the example shown in Figure 13, suppose the user selects button B14 between September 1st and September 15th. In this case, the applicable period corresponding to the measurement period to which the current time belongs is October. Therefore, the display control unit 111 identifies that the applicable period is October and transitions the user to the October grant rate performance screen SC3 as the destination after the user selects button B14. Subsequently, if the user performs an operation to change the applicable period, the display control unit 111 may transition the user to the grant rate performance screen SC3 for the September or November applicable period.

[0163] In the example shown in Figure 13, suppose the user selects button B14 between September 16th and October 15th. In this case, the applicable period corresponding to the measurement period to which the current time belongs is November. Therefore, the display control unit 111 identifies that the applicable period is November and transitions the user to the November grant rate performance screen SC3 as the destination after the user selects button B14. Subsequently, if the user performs an operation to change the applicable period, the display control unit 111 may transition the user to the grant rate performance screen SC3 for the October or December applicable period.

[0164] Note that the award rate performance screen SC3 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 9. For example, the award rate performance screen SC3 may allow users to switch between award rates for each of multiple application periods using tabs. The award rate performance screen SC3 may include tabs corresponding to the currently displayed application period, tabs corresponding to the previous application period, and tabs corresponding to the next application period. The display control unit 111 may display the award rate performance screen SC3 for the application period corresponding to the tab selected by the user on the user terminal 20. The award rate performance screen SC3 may include information indicating whether the award rate for the currently displayed application period has been finalized. The award rate performance screen SC3 may also include information indicating the measurement period corresponding to the currently displayed application period.

[0165] In the modified version 15, the award rate determination system 1, upon receiving a request from the user terminal 20 to display the award rate performance screen SC3 regarding the actual award rate, identifies a measurement period corresponding to the current time and displays the award rate performance screen SC3 for the applicable period corresponding to that measurement period on the user terminal 20. As a result, the user can confirm the appropriate award rate performance screen SC3 corresponding to the time when the request for display of the award rate performance screen SC3 was made, thereby improving user convenience.

[0166] [6-16. Other variations] For example, the above variations may be combined.

[0167] For example, the point accrual rate for using the other of the first and second payment methods may be increased based on the user's use of one of the first and second payment methods. The first and second payment methods may be any payment methods. Here, we take the example where the first payment method is a credit card and the second payment method is a payment app. In this case, the usage information acquisition unit 101 acquires usage information showing the user's credit card usage status. The accrual rate condition is a condition for increasing the point accrual rate when using the payment app. The determination unit 102 determines whether the accrual rate condition is met based on the usage information. For example, the accrual rate condition may be that the number of credit card uses or the amount used is above a threshold. The accrual rate determination unit 103 may determine the accrual rate so that the point accrual rate when using the payment app is increased if it is determined that the accrual rate condition is met. This configuration promotes the use of at least one of the first and second payment methods, thus solving the problem of "promoting the use of at least one of the payment methods and point services." This is because "at least one of the payment method and the point service" includes only one of three patterns: payment method only, point card only, or both payment method and point service.

[0168] For example, the functions described as being implemented by the payment server 10 may be implemented by the user terminal 20 or another computer. The functions described as being implemented by the payment server 10 may be shared among multiple computers. For example, if there is a separate server computer for the points service in addition to the payment server 10, the functions described as being implemented by the payment server 10 may be implemented by the points service server computer. The functions may be shared between the payment server 10 and the points service server computer.

[0169] [7. Addendum] For example, the award rate determination system 1 can also be configured as follows.

[0170] (1) A usage information acquisition unit acquires usage information regarding the use of one of the following: a payment method available to the user in the payment service, and a points service related to points held by the user. A determination unit determines, based on the usage information, whether or not the conditions for the point accrual rate related to the point accrual rate granted by the use of the other of the payment method and the point service are met. A rate determination unit that determines the rate based on the determination result of the determination unit, A system for determining the award rate, including the award rate. (2) The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information during the first period, The determination unit determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information during the first period. The aforementioned rate determination unit determines the rate for the second period which is later than the first period. (1) The system for determining the award rate. (3) The grant rate determination system further includes a difference information provision unit that provides the user with difference information regarding the difference until the grant rate conditions are met, based on the usage information. The award rate determination system described in (1) or (2). (4) The grant rate determination system further includes a detailed usage information provision unit that provides the user with detailed usage information that is more detailed than the usage information for the first period. (2) The system for determining the award rate. (5) The grant rate determination system further includes a grant rate display control unit that displays the grant rate on a payment completion screen indicating the completion of a payment when the user makes a payment using the payment method during the second period. The award rate determination system described in either (2) or (4). (6) The grant rate display control unit, when it determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, displays the grant rate along with the grant rate conditions on the payment completion screen. (5) The system for determining the award rate. (7) The rate determination unit determines the rate for the second period at a start time later than the end time of the first period. The award rate determination system described in any of (2), (5), or (6). (8) The award rate determination unit determines the award rate such that, when it is determined that the award rate conditions are met, the award rate is higher than when it is determined that the award rate conditions are not met. The award rate determination system described in any of (1) to (7). (9) The aforementioned rate determination system is: A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information relating to the user's location, A facility information provision unit provides the user with facility information relating to facilities where at least one of the payment means and the point service is available, based on the location information. A system for determining the award rate described in any of (1) to (8), further including the above. (10) The facility information provision unit shall provide the facility information to the user if it determines that the grant rate conditions are not met. (9) The system for determining the award rate. (11) The grant rate determination system further includes a campaign information provision unit that, when it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met, provides the user with campaign information relating to one of the payment methods and the points campaign. The award rate determination system described in any of (1) to (10). (12) The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information relating to the use of the point service, The determination unit determines, based on the usage information of the point service, whether the grant rate conditions for the grant rate of the points granted by using the first payment method, which is one of the multiple payment methods, are met. The award rate determination unit determines the award rate of the points awarded by the use of the first payment method. The award rate determination system described in any of (1) to (11). (13) The point awarding rate determination system further includes a point awarding unit that awards points to the user based on the awarding rate when the user uses the first payment method, and awards points to the user without regard to the awarding rate when the user uses a second payment method different from the first payment method. The grant rate determination system described in (12). (14) The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit further acquires usage information relating to the use of a third payment method different from the first payment method, The determination unit determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information of the point service and the usage information of the third payment method. The award rate determination system described in (12) or (13). (15) The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information in a service other than the payment service, The determination unit determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information in the other service. The award rate determination system described in any of (1) to (14). (16) The point awarding rate determination system further includes a point awarding unit that awards to the user, when the user uses the payment method in conjunction with the points, points based on the amount of the other payment method and the point awarding rate, and points based on the amount of the one payment method and a point awarding rate determined separately from the point awarding rate. The award rate determination system described in any of (1) to (15). (17) The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information during a predetermined measurement period. The aforementioned award rate determination system, upon receiving a request from the user's terminal to display an award rate performance screen relating to the actual award rate, further includes a display control unit that identifies the measurement period corresponding to the current time and displays the award rate performance screen for the applicable period corresponding to the measurement period on the user's terminal. The award rate determination system described in any of (1) to (16). [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 1 Grant rate determination system, N network, 10 payment server, 11,21 control unit, 12,22 storage unit, 13,23 communication unit, 20 user terminal, 24 operation unit, 25 display unit, 100 data storage unit, 101 usage information acquisition unit, 102 judgment unit, 103 grant rate determination unit, 104 difference information provision unit, 105 detailed usage information provision unit, 106 grant rate display control unit, 107 location information acquisition unit, 108 facility information provision unit, 109 campaign information provision unit, 110 point grant unit, 200 data storage unit, 201 operation reception unit, 202 display control unit, B11,B13,B14,B15 buttons, C10 payment code, C12 point code, DB1 payment database, DB2 point database, DT grant rate data, I30 difference information, I40 detailed usage information, I50 Facility information, I60 Campaign information, SC1 Code screen, SC2 Payment completion screen, SC3 Reward rate performance screen, SC4 Detailed information screen, SC5 Facility information screen, SC6 Campaign information screen, T31 Text.

Claims

1. A usage information acquisition unit acquires usage information regarding the use of one of the following: a payment method available to the user in the payment service, and a points service related to points held by the user. A determination unit determines, based on the usage information, whether or not the conditions for the point accrual rate related to the point accrual rate granted by the use of the other of the payment method and the point service are met. A rate determination unit that determines the rate based on the determination result of the determination unit, A system for determining the award rate, including the award rate.

2. The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information during the first period, The determination unit determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information during the first period. The aforementioned rate determination unit determines the rate for the second period, which is later than the first period. The system for determining the award rate according to claim 1.

3. The grant rate determination system further includes a difference information provision unit that provides the user with difference information regarding the difference until the grant rate conditions are met, based on the usage information. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The grant rate determination system further includes a detailed usage information provision unit that provides the user with detailed usage information that is more detailed than the usage information for the first period. The award rate determination system according to claim 2.

5. The grant rate determination system further includes a grant rate display control unit that displays the grant rate on a payment completion screen indicating the completion of a payment when the user makes a payment using the payment means during the second period. The award rate determination system according to claim 2.

6. The grant rate display control unit, when it determines that the grant rate conditions are not met, displays the grant rate along with the grant rate conditions on the payment completion screen. The award rate determination system according to claim 5.

7. The rate determination unit determines the rate for the second period at a start time later than the end time of the first period. The award rate determination system according to claim 2.

8. The award rate determination unit determines the award rate such that, when it is determined that the award rate conditions are met, the award rate is higher than when it is determined that the award rate conditions are not met. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The aforementioned rate determination system is: A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information relating to the user's location, A facility information provision unit provides the user with facility information relating to facilities where at least one of the payment means and the point service is available, based on the location information. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

10. The facility information provision unit shall provide the facility information to the user if it determines that the grant rate conditions are not met. The system for determining the award rate according to claim 9.

11. The grant rate determination system further includes a campaign information provision unit that, when it is determined that the grant rate conditions are not met, provides the user with campaign information relating to one of the payment methods and the point service campaigns. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information relating to the use of the point service, The determination unit determines, based on the usage information of the point service, whether the grant rate conditions for the grant rate of the points granted by using the first payment method, which is one of the plurality of payment methods, are met. The award rate determination unit determines the award rate of the points awarded by the use of the first payment method. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The point awarding rate determination system further includes a point awarding unit that awards points to the user based on the awarding rate when the user uses the first payment method, and awards points to the user without regard to the awarding rate when the user uses a second payment method different from the first payment method. The award rate determination system according to claim 12.

14. The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit further acquires usage information relating to the use of a third payment method different from the first payment method, The determination unit determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information of the point service and the usage information of the third payment method. The award rate determination system according to claim 12.

15. The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information in a service other than the payment service, The determination unit determines whether the grant rate conditions are met based on the usage information in the other service. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

16. The point awarding rate determination system further includes a point awarding unit that awards to the user, when the user uses the payment method in conjunction with the points, points based on the amount of the other payment method and the point awarding rate, and points based on the amount of the one payment method and a point awarding rate determined separately from the point awarding rate. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

17. The aforementioned usage information acquisition unit acquires the usage information during a predetermined measurement period. The aforementioned award rate determination system, upon receiving a request from the user's terminal to display an award rate performance screen relating to the actual award rate, further includes a display control unit that identifies the measurement period corresponding to the current time and displays the award rate performance screen for the applicable period corresponding to the measurement period on the user's terminal. The award rate determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

18. A usage information acquisition step that acquires usage information regarding the use of one of the following: a payment method available to the user in the payment service, and a points service related to points held by the user. A determination step based on the usage information to determine whether the conditions for the point accrual rate of the points awarded by using the other of the payment method and the point service are met, A determination step in which the determination rate is determined based on the determination result of the determination step, A method for determining the award rate, including the following.

19. A usage information acquisition unit that acquires usage information regarding the use of one of the following: payment methods available to the user in the payment service, and a points service related to points held by the user. A determination unit determines, based on the usage information, whether or not the conditions for the point accrual rate related to the point accrual rate granted by the use of the other of the payment method and the point service are met. Based on the determination result of the determination unit, the award rate determination unit determines the award rate. A program that makes a computer function.

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