Information processing systems, information processing methods, and programs

Abstract

We provide technology that offers further benefits to users of transportation services. [Solution] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided, comprising a control unit, the control unit being configured to perform the following steps: in the granting step, a ticket for transportation services is granted to the user in response to the user's operation of a user terminal, and the ticket is granted to the user without requiring payment processing by the user; in the first acquisition step, based on the user's use of the ticket by operating the user terminal, transmission information transmitted from the user terminal or an authentication device used for ticket authentication is acquired, the transmission information includes information for identifying the stop where the user boarded or alighted; in the identification step, stop information indicating the stop where the user boarded or alighted is identified based on the transmission information; and in the management step, user identification information for identifying the user and stop information are associated and managed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for effectively performing passenger ticket inspection and fare settlement. In Patent Document 1, a railway ticket inspection system using a position information system of a mobile terminal acquires the position information S1 of the mobile terminal 10 carried by a railway user US from the position information system 20 of the mobile terminal 10, identifies the railway station used by the user US for each mobile terminal 10 based on the position information S1, and executes a program on the CPU 30c of a computer to total the railway fare obtained for the section between the boarding station and the alighting station based on the used station and perform settlement for each mobile terminal 10.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in providing further benefits to users of transportation services.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a technique for providing further benefits to users of transportation services.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided, comprising a control unit, the control unit being configured to perform the following steps: in the granting step, a ticket for transportation services is granted to the user in response to the user's operation of a user terminal, and the ticket is granted to the user without requiring payment processing by the user; in the first acquisition step, based on the user's use of the ticket by operating the user terminal, transmission information transmitted from the user terminal or an authentication device used for ticket authentication is acquired, the transmission information includes information for identifying the stop where the user boarded or alighted; in the identification step, stop information indicating the stop where the user boarded or alighted is identified based on the transmission information; and in the management step, user identification information for identifying the user and stop information are associated and managed.

[0007] In this manner, technology is provided that offers further benefits to users of transportation services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the hardware configuration of user terminal 2. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of Server 3. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the functions implemented by the control unit 33, etc., in server 3. [Figure 5] This is an overview diagram of bus route 5, which is an example of a transportation service in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an activity diagram showing the information processing flow of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the information managed by server 3 in this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the list display screen D1 displayed on user terminal 2. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the ticket display screen shown on user terminal 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other.

[0010] Incidentally, the program for implementing the software appearing in one embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or it may be provided as a downloadable medium from an external server, or it may be provided so that the program is launched on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0011] Furthermore, in various information processing according to one embodiment, an input and an output corresponding to the input can be realized. Here, as long as an output is obtained as a result of the input, the form of the information referenced in such information processing (hereinafter referred to as "reference information") is not limited. The reference information may be, for example, rule-based information such as a database, a lookup table, or a predetermined function (including a decision formula such as a regression equation constructed by a statistical method), or a pre-trained model that has learned the correlation between input and output in advance, or a large-scale language model that can output a desired result by inputting a prompt.

[0012] Furthermore, in one embodiment, "part" may include, for example, hardware resources implemented by a circuit in a broad sense, and the information processing of software that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. Also, in one embodiment, various types of information are handled, and this information can be represented, for example, by the physical values ​​of signal values ​​representing voltage and current, the high or low values ​​of signal values ​​as a set of binary bits composed of 0s or 1s, or by quantum superposition (so-called qubits), and communication and calculations can be performed on a circuit in a broad sense.

[0013] Furthermore, a circuit in a broad sense is a circuit realized by combining at least a suitable combination of circuits, circuits, processors, and memory. The processor may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated circuit. In other words, it includes application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (for example, simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), etc.

[0014] 1. Hardware Configuration This section describes the hardware configuration of this embodiment.

[0015] 1.1 Information Processing System 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes a user terminal 2 and a server (an example of an information processing system) 3, and these are connected through a network 4. These components will be further described. Note that the system exemplified in the information processing system 1 is composed of one or more devices or components. Therefore, even the server 3 alone can be an example of a system.

[0016] 1.2 User Terminal 2 The user terminal 2 is a terminal possessed by the user in the present embodiment. For example, the user terminal 2 is assumed to be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a computer, etc., but the details are not limited. In FIG. 1, the user terminal 2 is described as a collection of individual smartphones (2-1, 2-2, ··· 2-n), but in this specification, the individual terminal may also be referred to as the user terminal 2.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 has a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a control unit 23, a display unit 24, and an input unit 25, and these components are electrically connected via a communication bus 20 inside the user terminal 2. The descriptions of the communication unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the control unit 23 are omitted because they are substantially the same as the communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the control unit 33 in the server 3 described later.

[0018] The display unit 24 may be, for example, included in the housing of the user terminal 2 or externally attached. The display unit 24 displays a screen of a graphical user interface (GUI) operable by the user. For example, it is preferable to selectively use display devices such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and a plasma display according to the type of the user terminal 2. Here, the display unit 24 will be described as being included in the housing of the user terminal 2.

[0019] The input unit 25 may be included in the casing of the user terminal 2, or it may be an external component. For example, the input unit 25 may be integrated with the display unit 24 and implemented as a touch panel. If it is a touch panel, the user can input tap operations, swipe operations, etc. Of course, a switch button, mouse, QWERTY keyboard, etc. may be used instead of a touch panel. In other words, the input unit 25 receives operation input made by the user. This input is transmitted as a command signal to the control unit 23 via the communication bus 20, and the control unit 23 can perform predetermined controls and calculations as needed.

[0020] Furthermore, the user terminal 2 may be equipped with a function to transmit latitude and longitude information. Specifically, the user terminal 2 may be equipped with a function (positioning system) that can transmit signals such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0021] 1.3 Server 3 Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of server 3. Server 3 has a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33, and these components are electrically connected within server 3 via a communication bus 30. Each component will be described further.

[0022] The communication unit 31 preferably uses wired communication methods such as USB, IEEE1394, Thunderbolt®, and wired LAN network communication, but may also include wireless LAN network communication, mobile communication such as 3G / LTE / 5G, and Bluetooth® communication as needed. In other words, it is more preferable to implement it as a collection of these multiple communication methods. Specifically, the server 3 communicates various information with the user terminal 2 via the network 4 through the communication unit 31.

[0023] The storage unit 32 stores various types of information as defined above. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD) that stores various programs related to the server 3 executed by the control unit 33, or as memory such as random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily necessary information (arguments, arrays, etc.) related to program calculations. A combination of these may also be used. In particular, the storage unit 32 stores various programs related to the server 3 executed by the control unit 33.

[0024] The control unit 33 performs processing and control of the overall operation related to the server 3. The control unit 33 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) not shown. The control unit 33 realizes various functions related to the server 3 by reading predetermined programs stored in the memory unit 32. That is, information processing by software stored in the memory unit 32 is concretely realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 33. These will be described in more detail in the next section. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to being a single unit, and may be implemented with multiple control units 33 for each function, or a combination thereof.

[0025] 2. Functional Configuration This section describes the functional configuration of this embodiment. As mentioned above, the information processing performed by the software stored in the memory unit 32 is specifically realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 33.

[0026] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functions realized by the control unit 33 and other components in the server 3. Specifically, the server 3, which is an example of the information processing system 1, comprises an assignment unit 331, a first acquisition unit 332, a second acquisition unit 333, a specification unit 334, and a management unit 335. The server 3 provides a platform for acquiring and using tickets for various transportation services provided by transportation operators. The server 3 also enables users to acquire and use tickets by accessing the platform through the execution of a predetermined application by the user terminal 2, and provides functions for delivering benefits and advertisements related to the tickets.

[0027] The granting unit 331 is configured to execute the granting step. In the granting step, the granting unit 331 performs processing to associate various digital data available to the user. For example, the granting unit 331 grants the user tickets related to transportation services, benefits for using transportation services with the tickets, advertisements related to the benefits, etc. The granting unit 331 also performs processing to send display information to the user terminal 2 for displaying advertisements related to the benefits. The specific processing will be described in detail later.

[0028] The first acquisition unit 332 is configured to execute the first acquisition step. In the first acquisition step, the first acquisition unit 332 acquires various information and data. For example, based on the fact that the user used the ticket by operating the user terminal 2, the first acquisition unit 332 acquires outgoing information transmitted from the user terminal or the authentication device used to authenticate the ticket. The specific processing will be described in detail later.

[0029] The second acquisition unit 333 is configured to execute the second acquisition step. In the second acquisition step, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires various information and data. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires definitive information to identify whether the user actually used the transportation service. The specific processing will be described in detail later.

[0030] The identification unit 334 is configured to execute specific steps. In the specific steps, the identification unit 334 performs processing to identify various information necessary for performing information processing. For example, based on the transmission information acquired by the first acquisition unit 332, the identification unit 334 identifies stop information indicating the stop where the user boarded or alighted. The identification unit 334 also identifies advertisements to be displayed on the user terminal 2 based on user information, tickets, benefits, etc., granted to the user. Specific processing will be described in detail later.

[0031] The management unit 335 is configured to execute management steps. In the management steps, the management unit 335 performs processing to manage various information and data necessary to make the digital data available to the user. The management unit 335 manages various information and data by associating them with identification information that identifies the user of the user terminal 2 and storing them in the storage unit 32. For example, the management unit 335 stores in the storage unit 32 user identification information (user ID) for identifying the user and information that identifies the stop information identified by the identification unit 334 or the ticket assigned to the user by the assignment unit 331, associating them. Specific processing will be described in detail later. Various information and data may be stored in the storage unit 32 of the server 3 or in the storage units of various devices such as the user terminal 2, or they may be stored in a predetermined storage area including an external storage device.

[0032] 3. Information Processing Methods

[0033] This section describes each step of the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1 described above. Figure 5 is an overview of a bus route 5, which is an example of a transportation service in this embodiment. Figure 6 is an activity diagram showing the flow of information processing in this embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of information managed by the server 3 in this embodiment.

[0034] Bus route 5 has a circular route, and bus BS will circulate between bus stops ST1 to ST5 in that order. In this embodiment, bus BS is operated free of charge to users, and users do not need to pay a fee or present a ticket to use bus BS. In other words, the transportation service in this embodiment can be used by users regardless of whether they use a ticket or not.

[0035] In this case, since bus BS is not treated as a regular route bus, the transportation operator can flexibly change the route, the location and number of bus stops, and the operating hours of bus route 5. However, in this case, since users do not need to go through ticket checks when boarding or alighting, it becomes difficult for the transportation operator to easily grasp the usage status of bus BS, and it becomes difficult to consider changes to bus route 5 based on the number of users on the route or the attributes of the users.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, an information processing system 1 is provided that helps the transportation operator understand the usage status of bus BS, which operates free of charge on bus route 5. This improves the operation of bus route 5 and provides benefits to the users. To explain from another perspective, the transportation service in this embodiment may be a free means of transportation for users.

[0037] In Figure 6, user terminal 2 runs a predetermined application and accesses a platform via network 4 to obtain and use tickets for transportation services. When input unit 25 receives input from the user instructing the creation of an account on the platform, user terminal 2 sends an account creation request to server 3 (activity A101). When server 3 receives the account creation request, management unit 335 creates an account for the user (activity A201). Management unit 335 issues a user ID as identification information containing a string to uniquely identify the user, associates it with information identifying the user's personal details and attributes entered by the user, and stores it in storage unit 32.

[0038] When a user terminal 2 logs into the platform using a predetermined application, the display unit 24 displays tickets for various transportation services. When the input unit 25 receives a ticket selection from the user, information indicating the selected ticket is sent to the server 3 (Activity A102). Upon receiving this information, the granting unit 331 stores the ticket ID corresponding to the selected ticket in the storage unit 32, associating it with the user ID (Activity A202). In other words, the granting unit 331 grants the user a ticket for transportation services in response to the user's operation of the user terminal 2. Details of the tickets granted to the user in this embodiment will be described later, but since bus BS is available to the user free of charge, it is preferable that tickets for bus BS be granted to the user free of charge without requiring payment processing by the user.

[0039] Figure 7(a) shows an example of a user management table T1 stored in the storage unit 32. In the user management table T1, the user ID is associated with information that identifies the user's personal information and attributes, such as the user's name, address, age, gender, and occupation. The user management table T1 may also include information that identifies the user's payment method, such as a credit card number. The managed tickets may include paid tickets granted to the user in accordance with the payment. Paid tickets are, for example, tickets for transportation services. In addition, the user ID is associated with a ticket ID to identify the ticket granted to the user, a ticket acquisition date and time which is the date and time the ticket was granted to the user, a benefit ID to identify the benefit granted to the user, and a benefit acquisition date and time which is the date and time the benefit was granted to the user.

[0040] Figure 7(b) shows an example of a ticket management table T2 stored in the storage unit 32. In the ticket management table T2, various pieces of information for identifying the contents of a ticket are associated with a ticket ID for identifying the ticket. The information for identifying the contents of a ticket includes, for example, the name of the route on which the bus BS operates, the validity period during which the ticket can be used on the bus BS, a benefit ID that identifies the benefits granted to the user by using the ticket, and benefit granting conditions that are the conditions for the benefits to be granted to the user. The ticket may also have the bus stops where the user plans to board and alight on the bus route 5 specified in advance, and the ticket management table T2 may include designated stop 1, which is the stop where the user plans to board, and designated stop 2, which is the stop where the user plans to alight. In other words, the management unit 335 manages user identification information and stop information in association with the ticket in advance.

[0041] Server 3 transmits ticket information, including a ticket ID to identify the ticket assigned to the user, to user terminal 2 (Activity A203). When user terminal 2 receives the ticket information, a list of tickets assigned to that user is displayed on display unit 24 (Activity A103).

[0042] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the list display screen D1 displayed on the user terminal 2. The list display screen D1 displays a list of tickets that have been granted to the user and are available for use on the aforementioned platform. The list display screen D1 is an example of a display operation screen used to display the ticket display screens (ticket display screen D2, benefits display screen D3) described later on the user terminal 2. The list display screen D1 becomes available on the user terminal 2 when the user acquires or uses a ticket, and until the user acquires or uses a ticket, the list display screen D1 will not display any tickets.

[0043] The list display screen D1 includes a first area Rg1 where tickets are displayed and a second area Rg2 where advertisements are displayed. The first area Rg1 displays images showing the contents of multiple tickets, including tickets TK1 and TK2. The second area Rg2 displays an image representing the advertisement AD. Ticket TK1 includes content information IF1, buttons BT11 and BT12. Ticket TK2 includes content information IF2, buttons BT21 and BT22. The advertisement AD includes button BT3.

[0044] Content information IF1 and IF2 retrieve information about tickets TK1 and TK2 from the ticket management table T2 and present it in the form of text and images.

[0045] Buttons BT11 and BT21 function as objects for displaying tickets on the display unit 24, such as so-called visually inspected tickets or torn tickets, which can be used by displaying the ticket face on the display unit 24.

[0046] Buttons BT12 and BT22 function as objects for displaying the coupon related to the benefit on the display unit 24 and making it available for use. As described later, until the conditions for granting the benefit are met, buttons BT12 and BT22 may be configured to be unselectable or grayed out to reduce their visibility. Additionally, a separate "Benefit List Display Button" may be provided to display a list of only the benefits granted to the user.

[0047] Button BT3 functions as an object that, when pressed via tapping or other means, displays the video corresponding to the advertisement AD in the second area Rg2. Note that the advertisement AD does not necessarily have a button BT3; the video or still image of the advertisement corresponding to the advertisement AD may be displayed in the second area Rg2 without user interaction.

[0048] Advertisements (ADs) are preferably displayed in a manner that allows them to be easily distinguished from tickets TK1 and TK2. The second area Rg2 may be placed at the top or bottom of the list display screen D1, or a button BT3 may be fixedly placed at the top or bottom of the display unit 24 so that the button BT3 does not move even when the list display screen D1 is scrolled. The second area Rg2 may also be placed between each ticket.

[0049] When button BT11 or button BT21 is operated on the list display screen D1, the input unit 25 accepts the user's selection of the ticket to be used (Activity A103). The control unit 23 controls the screen displayed on the display unit 24 to display the ticket face of the selected ticket (Activity A105).

[0050] If each ticket includes multiple sub-tickets (for example, multiple adult and child tickets) or multiple benefits, multiple buttons may be associated with each ticket. Furthermore, the tickets displayed in the first area Rg1 may be either free or paid, and the system may be configured to display a list of tickets assigned to the user, including both types. Alternatively, buttons BT11, BT12, and BT12,BT22 may not be displayed in the first area Rg1, and the system may be configured so that further details of the content information and buttons BT11, BT12, and BT12,BT22 are displayed on the ticket details screen accessed through the operation of tickets TK1, TK2, etc. Note that this details screen is also an example of a display operation screen.

[0051] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a ticket display screen shown on user terminal 2. The ticket display screen is the screen that displays the ticket or benefit information. Figure 9(a) is an example of the ticket display screen D2 for ticket TK1, which is accessed when button BT11 is operated. The ticket display screen D2 includes content information IF3 and code CD1. Content information IF3 retrieves information about ticket TK1 from ticket management table T2 and displays it in text format. Code CD1 contains information about ticket TK1, and when read by a camera installed in a ticket gate on bus BS or on an authentication device used by bus BS crew members, information indicating that ticket TK1 has been used is transmitted to server 3. In other words, the ticket becomes usable when it is displayed on the user terminal. The ticket display screen D2 becomes available on user terminal 2 when the user obtains or uses the ticket.

[0052] Immediately before boarding or alighting from the bus (bus stop), the user displays the code of the ticket they wish to use on the display unit 24 of the user terminal 2 (Activity A105). The ticket is then used by having the aforementioned authentication device read the displayed code. When a ticket is used, information indicating that the ticket corresponding to the code was used by the user (including the user ID and ticket ID) and the location information of the user terminal 2 at the time of use are transmitted to the server 3 as transmission information (Activity A106). The transmitted location information includes the latitude and longitude of the user terminal 2 at the time the code was displayed on the user terminal 2 or at the time the code was read by the authentication device. The location information may also include the latitude and longitude of the bus (bus stop) or the authentication device at the time the code was read by the authentication device.

[0053] Based on the date and time that Code CD1 is read by the authentication device, it is determined whether the event is boarding or alighting. For example, the event may be determined based on the number of times the code is read, such as the first reading of Code CD1 being considered boarding and the second reading being considered alighting. Alternatively, when displaying Code CD1, the system may be configured so that a Code CD1 for boarding and a Code CD1 for alighting are generated by the user selecting whether it is boarding or alighting. In this way, the location information included in the transmitted information may be configured to determine whether it is boarding or alighting.

[0054] On user terminal 2, if the ticket is used when boarding, the system returns to list display screen D1; if the ticket is used when alighting, the system proceeds to update the benefits. For example, list display screen D1 with updated display of buttons BT12, BT22, etc., related to benefits is displayed on display unit 24. The specific processing will be described later.

[0055] On server 3, the first acquisition unit 332 acquires the transmitted location information (activity A204). In other words, the first acquisition unit 332 acquires the transmission information sent from user terminal 2 or the authentication device used to authenticate the ticket, based on the fact that the user used the ticket by operating user terminal 2. The transmission information includes location information acquired by the user terminal or authentication device when the ticket was used. The management unit 335 stores the acquired location information in the storage unit 32.

[0056] The identification unit 334 identifies stop information indicating the stop where the user boarded or alighted, based on the transmitted information (Activity A205). The transmitted information includes information for identifying the stop where the user boarded or alighted, and in this embodiment, the stop information is identified based on the location information included in the transmitted information. The management unit 335 stores the identified stop in the storage unit 32.

[0057] The identification unit 334 stores the latitude and longitude of each bus stop in the storage unit 32 in advance, and identifies the nearest bus stop within a predetermined distance from the latitude and longitude identified from the location information included in the transmitted information as the bus stop where the user boarded or alighted. Alternatively, the identification unit 334 may also store the timetable information of the bus route 5 in the storage unit 32 in advance, and identify the bus stop where the user boarded or alighted by comparing the time the transmitted information was acquired with the timetable information.

[0058] Figure 7(c) shows an example of a ride history management table T3 stored in the memory unit 32. In the ride history management table T3, the ticket ID, ride date and time, boarding location information, boarding stop, alighting date and time, alighting location information, and alighting stop are associated with the user ID. In this way, the management unit 335 manages user identification information for identifying users by associating it with stop information.

[0059] On server 3, the granting unit 331 grants a reward to the user (Activity A206) ​​on the condition that the reward granting conditions are met. The reward is for the user's use of the transportation service using the ticket. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the reward granting conditions include at least the fact that user identification information and bus stop information are managed in association. When the reward granting conditions are met, the granting unit 331 processes to grant the user the reward defined by the reward ID associated with the ticket ID. For example, in the user management table T1, the granting unit 331 stores the granted reward ID and the date and time the reward was obtained, associated with the ticket ID linked to the user ID of the user. The granting unit 331 transmits reward information to the user terminal 2 to identify the granted reward (Activity A207).

[0060] Whether or not the reward granting conditions defined in the ticket management table T2 are met is determined based on at least one or a combination of information associated with the user ID and ticket ID in the ride history management table T3. For example, the reward granting conditions may be met based on the boarding date and time and alighting date and time, based on the fact that the passenger at least boarded the bus BS, or they may be configured to be met based on the inclusion of a specific boarding or alighting stop. Furthermore, the user's attributes, etc., included in the user management table T1 may also be further conditions that meet predetermined conditions.

[0061] On user terminal 2, control unit 23 executes a process to make the reward available and updates the reward (activity A107). For example, on the list display screen D1 shown in Figure 8, control unit 23 updates the buttons BT12 and BT22 related to tickets that have met the reward granting conditions so that they can be selected or so that they are more visible, and updates the list display screen D1.

[0062] User terminal 2 accepts the selection of a benefit to be used when the user selects a benefit that has been made available (Activity A108). When button BT12 or button BT22 related to a ticket that has met the benefit granting conditions is operated, the input unit 25 accepts the selection of a benefit to be used from the user. The control unit 23 controls the screen to be displayed on the display unit 24 to display the ticket image of the selected benefit (Activity A109).

[0063] Figure 9(b) is an example of the reward display screen D3 that is displayed when button BT12 is selected because the reward granting conditions for ticket TK1 are met. The reward display screen D3 includes content information IF4 and code CD2. Content information IF4 is obtained from ticket management table T2 and the reward management table T4 (described later) regarding the reward associated with ticket TK1 and is displayed in text form. Code CD2 contains information regarding the reward associated with ticket TK1, and the reward is used when it is read by a camera on a device installed in a store where the reward is available.

[0064] Furthermore, even before the conditions for granting the reward are met, the system may be configured so that the reward display screen D3 is displayed on the display unit 24 when BT12 is selected. In this case, the reward may be made unusable, for example, by not displaying code CD2. Then, when the conditions for granting the reward are met, the system may be configured so that code CD2 is displayed on the reward display screen D3. This allows the user to understand the existence and content of the reward even before the conditions for granting the reward are met.

[0065] When a user uses a reward, the user terminal 2 sends information to the server 3 as a reward usage history, including the user ID and the reward ID of the reward used (Activity A110). On the server 3, the management unit 335 stores the reward usage history in the storage unit 32, associating it with the user's user ID. The granting unit 331 processes the used reward based on the received reward usage history to mark it as used (Activity A208). The granting unit 331 sends reward information indicating that the reward has been used to the user terminal 2 (Activity A207). On the user terminal 2, the control unit 23 updates the reward to be unavailable based on the acquired reward information (Activity A107). For example, on the list display screen D1 shown in Figure 8, the BT12 related to the used reward may be made unselectable or grayed out to reduce visibility.

[0066] Figure 7(d) shows an example of a reward management table T4 stored in the memory unit 32. In the reward management table T4, a user ID is associated with the reward ID of the reward granted to that user, the reward details indicating the content of the granted reward, the validity period indicating the expiration date of the reward, the store where the reward was used, and the reward usage date and time, which is the date and time the reward was used.

[0067] The benefits are, for example, advantages to the user, such as money, goods, or services granted to the user. These may include discount coupons, various vouchers, and souvenirs offered to the user at stores around bus route 5, and are not limited to being provided in electronic form; they may also be physical goods or gift certificates. Users can obtain the benefits by presenting code CD2 at the participating stores. This allows bus BS to be used regardless of whether the user uses a ticket or not, while the user receives benefits by using a ticket when boarding or alighting from bus BS. This increases the incentive for users to provide transportation operators with information on their use of transportation services. The benefits may also be provided to parties other than the user, for example, to transportation service providers.

[0068] Furthermore, the stores where the benefits can be used may be determined according to the user's disembarking stop. This can encourage users to use the benefits around the disembarking stop, potentially realizing regional development tailored to the disembarking stop. Also, the quantity of benefits granted to the user through the benefits may be determined according to the relative positions of the user's boarding and disembarking stops. This allows for the provision of more benefits to participating stores as the operating costs of the bus service (i.e., the hypothetical fare that the user should originally bear) increase, potentially introducing a new concept where participating stores bear the user's transportation costs.

[0069] For example, the greater the distance or time traveled by the user on the bus BS, the greater the quantity of benefits granted to the user through the rewards. This could include the discount amount or rate for purchases at participating stores, the number of times or stores where code CD2 can be used, or the number or value of commemorative items granted to the user. Furthermore, if the rewards are determined by the user's choice, the quantity of benefits granted to the user may be increased by the rewards included in the choices. Also, if the rewards are determined by lottery, the probability of winning a reward with a large quantity of benefits granted to the user may be increased.

[0070] Furthermore, rewards are not limited to those granted based on a single ticket usage. For example, rewards may be awarded to users for using public transportation a certain number of times. The value of the rewards may also vary depending on the number of stops the user uses, with the value of the rewards increasing as the number of specified stops increases. Additionally, rewards may be awarded to users based on the types of stops used, thereby providing users with an experience similar to a stamp rally. This is because users who use a large number and variety of stops are presumed to have actively moved around the region over a certain period, and are therefore expected to make a significant contribution to the revitalization of the region.

[0071] 4. Others The following embodiments may be adopted for the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0072] In this embodiment, the identification unit 334 identifies the bus stop where the user boarded or alighted based on location information obtained from the user terminal 2 when reading the ticket code, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The first acquisition unit 332 may acquire transmission information from the user terminal 2 or authentication device based on the fact that the ticket has been displayed on the user terminal. In this case, the transmission information includes information indicating the ticket displayed on the user terminal 2 and a user ID indicating user identification information. The identification unit 334 may then be configured to identify the bus stop information based on the ticket displayed on the user terminal 2 and the user ID.

[0073] The management unit 335 manages tickets acquired by users on the platform by pre-associating the user ID with stop information, which is the stop where the user is scheduled to board or alight. Therefore, the identification unit 334 can determine that the user likely boarded or alighted at a stop identified based on the stop information, based on the fact that the user displayed the ticket on the display unit 24 on the user terminal 2. This simplifies the amount of information to be acquired, thereby reducing the processing load on the information processing system 1. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to display and read codes, further reducing the processing load on the information processing system 1.

[0074] In this case, the second acquisition unit 333 may be configured to acquire confirmation information to identify that the user actually used the transportation service. The granting unit 331 may be configured to grant the user a benefit in response to the acquisition of confirmation information. The confirmation information is information to confirm that the user not only displayed the ticket on the display unit 24 but also actually used the bus service station (BS). This can prevent the granting of a benefit even if the user displayed the ticket on the display unit 24 but did not actually use the bus service station (BS).

[0075] The confirmation information is preferably associated with information indicating the ticket used. The management unit 335 stores the acquired confirmation information in the storage unit 32 in association with the user ID and ticket ID in the ride history management table T3. The confirmation information is preferably included in the outgoing information, or transmitted together with the outgoing information, from the user terminal 2 or authentication device to the server 3.

[0076] Confirmation information is, for example, the location information of the user terminal 2 when the ticket is displayed on the display unit 24. In this case, the location information only needs to be sufficient to infer that the user used bus BS, and does not need to have the accuracy to identify the bus stop where the user boarded or alighted. For example, it is sufficient that location information along the bus route 5 can be detected, and that the user traveled at a speed equivalent to that of bus BS. Furthermore, confirmation information may also include information indicating that the code corresponding to the ticket was read by the authentication device, or information that can identify the specific bus BS, authentication device, driver, or other attendant obtained at that time.

[0077] In this embodiment, the ticket may be configured to become usable when a code is displayed and read by the camera on the user terminal 2. For example, a ticket associated with a code may be used when the user terminal 2 reads a code provided inside or outside the bus BS, or at a bus stop. In this case, reading a code provided outside the bus BS or at a bus stop can be used to determine when the user is about to board, and reading a code provided inside the bus BS can be used to determine when the user is about to alight. The ticket is then used when the code is displayed on the display unit 24 in place of the codes CD1 and CD2 shown in Figure 9. The ticket associated with the code may also be configured to be used in conjunction with a ticket previously acquired by the user on the platform.

[0078] The ticket may be configured to be usable by holding the IC card over the ticket gate without displaying the ticket face on the display unit 24. For example, NFC (Near Field Communication) tags can be used instead of codes CD1 and CD2. That is, these NFC tags may be installed on ticket gates such as those on buses, and users may read these tags using an NFC reader provided on the user terminal 2.

[0079] The transportation services and various free shuttle services that correspond to the ticket are not limited to buses. In other words, the "transportation service" in this embodiment may be any transportation that the user can use regardless of whether or not they use a ticket, and may be a transportation service that operates along a predetermined route based on a timetable, such as a train (railway), tram, subway, airplane, ship, ferry, sightseeing boat, water bus, cable car, monorail, etc. The "transportation service" may also be an on-demand type of transportation service that operates according to the user's demand, and may be a means of transportation related to taxis, cars (including rental cars and car sharing, etc.), bicycles (including rental bicycles and shared bicycles), electric scooters, drones, helicopters, motorcycles, etc.

[0080] The advertising AD shown in Figure 8 preferably includes content that makes the user aware of the advertised items related to the benefits. The advertised items are, for example, bus route 5, the area where bus route 5 is located, the stores that offer the benefits, and the goods and services offered at those stores. The advertising AD may be configured to be displayed not only on display operation screens such as the list display screen D1 shown in Figure 8, but also on the ticket display screen D2 and the benefits display screen D3 shown in Figure 9, which are accessed from there. This makes it possible to make the user aware of how to effectively use the benefits, along with tickets related to transportation, etc.

[0081] The content included in the advertisement may consist of still images, videos, audio, etc., that the user can perceive through their five senses, and may include links that lead to websites or applications related to the relevant service. Preferably, the linked site may provide, for example, flyers for the target store. The identification unit 334 may be configured to identify advertisements according to the ticket used by the user, the user's attributes (address, age, gender, occupation, financial capacity, family structure, nationality, language used, past information browsing history, past product purchase history, past location information history, terminal type used, and IP address, etc.). The advertisement may be configured to be selected by a server operated by a different business operator than server 3.

[0082] The control unit 33 further includes an artificial intelligence unit (not shown), which may have a trained model constructed by machine learning using data stored in the memory unit 32 and information stored in each table as training data. The artificial intelligence unit may also have a general-purpose natural language processing training model, such as a Large Language Model (LLM) that has learned from a vast amount of data. For example, a trained model may be constructed or prompts may be generated for input to the large language model, taking data from each item stored in the user management table T1, ticket management table T2, ride history management table T3, and benefits management table T4 as input, so that information such as the bus stops where the user boarded or alighted, and the benefits granted to the user are output.

[0083] In the above embodiments, the configuration of the information processing system 1 has been described, but a program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system 1. Also, in the above embodiments, the server 3 performed various storage and control functions, but multiple external devices may be used instead of the server 3. That is, various information related to information processing may be stored in a distributed manner across multiple external devices using blockchain technology or the like.

[0084] Furthermore, they may be provided in the following embodiments.

[0085] (1) An information processing system comprising a control unit, the control unit configured to perform the following steps: in the granting step, a ticket for a transportation service is granted to the user in response to the user's operation of a user terminal, where the ticket is granted to the user without requiring payment processing by the user; in the first acquisition step, based on the user's use of the ticket by operating the user terminal, transmission information is obtained from the user terminal or an authentication device used to authenticate the ticket, where the transmission information includes information for identifying the stop where the user boarded or alighted; in the identification step, stop information indicating the stop where the user boarded or alighted is identified based on the transmission information; and in the management step, user identification information for identifying the user and the stop information are managed in association with each other. This makes it possible to obtain data for analyzing the usage status of users in a free transportation service.

[0086] (2) An information processing system as described in (1) above, wherein the transportation service can be used by the user regardless of whether or not the ticket is used, and in the granting step, the system grants the user a benefit for using the transportation service with the ticket, provided that the user identification information and the bus stop information are managed in association with each other. This ensures the convenience of the free transportation service while promoting data acquisition.

[0087] (3) An information processing system as described in (2) above, wherein in the identification step, the system identifies an advertising target related to the benefit and identifies an advertisement to make the user aware of the advertising target, and in the granting step, the system transmits display information to the user terminal to display the advertisement. This makes it possible to encourage the user to acquire and use the benefit.

[0088] (4) In the information processing system described in (3) above, the advertisement is displayed on the user terminal on the ticket display screen where the ticket or the benefit is displayed, or on the display operation screen for displaying the ticket display screen. This makes it possible to encourage users to acquire and use the benefit.

[0089] (5) An information processing system described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the transmitted information includes location information acquired by the user terminal or the authentication device when the ticket is used, and the bus stop information is identified based on the location information. This makes it easy to identify the bus stop where the user boarded or alighted.

[0090] (6) An information processing system as described in any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein in the management step, the user identification information and the stop information are managed in advance in association with the ticket, where the ticket is made available when displayed on the user terminal, in the first acquisition step, the transmission information is acquired from the user terminal or the authentication device based on the ticket being displayed on the user terminal, where the transmission information includes information indicating the ticket displayed on the user terminal and information indicating the user identification information, and in the identification step, the stop information is identified based on the ticket displayed on the user terminal and the user identification information.

[0091] (7) An information processing system as described in (6) above, wherein in the second acquisition step, confirmed information is acquired to identify that the user actually used the transportation service, and the confirmed information is associated with information indicating the ticket used, and in the granting step, the user identification information and the bus stop information are managed in association, and, on the condition that the confirmed information has been acquired, the system grants the user a benefit for using the transportation service with the ticket. This makes it possible to acquire more data on the user's usage.

[0092] (8) An information processing method comprising each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0093] (9) A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (7) above. Of course, this is not always the case.

[0094] Finally, various embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1: Information Processing System 2: User terminal 3: Server 4: Network 5: Bus routes 20: Communications bus 21: Communications Department 22: Storage section 23: Control Unit 24: Display section 25: Input section 30: Communications bus 31: Communications Department 32: Storage section 33: Control Unit 331: Assignment section 332 :1st acquisition part 333:Second acquisition part 334: Specific part 335: Management Department D1: List display screen D2: Ticket display screen D3: Bonus display screen T1: User management table T2: Ticket Management Table T3: Ride History Management Table T4: Benefits Management Table

Claims

1. An information processing system, The system includes a control unit, which is configured to perform the following steps: In the granting step, a ticket for transportation services is granted to the user in response to the user's operation of the user terminal, and here, The aforementioned ticket is granted to the user without requiring payment processing by the user. In the first acquisition step, based on the fact that the user used the ticket by operating the user terminal, the transmission information transmitted from the user terminal or the authentication device used to authenticate the ticket is acquired, and here, The transmitted information includes information for identifying the bus stop where the user boarded or alighted, In the specific step, based on the transmitted information, stop information indicating the stop where the user boarded or alighted is identified. The management step involves an information processing system that manages user identification information for identifying the user and the bus stop information in association.

2. In the information processing system described in claim 1, The aforementioned transportation service can be used by the user regardless of whether or not the aforementioned ticket is used. An information processing system that, in the granting step, grants to the user a benefit for using the transportation service with the ticket, provided that the user identification information and the bus stop information are managed in association with each other.

3. In the information processing system described in claim 2, In the aforementioned specific step, the target of the advertisement related to the benefit is identified, and the advertisement is identified to make the user aware of the target of the advertisement. The information processing system, in the granting step, transmits display information for displaying the advertisement to the user terminal.

4. In the information processing system described in claim 3, An information processing system in which the advertisement is displayed on the user terminal on a ticket display screen where the ticket or the benefit is displayed, or on a display operation screen for displaying the ticket display screen.

5. In the information processing system described in claim 1, The aforementioned transmission information includes location information acquired by the user terminal or the authentication device when the ticket was used. The aforementioned bus stop information is identified based on the aforementioned location information by an information processing system.

6. In the information processing system described in claim 1, In the management step described above, the user identification information and the bus stop information are managed in advance in association with the ticket, and here, The aforementioned ticket becomes available when it is displayed on the user terminal. In the first acquisition step, based on the fact that the ticket is displayed on the user terminal, the outgoing information is acquired from the user terminal or the authentication device, and here, The transmitted information includes information indicating the ticket displayed on the user terminal and information indicating the user identification information. In the aforementioned specific step, an information processing system identifies the bus stop information based on the ticket and user identification information displayed on the user terminal.

7. In the information processing system described in claim 6, In the second acquisition step, confirmed information is obtained to identify that the user actually used the transportation service, and here, The aforementioned confirmed information is associated with information indicating the ticket used, In the granting step, the user identification information and the bus stop information are managed in association, and subject to the acquisition of the confirmed information, the user is granted the benefit for using the transportation service with the ticket. An information processing system.

8. Information processing method, A method comprising each step of the information processing system described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. It is a program, A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the information processing system described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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