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

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient electronic voucher service for users. [Solution] An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information about a voucher and a request for issuance of an award code transmitted from a client's terminal device; a provision unit that provides the client's terminal device with a list of the number of award codes included in the information about the voucher; and a processing unit that, when it acquires user identification information which is user identification information managed by an electronic payment service, the award code, and a request for acquisition of a voucher corresponding to the award code from a user's terminal device, assigns the voucher to the user's identification information.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, an awarding device for awarding a coupon that can be used in an electronic payment service to a user has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-93651 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 In the conventional technology, the convenience for users regarding services related to electronic vouchers may not always be sufficiently high. 【0005】 The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can provide a highly convenient service for users (such as issuers, administrators of electronic payment services, users, etc.) regarding services related to electronic vouchers. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 One aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit that acquires a list of information related to vouchers and user identification information for identifying users managed by an electronic payment service, which is transmitted from a terminal device of a requester, and a processing unit that awards vouchers corresponding to the information related to the vouchers in the list according to the user identification information included in the list. 【0007】 Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information about a voucher and a request for issuance of an award code transmitted from a client's terminal device; a provision unit that provides the client's terminal device with a list of the number of award codes included in the information about the voucher; and a processing unit that, when it acquires user identification information which is user identification information managed by an electronic payment service, the award code, and a request for acquisition of a voucher corresponding to the award code from a user's terminal device, it assigns a voucher to the user by associating the voucher with the user identification information. [Effects of the Invention] 【0008】 According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can provide a highly convenient service for users regarding electronic voucher services. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a configuration for implementing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the configuration of payment server 100. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 176. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the service of Comparative Example (1). [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the service of Comparative Example (2). [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating Method 1 and Method 2. [Figure 10] Figure (1) illustrates Method 1. [Figure 11] Figure (2) is used to explain Method 1. [Figure 12] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow performed by the payment server 100, the requester, and the user. [Figure 13] This is a diagram to explain Method 2. [Figure 14] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow performed by the payment server 100, the requester, and the user. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates the process by which a method is selected. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by the payment server 100 when issuing a voucher. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various apparatuses such as a "server" that appears hereinafter for providing services to users or performing internal analysis may be realized by a distributed group of apparatuses, and the operators of each apparatus may be different. Also, the owner of the hardware of the apparatus (provider of the cloud server) and the operator who actually operates the apparatus may be different. The application program and the settlement server cooperate to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a settlement application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports settlement related to the purchase of goods and services in a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (actual store) existing in the real space, but may include a virtual store for e-commerce. The virtual store may include those provided by a subject different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a purchase settlement in the virtual store, it is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, a store is, for example, treated as belonging to a franchise (brand), and processing such as settlement when a purchase action is performed in the store is mainly carried out between the user and the franchise. Instead of this, processing such as settlement may be carried out between the user and the store. 【0011】 [Electronic Payment Service] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system in which an electronic payment service is realized. The electronic payment service is realized centering around a settlement server 100. The electronic payment system that realizes the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and a settlement server 100. These devices communicate via, for example, a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like. 【0012】 Some or all of the functional components included in the electronic payment system may be distributed among a plurality of devices in any form or integrated into any device. For example, some or all of the functional components of the payment server 100 may be included in other devices. 【0013】 [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the configurations for realizing these functions are respectively referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, the payment application 20 is executed by a processor such as a CPU, and operates to provide an electronic payment service to the user in cooperation with the payment server 100. The payment application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, etc. In the user terminal device 10, a mini-app may operate. The mini-app is an application program that operates within the payment application 20. The mini-app is, for example, a mini-app that provides various services related to privileges. The mini-app, for example, transmits or receives privileges or displays a list of transmitted or received privileges. 【0014】 [First store terminal device] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 may include a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on paper or plastic media. The store code image 60 may also be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone). 【0015】 [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc. The affiliated store interface 72 operates on the second store terminal device 70. The affiliated store interface 72 may be an affiliated store application or a browser. The affiliated store interface 72 accepts coupon settings etc. from the affiliated store operator and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image by running the affiliated store application, or reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10. 【0016】 [Payment Server] The payment server 100 implements electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and a merchant server, in which case payment information is transmitted from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the merchant server. In the following description, this distinction will not be made, and it will be assumed that payment information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50. 【0017】 Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. There may be two patterns for electronic payments: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2. 【0018】 In the case of Pattern 1 shown in Figure 2 (hereinafter referred to as User Scan), the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 contains information about the store URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which information that can identify the store has been added, and is associated with the merchant ID and store ID, etc., at the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 sends the first payment information, including the store URL and account ID, to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains the merchant name and store name information (S3), and sends it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen where the merchant name and store name are displayed (S5). The user terminal device 10 then generates second payment information, including at least the payment amount, and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification (information for displaying the payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). If the store code image 60 is displayed on a display placed in the store, the store code image 60 may include payment amount information as well as the store URL. In this case, the procedure for the user to enter the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Merchant name and store name information may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen. 【0019】 In the case of Pattern 2 shown in Figure 3 (hereinafter referred to as Store Scan), when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when it is time for an automatic update (for example, every minute), and at other times, the payment app 20 sends a request to the payment server 100 to issue a one-time code (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or barcode that was generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50 (presents it), and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). Then, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, merchant ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is obtained in advance by barcode scanning or manual input. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs the electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification to the payment app 20 (S18), and the payment app 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19). 【0020】 Furthermore, electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Also, the "account ID" explained in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (for example, a phone number). In addition, the issuance of a one-time code may be omitted during store scanning, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In that case, the payment server 100 will identify the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code. 【0021】 [Payment Server Functional Configuration] Figure 4 is a diagram of the configuration of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an information processing unit 150, and a storage unit 170. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and SOC (System On Chip), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored on a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed on the storage device when the storage medium is inserted into the drive device. The content provision unit 120 is an example of a "provision unit". The information management unit 140 is an example of an "acquisition unit". The information processing unit 150 is an example of a "processing unit". 【0022】 The storage unit 170 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, content information 174, merchant / store information 176, and assignment information 178 (details described later). Some of this information may also be stored in the storage unit of the user terminal device 10. 【0023】 The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to a network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card. 【0024】 The content provider unit 120, for example, has the functionality of a web server and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10 or the second store terminal device 70. The content provider unit 120 reads the necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user with the content being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information to the payment server 100. The above content may also be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content provider unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with the information necessary for generating the content. 【0025】 The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172. 【0026】 [User information] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 172. User Information 172 is an example of user registration information. User Information 172 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, telephone number, password, as well as information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit payment settings, credit payment limit, credit payment amount, available credit payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, and voucher information. The user URL is used for money transfer processing between users. When registering for a new electronic payment service, registration of a telephone number and password is mandatory. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that the user can set at will (or not set). Similarly, the email address and name, address, and date of birth are also information that the user can set at will (or not set). The registration date is the date the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date the account was created). Hereafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account. 【0027】 The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include sending from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated provider (bank) and sending from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether or not the user has completed the settings to enable electronic payments by credit card, and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed". The credit payment limit is the monthly limit for credit payments, the credit payment amount is the amount already used for credit payments in the current month, and the available credit payment amount is the amount available for credit payments in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the diagram shows only one credit payment limit, in reality there are also daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be described later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will use electronic payment with the charge balance or payment by credit card at that time. The bank account and credit card number information, respectively, refers to the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) to which funds can be deposited into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a record of when the user has previously sent money to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information shows the details of each payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.). 【0028】 Voucher information refers to vouchers usable with electronic payment services. Vouchers are provided by electronic payment services and their affiliated merchants. Affiliated merchants include not only businesses that provide goods or services, but also local governments and other entities that do not provide goods or services but offer vouchers to users. Vouchers are benefits that users can use for electronic payments at affiliated merchants, such as digital gift certificates or digital gift cards (for example, benefits that can be used as electronic money). 【0029】 [Franchise / Store Information] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 176. The merchant / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which the merchant ID and store ID are associated with the store URL, a second table 176B in which the merchant name and sales amount (as described above) are associated with the merchant ID, and a third table 176C in which the store name is associated with the store ID. For example, the store ID in the third table 176C may be associated with information on available vouchers. For example, the store ID may be associated with information indicating that vouchers issued by a specific local government are available, or information indicating that vouchers issued by a specific merchant are available. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 176 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, the store's location, and payment patterns. 【0030】 [Electronic payment] When the payment processing unit 130 obtains payment information from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, it refers to the user information 172 to obtain the user's "payment method setting". For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance, which is managed in association with the user ID, and increasing the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item. For example, the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item is not used as electronic money itself, but rather the amount corresponding to the value of the sales proceeds item is transferred to the bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the merchant and the electronic payment service. 【0031】 The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows for users whose "settings information" is set to "credit payment". Credit payment is a payment method that is carried out in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the donor and allows electronic payment that does not depend on the charge balance within the credit payment limit. In order to use the credit payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used by credit payment is settled in a lump sum for the month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by withdrawal from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs a provisional settlement by adding the settlement amount to the amount used by credit payment and subtracting the same amount from the available credit payment limit. When the closing date arrives, it processes the payment for the current month to be withdrawn on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the credit card company operator to perform the said process. If the settlement amount exceeds the available credit payment limit at the time of provisional settlement, an error notification is sent back to the payment application 20. 【0032】 The Information Management Unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices and terminal devices. Based on the information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70, the Information Management Unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176. The Information Management Unit 140 performs operations such as adding, editing, and deleting new records for user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176. 【0033】 The information processing unit 150 processes information provided by other server devices and terminal devices, and provides information stored in the storage unit 170 to the user terminal device 10. 【0034】 [Comparative Example] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the service of Comparative Example (1). When a client wants to grant a voucher to a user, the client requests the electronic payment service representative to issue a grant code. The representative generates a list of grant codes for vouchers that meet the conditions presented by the client and provides the generated list of grant codes to the client via email or other means. The client provides the grant code to the user. The user can obtain a voucher that can be used with the electronic payment service by entering the grant code into the designated screen of the electronic payment service. In the above case, since the representative provides the grant code to the client via email or other means, there is a concern about the risk of the grant code being stolen. 【0035】 Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the service of Comparative Example (2). The user applies for the purchase of a voucher or other transaction through an application screen provided by the electronic payment service in response to the client's request. The electronic payment service conducts a lottery or other means as needed and notifies the winning users of the results. The user can obtain a voucher through the electronic payment service by purchasing it via a designated screen. 【0036】 In the above case, in order to identify users who can purchase vouchers in the electronic payment service, it was not possible to respond flexibly to the issuance of vouchers, and it was sometimes not possible to issue vouchers to users who had passed the requester's own screening process. For example, even if a local government or company wanted to select users to be eligible for vouchers based on information it possessed, it was sometimes not possible to issue vouchers to such eligible users in the above comparative example (2). For example, when a local government wanted to issue vouchers for subsidies, public grants, or local government-specific points, it was sometimes not possible to issue vouchers to users who met the criteria in the above comparative example (2), even if the local government wanted to extract users who met the criteria and issue vouchers to those extracted users. 【0037】 [overview] In this embodiment, Method 1 or Method 2 enables flexible voucher issuance, improving convenience for users, electronic payment service administrators, or requesters. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating Method 1 and Method 2. As described below, the electronic payment service works with the requester to issue a voucher to the user. 【0038】 [Overview of Method 1] Method 1 involves an electronic payment service issuing a code (assigned code) in response to a request from the client, who then sends the code to the user. The user can then obtain a voucher by entering the code into a designated interface screen. 【0039】 [Overview of Method 2] Method 2 involves an electronic payment service obtaining a phone number (or other identifying information) from the requester and then assigning a voucher to the user's identifying information corresponding to the obtained phone number. 【0040】 [Specific example of Method 1] The payment server 100 provides a reception screen that accepts requests for voucher information and the issuance of grant codes in response to requests from the merchant interface 72 (the requester's terminal device). The payment server 100 obtains the voucher information and requests received via the reception screen. The payment server 100 provides the requester's terminal device with a list of the number of grant codes included in the voucher information. When the payment server 100 obtains user identification information, which is the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, a grant code, and a request to obtain a voucher corresponding to the grant code from the user terminal device 10, it grants the voucher to the user by associating the voucher with the user's identification information. 【0041】 The requester can be any requester, such as a local government or a company. For example, a requester can select users who will receive vouchers based on their own screening criteria and then use the electronic payment service's method to grant vouchers to the selected users. In this way, a requester can easily grant vouchers to users without having their own system for issuing vouchers. The requester may also be a merchant (local government, company, etc.) that has been assigned a merchant ID for the electronic payment service. Once a merchant ID is issued, the requester can use the merchant interface 72 and the merchant ID to issue vouchers within the electronic payment service. For example, since services using the merchant interface 72 are available to those who have been assigned a merchant ID, as described above, the requester issuing vouchers may also be required to be assigned a merchant ID. 【0042】 A voucher is, for example, a voucher that can be used with an electronic payment service. A voucher can be used, for example, at a merchant that is a member of the electronic payment service, or at a merchant that is a member of the electronic payment service and is designated by the requester. 【0043】 The payment server 100 accepts registrations from merchants who accept vouchers among the merchants who accept electronic payment services, via the merchant interface 72. For example, the payment server 100 provides the merchant interface 72 with an interface screen for accepting the above-mentioned merchant registrations. The requester operates the merchant interface 72 and registers merchants who accept vouchers using the interface screen. In response to the above registrations, the payment server 100 associates information indicating that the above-mentioned vouchers are available for the registered merchants in the merchant / store information 176. 【0044】 The payment server 100 executes an electronic payment using a voucher when the voucher is used at a merchant that accepts vouchers. As explained in Figure 2 or Figure 3, the payment server 100 obtains payment information (including merchant ID, store ID, etc.) from, for example, the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. If the payment server 100 finds that information indicating the voucher is available is associated with the merchant ID or store ID in the payment information in the merchant / store information 176, it performs an electronic payment using the voucher. 【0045】 As described above, the payment server 100 issues vouchers in response to the client's request and performs electronic payments using the vouchers at merchants designated by the client. The above processes are the same in Method 2. 【0046】 An example of providing a code to a user via a network is described below. Figure 10 is Figure (1) for illustrating Method 1. The user applies to the requester for the issuance (or purchase) of a voucher. The requester reviews the application. The requester requests the electronic payment service to issue a code and receives the issued code. The requester notifies the user who passed the review of the review results, and the user performs the prescribed process, such as payment. In response, the requester sends the code to the user. The user enters the sent code into a predetermined interface screen. The predetermined interface screen is a screen that the user accesses by operating the payment application 20, and is a screen provided by the payment server 100. 【0047】 The payment server 100 assigns a voucher to the user's identification information for the electronic payment service if the entered code matches a code in the assignment information 178 stored in the storage unit 170. The assignment information 178 is a list of codes issued to the requester. As a result, the user can obtain a voucher. 【0048】 The above payment may be an electronic payment using an electronic payment service, or it may be a payment method specified by the requester. In the above process, prescribed processes such as payment by the user may be omitted. In this case, the requester will send a code to the user who passes the review after the review. 【0049】 This section describes an example where the requester directly provides the code to the user. Figure 11 is Figure (2) for illustrating Method 1. The electronic payment service issues a code in response to the request and provides the requester with information about the issued code. The requester prints out the code. When the user visits the location, the requester conducts the necessary verification process there. The location would be, for example, an accommodation or tourist information center at the destination if it is a travel or sightseeing voucher. 【0050】 The client provides a code to users who have passed the screening process. The user enters the provided code into a designated interface screen. This designated interface screen is accessed by the user through the payment application 20 and is provided by the payment server 100. 【0051】 The payment server 100 assigns a voucher to the user's identification information for the electronic payment service if the entered code matches a code in the assignment information 178 stored in the storage unit 170. The assignment information 178 is a list of codes issued to the requester. As a result, the user can obtain a voucher. 【0052】 As described above, the payment server 100 can grant a voucher to the user by providing a code to the requester. 【0053】 [Sequence] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the payment server 100, the requester, and the user. First, the requester sends a request to the payment server 100 for the issuance of a code for issuing a voucher using the merchant interface 72 (S100). In response to the request, the payment server 100 provides a confirmation screen to the merchant interface 72 (S102). 【0054】 The requester uses the merchant interface 72 to input the required information into the reception screen (S104). The required information includes, for example, the details of the voucher (amount, expiration date), the number of codes, and the deadline for entering the codes. The details of the voucher include, for example, the amount of the voucher and its expiration date. For example, the required information may include information indicating that multiple codes will be issued to a single user. Next, the payment server 100 transmits the entered required information to the payment server 100 (S106). 【0055】 The payment server 100 issues a voucher code according to the specified information (S108). The payment server 100 manages the code in association with the voucher information corresponding to the code (such as the amount, issuance deadline, and expiration date) in an electronic payment service, for example. Next, the payment server 100 provides the issued code to the requester's merchant interface 72 (S110). Next, the requester notifies the user of the code in a desired manner (S112). 【0056】 The user operates the payment app 20 and enters a code into the interface screen provided by the payment server 100 to obtain a voucher (S114). The payment server 100 assigns a voucher to the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, which was identified from the user identification information obtained during communication with the payment app 20 (S116). When a code is entered on the interface screen, the payment server 100 may assign a voucher to the user according to the input, or when a code is entered on the interface screen, it may provide the user terminal device 10 with an interface screen for purchasing a voucher. When the user performs a predetermined electronic payment, such as electronic payment of an electronic payment service, on the interface screen for purchasing a voucher, the payment server 100 may assign a voucher to the user. 【0057】 Next, the payment server 100 provides the merchant interface 72 of the requester with information on the status of voucher issuance and voucher usage (S118). The payment server 100 may provide the merchant interface 72 with either or both of the following: information indicating the status of voucher issuance to users, and information indicating the usage status of vouchers by users who have been issued vouchers. The status of voucher issuance may include, for example, information indicating whether or not a voucher corresponding to each code has been acquired by a user, or statistically processed information regarding acquisition (e.g., XX number of acquirers, YY number of non-acquirers, acquisition rate □□%). The status of voucher usage may include, for example, information indicating the degree to which users have used the vouchers they have acquired, or statistically processed information regarding the degree of use (e.g., overall usage rate, usage rate for each user). 【0058】 In the example above, it was explained that information for issuing a code is provided to the payment server 100 using the reception screen provided to the merchant interface 72. However, instead of this (or in addition), information for issuing a code may be provided to the payment server 100 by other means, such as email, from the requester's terminal device. In this case, the information for issuing a code may be provided directly to the payment server 100, or it may be provided to the terminal device of the person in charge of the electronic payment service and then provided to the payment server 100 from the person in charge's terminal device. Alternatively, the person in charge may provide the information for issuing a code to the payment server 100 by inputting it in a predetermined manner. Through these various processes, the payment server 100 can obtain the information for issuing a code. This process is an example of the process of "obtaining information about the voucher and a request for issuance of an assigned code sent from the requester's terminal device." 【0059】 As described above, the payment server 100 can work with the requester to grant vouchers to users specified by the requester. The requester can easily grant vouchers to desired users without having to maintain their own system. 【0060】 When notifying the code in S112 above, the code may be notified in response to a predetermined process being performed by the user. For example, the code may be notified to the user terminal device 10 when the user answers a questionnaire provided by the payment server 100 or other device and information indicating that this answer has been given is provided. In this way, the code may be notified on the condition that a predetermined process has been performed, allowing the user to obtain a voucher. Alternatively (or in addition to) a questionnaire, the voucher may be given to the user by a method convenient to the requester, such as user application, lottery, or distribution. 【0061】 The functions described above, such as surveys, user applications, lotteries, and distribution, may be provided by the electronic payment service. For example, when a requester operates the merchant interface 72 to select to use a predetermined function or to perform an operation that uses a predetermined function, the payment server 100 executes the operation corresponding to the above function. For example, if a survey is the predetermined function, the payment server 100 sends an email to the email address specified by the operation of the merchant interface 72. When a user operates a predetermined link in this email address and enters a code, the payment server 100 grants the user a voucher. In addition to surveys, the payment server 100 may also accept user applications or conduct a lottery among eligible users and grant vouchers to the winners. Furthermore, the payment server 100 may notify users who have not yet received a voucher at a predetermined time or at the request of the requester as a reminder. 【0062】 Furthermore, if the payment server 100 has obtained the address to which the code should be sent from the requester, it may execute a process to send a document with the code information printed on it to the above address. For example, the payment server 100 sends the above address and the code to a server device such as a printing company. The printing company may then mail a document with the code printed on it to the above address based on the information obtained by the server device. The code may be printed in a format that includes barcodes or QR codes. In this case, the user can obtain the code by scanning the barcode or QR code using the payment app 20, or they can automatically obtain a voucher corresponding to the code. This makes it easy and safe to inform users of the code. 【0063】 In the example above, it was explained that the requester notifies the user of the code in a manner of their choice (S112), but instead (or in addition to this), the payment server 100 may notify the user of the code. For example, the payment server 100 may provide a number of grant codes included in the information about the voucher, with each grant code being provided to each of the user terminal devices 10 of the target user. The target users are those who have passed the screening conducted by the requester. For example, the payment server 100 sends the grant codes to a contact method (email or payment app 20) or contact information that has been registered in advance or obtained from the requester. When the payment server 100 receives user identification information, which is the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, a grant code, and a request to obtain a voucher corresponding to the grant code from the user terminal device 10 of the user, it grants the voucher to the user by associating the voucher with the user identification information of the electronic payment service. In this way, by providing grant codes to users in cooperation with the requester, the payment server 100 can provide a highly convenient service for users regarding the electronic voucher service. The content provision unit 120 of the payment server 100 is an example of the first provision unit. The content provision unit 120 of the payment server 100 or the merchant interface 72 (requester) is an example of the second provision unit. 【0064】 [Specific example of Method 2] The payment server 100 provides a reception screen that accepts a list of voucher information and user identification information for identifying users managed by the electronic payment service, in response to a request from the merchant interface 72 (the requester's terminal device). The payment server 100 obtains the list received via the reception screen. The payment server 100 assigns vouchers to the user identification information included in the list, according to the voucher information in the list. For example, the payment server 100 obtains information on the amount and date of the grant included in the list. The payment server 100 assigns a voucher of the grant amount to the user identification information on the grant date. 【0065】 User identification information is, for example, the telephone number of the user terminal device 10. User identification information may also be other information, such as an email address or information used to identify a user in an electronic payment service. 【0066】 This section describes an example of granting vouchers to users using user identification information such as their phone number. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating Method 2. The user applies to the requester for the granting (or purchase) of a voucher. The requester reviews the application. The requester notifies users who pass the review of the review results, and the user performs the prescribed process, such as payment. In response, the requester registers the phone number they had received or received in advance, and provides the registered electronic number to the electronic payment service. 【0067】 The payment server 100 assigns a voucher to the user's identification information linked to the registered electronic number managed by the electronic payment service. This allows the user to obtain the voucher. 【0068】 As described above, the payment server 100 can issue a voucher to the user by obtaining a phone number from the requester. 【0069】 [Sequence] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the payment server 100, the requester, and the user. First, the requester sends a request to the payment server 100 for the issuance of a voucher using the merchant interface 72 (S200). In response to the request, the payment server 100 provides a confirmation screen to the merchant interface 72 (S202). 【0070】 The requester uses the merchant interface 72 to upload a file to the reception screen (S204). The merchant interface 72 uploads the file to the payment server 100 (S206). The file contains information such as the phone number, the amount of the voucher to be issued, and the date of issuance. 【0071】 The payment server 100 assigns a voucher to the user's identification information, which is the phone number in the file managed by the electronic payment service (S208). Next, the payment server 100 notifies the user's payment app 20 that a voucher has been assigned (S210). This allows the user to recognize the assignment of the voucher in the payment app 20 (S212). 【0072】 In addition, during the above process, the payment server 100 may notify the user of their identification information via the payment application 20 or email address. In this case, if the user performs a predetermined operation in response to the notification via the user terminal device 10, or enters predetermined information on the notification interface screen, the user terminal device 10 will send the information of the above input or operation to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 may grant the user a voucher based on the transmitted information. The predetermined operation may be, for example, an operation to purchase a voucher, or an operation to enter the user's information (such as name and address). 【0073】 In the process described above, the file (grant list) containing information such as phone numbers, voucher grant amounts, and designated grant dates may be sent in multiple installments. For example, if a contract is signed for a single initiative with a budget limit of 10 million yen, multiple files (grant lists) may be accepted up to the budget limit, and the files may be sent in multiple installments. For example, a grant list for 500 people x 10,000 yen may be received on a designated day, and then a list for 1,000 people x 5,000 yen may be received later. Since files can be received in multiple installments in this way, the convenience for the requester is improved. 【0074】 In the example above, it was explained that various information such as the telephone number, the amount of the voucher to be issued, and the designated date of issuance are provided to the payment server 100 using the reception screen provided to the merchant interface 72. However, instead of this (or in addition to this), various information may be provided to the payment server 100 by other means, such as email, from the requester's terminal device. In this case, the various information may be provided directly to the payment server 100, or it may be provided to the terminal device of the person in charge of the electronic payment service and then provided to the payment server 100 from the person in charge's terminal device. Alternatively, the various information may be provided by the person in charge by inputting it into the payment server 100 in a prescribed manner. Through these various processes, the payment server 100 can obtain the file information. This process is an example of the process of "obtaining a list of information related to the voucher and user identification information for identifying the user managed by the electronic payment service, which has been sent from the requester's terminal device." 【0075】 In the above process, similar to method 1, the payment server 100 may provide the requester's merchant interface 72 with information such as the status of voucher issuance and the status of voucher usage. The payment server 100 may provide the merchant interface 72 with either or both of the following: information indicating the status of voucher issuance to users, and information indicating the status of voucher usage by users to whom vouchers have been issued. 【0076】 As described above, the payment server 100 can work with the requester to grant vouchers to users specified by the requester. The requester can easily grant vouchers to desired users without having to maintain their own system. 【0077】 When granting the voucher in S208 described above, the voucher may be granted in accordance with the user's performance of a predetermined process. For example, if a user responds to a questionnaire provided by the payment server 100 or another device, the voucher may be granted to the user when information indicating that this response has been provided is available. In this way, the voucher may be granted to the user on the condition that a predetermined process has been performed, allowing the user to acquire the voucher. In addition, instead of (or in addition to) a questionnaire, the voucher may be granted to the user by a method convenient to the requester, such as user application, lottery, or distribution. 【0078】 The above-mentioned functions, such as surveys, user applications, lotteries, and distribution, may be provided by the electronic payment service. For example, when a requester operates the merchant interface 72 to select to use a predetermined function or to perform an operation that uses a predetermined function, the payment server 100 executes the processing corresponding to the above function. For example, if a survey is the predetermined function, the payment server 100 sends an email to the email address specified by the operation of the merchant interface 72. When a response is received from a user, a voucher may be issued to the user's identification information provided along with the response. In addition to surveys, the payment server 100 may also accept user applications or conduct a lottery from among eligible users and issue vouchers to the winners. 【0079】 [Selection of method] The client can choose to adopt either Method 1 or Method 2 described above. Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the process of selecting a method. For example, when the client accesses the payment server 100 by performing a predetermined operation on the merchant interface 72, the payment server 100 provides an interface screen IF to the merchant interface 72. This interface screen IF is, for example, a screen for selecting whether to use Method 1 or Method 2. When the client selects the desired method on this interface screen IF, the information of the selection result is sent to the payment server 100. Furthermore, the client inputs information corresponding to the selected method (such as the number of codes or a telephone number) on the interface screen provided by the payment server 100. Based on the input information, the payment server 100 issues codes or grants vouchers to users corresponding to telephone numbers so that users can obtain vouchers using the selected method. 【0080】 As described above, clients can choose the method that is most suitable for them and issue vouchers to users, thus improving client convenience. 【0081】 [flowchart] The payment server 100 may determine whether the conditions specified by the requester are met when granting a voucher, and grant the voucher to the user if the conditions are met. These conditions may include, for example, whether the user information provided by the requester matches the user information managed by the electronic payment service, or whether the user information managed by the electronic payment service (e.g., address, age, gender, etc.) meets the conditions specified by the requester. 【0082】 The payment server 100 determines whether the user meets the conditions specified by the requester (or predetermined conditions) and the user information managed by the electronic payment service. If the user meets the conditions, the payment server 100 grants a voucher; otherwise, it does not grant a voucher. If the user does not meet the conditions, the payment server 100 notifies the user terminal device 10 of a request to update the user information managed by the electronic payment service, for example. If the user does not meet the conditions, the payment server 100 notifies the requester's merchant interface 72 of either the fact that the conditions were not met or the reason why the conditions were not met, or both. 【0083】 Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the payment server 100 when a voucher is issued. This processing is performed at the timing of processes such as S116 and S208 in the sequence diagram mentioned above, or at an earlier timing. 【0084】 First, the payment server 100 determines whether the user meets the conditions specified by the requester (S300). If the conditions are met, the processing of one routine in this flowchart is completed. In this case, the payment server 100 grants the user a voucher. 【0085】 If the conditions are not met, the payment server 100 prompts the user to update the user information registered with the electronic payment service (S302). Once the information is updated and the conditions are met, the processing of one routine in this flowchart is completed. In this case, the payment server 100 grants the user a voucher. If the information is updated but the conditions are not met, or if the information is not updated and the conditions are not met, the payment server 100 notifies the requester (e.g., local government) of the information indicating that the conditions are not met and the reason why the conditions were not met. For example, the notification is made via the merchant interface 72. In this case, the requester can refer to the information notified via the merchant interface 72, conduct its own review, and if it determines that it can grant a voucher to a user who does not meet the conditions, it can instruct the payment server 100 to grant a voucher to the user who does not meet the conditions by operating the merchant interface 72. This completes the processing of one routine in this flowchart. 【0086】 As described above, the payment server 100 uses the information managed by the electronic payment service to verify whether the conditions requested by the client are met. This allows the payment server 100 to improve the convenience for the client. 【0087】 According to the embodiments described above, the payment server 100 obtains a list of information regarding vouchers and user identification information for identifying users managed by the electronic payment service, transmitted from the client's terminal device, and assigns vouchers corresponding to the voucher information in the list to the user identification information included in the list, thereby providing a highly convenient service for users regarding electronic voucher services. For example, the payment server 100, In response to a request from the client's terminal device, a reception screen may be provided that accepts a list of information regarding vouchers and user identification information for identifying users managed by the electronic payment service. The list received via the reception screen may be retrieved, and vouchers corresponding to the voucher information in the list may be assigned to the user identification information included in the list. This makes it possible to provide a highly convenient service for users regarding electronic voucher services. 【0088】 According to the other embodiments described above, the payment server 100 receives information about the voucher and a request for the issuance of an award code transmitted from the client's terminal device, and provides the client's terminal device with a list of the number of award codes included in the information about the voucher. When the payment server 100 receives user identification information, which is the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, the award code, and a request to obtain a voucher corresponding to the award code from the user's terminal device, it associates the voucher with the user's identification information and awards the voucher to the user, thereby providing a highly convenient service for the user regarding the electronic voucher service. For example, the payment server 100 may provide a reception screen that accepts requests for voucher information and the issuance of grant codes in response to a request from the client's terminal device, acquire the voucher information and requests received through the reception screen, provide the client's terminal device with a list of the number of grant codes included in the voucher information, and, when it receives user identification information, which is the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, grant codes, and a request to acquire a voucher corresponding to the grant codes from the user's terminal device, it may grant the voucher to the user by associating the voucher with the user's identification information. This makes it possible to provide a highly convenient service for users regarding electronic voucher services. 【0089】 Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0090】 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 100 Payment Servers 120 Content Provision Department 130 Payment Processing Unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Information Processing Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] An acquisition unit that acquires information about the voucher and a request for issuance of an grant code transmitted from the client's terminal device, A providing unit that provides the requester's terminal device with a list of the number of grant codes included in the information regarding the voucher, A processing unit that, upon receiving user identification information, which is user identification information managed by the electronic payment service, the grant code, and a request to obtain a voucher corresponding to the grant code from the user's terminal device, grants the voucher to the user by associating the voucher with the user identification information, An information processing device equipped with the following features. [Claim 2] The aforementioned provision unit provides a reception screen that accepts requests for voucher information and the issuance of grant codes in response to requests from the client's terminal device. The acquisition unit acquires information and requests regarding vouchers received via the reception screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The aforementioned client is a local government. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 4] The aforementioned voucher is a voucher that can be used with electronic payment services. The electronic payment service is available at merchants designated by the client. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 5] The acquisition unit receives registration from the client's terminal device for merchants of the electronic payment service that can use the voucher. The system includes a payment unit that executes an electronic payment using the voucher when the voucher is used at a merchant that accepts the voucher. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 6] The providing unit provides the requester's terminal device with either or both of the following: information indicating the status of the granting of the voucher to the user, and information indicating the usage status of the voucher by the user to whom the voucher was granted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 7] The information regarding the voucher is the amount of the voucher, The processing unit manages the assigned code and the amount of the voucher in association with each other in the electronic payment service. When the grant code is transmitted from the user's terminal device, the voucher is granted by associating the voucher for the grant amount with the user identification information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 8] The processing unit determines whether the user meets the conditions specified by the requester and the user information managed by the electronic payment service, If the above conditions are met, the voucher will be granted. If the above conditions are not met, the voucher will not be issued. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 9] If the above conditions are not met, the processing unit notifies the user's terminal device of a request to update the user's information managed by the electronic payment service. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. [Claim 10] If the above-mentioned processing unit does not meet the above-mentioned conditions, it notifies the client's terminal device of either or both of the following: that the above-mentioned conditions were not met, and the reason why the above-mentioned conditions were not met. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. [Claim 11] A first provisioning unit provides a reception screen that accepts requests for voucher information and the issuance of grant codes in response to requests from the client's terminal device, An acquisition unit that acquires information and requests regarding vouchers received via the aforementioned reception screen, The system includes a second providing unit which provides each of the number of grant codes included in the information regarding the voucher to each of the terminal devices of the corresponding target user, The aforementioned users are those who have passed the screening conducted by the aforementioned requester, The system includes a processing unit that, upon receiving user identification information, which is user identification information managed by the electronic payment service, the grant code, and a request to obtain a voucher corresponding to the grant code from the user's terminal device, grants the voucher to the user by associating the voucher with the user identification information. Information processing system. [Claim 12] Computers We obtain information about the voucher and the request for issuance of the grant code, which has been sent from the client's terminal device. A list of the number of assigned codes included in the information regarding the voucher is provided to the client's terminal device. When a request for the acquisition of a voucher corresponding to the assigned code is received from the user's terminal device, the voucher is granted to the user by associating the voucher with the user's identification information. Information processing methods. [Claim 13] On the computer, The process involves obtaining information about the voucher and a request for the issuance of an grant code, which has been sent from the client's terminal device. The process of providing the requester's terminal device with a list of the number of assigned codes included in the information regarding the voucher, When a request for acquisition of a voucher corresponding to the assigned code is received from the user's terminal device, the user identification information which is the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, the process of associating the voucher with the user identification information and granting the voucher to the user, A program that executes the command.

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