Electronic currency system, electronic currency value determination device, method, and program

Abstract

The present disclosure enables a user to utilize electronic currency while avoiding congestion. A congestion degree measurement unit (111) measures the degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to a user can be used. A value determination unit (112) determines the utility value of the electronic currency in the area on the basis of the degree of congestion measured by the congestion degree measurement unit (111).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic currency system, an electronic currency value determination apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable medium. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known electronic currency systems that allow electronic settlement. In electronic currency systems, electronic currency is given as points that can be converted into monetary value, for example. There are also efforts to use electronic currency (local currency) that can be used within a limited area to revitalize the area.

[0003] As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic money server. The electronic money server transfers electronic money (value) from a sender's account to a recipient's account. When transferring electronic value, the electronic money server associates an electronic ticket, for which a third party has specified application conditions, with the recipient's user. The electronic ticket is an electronic gift, and the application conditions include the area in which it can be used, the period in which it can be used, and the time period in which it can be used. When a user of the recipient's account uses electronic value and the application conditions are met, the electronic money server executes a process to have the third party pay at least a portion of the usage amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 103046 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the remittance destination user can use the electronic gift (value) within the scope of applicable conditions specified by a third party. For example, in the case of a restaurant, an applicable condition may be set such that the electronic gift can only be used during times other than the lunch hour. In such a case, a user who wants to use the electronic gift will visit the restaurant during a time other than the busy lunch hour. Therefore, an electronic gift with such applicable conditions set can contribute to the efficient management of a restaurant.

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, the actual congestion situation of the store is not taken into consideration. In Patent Document 1, if it is within the available time period specified as the application condition, the user can use the electronic gift even if the store is actually crowded, and the congestion situation may not be alleviated.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic currency system, an electronic currency value determination device, a method, and a computer-readable medium that enable mitigation of congestion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides, as a first aspect, an electronic currency value determination device, which comprises: congestion degree measurement means for measuring the congestion degree in each of a plurality of areas where electronic currency issued to a user can be used; and value determination means for determining the utility value of the electronic currency in the areas based on the congestion degree measured by the congestion degree measurement means.

[0009] The present disclosure provides, as a second aspect, an electronic currency system. The electronic currency system includes an electronic currency value determination device and a payment server. The electronic currency value determination device includes congestion measurement means for measuring the degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to a user can be used, and value determination means for determining the utility value of the electronic currency in the area based on the congestion degree measured by the congestion measurement means. The payment server allows the user to use the electronic currency at the utility value determined by the electronic currency value determination device.

[0010] The present disclosure provides, as a third aspect, a method for determining the value of electronic currency, the method including measuring a degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to a user can be used, and determining a usage value of the electronic currency in each of the areas based on the measured degree of congestion.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of measuring a degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to a user can be used, and determining a utility value of the electronic currency in each of the areas based on the measured degree of congestion. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The electronic currency system, electronic currency value determination device, method, and computer-readable medium disclosed herein allow users to utilize electronic currency without crowding. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic currency system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] A diagram showing the regions where electronic currency is available. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the electronic currency value determination device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electronic currency value determination device used in the electronic currency system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing specific examples of characteristic information stored in a characteristic information storage unit; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows an electronic currency system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic currency system 100 has an electronic currency value determination device 110 and a payment server 120. The electronic currency value determination device 110 has a congestion degree measurement unit (congestion degree measurement means) 111 and a value determination unit (value determination means) 112. The electronic currency value determination device 110 is configured as, for example, a computer device (server device) having a processor and a memory. At least a part of the function of each unit of the electronic currency value determination device 110 can be realized by the processor operating in accordance with a program read from the memory.

[0015] In this embodiment, the user is issued with electronic currency. The electronic currency may be a local currency that can be used in a specific region. The electronic currency is issued in the form of points that can be converted into monetary value, for example.

[0016] The congestion degree measuring unit 111 measures the congestion degree in each of a plurality of areas (sub-areas) included in the above-mentioned predetermined region. The congestion degree measuring unit 111 may count signals such as beacons transmitted from a terminal device carried by a user in each of the plurality of areas and measure the congestion degree of each area. Alternatively, the congestion degree measuring unit 111 may perform video analysis on images from a camera installed in each area and measure the congestion degree of each area. The congestion degree measuring method is arbitrary and is not particularly limited. For example, the congestion degree measuring unit 111 periodically measures the congestion degree and periodically updates the congestion degree of each area.

[0017] The value determination unit 112 determines the utility value of the electronic currency in each area based on the congestion level measured by the congestion level measurement unit 111. For example, the value determination unit 112 determines the currency conversion rate per unit point of the electronic currency issued as points as the utility value of the electronic currency. For example, the value determination unit 112 classifies the congestion level of each area into a plurality of levels. For example, the value determination unit 112 classifies the congestion level of each area into three levels: "high" congestion level, "medium" congestion level, and "low" congestion level. The value determination unit 112 may determine the utility value of the electronic currency according to the classified congestion level.

[0018] The value determination unit 112, for example, determines whether the congestion level is higher than a first threshold. If the congestion level of an area is higher than the first threshold, the value determination unit 112 classifies the congestion level of the area as "high". For example, the value determination unit 112 determines whether the congestion level is lower than a second threshold. The second threshold indicates a congestion level lower than the first threshold. If the congestion level of an area is lower than the second threshold, the value determination unit 112 classifies the congestion level of the area as "low". If the congestion level of an area is equal to or lower than the first threshold and equal to or higher than the second threshold, the value determination unit 112 classifies the congestion level of the area as "medium".

[0019] When electronic currency is used in a highly congested area, the value determination unit 112 may lower the monetary value per point compared to when the electronic currency is not congested. The value determination unit 112 lowers the currency conversion rate of electronic currency in an area classified as "highly" congested compared to the currency conversion rate in an area classified as "medium" congested. In that case, the utility value of electronic currency in a congested area is lower than its utility value in a non-congested area.

[0020] Reducing the value of electronic currency includes making it impossible to use electronic currency. When the congestion level is classified as "high", the value determination unit 112 may set the currency conversion rate of electronic currency in the area to zero. In that case, users cannot use electronic currency in the congested area. As a result, it is expected that users will move from a highly congested area to a less congested area to use electronic currency.

[0021] Conversely, when electronic currency is used in an area with a low level of congestion, the value determination unit 112 may increase the monetary value per point compared to when the congestion level is medium. The value determination unit 112 increases the currency conversion rate of electronic currency in an area classified as "low" congestion compared to the currency conversion rate in an area classified as "medium" congestion. In that case, the utility value of electronic currency in an area with few people is higher than the utility value in an area classified as "medium" congestion. As a result, it can be expected that users will move to less crowded areas to use electronic currency.

[0022] The settlement server 120 allows the user to use the electronic currency at the usage value determined by the electronic currency value determination device 110. The settlement server 120 allows the user to use the electronic currency at the usage value of the electronic currency determined for each area according to the degree of congestion. The settlement server 120, for example, manages the points of the electronic currency of each user, and works in conjunction with a POS (Point of Sale System) terminal installed in the store to allow the user to use the electronic currency at the usage value of the electronic currency determined.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows areas where electronic currency can be used. Here, an area including areas A1-A12 is considered as an area where users can use electronic currency. The congestion level measurement unit 111 measures the congestion level for each of areas A1-A12. In FIG. 2, areas A1, A2, and A11 are considered to be areas classified as having a "high" congestion level. Areas A9 and 10 are considered to be areas classified as having a "low" congestion level. Areas A3-A8, and A12 are considered to be areas classified as having a "medium" congestion level.

[0024] The value determination unit 112 reduces the use value of the electronic currency in areas A1, A2, and A11 classified as being "high" crowded, compared to the use value in normal times. The value determination unit 112 does not change the use value of the electronic currency from the use value in normal times in areas A3-A8, A11, and A12 classified as being "medium" crowded. The value determination unit 112 increases the use value of the electronic currency in areas A91 and A10 classified as being "low" crowded, compared to the use value in normal times. The value determination unit 112 may transmit the determined use value of the electronic currency in each area to a terminal device carried by the user. Alternatively, the value determination unit 112 may publish the determined use value of the electronic currency in each area on a web page or the like.

[0025] For example, a user in area A1 can only use electronic currency at a lower utility value than normal utility value in area A1, or cannot use electronic currency at all. In this case, the user voluntarily moves from area A1 to another area, such as area A5, where electronic currency can be used at normal utility value. In area A5, the user can use electronic currency at normal utility value. If the user moves to area A9, which is classified as having a "low" congestion level, the user can use electronic currency at a higher utility value than normal utility value. If the congestion level of area A1 decreases and the congestion level of area A1 becomes "medium," the user can use electronic currency in area A1 at normal utility value.

[0026] Next, the operation procedure will be described. Fig. 3 shows the operation procedure (electronic currency value determination method) in the electronic currency value determination device 110. The congestion measurement unit 111 measures the congestion level in each area (step A1). The congestion measurement unit 111 measures, for example, the number of people per unit area for each area as an index of congestion level. The value determination unit 112 determines the utility value of the electronic currency in each area based on the measured congestion level (step A2). For example, the value determination unit 112 reduces the utility value of the electronic currency in a congested area to be lower than the utility value of the electronic currency in a non-congested area.

[0027] In this embodiment, the value determination unit 112 determines the utility value of the electronic currency value according to the congestion level measured by the congestion level measurement unit 111. In other words, the electronic currency value determination device 110 determines the utility value of the electronic currency in each area in conjunction with the congestion level of each area. In this manner, this embodiment can guide the user from an area where the utility value of the electronic currency is low to an area where the utility value of the electronic currency is not low. Therefore, this embodiment enables the user to use the electronic currency while avoiding congestion.

[0028] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 4 shows an electronic currency value determination device used in an electronic currency system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the electronic currency value determination device 110a has a facility characteristic acquisition unit 113 in addition to the components of the electronic currency value determination device 110 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

[0029] The facility characteristic acquisition unit 113 acquires characteristic information of facilities existing in each area from the characteristic information storage unit 115. In this embodiment, a store existing in each area will be described as an example of a facility. The characteristic information storage unit 115 stores characteristic information of each store. The characteristic information includes at least one of information indicating whether the store is an outdoor store, information indicating whether the store is a store that provides food and drink, and information indicating whether the store is a store where customers talk to each other. The characteristic information may include information indicating whether the store is a store where infection control measures are taken. The characteristic information may include information indicating the level of infection control measures taken at the store. The characteristic information may include information indicating the type of business. The characteristic information may include information indicating whether the store is a specific store certified by a local government or a specific organization in an area where electronic currency is used.

[0030] In this embodiment, the value determination unit 112 determines the utility value of the electronic currency using the congestion degree measured by the congestion degree measurement unit 111 as well as the characteristic information acquired by the facility characteristic acquisition unit 113. The value determination unit 112 may vary the first threshold value used in classifying the congestion degree between multiple stores in an area, for example, depending on the characteristics of the stores existing in the area. The value determination unit 112 may determine the first threshold value for each store, for example, based on at least one of whether the store is an outdoor store, whether the store includes eating and drinking, and whether the store is a store where customers talk to each other. The value determination unit 112 may determine the first threshold value depending on whether the store is a store that takes measures against infectious diseases and / or the level of infectious disease measures at the store.

[0031] In the above case, by changing the first threshold value, a store with one characteristic may be classified as "high" crowded, while a store with another characteristic may be classified as "medium" crowded, for the same crowded level. The value determination unit 112 can change the utility value of the electronic currency in an area with a certain crowded level according to the characteristics of the store by changing the first threshold value used as the criterion for classifying the crowded level as "high" according to the characteristics of the store. If the store is a specific store certified by a local government or the like, the value determination unit 112 may not reduce the utility value of the electronic currency even if the crowded level is high. The value determination unit 112 may change the second threshold value used as the criterion for classifying the crowded level as "low" according to the characteristics of the store.

[0032] 5 shows a specific example of characteristic information stored in the characteristic information storage unit 115. In this example, the characteristic information includes, for each store, the outdoor / indoor type, whether or not eating and drinking is available, whether or not customers talk to each other, whether or not infection control measures are in place, and whether or not the store is recognized as a specific store. The value determination unit 112 may determine the first threshold value according to a combination of each item in the characteristic information.

[0033] For example, for a store where congestion is tolerable to a certain degree due to the characteristics of the store, the value determination unit 112 determines the first threshold value to be a relatively low value. For example, the value determination unit 112 determines the first threshold value to be a relatively low value for indoor stores, stores where eating and drinking are not provided, stores where customers talk to each other, and stores where infection control measures are not taken. On the other hand, the value determination unit 112 determines the first threshold value to be a relatively large value for outdoor stores, stores where eating and drinking are not provided, stores where customers do not talk to each other, and stores where infection control measures are taken.

[0034] For example, in the example of FIG. 5, store A and store B have the characteristics of being indoors, involving eating and drinking, and having customers talk to each other. Store A also has the characteristics of not taking measures against infectious diseases, and store B has the characteristics of taking measures against infectious diseases. In this case, the value determination unit 112 determines the first threshold value for classifying the crowdedness of store A to be a lower value than the first threshold value for classifying the crowdedness of store B. In this case, even if the crowdedness of store A and the crowdedness of store B are the same, the crowdedness of store A may be classified as "high" and the crowdedness of store B may be classified as "medium". In this case, the value determination unit 112 can reduce the utility value of the electronic currency for store A and set the utility value of the electronic currency for store B to the normal utility value.

[0035] In this embodiment, the value determination unit 112 determines the utility value of the electronic currency value using the characteristic information acquired by the facility characteristic acquisition unit 113. In this embodiment, the utility value of the electronic currency can be determined taking into account not only the degree of congestion but also the characteristics of the store. For example, the value determination unit 112 changes the first threshold value according to the characteristics of the store, thereby classifying the degree of congestion of outdoor stores in a certain area as "medium" and the degree of congestion of indoor stores as "high." In that case, the utility value of the electronic currency for indoor stores in that area decreases. In this embodiment, by changing the utility value of the electronic currency according to the characteristics of the store, it is possible to guide users to, for example, outdoor stores or stores that have taken measures against infectious diseases.

[0036] In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the value determination unit 112 determines the utility value of the electronic currency according to the congestion level and the characteristic information. In each of the above embodiments, the value determination unit 112 may determine the utility value of the electronic currency according to the attributes of the person who uses the electronic currency. For example, the attributes of the person include residents living in the area where the electronic currency can be used, tourists, gender, and age group. For example, the value determination unit 112 may not reduce the utility value for residents living in the area even if the congestion level is high, and may reduce the utility value for tourists. Alternatively, the value determination unit 112 may not reduce the utility value for people in an older age group (elderly people) even if the congestion level is high, and may reduce the utility value for younger people.

[0037] In the above embodiments, the facility where electronic currency can be used is a store, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure is not limited to stores and can be applied to other facilities where electronic currency can be used. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to the use of facilities such as parks, art galleries, and museums where entry is possible using electronic currency. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be applied to facilities such as movie theaters and sports gyms where electronic currency can be used. Even in this case, the value determination unit 112 may determine the threshold value (first threshold value and / or second threshold value) used when classifying the congestion degree according to the characteristics of the facility.

[0038] In the present disclosure, the electronic currency value determination device 110 may be configured as a computer device (server device). Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a computer device that may be used as the electronic currency value determination device 110. The computer device 500 has a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 510, a storage unit 520, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 530, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 540, a communication interface (IF: Interface) 550, and a user interface 560.

[0039] The communication interface 550 is an interface for connecting the computer device 500 to a communication network via a wired communication means or a wireless communication means, etc. The user interface 560 includes a display unit such as a display, and an input unit such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0040] The storage unit 520 is an auxiliary storage device that can hold various data. The storage unit 520 does not necessarily need to be a part of the computer device 500, and may be an external storage device or a cloud storage connected to the computer device 500 via a network.

[0041] The ROM 530 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, a semiconductor storage device with a relatively small capacity, such as a flash memory, is used for the ROM 530. The programs executed by the CPU 510 may be stored in the storage unit 520 or the ROM 530. The storage unit 520 or the ROM 530 stores various programs for realizing the functions of each unit in the electronic currency value determination device 110.

[0042] The above program can be stored and provided to the computer device 500 using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. The non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disk media, and semiconductor memories. The magnetic recording media include recording media such as flexible disks, magnetic tapes, or hard disks. The magneto-optical recording media include recording media such as magneto-optical disks. The optical disk media include disk media such as compact discs (CDs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs). The semiconductor memory includes memories such as mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, or RAMs. The program may also be provided to the computer using various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of the temporary computer-readable media include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable media can provide the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0043] The RAM 540 is a volatile storage device. Various semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) are used for the RAM 540. The RAM 540 can be used as an internal buffer for temporarily storing data, etc. The CPU 510 loads a program stored in the storage unit 520 or the ROM 530 into the RAM 540 and executes it. The CPU 510 executes a program, and thereby the functions of each unit in the electronic currency value determination device 110 can be realized. The CPU 510 may have an internal buffer for temporarily storing data, etc.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments that do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure.

[0045] For example, some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0046] [Appendix 1] a congestion level measuring means for measuring a congestion level in each of a plurality of areas where the electronic currency issued to the user can be used; and a value determination means for determining a utilization value of the electronic currency within the area based on the degree of congestion measured by the congestion degree measurement means.

[0047] [Appendix 2] The electronic currency is issued as points that can be converted into currency, 2. The electronic currency value determination device according to claim 1, wherein the value determination means determines a currency conversion rate per unit point as the utility value of the electronic currency.

[0048] [Appendix 3] The electronic currency value determination device described in Appendix 2, wherein the value determination means reduces the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is higher than a first threshold value compared to the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is lower than the first threshold value.

[0049] [Appendix 4] 4. The electronic currency value determination device according to claim 3, wherein the value determination means sets the currency conversion rate to zero if the congestion level is higher than the first threshold value.

[0050] [Appendix 5] 5. The electronic currency value determination device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the value determination means varies the first threshold value among a plurality of facilities in the area depending on characteristics of the facilities present in the area.

[0051] [Appendix 6] An electronic currency value determination device as described in any one of Appendices 3 to 5, wherein the value determination means changes the first threshold value among multiple facilities within the area depending on at least one of whether the facilities within the area are outdoor facilities, whether they are facilities that provide food and drink, and whether they are facilities where customers talk to each other.

[0052] [Appendix 7] An electronic currency value determination device as described in any one of Appendices 3 to 6, wherein the value determination means changes the first threshold value among multiple facilities within the area depending on whether the facilities within the area are facilities that have taken infection control measures and / or depending on the level of infection control measures taken at the facilities within the area.

[0053] [Appendix 8] The electronic currency value determination device of any one of appendices 2 to 7, wherein the value determination means increases the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is lower than a second threshold value compared to the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is higher than a second threshold value.

[0054] [Appendix 9] The electronic currency value determination device of any one of Appendices 1 to 8, wherein the value determination means further determines the usage value of the electronic currency at a specific facility depending on whether the facility is a specific facility certified in the region.

[0055] [Appendix 10] 10. The electronic currency value determination device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9, wherein the value determination means further determines the utility value of the electronic currency within the area depending on the attributes of a person using the electronic currency.

[0056] [Appendix 11] an electronic currency value determination device having a congestion degree measurement means for measuring a congestion degree in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to a user can be used, and a value determination means for determining a usage value of the electronic currency in the area based on the congestion degree measured by the congestion degree measurement means; and a settlement server that allows the user to use the electronic currency at the utility value determined by the electronic currency value determination device.

[0057] [Appendix 12] The electronic currency is issued as points that can be converted into currency, 12. The electronic currency system according to claim 11, wherein the value determination means determines the currency conversion rate per unit point as the utility value of the electronic currency.

[0058] [Appendix 13] The electronic currency system of claim 12, wherein the value determination means reduces the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is higher than a first threshold value compared to the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is lower than a first threshold value.

[0059] [Appendix 14] Measure the degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas where the electronic currency issued to the user can be used; An electronic currency value determination method for determining a usage value of the electronic currency within the area based on the measured congestion degree.

[0060] [Appendix 15] Measure the degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas where the electronic currency issued to the user can be used; A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process for determining the utility value of the electronic currency within the area based on the measured congestion level. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100: Electronic Currency System 111: Crowd measurement unit 112: Value Determination Department 113: Facility Characteristics Acquisition Department 115:Characteristics information storage unit 120: Payment server 500: Computer equipment 510:CPU 520: Storage section 530:ROM 540:RAM 550: Communication interface 560: User Interface

Claims

1. a congestion level measuring means for measuring a congestion level in each of a plurality of areas where the electronic currency issued to the user can be used; a value determination means for determining a utilization value of the electronic currency within the area based on the congestion degree measured by the congestion degree measurement means, The electronic currency is issued as points that can be converted into currency, The value determination means is determining a currency conversion rate per unit point as a utility value of the electronic currency; When the congestion level is higher than a first threshold, the currency exchange rate is reduced below a currency exchange rate when the congestion level is lower than the first threshold; An electronic currency value determination device that varies the first threshold value among a plurality of facilities in the area depending on characteristics of the facilities present in the area.

2. The electronic currency value determination device of claim 1, wherein the value determination means changes the first threshold value between multiple facilities within the area depending on at least one of whether the facilities within the area are outdoor facilities, whether they are facilities that provide food and drink, and whether they are facilities where customers talk to each other.

3. The electronic currency value determination device described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the value determination means changes the first threshold value between multiple facilities within the area depending on whether the facilities within the area are facilities that have taken infection control measures and / or depending on the level of infection control measures taken at the facilities within the area.

4. 4. An electronic currency value determination device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the value determination means increases the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is lower than a second threshold value compared to the currency conversion rate when the congestion level is higher than the second threshold value.

5. an electronic currency value determination device having a congestion degree measurement means for measuring a congestion degree in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to a user can be used, and a value determination means for determining a usage value of the electronic currency in the area based on the congestion degree measured by the congestion degree measurement means; a settlement server that allows the user to use the electronic currency at the utility value determined by the electronic currency value determination device; The electronic currency is issued as points that can be converted into currency, The value determination means is determining a currency conversion rate per unit point as a utility value of the electronic currency; When the congestion level is higher than a first threshold, the currency exchange rate is reduced below a currency exchange rate when the congestion level is lower than the first threshold; An electronic currency system that varies the first threshold between a plurality of facilities within the area depending on characteristics of the facilities present within the area.

6. A computer measures the degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to users as points that can be converted into currency can be used; The computer determines a currency conversion rate per unit point as a utilization value of the electronic currency in the area based on the measured congestion degree, When the congestion level is higher than a first threshold, the computer reduces the currency exchange rate below a currency exchange rate when the congestion level is lower than the first threshold; The method of claim 1, wherein the computer varies the first threshold value among a plurality of facilities in the area depending on characteristics of the facilities present in the area.

7. Measure the degree of congestion in each of a plurality of areas in which electronic currency issued to users as points that can be converted into currency can be used; determining a currency conversion rate per unit point as a utilization value of the electronic currency within the area based on the measured congestion degree; When the congestion level is higher than a first threshold, the currency exchange rate is reduced below a currency exchange rate when the congestion level is lower than the first threshold; A program for causing a computer to execute a process of varying the first threshold value among a plurality of facilities within the area in accordance with characteristics of the facilities within the area.

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