Server device and program

Abstract

To provide a server device and a program that can provide information according to a user without installing an application dedicated to the user's portable terminal.SOLUTION: A server device comprises: first receiving means; storage control means; estimation means; and transmission means. The first receiving means receives settlement identification information for identifying a settlement method and portable identification information for identifying a portable terminal. The storage control means stores, in a storage unit, settlement recording information in which the settlement identification information and a plurality of pieces of portable identification information are associated with each other. The estimation means estimates the probability that the settlement method is used for every portable terminal based on the plurality of pieces of settlement recording information stored in the storage unit. The transmission means transmits a result of estimation made by the estimation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a server device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets, users are required to install dedicated applications on their mobile terminals, thereby allowing the mobile terminals to display information tailored to the users.

[0003] However, users who are highly conscious about protecting their personal information are reluctant to install dedicated applications on their mobile terminals, making it difficult for retailers and the like to provide information tailored to the users. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a server device and a program capable of providing information suited to a user without installing a dedicated application on the user's mobile terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The server device of the embodiment includes a first receiving means, a storage control means, A second receiving means; The payment method and the payment record information storing means stores, in a storage unit, payment record information that associates the payment identification information with a plurality of pieces of the mobile identification information. The second receiving means receives an estimation request from a first device that requests an estimation of a payment method of a customer who has the mobile terminal identified by the mobile identification information, the first device displaying a guidance screen that guides the customer to a location where a payment terminal corresponding to the payment method is located. The estimation means, based on the plurality of pieces of payment record information stored in the storage unit, The second receiving means receives the estimation request. The mobile terminal A payment method used by said customer having The transmission means transmits the result of the estimation by the estimation means. The first device Send. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a notification system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a signage terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the payment terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of each device in the notification system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the guide screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the proposal screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recording process executed by the payment terminal of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the estimation process executed by the management server of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the server device and the program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of the server device and the program, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, etc. thereof.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a notification system 1 according to the present embodiment. The notification system 1 is a system that notifies customers of payment methods that are likely to be used by customers at a retail store or the like. The notification system 1 includes a management server 10, a registration device 20, a signage terminal 30, and a payment terminal 40. The management server 10 is placed in a management area where an administrator of the notification system 1 is stationed. The registration device 20, the signage terminal 30, and the payment terminal 40 are placed at the retail store. At the retail store, a payment terminal 40 is provided for each payment method. The payment methods include cash, credit card, contactless payment, and the like.

[0009] Furthermore, the management server 10, the registration device 20, the signage terminal 30, and the payment terminal 40 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. The configuration of the notification system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the notification system 1 may include any number of each device. The signage terminal 30 and the payment terminal 40 can be connected to a customer's mobile terminal 50 by short-range wireless communication.

[0010] The mobile terminal 50 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The mobile terminal 50 transmits mobile identification information for identifying the mobile terminal 50 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The mobile identification information of the mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a public address of a Bluetooth (registered trademark) device address or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) MAC (Media Access Control) address. For example, the mobile terminal 50 transmits a beacon having the mobile identification information.

[0011] The registration device 20 is a device that executes a product registration process to register products to be sold. For example, the registration device 20 is a device such as a POS (Point of Sales) terminal. The registration device 20 transmits product registration information indicating the products registered by the product registration process.

[0012] The signage terminal 30 is a display device that displays various information to customers. The signage terminal 30 is also an example of a first device. When the mobile terminal 50 enters a reading range in which communication is possible by short-distance wireless communication, the signage terminal 30 receives mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50. For example, the reading range is a range of 5 meters from the signage terminal 30. The reading range may be changed arbitrarily.

[0013] The signage terminal 30 identifies the customer viewing the signage terminal 30 based on the mobile identification information. Here, in the store shown in Fig. 1, a payment terminal 40 is provided for each payment method. Therefore, the signage terminal 30 displays a screen that guides the customer to the payment terminal 40 corresponding to the payment method that is estimated to be used by the customer.

[0014] The payment terminal 40 is an accounting device that executes accounting processing to pay for the product identified by the product registration processing. The payment terminal 40 is also an example of a second device. That is, the payment terminal 40 executes accounting processing based on the product registration information. For example, the payment terminal 40 is a device such as a POS terminal. The payment terminal 40 receives mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50 when the mobile terminal 50 enters a reading range in which communication is possible by short-range wireless communication. For example, the reading range is a range of 5 meters from the payment terminal 40, similar to the signage terminal 30. However, the reading ranges of the payment terminal 40 and the signage terminal 30 may be different in size from each other. The reading range may also be changed arbitrarily.

[0015] The payment terminal 40 identifies the customer who is using the payment terminal 40 based on the mobile identification information. The payment terminal 40 also displays the payment methods that are assumed to be used by the customer. Then, the customer selects the payment method.

[0016] When a payment for a product is made using a payment method, the payment terminal 40 transmits payment identification information for identifying the payment method and mobile identification information to the management server 10. Here, when there are multiple customers around the payment terminal 40 at the time of payment, that is, when multiple mobile terminals 50 are present within the reading range of the payment terminal 40, the payment terminal 40 receives mobile identification information from each of the multiple mobile terminals 50. In this case, the payment terminal 40 transmits the payment identification information and the multiple mobile identification information to the management server 10. In other words, when a payment is made, the payment terminal 40 transmits the mobile identification information of the mobile terminal 50 held by the customer who was within the reading range of the payment terminal 40 and the payment identification information indicating the payment method.

[0017] The management server 10 is a server device such as a personal computer or cloud computing. The management server 10 is not limited to a single server device, and may be configured with multiple server devices. When the management server 10 receives the payment identification information and one or more pieces of mobile identification information from the payment terminal 40, the management server 10 stores the payment identification information and the one or more pieces of mobile identification information in association with each other.

[0018] Furthermore, when management server 10 receives an estimation request requesting estimation of a payment method of a customer who has mobile terminal 50 identified by the mobile identification information, management server 10 estimates the customer's payment method. Then, management server 10 transmits the estimation result to signage terminal 30 and payment terminal 40. As a result, signage terminal 30 and payment terminal 40 display the payment method estimated to be used by the customer.

[0019] Next, the hardware configuration of each device included in the notification system 1 will be described.

[0020] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the management server 10. The management server 10 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a communication unit 130, a display unit 140, and an operation unit 150. These units are connected to each other via a system bus 160 such as a data bus or an address bus.

[0021] The control unit 110 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the management server 10 and realizes various functions of the management server 10. The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU controls the overall operation of the management server 10. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 120, etc., using the RAM as a work area.

[0022] The storage unit 120 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 120 stores a control program 121 and a payment record table 122. The payment record table 122 may be stored in another device, not limited to the management server 10.

[0023] The control program 121 is a program for implementing the functions of the operating system and the management server 10. The control program 121 includes a program for implementing the characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

[0024] The payment record table 122 is an information table that registers the payment method of the payment executed by the payment terminal 40 and the mobile terminal 50 that was present around the payment terminal 40 at the time of the payment. More specifically, the payment record table 122 has a plurality of pieces of payment record information in which payment identification information is associated with one or more pieces of mobile identification information.

[0025] The communication unit 130 is an interface that executes communication with an external device. For example, the communication unit 130 executes communication with the signage terminal 30 and the payment terminal 40.

[0026] The display unit 140 is a display device that displays various screens. For example, the display unit 140 is a liquid crystal display.

[0027] The operation unit 150 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse that accepts various operations.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of signage terminal 30. Signage terminal 30 includes control unit 310, storage unit 320, communication unit 330, short-range wireless communication unit 340, display unit 350, and operation unit 360. These units are connected to each other via system bus 370 such as a data bus or address bus.

[0029] Control unit 310 is a computer that controls the overall operation of signage terminal 30 and realizes various functions of signage terminal 30. Control unit 310 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU comprehensively controls the operation of signage terminal 30. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area to execute programs stored in the ROM or storage unit 320, etc.

[0030] Storage unit 320 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. Storage unit 320 stores control program 321. Control program 321 is a program for implementing an operating system and functions of signage terminal 30. Control program 321 includes a program for implementing characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

[0031] The communication unit 330 is an interface that executes communication with an external device. For example, the communication unit 330 executes communication with the management server 10.

[0032] The short-range wireless communication unit 340 communicates with the mobile terminal 50 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). For example, the short-range wireless communication unit 340 receives a beacon having mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50.

[0033] The display unit 350 is a display device that displays various screens. For example, the display unit 350 is a liquid crystal display.

[0034] The operation unit 360 is an input device that accepts various operations. For example, the operation unit 360 is a touch pad or hardware buttons provided on the display unit 350.

[0035] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of payment terminal 40. Payment terminal 40 includes control unit 410, storage unit 420, communication unit 430, short-range wireless communication unit 440, display unit 450, operation unit 460, deposit / withdrawal unit 470, and printing unit 480. These units are connected to each other via system bus 490 such as a data bus or address bus.

[0036] The control unit 410 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the payment terminal 40 and realizes the various functions of the payment terminal 40. The control unit 410 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU controls the overall operation of the payment terminal 40. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 420, etc., using the RAM as a work area.

[0037] The storage unit 420 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 420 stores a control program 421. The control program 421 is a program for implementing an operating system and functions of the payment terminal 40. The control program 421 includes a program for implementing characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

[0038] The communication unit 430 is an interface that communicates with an external device. For example, the communication unit 430 communicates with the management server 10 and the registration device 20.

[0039] The short-range wireless communication unit 440 communicates with the mobile terminal 50 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). For example, the short-range wireless communication unit 440 receives a beacon having mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50.

[0040] The display unit 450 is a display device that displays various screens. For example, the display unit 450 is a liquid crystal display.

[0041] The operation unit 460 is an input device that accepts various operations. For example, the operation unit 460 is a touch pad or hardware buttons provided on the display unit 450.

[0042] The deposit / withdrawal unit 470 is an automatic change machine that deposits and dispenses money in processes such as accounting. The deposit / withdrawal unit 470 stores money, such as coins and bills, deposited through a deposit port in a storage unit. The deposit / withdrawal unit 470 also dispenses money, such as coins and bills, from the storage unit to a withdrawal port as change.

[0043] Printing unit 480 is a printer that prints various information, for example, printing unit 480 prints receipts.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of the functions of each device in the notification system 1. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device in the notification system 1.

[0045] A CPU included in control unit 310 of signage terminal 30 loads control program 321 stored in storage unit 320 into RAM, and generates each functional unit in RAM by operating according to control program 321. Thus, control unit 310 of signage terminal 30 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 3001, a short-range wireless communication control unit 3002, and a display control unit 3003.

[0046] The communication control unit 3001 controls the communication unit 330 to communicate with the management server 10. For example, the communication control unit 3001 transmits an estimation request to the management server 10 to request estimation of a payment method of a customer who has a mobile terminal 50 identified by mobile identification information. The estimation request has mobile identification information to be estimated. In addition, the communication control unit 3001 receives, as a response to the estimation request, estimation result information having an estimation result estimated by the estimation request from the management server 10.

[0047] The short-range wireless communication control unit 3002 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 340 to receive the mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50. More specifically, the short-range wireless communication control unit 3002 receives the mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50 when the mobile terminal 50 enters a reading range in which communication is possible by short-range wireless communication.

[0048] The display control unit 3003 controls the display unit 350 to display various screens. When the short-range wireless communication control unit 3002 receives mobile identification information, the display control unit 3003 causes the communication control unit 3001 to transmit an estimation request having the received mobile identification information. For example, the display control unit 3003 may cause the short-range wireless communication control unit 3002 to transmit an estimation request every time the short-range wireless communication control unit 3002 receives mobile identification information, may cause the estimation request to be transmitted every time a certain time has elapsed, may cause the operation unit 360 to transmit an estimation request when an operation is received, or may cause the estimation request to be transmitted at other timings. In addition, the estimation request may have one mobile identification information or may have multiple mobile identification information. For example, when the display control unit 3003 transmits an estimation request every time the display control unit 3002 receives mobile identification information, the display control unit 3003 transmits an estimation request having one mobile identification information. In addition, when the display control unit 3003 transmits an estimation request every time a certain time has elapsed, the display control unit 3003 transmits an estimation request having multiple mobile identification information.

[0049] When the communication control unit 3001 receives the estimation result information, the display control unit 3003 displays the guide screen 2100 based on the estimation result information. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the guide screen 2100. The guide screen 2100 is a screen that guides to a place where the payment terminal 40 corresponding to the payment method is placed. Here, the estimation result information includes one or more pieces of payment method information indicating a payment method that is estimated to be used. In addition, a probability value of use is set for each of the one or more pieces of payment method information. The display control unit 3003 displays the guide screen 2100 based on the probability value of the one or more pieces of payment method information included in the estimation result information. For example, the display control unit 3003 displays the payment method on the guide screen 2100 by adjusting the size according to the probability value. The guide screen 2100 shown in FIG. 6 shows a state in which the probability value of the payment method A is 50 percent, the probability value of the payment method B is 25 percent, and the probability value of the payment method C is 25 percent. Although the guide screen 2100 shown in FIG. 6 displays three payment methods, the number of payment methods displayed on the guide screen 2100 may be changed arbitrarily.

[0050] The CPU of the control unit 410 of the payment terminal 40 loads the control program 421 stored in the storage unit 420 into the RAM, and generates each functional unit in the RAM by operating according to the control program 421. As a result, the control unit 410 of the payment terminal 40 has, as functional units, a communication control unit 4001, a short-range wireless communication control unit 4002, a display control unit 4003, a payment control unit 4004, and a payment method notification unit 4005.

[0051] The communication control unit 4001 controls the communication unit 430 to communicate with the management server 10. For example, the communication control unit 4001 transmits an estimation request to the management server 10, requesting estimation of a payment method of a customer who has a mobile terminal 50 identified by the mobile identification information. In addition, the communication control unit 4001 receives, as a response to the estimation request, estimation result information having an estimation result estimated by the estimation request from the management server 10.

[0052] Furthermore, when a payment is executed, the communication control unit 4001 transmits to the management server 10 a recording request requesting that payment identification information indicating the payment method of the executed payment and one or more pieces of mobile identification information received at the time of the payment be recorded. Note that the communication control unit 4001 is not limited to a recording request associating the payment identification information with one or more pieces of mobile identification information, and may transmit the payment identification information and the one or more pieces of mobile identification information separately to the management server 10. In this case, by transmitting the time when the payment identification information was acquired and the time when the one or more pieces of mobile identification information was acquired, the management server 10 can associate the payment identification information with the one or more pieces of mobile identification information.

[0053] The short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 440 to receive mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50. More specifically, when the mobile terminal 50 enters a reading range in which communication is possible by short-range wireless communication, the short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 receives the mobile identification information from the mobile terminal 50. In addition, the short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 stores the received mobile identification information in the storage unit 420 or the like.

[0054] The display control unit 4003 controls the display unit 450 to display various screens. When the short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 receives mobile identification information, the display control unit 4003 causes the communication control unit 4001 to transmit an estimation request having the received mobile identification information. For example, the display control unit 4003 may transmit an estimation request every time the short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 receives mobile identification information, may transmit an estimation request when the operation unit 460 accepts an operation, or may transmit an estimation request at other timings.

[0055] When the communication control unit 4001 receives the estimation result information, the display control unit 4003 displays the proposal screen 2200 based on the estimation result information. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the proposal screen 2200. The proposal screen 2200 is a screen that provides a payment method. The display control unit 4003 displays the proposal screen 2200 based on the probability value of one or more payment method information included in the estimation result information. For example, the display control unit 4003 adjusts the size of the payment method in the proposal screen 2200 according to the probability value. The proposal screen 2200 shown in FIG. 7 shows a state in which the probability value of the payment method A is 50 percent, the probability value of the payment method B is 25 percent, and the probability value of the payment method C is 25 percent. Note that, although the proposal screen 2200 shown in FIG. 7 displays three payment methods, the number of payment methods displayed on the proposal screen 2200 may be changed arbitrarily.

[0056] The payment control unit 4004 executes a payment to pay for the product registered in the registration device 20. More specifically, the payment control unit 4004 accepts an operation to acquire product registration information indicating the product registered by the product registration process. For example, the payment control unit 4004 accepts an operation to input identification information indicating the product registration information. In addition, if the payment control unit 4004 has a reading device such as a scanner, it may acquire the product registration information by reading a two-dimensional code. Then, the payment control unit 4004 executes a payment to pay for the product included in the product registration information. For example, the payment control unit 4004 executes a payment by the payment method selected on the proposal screen 2200.

[0057] When the payment control unit 4004 executes a payment, the payment method notification unit 4005 causes the communication control unit 4001 to transmit a recording request. More specifically, when the payment control unit 4004 executes a payment, the payment method notification unit 4005 specifies the mobile identification information received by the short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 at the time of the payment. Here, the time of payment at which the mobile identification information is specified is not limited to the same as the time of the payment, and may be within a predetermined time from the time of the payment. For example, the payment method notification unit 4005 may specify the mobile identification information received within a set time around the time of the payment as the mobile identification information received at the time of the payment. Then, the payment method notification unit 4005 causes the communication control unit 4001 to transmit a recording request having the payment identification information indicating the payment method of the payment executed by the payment control unit 4004 and one or more mobile identification information received by the short-range wireless communication control unit 4002 at the time of the payment.

[0058] The CPU of the control unit 110 of the management server 10 loads the control program 121 stored in the storage unit 120 into the RAM, and generates each functional unit in the RAM by operating according to the control program 121. As a result, the control unit 110 of the management server 10 includes a communication control unit 1001, a storage control unit 1002, and a payment method estimation unit 1003 as functional units.

[0059] The communication control unit 1001 controls the communication unit 130 to communicate with the signage terminal 30 and the payment terminal 40. The communication control unit 1001 receives an estimation request requesting an estimation of a payment method of a customer who has a mobile terminal 50 identified by the mobile identification information. The communication control unit 1001 is an example of a second receiving means. For example, the communication control unit 1001 receives the estimation request from the signage terminal 30 or the payment terminal 40.

[0060] Furthermore, when the communication control unit 1001 receives an estimation request, it transmits, as a response, estimation result information having an estimation result of a payment method estimated to be used by a customer having a mobile terminal 50 identified by the mobile identification information included in the estimation request. The communication control unit 1001 transmits the estimation result by the payment method estimation unit 1003. The communication control unit 1001 is an example of a transmitting means. For example, the communication control unit 1001 transmits the estimation result by the payment method estimation unit 1003 to the signage terminal 30 or the payment terminal 40.

[0061] Furthermore, the communication control unit 1001 receives payment identification information for identifying a payment method and mobile identification information for identifying the mobile terminal 50. The communication control unit 1001 is an example of a first receiving means. That is, the communication control unit 1001 receives a recording request having the payment identification information and one or more pieces of mobile identification information from the payment terminal 40.

[0062] The storage control unit 1002 stores the payment record information in which the payment identification information and the multiple mobile identification information are associated in the storage unit 120. The storage control unit 1002 is an example of a storage control means. More specifically, when the communication control unit 1001 receives a record request having the payment identification information and one or more mobile identification information, the storage control unit 1002 stores the payment record information in which the payment identification information included in the record request is associated with the one or more mobile identification information in the payment record table 122. Alternatively, when the storage control unit 1002 receives the payment identification information and one or more mobile identification information separately, the storage control unit 1002 stores the payment record information in which the payment identification information is associated with the mobile identification information received within a set time centered on the time of the payment when the payment of the payment identification information was executed in the payment record table 122.

[0063] The payment method estimation unit 1003 estimates the probability that a payment method will be used for each mobile terminal 50 based on multiple pieces of payment record information stored in the memory unit 120. The payment method estimation unit 1003 is an example of an estimation means. That is, the payment method estimation unit 1003 estimates the payment method used by the customer who owns the mobile terminal 50 that is the target of the estimation request received by the communication control unit 1001.

[0064] Here, customers rarely change the payment method for each payment, and generally make payments using a specific payment method. Also, when a specific customer makes a payment, the customers around him or her are generally different each time. Therefore, when payment record information in which payment identification information and one or more mobile identification information are associated with each other is accumulated in the payment record table 122, a high proportion of the mobile identification information in the payment record table 122 is associated with a specific payment identification information.

[0065] Therefore, the payment method estimation unit 1003 estimates the payment method based on the number of payment identification information associated with the mobile identification information indicating the mobile terminal 50 that is the target of the estimation request, among the payment record information in the payment record table 122. In other words, the payment method estimation unit 1003 estimates the payment method based on the proportion of payment identification information associated with the mobile identification information included in the estimation request, among the payment record information in the payment record table 122.

[0066] When the payment method is estimated, the payment method estimation unit 1003 causes the communication control unit 1001 to transmit estimation result information having the estimation result. The estimation result information has a probability value of payment being made by each payment method as an estimation result. Note that the estimation result information is not limited to the probability value, and may have information indicating the top payment methods with a high probability of being used, may be a ranking of the payment methods according to the probability of being used, or may be other information.

[0067] Next, a description will be given of the recording process executed by the payment terminal 40. Here, Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording process executed by the payment terminal 40 of the embodiment.

[0068] The payment control unit 4004 determines whether or not the payment has been executed (step S11).

[0069] If payment has not been executed (step S11; No), the payment control unit 4004 waits in step S11.

[0070] When the payment is executed (step S11; Yes), the payment method notifying unit 4005 identifies the mobile identification information received at the time of the payment (step S12).

[0071] The payment method notification unit 4005 transmits a record request having the payment identification information indicating the payment method of the executed payment and the specified mobile identification information to the management server 10 (step S13).

[0072] With the above, payment terminal 40 ends the recording process.

[0073] Next, a description will be given of the estimation process executed by the management server 10. Here, Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the estimation process executed by the management server 10 according to the embodiment.

[0074] The communication control unit 1001 determines whether or not a recording request has been received (step S21).

[0075] When a record request is received (step S21; Yes), the memory control unit 1002 stores the payment record information in which the payment identification information included in the record request is associated with one or more pieces of mobile identification information in the memory unit 120 (step S22). That is, the memory control unit 1002 registers the payment record information in the payment record table 122.

[0076] If the recording request has not been received (step S21; No), the communication control unit 1001 determines whether or not an estimation request has been received (step S23). If the estimation request has not been received (step S23; No), the communication control unit 1001 proceeds to step S21.

[0077] When the estimation request is received (step S23; Yes), the payment method estimation unit 1003 estimates the payment method used by the customer who has the mobile terminal 50 whose mobile identification information is included in the estimation request (step S24). For example, the payment method estimation unit 1003 estimates the probability value of the payment method used by the customer.

[0078] The communication control unit 1001 transmits the estimation result to the signage terminal 30 or the payment terminal 40 that transmitted the estimation request (step S25).

[0079] Then, the management server 10 proceeds to step S21.

[0080] As described above, the management server 10 according to the present embodiment receives payment identification information for identifying a payment method and a plurality of pieces of mobile identification information for identifying a mobile terminal 50. The management server 10 also associates the payment identification information with the plurality of pieces of mobile identification information and registers them in the payment record table 122. The management server 10 also estimates the probability that a payment method will be used for each mobile terminal 50 based on the payment record table 122. The management server 10 then transmits the estimation result to the signage terminal 30 and the payment terminal 40. This allows the signage terminal 30 and the payment terminal 40 to notify the user of the payment method corresponding to the user who owns the mobile terminal 50. That is, the management server 10 can provide information corresponding to the user without installing a dedicated application on the user's mobile terminal 50.

[0081] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0082] The programs executed by each device in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications are provided by being pre-installed in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the programs may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, etc. is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

[0083] In addition, the programs executed by each device in the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network, or may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Notification System 10 Management Server 20 Registration device 30 Signage terminals 40 Payment terminals 50 Mobile Devices 122 Payment Record Table 2100 Information screen 2200 Proposal screen 1001 Communication control unit 1002 Memory control unit 1003 Payment Method Estimation Department 3001 Communication control section 3002 Short-distance wireless communication control unit 3003 Display control unit 4001 Communication control unit 4002 Short-distance wireless communication control unit 4003 Display control unit 4004 Payment control unit 4005 Payment Method Notification Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0085] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-123005 A

Claims

1. A first receiving means for receiving payment identification information for identifying a payment method and mobile identification information for identifying a mobile terminal; A storage control means for storing, in a storage unit, payment record information in which the payment identification information and a plurality of pieces of mobile identification information are associated with each other; a second receiving means for receiving from a first device a request for estimation of a payment method of a customer having the mobile terminal identified by the mobile identification information, the requesting device displaying a guidance screen for guiding the customer to a location where a payment terminal corresponding to the payment method is located; an estimation means for estimating a payment method used by the customer having the mobile terminal that is the target of the estimation request received by the second receiving means, based on the plurality of payment record information stored in the storage unit; a transmission means for transmitting an estimation result by the estimation means to the first device; A server device comprising:

2. The estimation means estimates the payment method based on the number of payment identification information pieces associated with the mobile identification information pieces indicating the mobile terminals that are the targets of the estimation request, among the payment record information. The server device according to claim 1 .

3. The computer of the server device, A first receiving means for receiving payment identification information for identifying a payment method and mobile identification information for identifying a mobile terminal; a storage control means for storing, in a storage unit, payment record information in which the payment identification information is associated with a plurality of the mobile identification information; a second receiving means for receiving from a first device a request for estimation of a payment method of a customer having the mobile terminal identified by the mobile identification information, the requesting device displaying a guidance screen for guiding the customer to a location where a payment terminal corresponding to the payment method is located; an estimation means for estimating a payment method used by the customer having the mobile terminal that is the target of the estimation request received by the second receiving means, based on the plurality of payment record information stored in the storage unit; a transmission means for transmitting an estimation result by the estimation means to the first device; A program to make it function as such.

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