Information providing device, information providing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program that enable quicker acquisition of the implementation status of a specific service such as takeout. [Solution] The information providing device communicates with a user's terminal device on which an electronic payment app is installed, and is equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires first information collected by a server that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, which information enables recognition of the implementation status of specific services, including takeout services, at restaurants; a judgment unit that judges whether the specific service is being implemented based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user's terminal device of information based on the judgment result of the judgment unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an information providing service that provides information about restaurants to a user's terminal device, etc. This type of information providing service may also provide information about specific services associated with the provision of food and drink, such as whether or not take-out of products is available, whether or not products are provided, and whether or not outdoor seating such as terrace seating is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-285508 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Restaurants may start or end specific services, such as take-out products, due to changes in business policy, etc. However, even when a restaurant starts or ends a specific service, the administrator who runs the information provision service may not be able to quickly obtain information about the start or end of the specific service by the restaurant. In this case, there is a risk that accurate information cannot be provided to users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program that enable quicker acquisition of the implementation status of specific services such as takeout. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that includes an acquisition unit that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and acquires first information collected by a server that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant, a determination unit that determines whether the specific service is being implemented based on the first related information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a notification unit that notifies the user's terminal device of information based on the determination result of the determination unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the implementation status of a particular service, such as take-out, can be obtained more quickly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for electronic payment by an electronic payment server 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of payment information 2. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of first store information 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notice. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of an information providing device 100. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information providing device 100. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of restaurant information 182. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image corresponding to restaurant information. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information providing device 300 according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] [overview] The information providing device is, for example, a device that performs an information providing service that provides information about restaurants. The information about the restaurant includes information indicating the implementation status of specific services, including takeout. The information providing device determines the implementation status of specific services at the restaurant based on information provided by a device that provides electronic payment services (hereinafter referred to as an "electronic payment server"). Below, the mechanism of electronic payment executed using the electronic payment server and the electronic payment server are described, followed by a description of the usage environment of the information providing device and the information providing device.

[0012] [Electronic payment system] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for electronic payment by an electronic payment server 1. The electronic payment server 1 communicates with one or more terminal devices 10 and a store payment terminal 20 via a network NW. The network NW includes a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a cellular network, etc.

[0013] The terminal device 10 and the store payment terminal 20 each have, for example, an electronic payment app pre-installed and are equipped with a processor that executes the installed electronic payment app. The user of the terminal device 10 and the administrator of the store payment terminal 20 make payments with the electronic payment server 1 using payment methods hereinafter referred to as "payment method 1", "payment method 2", etc. "App" is an abbreviation for application program.

[0014] In "Payment Method 1," the terminal device 10 reads information such as the store ID (identification information, same below) encoded in a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) Q installed in the store using the functions of the electronic payment app, and the user inputs the amount into the terminal device 10 and confirms it after confirmation by the store, whereby information such as the store ID, user ID, amount, date and time, etc. are uploaded to the electronic payment server 1.

[0015] The electronic payment server 1 completes the electronic payment by subtracting the amount of the fee from the balance information associated with the user ID and adding the amount of the fee to the balance information associated with the store ID. When reading the code image, the electronic payment application activates the camera of the terminal device 10, and stops capturing images with the camera when a frame image in which the encoded information can be read is captured. This mechanism is a known technique, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0016] In "payment method 2", the terminal device 10 uses the functions of an electronic payment app to display a code image such as a barcode in which information including a user ID is encoded, and the store payment terminal 20, which includes a reading device such as a barcode reader, reads the information encoded in the barcode, such as the user ID, and uploads information such as the store ID, user ID, fee, date and time, to the electronic payment server 1. As with payment method 1, the electronic payment server 1 completes the electronic payment by subtracting the amount of the fee from the balance information associated with the user ID and adding the amount of the fee to the balance information associated with the store ID. Note that the adoption of these two payment methods is merely an example, and any payment method may be adopted in the application of the present invention.

[0017] [Electronic payment server 1] The electronic payment server 1 manages services including the execution of electronic payments. It is realized by one or more processors. The electronic payment server 1 monitors the execution status of electronic payments. When electronic payments are executed, the electronic payment server 1 updates the balance information associated with the user ID and the balance information associated with the store ID according to the results of the electronic payments.

[0018] The electronic payment server 1 further stores payment information 2 including a history of payments made by the user who owns the terminal device 10. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the payment information 2. The payment information 2 is information in which, for example, the user ID of the user who made the payment, the store ID of the store, the payment amount, and the like are associated with the date and time when the payment was made.

[0019] The electronic payment server 1 stores first store information 3 about stores where the electronic payment service is available. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the first store information 3. The first store information 3 includes information in which the first referral information and information indicating the implementation status of a specific service are associated with the store ID of a store where the electronic payment service is available. The first store information is an example of first information, and the first referral information is an example of referral information.

[0020] The first recommendation information includes information such as the store name, genre, location, business hours, and notice. Of these, the genre is relatively roughly categorized, such as "restaurants," "clothing," and "fresh food." The notice is, for example, a statement created by the store manager, and includes an introduction to the store and details of services that the store currently provides, will provide in the future, and will provide at any time. The notice information is stored as text information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the notice. The first recommendation information may also include other information introducing the store, such as a phone number, menu, photos, the nearest station, the store URL, reviews, and congestion status.

[0021] The first referral information is, for example, information that is not input as an initial value and can be created or updated by the user of the store payment terminal 20 by operating the store payment terminal 20, etc. For this reason, the first referral information may include items that are blank (N / A). In the first store information 3, the "notice" item in the first referral information represents the content created by a manager such as the owner of the store, and the information item indicating the implementation status of a specific service represents the content of the declaration by the store manager. If these items have not been created or declared by the store manager, they are displayed as blank (N / A).

[0022] Some or all of the items of the first introduction information may be created and updated by the administrator of the electronic payment server 1. For example, some of the first introduction information, such as the store name, genre, and location, may be input in advance by the administrator of the electronic payment server 1. Furthermore, among the items of the first introduction information, the notice may be created and updated by the administrator of the store payment terminal 20, and the other items may be created and updated by the administrator of the electronic payment server 1. Some or all of the items of the first introduction information may be writable by a person other than the user of the store payment terminal 20 or the administrator of the electronic payment server 1, such as a general user. In particular, when the first introduction information includes a menu, a photo, a review, a congestion status, and the like, a general user may be able to write this information.

[0023] The electronic payment server 1 collects payment information 2 and first store information 3 as a result of monitoring the execution status of electronic payments and receiving information from the store payment terminal 20. The payment information 2 and the first store information 3 are information that enables recognition of the implementation status of specific services, including take-out services, at restaurants.

[0024] In response to a request from the store payment terminal 20, the electronic payment server 1 transmits some or all of the collected payment information 2 and first store information 3 to the store payment terminal 20. The electronic payment server 1 may transmit the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 to the store payment terminal 20, for example, periodically, even if there is no request from the store payment terminal 20.

[0025] [Usage environment of information providing device 100] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a usage environment of the information providing device 100. In the usage environment of the information providing device 100, the information providing device 100 communicates with a terminal device 10 used by one or more users and a store terminal 30 installed in a restaurant through a network NW. The network NW is the same as the network NW shown in Fig. 1, but may be independent from the network NW shown in Fig. 1.

[0026] The terminal device 10 and the store terminal 30, for example, each have a restaurant information provision app installed in advance, and are equipped with a processor that executes the installed restaurant information provision app. The terminal device 10 and the store terminal 30 are of a fixed type that is installed in a building or the like, or a portable type such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and have, for example, a display function and an input reception function (e.g., a touch panel). The terminal device 10 is, for example, installed in a user's home or the like, or carried by the user. The store terminal 30 is, for example, provided in a restaurant or carried by a manager of the restaurant. The terminal device 10 and the store terminal 30 may or may not have an electronic payment app installed.

[0027] The information providing device 100 requests the electronic payment server 1 to provide payment information 2 and first store information 3 as necessary. The electronic payment server 1 transmits some or all of the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 to the information providing device 100 in response to the request from the information providing device 100. The information providing device 100 acquires the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 transmitted by the electronic payment server 1. The electronic payment server 1 may transmit the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 to the information providing device 100, for example, periodically, even if there is no request from the information providing device 100.

[0028] When a user of the terminal device 10 or an administrator of the store terminal 30 wants to know restaurant information 182, the user requests the information providing device 100 to provide the restaurant information 182. The information providing device 100 transmits and provides the restaurant information 182 to the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 in response to a request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30. The restaurant information 182 transmitted by the information providing device 1000 is displayed, for example, using a restaurant information application. The information providing device 100 may transmit the restaurant information 182 to the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 even if there is no request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30, for example, when the restaurant information 182 is updated, or periodically. If an electronic payment application is installed in the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30, the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 may display the restaurant information 182 using the electronic payment application.

[0029] [Configuration of information providing device 100] Information providing device 100 is realized by one or more processors. Information providing device 100 is a device that transmits and provides restaurant information 182, which is information about restaurants that can be a criterion for a user to use when selecting a restaurant to use, to terminal device 10, store terminal 30, etc. Information providing device 100 may be a device that specializes in providing restaurant information, or may be a device that provides restaurant information as one of multiple pieces of information including information other than restaurant information.

[0030] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing device 100. The information providing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110. The communication unit 110 is a communication interface such as a network card for connecting to a network NW.

[0031] The information providing device 100 further includes, for example, an acquisition unit 120, a synthesis unit 130, a determination unit 140, a notification unit 150, and a promotion unit 160. These components are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage unit device (a storage device having a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by mounting the storage medium in a drive device. It is not necessary for all of the above components to be realized by a single processor, and distributed processing by a plurality of processors may be performed as appropriate.

[0032] The information providing device 100 further includes a storage unit 180. The storage unit 180 is realized by a storage device such as a HDD, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 180 stores restaurant information 182 in addition to various programs such as firmware and application programs. The storage unit 180 does not have to be a device associated with the information providing device 100, and may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) accessible from the information providing device 100 via a network NW or the like.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of restaurant information 182. Restaurant information 182 includes information in which each item in the first referral information and information indicating the implementation status of a specific service is associated with a store ID given to a restaurant that provides food and drink. The categories in restaurant information 182 are classified more finely than the categories in first store information 3. Restaurant information 182 further associates information such as reservation status, recommended menu items, and hygiene measures with the store ID.

[0034] In the restaurant information 182, the details of the items "take-out," "outdoor seating," and "delivery" are determined based on the declaration by the restaurant and the determination result by the determination unit 140. In the restaurant information 182, for each of the items "take-out" and "delivery," if it is unclear whether they are available, it is marked as "not available," and for "outdoor seating," if it is unclear whether they are available, it is marked as "not available." Outdoor seating is an example of an area for eating food and beverages outdoors.

[0035] Although there are overlapping items between the first store information 3 stored by the electronic payment server 1 and the restaurant information 182 stored by the information providing device 100, the electronic payment server 1 and the information providing device 100 each acquire information for each item independently. For this reason, the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182 may have different store IDs assigned to the same store, and the information for each item may differ between the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182.

[0036] The information providing device 100 determines whether the specific service is being provided, using the information included in the payment information 2 and the first store information 3. The information providing device 100 updates the information indicating the implementation status of the specific service, which is included in the restaurant information 182, as necessary.

[0037] For example, in response to a request from the terminal device 10, the information providing device 100 transmits the restaurant information stored in the storage unit 180 to the requesting terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 receives the restaurant information transmitted by the information providing device 100 and displays an image corresponding to the restaurant information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image corresponding to the restaurant information. In FIG. 8, for example, restaurant information images G1 to G3 including restaurant information and a search condition input field N for searching for restaurants are displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 10.

[0038] The acquisition unit 120 acquires the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 transmitted by the electronic payment server 1. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired first store information 3 to the synthesis unit 130 and the promotion unit 160. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired payment information 2 and first store information 3 to the determination unit 140.

[0039] The composing unit 130 compares each item of the first store information 3 output by the acquiring unit 120 with each item of the restaurant information 182 stored in the storage unit 180. Based on the comparison result of each item, the composing unit 130 determines that the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the first store information 3 is the same as the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the restaurant information 182. The composing unit 130 combines the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182 for the store associated with the store ID determined to be the same.

[0040] The synthesis unit 130 synthesizes the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182 by updating the information included in the first store information 3 regarding the information indicating the implementation status of a specific service among the items in the restaurant information 182. Specifically, the content of each of the items of the restaurant information 182, "notice," "take-out," "outdoor seating," and "delivery," is updated to the content of the first store information 3. The synthesis unit 130 may also update other items, such as the location and business hours, to the content of the first store information 3.

[0041] The determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered at a restaurant, based on the payment information 2 and first store information 3 notified by the acquisition unit 120. The determination unit 140 makes a determination based on the first store information 3, using information included in the restaurant information 182 combined by the combination unit 130. The determination unit 140 outputs information on whether or not a specific service is being offered at each restaurant to the notification unit 150. The determination performed by the determination unit 140 will be described further below.

[0042] Determination unit 140 updates restaurant information 182 stored in storage unit 180 based on the determination result of whether the specific service is being provided. When the determination result of whether the specific service is being provided matches the information stored in restaurant information 182, determination unit 140 maintains restaurant information 182. When the determination result of whether the specific service is being provided differs from the information stored in restaurant information 182, determination unit 140 updates restaurant information 182.

[0043] For example, in response to a request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30, the notification unit 150 notifies and provides the restaurant information 182 stored in the storage unit 180 to the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 as information based on the determination result. The notification unit 150 may notify the restaurant information 182 when there is no request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30. The notification unit 150 may notify the restaurant information 182 when the restaurant information 182 is updated or in response to a request from a restaurant to which the store ID of the restaurant information 182 is assigned. The notification unit 150 may notify the restaurant information 182 periodically.

[0044] The promotion unit 160 prompts the store manager to create and update the first referral information in the electronic payment service. Specifically, for example, when there is a blank in the first store information 3 output by the acquisition unit 120, the promotion unit 160 transmits, to the store payment terminal 20 using the communication unit 110, promotion information that prompts the process of filling in the blank (updating the first store information 3). For example, the promotion unit 160 can transmit an input form to the terminal device 10 to prompt the user to input information. The user can create and update the first referral information by inputting information according to the input form.

[0045] The promotion unit 160 may periodically or irregularly transmit promotion information to the store payment terminal 20 to promote updating of the information indicating the implementation status of a specific service when there is a blank in the first store information 3 or when there is a change in the implementation status of the specific service. The promotion unit 160 may transmit the promotion information to the electronic payment server 1, and transmit the promotion information to the store payment terminal 20 via the electronic payment server 1.

[0046] [Determination in Determination Unit 140] Next, the process of determining whether or not the specific service is being provided by the determination unit 140 will be described. The determination unit 140 determines whether or not the specific service is being provided by any of the following determination processes. The first store information 3 provided by the electronic payment server 1 is based on information entered by a store manager, for example, and the accuracy of the information may not be high. The determination unit 140 may determine whether or not the specific service is being provided by comprehensively using the results of the following multiple determination processes to correct the information included in the first store information 3 and determine whether or not the specific service is being provided.

[0047] For example, when the result of the multiple determination processes indicates that the specific service is being implemented in the majority of the determination processes, it may be determined that the specific service is being implemented. Alternatively, the multiple determination processes may be weighted, and the specific service may be determined whether or not it is being implemented taking the weighting into consideration. Alternatively, the multiple determination processes may be prioritized, and the result of the process with the higher priority may be emphasized to determine whether or not the specific service is being implemented.

[0048] [First judgment process] In the first determination process, the determination unit 140 checks information indicating the implementation status of the specific service included in the first store information 3. Specifically, the determination unit 140 checks whether take-out is available, whether outdoor seating is available, and whether delivery is available. The determination unit 140 determines whether the specific service is being implemented based on the confirmed information indicating the implementation status of the specific service.

[0049] [Second judgment process] In the second determination process, the determination unit 140 performs, for example, natural language processing on a character string included in the text information in the notice included in the first store information 3. The determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered based on the result of the executed natural language processing, and corrects, for example, the determination result of the first determination process. For example, when the result of the natural language processing shows that the text information in the notice contains a character string that is recognized as a specific service being offered, such as "take-out," "takeaway," or "8% consumption tax," the determination unit 140 determines that take-out is being offered as a specific service. For example, when the notice contains text information such as "terrace seating available" or "eating and drinking available outside the store," the determination unit 140 determines that outdoor seating is available as a specific service.

[0050] [Third judgment process] In the third determination process, the determination unit 140 checks the payment amount information included in the payment information 2, and determines that the specific service is being provided when the payment information includes information on the payment that occurs when the specific service is provided. For example, the acquisition unit 120 may acquire payment information that includes a tax amount that differs between when the specific service is provided and when it is not provided.

[0051] For example, a lower consumption tax rate may be added to take-out items than to eat-in items. For this reason, the payment amount for take-out items tends to be different from the payment amount for eat-in items. For example, the payment amount for take-out items is often a multiple of "108" because an 8% consumption tax is added. On the other hand, the payment amount for eat-in items is often a multiple of "110" because a 10% consumption tax is added.

[0052] Based on this tendency, for example, when the payment amount is often a multiple of "108", the determination unit 140 determines that take-out is being implemented as a specific service. The determination of whether or not it is increasing can be performed based on appropriate criteria. For example, when the payment amount is a multiple of "108" at a rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold with respect to the rate of the total payment amount, it can be determined that it is "increasing". The determination unit 140 may determine whether or not a specific service is being implemented based on the payment amount using the results of statistical processing of the payment amount when the specific service is implemented and when it is not implemented.

[0053] Alternatively, the determination unit 140 may determine the amount as an amount that is generated independently when a specific service is provided. For example, in a store that offers lunches at a relatively high price range, a payment such as "500 yen" that is considered to be equivalent to a one-coin lunch that is only available for takeout may be seen. In this case, the "500 yen" is generated independently when the specific service (takeout) is provided. For example, when payment information showing a payment amount of 500 yen is included, the determination unit 140 determines that takeout is provided as the specific service.

[0054] In the above example, the determination unit 140 may determine lunchtime, etc., by further referring to the time information of the date and time included in the payment information 2. For example, the determination unit 140 may determine that a payment was made during lunchtime when the payment was made between 11:30 and 13:30.

[0055] The determination unit 140 may determine the possibility that a specific service is being implemented as a determination result, instead of or in addition to information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented, and express the result as a percentage, for example. For example, if the number of payments whose payment amounts are multiples of "108" increases, there is a high possibility that take-out is being implemented. However, there is a possibility that the amount may be biased by some factor, and the number of payments whose payment amounts are multiples of "108" may increase even though take-out is not being implemented. For this reason, the possibility of the implementation of a specific service may be calculated so that the higher the proportion of payments whose payment amounts are multiples of "108" in all payments, the higher the possibility of take-out being implemented.

[0056] The information providing device 100 of the first embodiment determines whether or not a specific service is being offered at a store based on the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 provided by the electronic payment server 1. This makes it possible to obtain the implementation status of the specific service more quickly. Furthermore, the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment can quickly notify and provide the user with information on whether or not the specific service is being offered.

[0057] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the processing executed in the information providing device 100. In the following embodiments, each embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Also, common elements and the like may be given the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted.

[0058] In the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 120 acquires text information included in information related to store services provided by a store that are provided through a service other than the electronic payment service. The information related to store services provided by a store that are provided through a service other than the electronic payment service is, for example, second information transmitted by a user through various SNS (social networking services). Alternatively, the information related to store services provided by a store that are provided through a service other than the electronic payment service may be, for example, information published by a user who uses an electronic payment service about an evaluation or impression of the store whose store service the user has used.

[0059] The information related to the store service provided by the store through a service other than the electronic payment service may be information other than the second information sent by the user through an SNS service, for example, or text information transmitted and received through a means other than the electronic payment app, such as a store introduction app.

[0060] The acquisition unit 120 further acquires location information of the terminal device that sent the SNS message. The location information is, for example, POI (Point Of Interest) information. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired second information and location information to the determination unit 140.

[0061] The determination unit 140 performs natural language processing on the character string included in the text information included in the second information output by the acquisition unit 120. The determination unit 140 extracts text information for identifying a store that is a restaurant based on the result of the natural language processing. When the determination unit 140 extracts the text information for identifying a restaurant, the determination unit 140 extracts text information for determining whether or not a specific service is being implemented in the store to be determined (hereinafter referred to as the "target store").

[0062] The text information for identifying a target store includes, for example, phrases indicating the store name, industry, product name, business hours (visit time, visiting time zone), station name, place name, etc. The text information for determining whether a specific service is being implemented includes phrases such as "takeout," "takeaway," and "8% consumption tax."

[0063] Similar to the first embodiment, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered at the restaurant based on the payment information 2 and the first store information included in the first information (hereinafter referred to as "first determination"). Furthermore, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered based on the extracted text information (hereinafter referred to as "second determination").

[0064] Next, the determination unit 140 determines whether the target store that is the subject of the second determination corresponds to any of the restaurants that are the subject of the first determination. If the result of the determination is that the target store that is the subject of the second determination does not correspond to any of the restaurants that are the subject of the first determination, the determination unit 140 ends the determination based on the text information.

[0065] When the target store that is the subject of the second determination corresponds to any of the restaurants that are the subject of the first determination, the determination unit 140 identifies the store ID of the target store by associating the target store with the restaurant of the first information that corresponds to the target store (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding restaurant"). The target store and the corresponding restaurant are associated with each other, for example, by associating the location information output by the acquisition unit 120 with the location included in the restaurant information 182, or by associating the store name included in the text information with the store name included in the restaurant information 182.

[0066] The position information output by the acquisition unit 120 is associated with the location included in the restaurant information 182, for example, when the distance between them is within a threshold, when the nearest station is the same, etc. The store name included in the text information and the store name included in the restaurant information 182 may be associated with a perfect match. Alternatively, the store name may be determined based on whether they are similar to each other, or an abbreviation of a general store may be used, or a search query may be utilized, or if the store name includes alphabets, uppercase and lowercase letters, or if kanji, etc. are included, kanji, etc. and hiragana, etc. may be matched. Next, the determination unit 140 updates the restaurant information 182 when the result of the second determination is different from the content shown in the corresponding restaurant in the restaurant information 182.

[0067] The information providing device of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, can obtain the implementation status of a specific service such as takeout more quickly. Furthermore, the information providing device of the second embodiment determines whether a specific service is being implemented by using information related to store services provided by the store, which is provided through a service other than the electronic payment service, such as SNS. Therefore, by obtaining information from a wide range, the implementation status of a specific service such as takeout can be obtained even more quickly.

[0068] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing device 300 of the third embodiment. The information providing device 300 includes a measurement unit 310 in addition to the components of the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the information providing device 300 can specify a position by latitude and longitude, and includes map information including the positions of restaurants. In other respects, the information providing device has the same configuration as the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0069] In the third embodiment, the terminal device 10 includes, for example, a self-location detection device, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite system) device 12. The terminal device 10 detects the location of the terminal device 10, in other words, the location of the user of the terminal device 10, by the GNSS device 12. The terminal device 10 transmits the detected location information of the user to the electronic payment server 1.

[0070] The location information includes a user ID, date and time information, and latitude and longitude information. The electronic payment server 1 manages the transmitted location information of the user. The terminal device 10 may transmit the user's location information to a server other than the electronic payment server 1, for example a location management server. In this case, the location management server manages the user's location information. The terminal device 10 may transmit the location information to the information providing device 300. Since the location information includes date and time information and latitude and longitude information, it is possible to calculate the stay time of the user at a specific location based on the location information. The location information is an example of stay time information. A user of the terminal device 10 becomes a store user when visiting a restaurant.

[0071] In response to a request from the information providing device 300, the electronic payment server 1 transmits location information of the user of the terminal device 10 that it manages to the information providing device 300. The information providing device 300 receives the location information transmitted by the electronic payment server 1 using the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 120 acquires the location information received by the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the received location information to the measurement unit 310.

[0072] The measurement unit 310 calculates the stay time of the user at a specific location by referring to the map information of the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 120. The measurement unit 310 generates stay information of the restaurant where the user stayed and the calculated stay time of the user. The measurement unit 310 outputs the generated stay information to the determination unit 140.

[0073] Determination unit 140 determines whether a specific service, for example, take-out, is provided at the restaurant based on the information on the user's stay at the restaurant output by measurement unit 310. In determining whether take-out is provided, for example, a first threshold is set for the stay time at the restaurant, and a second threshold is set for the proportion of users whose stay time is equal to or less than the first threshold. When the proportion of users whose stay time is equal to or less than the first threshold is equal to or less than the second threshold, determination unit 140 determines that the restaurant provides take-out.

[0074] Furthermore, the determination unit 140 determines whether the restaurant offers take-out services based on whether a user has made an electronic payment at the restaurant, based on the payment information transmitted by the electronic payment server 1. For example, when calculating the percentage of users whose stay time is equal to or less than the first threshold, the determination may be limited to users who have made an electronic payment.

[0075] The information providing device of the third embodiment, like the first embodiment, can obtain the implementation status of a specific service such as take-out more quickly. Furthermore, the information providing device of the third embodiment determines whether a store is providing a specific service, particularly take-out, based on the user's stay time and whether or not electronic payment is used. Therefore, by obtaining information from a wide range, the implementation status of a specific service such as take-out can be obtained even more quickly.

[0076] [Variations] In the above-described embodiment, the specific service includes take-out, outdoor seating, and delivery, but the specific service may further include other services. For example, the specific service may include a service for avoiding so-called crowded conditions, specifically, a service for removing or suspending the use of some seats in a store, or a service for placing partitions between seats.

[0077] Furthermore, the determination unit 140 provides information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented, but may provide information on the possibility that the specific service is being implemented as the information on whether or not the specific service is being implemented. For example, when determining whether or not a specific service is being implemented based on the second information, the possibility that the specific service is being implemented may be calculated, for example, as a percentage, and provided as the possibility (proportion) that the specific service is being implemented. Furthermore, the information providing device 100 may enhance the accuracy (precision) of the information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented by complementary use of the various pieces of information described in the above embodiments.

[0078] In addition, the synthesis unit 130 may use location information to determine that the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the first store information 3 is the same as the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the restaurant information 182.

[0079] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Electronic payment server 2. Payment information 3…First store information 10...Terminal device 12...GNSS device 20…Store payment terminal 30…Store terminal 100...Information providing device 110…Communications Department 120…Acquisition Department 130…Synthetic section 140…Judgment section 150…Notification department 160…Promotion Department 180...Storage section 182…Restaurant information 300…Information providing device 310…Measuring section NW…Network

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and acquires first information collected by a server that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information including introduction information of stores included in the electronic payment service and enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant; a determination unit that determines whether the specific service is being provided based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit, and determines that the specific service is being provided when the introduction information included in the first information includes information indicating the implementation status of the specific service; A promotion unit that promotes the creation of the introduction information to a manager of the store, The promotion unit further promotes updating of the introduction information. Information provision device.

2. the introductory information includes text information; the determination unit performs natural language processing on a character string included in the text information, and determines that the specific service is being provided when the character string includes an expression that is recognized as indicating that the specific service is being provided.

2. The information providing device according to claim 1.

3. The promotion unit promotes updating of information indicating an implementation status of the specific service included in the introduction information when there is a change in the implementation status of the specific service.

2. The information providing device according to claim 1.

4. The introduction information is configured by filling in a plurality of fields set for a plurality of genres.

2. The information providing device according to claim 1.

5. The promotion unit promotes updating of the referral information when there is a blank in the field.

5. The information providing device according to claim 4.

6. The promotion unit provides an input form for the introduction information.

2. An information providing device according to claim 1.

7. The computer acquire first information that is collected by a server that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information including introduction information of stores included in the electronic payment service and enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant; Determine whether the specific service is being implemented based on the acquired first information, and determine that the specific service is being implemented when the introduction information included in the first information includes information indicating the implementation status of the specific service; Prompting a manager of the store to create the introduction information; Further facilitating updating of the referral information; Information provision method.

8. On the computer, acquire first information that is collected by a server that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information including introduction information of stores included in the electronic payment service and enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant; Determine whether the specific service is being implemented based on the acquired first information, and determine that the specific service is being implemented when the introduction information included in the first information includes information indicating the implementation status of the specific service; Prompting a manager of the store to create the introduction information; Further facilitating updating of the referral information; program.

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