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

Abstract

To efficiently settle a payment for the cost for displaying an advertisement displayed in a real store, which is used as an advertisement space, the store being an affiliated store that introduces an electronic settlement service.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a specifying unit. The acquisition unit acquires settlement history associated with an affiliated store that displays a predetermined advertisement in a real store. The specifying unit specifies the affiliated store, as an affiliated store that has contributed to establishment of a predetermined conversion, based on the settlement history, on condition that the establishment of the predetermined conversion related to a transaction target displayed in the predetermined advertisement is confirmed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there have been proposed technologies for encouraging purchasing behavior by leading users to actual stores starting from banner advertisements on the Internet. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for calculating advertising fees to be paid to banner advertisement publishers based on shopping information displayed on a POS register terminal when a user led by a banner advertisement makes a purchase at an actual store with a reward certificate obtained on an advertiser's site.

[0003] In addition, cashless payment methods, mainly for commercial transactions between companies and individuals, are widely recognized by consumers, and in particular, electronic payment services that enable online payments using personal devices such as smartphones are becoming more and more popular among consumers due to their convenience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-106633 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a brick-and-mortar store that is a member store introducing the above-mentioned electronic payment service is regarded as a space for displaying advertisements, there is still room for improvement in terms of efficiently settling the costs of displaying advertisements.For example, the above-mentioned conventional technology is a technology related to banner advertisements on the Internet, and does not support processing when a brick-and-mortar store that is a member store is regarded as a space for displaying advertisements, and therefore it is not necessarily possible to efficiently settle the costs required for displaying advertisements.

[0006] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that enable efficient settlement of expenses related to the display of advertisements when a physical store that is an affiliated store that has introduced an electronic payment service is regarded as an advertising space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device according to the present application includes an acquisition unit and an identification unit. The acquisition unit acquires a payment history linked to an affiliated store that displays a predetermined advertisement in a physical store. The identification unit identifies the affiliated store as one that contributed to the establishment of a predetermined conversion based on the payment history, on condition that the establishment of a predetermined conversion related to a transaction object displayed in the predetermined advertisement is confirmed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to efficiently settle expenses related to the display of advertisements when a brick-and-mortar store that is an affiliated store that has introduced an electronic payment service is regarded as a space for displaying advertisements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an outline (part 1) of a settlement process according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline (part 2) of the settlement process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline (part 3) of the settlement process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview (part 1) of the matching process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline (part 2) of the matching process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the payment server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of the correspondence relationship according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the advertising performance information according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overview of the access history according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of remuneration information according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of the fee information according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the relevant advertisement target information according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a payment history according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the settlement process (part 1) according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the settlement process (part 2) according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the matching process (part 1) according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the matching process (part 2) according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to the embodiments. In addition, the same parts in the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0011] [1. Embodiment] The information processing performed by the information processing device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an outline (part 1) of the information processing performed by the embodiment. In Fig. 1, it is assumed that the information processing performed by the embodiment is performed by a payment server 100, which is an example of the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0012] (1-1. System Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system SYS-1 according to the embodiment includes a user terminal 10 and a payment server 100. The user terminal 10 and the payment server 100 are connected to each other via a network N (see FIG. 6, for example) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. The user terminal 10 and the payment server 100 can communicate with each other through the network N. The network N is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. Note that the information processing system SYS-1 shown in FIG. 1 may include multiple user terminals 10 and multiple payment servers 100.

[0013] The user terminal 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing terminal used by a user U1 who uses an electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100. For example, the user U1 is a general consumer who receives a transaction object from a business operator who operates a business that provides a transaction object such as a product or a service. The user terminal 10 can be realized by, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or an information processing device such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The user terminal 10 can display information distributed by the payment server 100 by a web browser or an application. In FIG. 1, a smartphone is illustrated as an example of the user terminal 10.

[0014] When the user terminal 10 receives control information for implementing a predetermined information process from the payment server 100, the user terminal 10 implements the information process according to the control information. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark), a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a programming language such as Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). The predetermined application itself delivered from the payment server 100 may be regarded as the control information.

[0015] In the following description, the user terminal 10 used by the user U1 may be regarded as the same as the user U1. That is, in the following description, the user U1 may be read as the user terminal 10.

[0016] The payment server 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing device that executes information processing according to the embodiment, and is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like. The information processing executed by the payment server 100 will be described later. For example, the payment server 100 provides a service user with an electronic payment service (a service that provides a predetermined transaction means that controls the exchange of electronic money by code payment) related to electronic payment performed using a user terminal 10. The service user includes a general consumer who is an individual user who has registered to use the electronic payment service (for example, user U1 shown in FIG. 1). The service user also includes a business operator (affiliated store) that introduces an electronic payment service as one of the transaction means available to general consumers and operates a business that provides transaction objects such as goods and services.

[0017] The payment server 100 also distributes an application program for individual users (hereinafter referred to as "user app") used when making code payments to each individual user who is a service user. Individual users use the user app by installing it on their user terminal 10. The user app provides various functions for making code payments. The payment server 100 also distributes an application program for businesses (stores) (hereinafter referred to as "store app") used when making code payments to businesses who are service users. Businesses use the store app by installing it on store terminals 20 installed in physical stores, etc. The store app provides various functions for making code payments.

[0018] When the payment server 100 receives a transaction request (payment request) from a user application or a store application, the payment server 100 executes information processing including a process of transferring electronic money between accounts according to the transaction request. For example, the payment server 100 manages the balance of electronic money (money balance) owned by the business operator and the balance of electronic money (money balance) owned by the individual user, and realizes various payments by transferring electronic money between accounts according to the transaction request. The transaction request (payment request) may include transaction information including information such as the payment destination, payment source, and payment amount, as well as a transaction code for individually identifying the transaction and date and time information (timestamp) for identifying the date and time when the transaction was performed. The electronic money may be, for example, points or currency used independently by various companies, or may be electronically tradable currency provided by a country such as Japanese yen or dollars.

[0019] (1-2. Payment Using User Terminal 10) Here, an example of code payment (electronic payment) using the user terminal 10 will be described. In the following description, an example will be described in which a user U1 who receives a transaction object from a store X makes a payment using the user terminal 10, using a two-dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark)) arranged in a store X (an example of an affiliated store) and indicating store identification information that identifies the store X. Note that the example of code payment described below is also applicable to a case in which an arbitrary user makes a payment at an arbitrary store using an arbitrary user terminal 10. In addition, the two-dimensional code indicating the store identification information may be not only a QR code, but also a barcode, a predetermined mark, a number, or the like. In addition, the two-dimensional code is not limited to an example that is physically formed by a printed matter printed on a medium such as paper, and may be formed by image information displayed on an arbitrary terminal.

[0020] For example, when user U1 makes a payment for the purchase or use of a transaction object such as various goods or services at store X, user U1 launches a user application pre-installed in user terminal 10. User U1 then photographs a two-dimensional code placed at store X via the user application. In such a case, user terminal 10 displays a screen for inputting the price of the transaction object, and accepts input of the payment amount from user U1 or a store clerk at store X. User terminal 10 then transmits transaction information including user identification information that identifies user U1, store identification information (or information indicated by the store identification information, i.e., information indicating store X (e.g., store ID)), and the payment amount to payment server 100.

[0021] When the payment server 100 accepts the transaction information from the user terminal 10, it transfers electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the account of the user U1 indicated by the user identification information to the account of the store X indicated by the store identification information. At this time, the payment server 100 may transfer the electronic money to the account of the store X after subtracting a predetermined fee to be charged to the store X from the electronic money equivalent to the payment amount. Then, the payment server 100 transmits a notification that the transaction is completed to the user terminal 10. In such a case, the user terminal 10 notifies the user U1 that the transaction using electronic money is completed by outputting a screen or a predetermined sound indicating that the transaction is completed. Alternatively, the payment server 100 may withdraw electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the account of the user U1 indicated by the user identification information, manage it as sales information of the store X, and transfer cash equivalent to the sales to a bank account held by the store X at a predetermined timing. In this case, the payment server 100 may notify the user U1 that the transaction using electronic money has been completed at the time when electronic money equivalent to the payment amount is withdrawn from the account of the user U1.

[0022] It should be noted that the payment using the user terminal 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned process. For example, the payment using the user terminal 10 may be made using a terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a "store terminal") installed in the store X. Specifically, the user terminal 10 first displays code information indicating user identification information for identifying the user U1 on a screen. In such a case, the store terminal reads the user identification information from the code information displayed on the user terminal 10, and transmits transaction information including the read user identification information (or information indicated by the user identification information, i.e., information indicating the user U1 (e.g., user ID)), the payment amount, and information identifying the store X to the payment server 100.

[0023] When the payment server 100 receives the transaction information from the store terminal, it transfers electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the account of the user U1 indicated by the user identification information to the account of the store X. Then, the payment server 100 transmits a notification that the transaction has been completed to the store terminal or the user terminal 10. The store terminal or the user terminal 10 notifies the user U1 that the transaction using electronic money has been completed by outputting a screen or a predetermined sound indicating that the transaction has been completed. The payment server 100 may also withdraw electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the account of the user U1 indicated by the user identification information, manage the amount as sales information of the store X, and transfer cash equivalent to the sales amount to a bank account held by the store X at a predetermined timing. In this case, the payment server 100 may notify the store clerk or the user U1 that the transaction using electronic money has been completed at the timing when the electronic money equivalent to the payment amount is withdrawn from the account of the user U1.

[0024] Furthermore, the payment using the user terminal 10 may not only be a process of transferring electronic money from an account to which the user U1 has previously charged electronic money to the account of the store X, but may also be, for example, a payment using a credit card registered in advance by the user U1. In such a case, for example, the user terminal 10 may transfer electronic money in an amount indicated by the payment amount to the account of the store X, and may charge the operating company of the credit card of the user U1 for the amount indicated by the payment amount.

[0025] Furthermore, the settlement using the user terminal 10 may not only be a process of transferring electronic money from the account of the user U1 to the account of the store X, but may also be, for example, a settlement of transferring electronic money from the account of the user U1 to the account of another user (i.e., a transfer between users). For example, the user terminal 10 used by the remittance source user U1 reads user identification information identifying the remittance destination user (for example, user identification information displayed on a terminal device used by the remittance destination user), accepts an input of the remittance amount from the user U1, and transmits information indicating the read identification information, the remittance amount, and the user identification information identifying the user U1 to the settlement server 100. In such a case, the settlement server 100 may transfer electronic money in an amount indicated by the remittance amount from the account of the user U1 to the account of the remittance destination user, and notify the user that the remittance has been completed by outputting a screen or a predetermined sound indicating that the remittance has been completed on the user terminal 10 or the terminal device used by the remittance destination user.

[0026] Note that remittance using the user terminal 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned process. For example, remittance using the user terminal 10 may be performed by inputting the telephone number of the remittance destination user or information indicating the remittance destination user (e.g., user ID) into the user terminal 10. To give a specific example, the user terminal 10 accepts input of the telephone number or user ID of the remittance destination user and the remittance amount from the user U1, and transmits the input telephone number or user ID, the remittance amount, and user identification information identifying the user U1 to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 then transfers electronic money in an amount indicated by the remittance amount from the account of the user U1 to the account of the user linked to the transmitted telephone number or user ID.

[0027] Here, the telephone number or user ID of the remittance destination user may be linked to information about the user and registered in advance in the user application. In this case, the user terminal 10 accepts from the user U1 the designation of the user (remittance destination) registered in the user application and the input of the remittance amount to the user, and transmits to the settlement server 100 the telephone number or user ID linked to the designated user, the remittance amount, and user identification information for identifying the user U1.

[0028] Furthermore, for example, remittance using the user terminal 10 may be performed by providing the remittance user with link information for receiving the remittance amount. As a specific example, the user terminal 10 accepts an input of the remittance amount from user U1, generates link information for receiving the remittance amount, and provides the link information to a terminal device used by the remittance user by sending an email including the link information or posting information including the link information on a social networking service (SNS). Then, when the remittance user selects the link information and performs a receiving operation, the settlement server 100 transfers electronic money in an amount indicated by the remittance amount from the account of user U1 to the account of the remittance user.

[0029] The above-mentioned payment means and payment services are not limited to those for providing a price (settlement of debt) for purchasing a product or providing a service. For example, as described above, the payment means and payment services may have a function related to remittance between accounts held by multiple users. That is, the above-mentioned payment means and payment services may be services that control the transmission and reception of electronic money between accounts of any owner linked to the owner of electronic money, such as a user or a store. That is, the payment means and payment services according to the embodiment may be provided in any form as long as they are transaction means and transaction services that execute various controls for realizing the exchange of electronic money (not only various inter-account remittance controls via electronic money, but also controls related to exchanges between electronic money accounts and bank accounts, various claim processes such as installments and processes associated with bonus payments, and various controls related to the exchange of assets including electronic money). In addition, the various controls realized by such transaction means and transaction services may include both control related to payment and control related to remittance, or only one of them. That is, a "transaction" is a concept that includes not only "settlement" related to electronic money, but also "remittance" of electronic money and various other processes. In other words, the payment server 100 may be an information processing device that realizes a transaction means for controlling the exchange of electronic money between any owners.

[0030] (1-3. Overview of the embodiment) (1-3-1. Settlement process (part 1)) Hereinafter, an overview (part 1) of the information processing regarding the settlement of expenses related to advertisements executed by the settlement server 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows an overview (part 1) of the settlement processing according to the embodiment.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1, an advertisement AD1, the advertiser of which is a business G2 that provides a predetermined service, is posted at an affiliated store MA, which is one of the physical stores operated by a business G1 that introduces an electronic payment service. An example of information processing when an advertisement AD1 advertising a predetermined service is posted at an affiliated store is described below.

[0032] The payment server 100 manages code information to be posted together with a given advertisement, which is information that associates and stores advertisement identification information unique to a given advertisement requested to be posted, identification information unique to a member store of an electronic payment service that posts the given advertisement in a physical store, and predetermined address information associated with each given advertisement. To explain this in detail using the example shown in FIG. 1, the payment server 100 manages code information CD1 to be posted together with an advertisement AD1 requested to be posted by a business G2. The payment server 100 manages code information CD1 that associates "advertisement #001", which is an advertisement ID unique to the advertisement AD1 (an example of "advertisement identification information"), "member store #001", which is a member store ID unique to the member store MA where the advertisement AD1 is posted (an example of "member store identification information"), and "URL1", which is predetermined address information associated with the advertisement AD1. The payment server 100 provides the code information CD1 associated with the advertisement AD1 to the member store MA that posts the advertisement AD1. The affiliated store MA displays the code information CD1 provided by the payment server 100 in the store. When the advertisement AD1 is digital content, the payment server 100 may generate advertising content that already has the code information CD1, using advertising material submitted by the business G2, which is the advertiser of the advertisement AD1, and the code information CD1 that corresponds to the advertisement AD1. In this case, the payment server 100 provides the generated advertising content to the affiliated store MA. The affiliated store MA displays the advertisement AD1 by displaying the advertising content corresponding to the advertisement AD1 on a display or display device installed in the store.

[0033] The affiliated store ID included in the code information CD1 may be the above-mentioned store identification information that is individually assigned by the payment server 100 to identify the business operator G1 (or the affiliated store MA operated by the business operator G1) when the electronic payment service is introduced by the business operator G1. Each store (affiliated store) operated by the business operator G1 can be individually identified by the store identification information.

[0034] The advertisement ID included in the code information CD1 is advertisement identification information that is individually assigned to the advertisement AD1 by the payment server 100 in order to identify the advertisement AD1 provided by the business entity G2 that is the advertiser.

[0035] The URL1 included in the code information CD1 is predetermined address information for identifying resources (such as files and web pages) managed in the payment server 100. The payment server 100 manages the address of a device (such as a web server or a file server) of the business entity G2 that stores content (such as a web page application screen) for accepting applications for services provided by the business entity G2, which is an advertiser, in association with the URL1 stored (recorded) in the code information CD1. In response to an access to the URL1, the payment server 100 responds to the access source (for example, the user terminal 10-1 shown in FIG. 1) with the address of the device of the business entity G2.

[0036] In addition, the payment server 100 manages the access history to the predetermined address information made through the user application. Specifically, the payment server 100 manages the user ID unique to the user U1 who accessed the URL1, the advertisement ID (e.g., advertisement #001) of the advertisement AD1 linked to the URL1, the affiliated store ID (e.g., affiliated store #001) of the affiliated store MA where the advertisement AD1 linked to the URL1 is posted, and the access date and time in association with each other. As a result, the payment server 100 can infer whether the advertisement AD1 posted at the affiliated store MA has been viewed by the user U1 based on the access history, even if the affiliated store MA is a brick-and-mortar store.

[0037] In the case shown in FIG. 1, a user U1 who enters an affiliated store MA operates a user terminal 10-1 to start a user application, and reads code information CD1 included in an advertisement AD1 posted in the affiliated store MA through the user application. The user terminal 10-1 reads URL1 included in the code information CD1 according to the operation of the user U1, and automatically accesses the read URL1 (step S01). Specifically, the user terminal 10-1 obtains an IP address corresponding to URL1, and transmits a predetermined request for requesting the acquisition of content to the obtained IP address (payment server 100) as the destination. The payment server 100 transfers the predetermined request from the user terminal 10-1 to a device of the business operator G2, which is the advertiser.

[0038] In addition, the user terminal 10-1 displays a service application screen in accordance with the response obtained by accessing the URL 1 (step S02). Specifically, the user terminal 10-1 displays, for example, using the function of a web browser, the file data of the service application screen obtained from the device of the business G2, which is the advertiser, on the display of the user terminal 10-1 in a layout specified by the file data.

[0039] Furthermore, user U1 applies for a service on a service application screen displayed on user terminal 10-1. When user U1 applies for a service, user terminal 10-1 transmits application information related to the application for the service (an example of "advertising performance information") (step S03). The application information related to the application for the service may be transmitted to a device of business operator G2 that provides the service application screen, or may be transmitted to payment server 100. When the application information is transmitted directly to payment server 100, this can be realized by user terminal 10-1 embedding predetermined identification information (conversion tag) in the application information.

[0040] 1, when the settlement server 100 acquires the advertisement performance information regarding the advertisement AD1 posted in the affiliated store MA (step S11), it executes information processing regarding the settlement of the cost regarding the advertisement AD1. For example, the advertisement performance information includes information indicating the corresponding advertisement ID, information indicating the applicant, and information indicating the application date and time.

[0041] The payment server 100 acquires an access history regarding the user's access to the predetermined address information described in the code information CD1 (step S12). Specifically, the payment server 100 acquires an advertisement ID included in the advertisement performance information and an access history associated with the same advertisement ID.

[0042] In addition, the payment server 100 identifies a contributing member store that is estimated to have contributed to the advertisement's results by comparing the access history acquired in step S12 with the advertisement performance information acquired in step S11 for each predetermined advertisement (step S13). Specifically, the payment server 100 identifies a candidate member store as a contributing member store when the access date and time to the predetermined address information associated with the predetermined advertisement placed in the candidate member store that is a contributing member store candidate is information included in the advertisement performance information as the result of the predetermined advertisement and is chronologically earlier than the date and time of the completion of a predetermined conversion related to the transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 1, the payment server 100 identifies the member store MA as a contributing member store when the access date and time to the URL1 associated with the advertisement AD1 placed in the member store MA that is a contributing member store candidate is earlier than the date and time of application for the service posted in the advertisement AD1. Note that, in step S13, an example was described in which the completion of a predetermined conversion is set as a condition for identifying a contributing member store, but the payment server 100 may identify a contributing member store based only on the access history. For example, the payment server 100 may identify an affiliated store that displays the code information CD1 together with the advertisement AD1 as a contributing affiliated store if there is access to a predetermined address described in the code information CD1.

[0043] In addition, when there are multiple candidate member stores that are candidates for contributing member stores, the payment server 100 may identify each of the candidate member stores as a contributing member store. In addition, the payment server 100 may identify, among the multiple candidate member stores, a candidate member store in which the elapsed time from the access date and time associated with a specific advertisement placed in the candidate member store to the date and time of the completion of a specific conversion is within a specific time as a contributing member store. For example, when the specific time is 24 hours, the payment server 100 identifies, among the multiple candidate member stores, a candidate member store in which the elapsed time from the access date and time associated with a specific advertisement placed in the candidate member store to the date and time of the completion of a specific conversion is within 24 hours as a contributing member store. In other words, when the time interval between the date and time when the advertisement posted in the relevant member store is estimated to have been viewed and the date and time when the specific conversion is completed is large, the payment server 100 excludes the relevant member store from the contributing member stores.

[0044] The payment server 100 also determines the settlement amount for the contributing member store identified in step S13 (step S14). Specifically, the payment server 100 determines the settlement amount for the contributing member store based on the amount of remuneration for posting a predetermined advertisement to be given to the contributing member store and various fees for use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 1, when the payment server 100 identifies the member store MA as a contributing member store, it determines the settlement amount by subtracting α5 yen, which is the amount of various fees for the member store MA, from α1 yen, which is the amount of remuneration for the member store MA. The various fees include fees associated with the electronic payment performed at the member store MA and fees associated with the distribution of coupons based on a request from the member store MA.

[0045] In addition, when settling the amount of reward corresponding to a contributing member store, the payment server 100 may determine the amount of reward based on the unit price of reward corresponding to a predetermined conversion type included in the advertising performance information and the number of times the predetermined conversion is completed. In addition, when there are multiple contributing member stores, the payment server 100 may apportion the amount of reward according to the number of contributing member stores.

[0046] In addition, after determining the settlement amount, the payment server 100 executes the settlement process (step S15). For example, the payment server 100 may execute the settlement process using the money balance owned by the contributing member store. Specifically, the payment server 100 may settle by adding electronic money of an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing member store or by subtracting it from the money balance. That is, when the amount of the remuneration exceeds the amount of various fees and the settlement amount is positive, the payment server 100 adds electronic money of an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing member store. On the other hand, when the amount of the remuneration is less than the amount of various fees and the settlement amount is negative, the payment server 100 subtracts electronic money of an amount equivalent to the settlement amount from the money balance linked to the contributing member store. In addition, when the amount of the remuneration and the amount of various fees are the same and the settlement amount to the contributing member store is 0 yen, the payment server 100 may notify the contributing member store only of the offsetting of the remuneration for posting the advertisement and the various fees for using the electronic payment service. In addition, the payment server 100 may settle the amount by a method such as a transfer to an account of a financial institution registered in advance by the contributing member store. A specific application scene of the information processing shown in FIG. 1 described above will be described. For example, an advertisement for an insurance mini-app is posted at a drug store, which is a member store, in response to a request from an advertiser who operates an insurance business. In this case, the payment server 100 transmits information for displaying the insurance mini-app to the user terminal 10 that has read the code information included in the advertisement posted at the drug store. In addition, when the insurance mini-app is not installed on the user terminal 10, the payment server 100 guides the user U to a site for installing the insurance mini-app. Then, when the payment server 100 confirms an application for insurance by user U from an insurance application site, for example based on information from an advertiser or a notification from an embedded tag, it identifies the drugstore as a contributing affiliate and settles the settlement amount based on the remuneration for displaying the advertisement and various fees for using the electronic payment service, using the money balance linked to the drugstore.

[0047] (1-3-2. Settlement process (part 2)) Hereinafter, an overview (part 2) of the information processing regarding the settlement of expenses related to advertisements executed by the settlement server 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows an overview (part 2) of the settlement processing according to the embodiment.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 2, an advertisement AD2, the advertiser of which is a business G4 that provides a specific product, is posted at a member store MB, which is one of the physical stores operated by a business G3 that introduces an electronic payment service. An example of information processing when an advertisement AD2 advertising a specific product is posted at the member store MB is described below.

[0049] For example, the payment server 100 manages code information that is posted together with a given advertisement, which is information that associates and stores advertisement identification information unique to a given advertisement requested to be posted, identification information unique to a member store of an electronic payment service that posts the given advertisement in a physical store, and predetermined address information associated with each given advertisement. To explain this in detail using the example shown in FIG. 2, the payment server 100 manages code information CD2 to be posted together with an advertisement AD2 requested to be posted by a business G3. The payment server 100 manages code information CD2 that associates "advertisement #002", which is an advertisement ID unique to the advertisement AD2 (an example of "advertisement identification information"), "member store #002", which is a member store ID unique to the member store MA where the advertisement AD2 is posted (an example of "member store identification information"), and "URL2", which is predetermined address information associated with the advertisement AD2. The payment server 100 provides the code information CD2 associated with the advertisement AD2 to the member store MB that posts the advertisement AD2. The affiliated store MB displays the code information CD2 provided by the payment server 100 in the store. When the advertisement AD2 is digital content, the payment server 100 may generate advertising content that already has the code information CD2, using advertising material submitted by the business G4, which is the advertiser of the advertisement AD2, and the code information CD2 that corresponds to the advertisement AD2. In this case, the payment server 100 provides the generated advertising content to the affiliated store MB. The affiliated store MB displays the advertisement AD2 by displaying the advertising content corresponding to the advertisement AD2 on a display or display device installed in the store.

[0050] The affiliated store ID included in the code information CD2 may be the above-mentioned store identification information that is individually assigned by the payment server 100 to identify the business operator G3 (or the affiliated store MB operated by the business operator G3) when the electronic payment service is introduced by the business operator G3. Note that the affiliated store ID included in the code information CD2 may be new identification information different from the store identification information assigned when the electronic payment service is introduced.

[0051] The advertisement ID included in the code information CD2 is advertisement identification information that is individually assigned to the advertisement AD2 by the payment server 100 in order to identify the advertisement AD2 provided by the business entity G4 that is the advertiser.

[0052] The URL2 included in the code information CD2 is predetermined address information for identifying resources (such as files and web pages) managed in the payment server 100. The payment server 100 manages the address of a device (such as a web server or a file server) of the business entity G4 that stores content (such as a web page or a product purchase screen) for accepting purchases of products provided by the business entity G4, which is an advertiser, in association with the URL2 stored (recorded) in the code information CD2. In response to an access to the URL2, the payment server 100 responds to the access source (for example, the user terminal 10-2 shown in FIG. 2) with the address of the device of the business entity G4.

[0053] Furthermore, the payment server 100 manages the access history to the predetermined address information made through the user application. Specifically, the payment server 100 manages the user ID unique to the user U2 who accessed the URL2, the advertisement ID (e.g., advertisement #002) of the advertisement AD2 linked to the URL2, the affiliated store ID (e.g., affiliated store #002) of the affiliated store MB where the advertisement AD2 linked to the URL2 is posted, and the access date and time in association with each other. As a result, the payment server 100 can infer whether the advertisement AD2 posted at the affiliated store MB has been viewed by the user U2 based on the access history, even if the affiliated store MB is a brick-and-mortar store.

[0054] In the case shown in FIG. 2, a user U2 who enters the affiliated store MB operates the user terminal 10-2 to start a user application, and reads the code information CD2 included in the advertisement AD2 posted in the affiliated store MB through the user application. The user terminal 10-2 reads the URL2 included in the code information CD2 according to the operation of the user U2, and automatically accesses the read URL2 (step S21). Specifically, the user terminal 10-2 obtains an IP address corresponding to the URL2, and transmits a predetermined request for requesting the acquisition of content to the obtained IP address (the payment server 100) as the destination. The payment server 100 transfers the predetermined request from the user terminal 10-2 to a device of the business operator G4, which is the advertiser.

[0055] Furthermore, the user terminal 10-2 displays a product purchase screen in accordance with the response obtained by accessing URL2 (step S22). Specifically, the user terminal 10-2 displays, for example, using the function of a web browser, the file data of the product purchase screen obtained from the device of the advertiser, company G4, on the display of the user terminal 10-2 in a layout specified by the file data.

[0056] Furthermore, user U2 performs a payment operation to purchase a product on the product purchase screen displayed on user terminal 10-2. When user U2 performs a payment operation to purchase a product, user terminal 10-2 transmits payment information related to the purchase of the product (an example of "advertising performance information"). The payment information related to the purchase of the product may be transmitted to a device of business entity G4 that provides the product purchase screen, or may be transmitted to payment server 100. When the payment information is transmitted directly to payment server 100, this can be achieved by having user terminal 10-2 embed predetermined identification information (conversion tag) in the payment information.

[0057] 2, when the settlement server 100 acquires the advertisement performance information regarding the advertisement AD2 posted in the affiliated store MB (step S31), it executes information processing regarding the settlement of the cost regarding the advertisement AD2. For example, the advertisement performance information includes information indicating the corresponding advertisement ID, information indicating the purchaser, and information indicating the purchase date and time.

[0058] The payment server 100 acquires an access history regarding access by a user (for example, user U2 shown in FIG. 2) to the predetermined address information (step S32). Specifically, the payment server 100 acquires an access history associated with the same advertisement ID as the advertisement ID included in the advertisement performance information.

[0059] In addition, the payment server 100 collates the access history acquired in step S32 with the advertising performance information acquired in step S31 to identify the contributing member store that contributed to the advertising performance (step S33). Specifically, the payment server 100 identifies the candidate member store as a contributing member store when the access date and time to the predetermined address information linked to the predetermined advertisement posted in the candidate member store that is a contributing member store candidate is information included in the advertising performance information as the result of the predetermined advertisement and is earlier in time series than the date and time of the completion of the predetermined conversion related to the transaction object advertised by the predetermined advertisement. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 2, the payment server 100 identifies the member store MB that is a contributing member store candidate when the access date and time to the URL2 linked to the advertisement AD2 placed in the member store MB that is a contributing member store candidate is earlier than the date and time of the purchase of the product posted in the advertisement AD2.

[0060] Furthermore, when there are multiple candidate member stores that are candidates for contributing member stores, the payment server 100 may identify each of the candidate member stores as a contributing member store. Furthermore, among the multiple candidate member stores, the payment server 100 may identify a candidate member store where the elapsed time from the access date and time associated with a specific advertisement placed at the candidate member store to the date and time of the completion of a specific conversion is within a specific time as a contributing member store. In other words, when the time interval between the date and time when the advertisement posted at the relevant member store is estimated to have been viewed and the date and time of the completion of the specific conversion is large, the payment server 100 excludes the relevant member store from the contributing member stores.

[0061] The payment server 100 also determines the settlement amount for the contributing member store identified in step S33 (step S34). Specifically, the payment server 100 determines the settlement amount for the contributing member store based on the amount of remuneration for posting a predetermined advertisement to be given to the contributing member store and various fees for use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 2, when the payment server 100 identifies the member store MB as a contributing member store, it determines the settlement amount by subtracting α6 yen, which is the amount of various fees for the member store MA, from α3 yen, which is the amount of remuneration for the member store MB. The various fees include fees associated with the electronic payment performed at the member store MB and fees associated with the distribution of coupons based on a request from the member store MB.

[0062] In addition, when settling the amount of reward corresponding to a contributing member store, the payment server 100 may determine the amount of reward based on the unit price of reward corresponding to a predetermined conversion type included in the advertising performance information and the number of times the predetermined conversion is completed. In addition, when there are multiple contributing member stores, the payment server 100 may apportion the amount of reward according to the number of contributing member stores.

[0063] Furthermore, after determining the settlement amount, the payment server 100 executes the settlement process (step S35). For example, the payment server 100 may execute the settlement process using the money balance owned by the contributing member store. Specifically, the payment server 100 may settle by adding electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing member store or by subtracting it from the money balance. That is, when the amount of the remuneration exceeds the amount of various fees and the settlement amount is positive, the payment server 100 adds electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing member store. On the other hand, when the amount of the remuneration is less than the amount of various fees and the settlement amount is negative, the payment server 100 subtracts electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount from the money balance linked to the contributing member store. In addition, if the amount of remuneration and the amount of various fees are the same and the settlement amount to the contributing member store is 0 yen, the payment server 100 may only notify the contributing member store that the remuneration for displaying the advertisement and the various fees for using the electronic payment service have been offset.

[0064] As described above, the payment server 100 can settle the remuneration for posting the advertisement and the settlement amount based on various fees for using the electronic payment service by using the money balance owned by the affiliated store that posts the advertisement. In this way, when a physical store that is an affiliated store that introduces the electronic payment service is regarded as a display surface for the advertisement, the payment server 100 can efficiently settle the expenses related to posting the advertisement. To explain a specific application scene, for example, an advertisement for an insurance mini-app is posted at a drug store that is an affiliated store at the request of an advertiser. In this case, the payment server 100 transmits information on an insurance application site to a user terminal 10 that reads code information included in the advertisement posted at the drug store. Then, when the application for insurance by the user U is confirmed from the insurance application site based on, for example, information from the advertiser or a notification from an embedded tag, the payment server 100 identifies the drug store as a contributing affiliated store and settles the settlement amount based on the remuneration for posting the advertisement and various fees for using the electronic payment service by using the money balance linked to the drug store.

[0065] (1-3-3. Settlement process (part 3)) Hereinafter, an overview (part 3) of the information processing related to the settlement of expenses related to advertisements executed by the settlement server 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows an overview (part 3) of the settlement processing according to the embodiment.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing system SYS-2 according to the embodiment has a store terminal 20. The store terminals 20 are connected to each other via a network N (see FIG. 6, for example) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. The store terminal 20 can communicate with the user terminal 10 and the payment server 100 through the network N. The network N is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the store terminal 20-1 and the store terminal 20-2, they will be collectively referred to as "store terminal 20."

[0067] The store terminal 20 shown in FIG. 3 is an information processing terminal installed in an affiliated store operated by a business operator that introduces an electronic payment service. The store terminal 20-1 shown in FIG. 3 is used, for example, by a store clerk SA1 at the affiliated store MA. The store terminal 20-2 shown in FIG. 3 is used, for example, by a store clerk SA1 at the affiliated store MB. The store terminal 20 can be realized by, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or an information processing device such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The store terminal 20 can display information distributed by the payment server 100 using a web browser or an application.

[0068] When the store terminal 20 receives control information for implementing a predetermined information process from the payment server 100, the store terminal 20 implements the information process according to the control information. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark), a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a programming language such as Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). The predetermined application itself delivered from the payment server 100 may be regarded as the control information.

[0069] In the following description, the store terminal 20-1 used by the store clerk SA1 may be regarded as the same as the affiliated store MA. That is, in the following description, the store terminal 20-1 may also be read as the affiliated store MA. In the following description, the store terminal 20-2 used by the store clerk SA2 may be regarded as the same as the affiliated store MB. That is, in the following description, the store terminal 20-2 may also be read as the affiliated store MB.

[0070] The affiliated store MA shown in FIG. 3 is one of the physical stores operated by the business G1 that introduces the electronic payment service, and displays the advertisement AD3, for which the business G5 is the advertiser, in the store. The advertisement AD3 is an advertisement for promoting a predetermined product provided by the business G5. The advertisement AD3 is provided by the business G5 that is the advertiser. The advertisement AD3 is an advertisement that does not include the code information possessed by the advertisement AD1 shown in FIG. 1 and the advertisement AD2 shown in FIG. 2. For example, the advertisement AD3 is assumed to be any promotion advertisement such as a pop advertisement. The advertising medium of the advertisement AD3 may be data such as image data generated by an electronic method, or may be a poster generated by a physical method. When the advertising medium is generated by an electronic method, the advertisement is displayed by being displayed on a display or display device installed in the affiliated store at the affiliated store where the advertisement is to be displayed. The affiliated store MA also handles a predetermined product (hereinafter referred to as the "advertised product") provided by the business G5 as one of the products that can be purchased by general consumers (for example, the user U1 shown in FIG. 3). In addition, the affiliated store MB shown in Figure 3 is one of the physical stores operated by an operator G3 that introduces electronic payment services, and handles the advertised product of operator G5 as one of the products that can be purchased by general consumers (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 3).

[0071] For example, in the case shown in Fig. 3, assume that user U1 purchases product P111 at member store MA. In this case, the payment server 100 confirms the purchase of product P111 displayed in advertisement AD3 by referring to the payment history linked to member store MA that displays advertisement AD3, and identifies member store MA as the member store that contributed to the purchase of product P111. In other words, the purchase of product P111 advertised in advertisement AD3 displayed at member store MA (the establishment of a predetermined conversion related to the transaction object displayed in a predetermined advertisement) is treated as having been effective by advertisement AD3 displayed at member store MA.

[0072] In the example shown in Fig. 3, it is assumed that user U1 makes a payment using an electronic payment service at member store MA, then purchases an arbitrary product other than the advertised product, and then stops by member store MB and makes a payment using an electronic payment service at member store MB. In order to purchase an arbitrary product other than the advertised product at member store MA, user U1 uses, for example, user terminal 10-1 to make a payment through a store terminal 20-1 installed at member store MA (hereinafter referred to as "store payment"). Store terminal 20-1 sequentially uploads transaction information related to user U1's payment to payment server 100.

[0073] In addition, in order to purchase the advertised product at the affiliated store MB, the user U1 uses, for example, the user terminal 10-1 to make a store payment through the store terminal 20-2 installed at the affiliated store MB. The store terminal 20-2 sequentially uploads transaction information related to the payment of the user U1 to the payment server 100.

[0074] 3, the payment server 100 performs a payment process based on the transaction information acquired from the store terminal 20, and accumulates information related to the payment process as a payment history. In addition, the payment server 100 executes a settlement process based on the payment history at a predetermined timing.

[0075] Specifically, the payment server 100 acquires a payment history linked to a first affiliated store that has posted a predetermined advertisement in a brick-and-mortar store and a payment history linked to a second affiliated store that provides the transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement (step S41).Then, the payment server 100 matches the acquired payment histories to identify a contributing affiliated store that has contributed to the establishment of a predetermined conversion related to the transaction object (step S42).

[0076] For example, when a user who has received a transaction object at a second affiliated store makes a payment at a first affiliated store before making a payment at the second affiliated store, the payment server 100 identifies the first affiliated store as a contributing affiliated store. In the case shown in FIG. 3, the payment server 100 compares the payment history linked to the affiliated store MA (an example of a "first affiliated store") that displays advertisement AD3 (an example of a "predetermined advertisement") in a physical store with the payment history linked to the affiliated store MB (an example of a "second affiliated store") that provides the product P111, and identifies the affiliated store MA as a contributing affiliated store if a payment is made at the affiliated store MA before a payment to purchase the product P111 at the affiliated store MB.

[0077] In addition, the payment server 100 may specify the first and second affiliated stores as contributing affiliated stores when the second affiliated store has a predetermined advertisement installed in its physical store. In the case shown in Fig. 3, the payment server 100 specifies the affiliated stores MA and MB as contributing affiliated stores when the affiliated store MB providing the product P111 has an advertisement AD3 installed in its store.

[0078] Furthermore, in the case where there are multiple first affiliated stores where the user who was provided with the transaction object made a payment, the payment server 100 may identify each of the first affiliated stores as a contributing affiliated store. In the case shown in Fig. 3, if the user U1 (an example of a "user") made a payment at another affiliated store that displays an advertisement AD3 in its store in addition to the affiliated store MA before making a payment at the affiliated store MB, the payment server 100 identifies each of these affiliated stores as a contributing affiliated store together with the affiliated store MA.

[0079] Furthermore, the payment server 100 may identify, as a contributing member store, a first member store among a plurality of first member stores, in which the elapsed time from the user's payment date and time to the payment date and time at the second member store is within a predetermined time. For example, when the predetermined time is 24 hours, the payment server 100 identifies, as a contributing member store, a first member store among a plurality of first member stores, in which the elapsed time from the user's payment date and time to the payment date and time at the second member store is within 24 hours.

[0080] The payment server 100 also determines the settlement amount for the identified contributing member store (step S43). The payment server 100 determines the settlement amount in the same manner as in step S14 of Fig. 1 and step S34 of Fig. 2. Specifically, the payment server 100 determines the settlement amount for the contributing member store based on the amount of remuneration to be given to the contributing member store for displaying the specified advertisement and various fees related to the use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store.

[0081] In addition, when settling the amount of reward corresponding to a contributing member store, the payment server 100 may determine the amount of reward based on the unit price of reward according to a predetermined conversion type and the number of times the predetermined conversion is completed. In addition, when there are multiple contributing member stores, the payment server 100 may apportion the amount of reward according to the number of contributing member stores.

[0082] After determining the settlement amount, the payment server 100 executes the settlement process (step S44) in the same manner as in step S15 in FIG. 1 or step S35 in FIG. 2. For example, the payment server 100 may execute the settlement process using the money balance owned by the contributing member store. Specifically, the payment server 100 may settle by adding electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing member store or by subtracting it from the money balance. That is, when the amount of the remuneration exceeds the amount of various fees and the settlement amount is positive, the payment server 100 adds electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing member store. On the other hand, when the amount of the remuneration is less than the amount of various fees and the settlement amount is negative, the payment server 100 subtracts electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount from the money balance linked to the contributing member store. In addition, if the amount of remuneration and the amount of various fees are the same and the settlement amount to the contributing member store is 0 yen, the payment server 100 may only notify the contributing member store that the remuneration for displaying the advertisement and the various fees for using the electronic payment service have been offset.

[0083] As described above, the payment server 100 can settle the remuneration for displaying the advertisement and the settlement amount based on various fees for using the electronic payment service by using the money balance of the affiliated store that displays the advertisement. In this way, when the payment server 100 regards a brick-and-mortar store that is an affiliated store introducing the electronic payment service as a display surface for the advertisement, it can efficiently settle the expenses related to the display of the advertisement.

[0084] (1-3-4. Matching process (1)) In the information processing according to the embodiment described above, when an advertisement is posted at a member store regarded as an advertisement placement surface, a suitable member store may be proposed to the advertiser as the advertisement placement surface. The payment server 100 can efficiently collect information such as the transaction object transacted at each member store and the attributes of the user who made the payment based on the payment history of each member store accumulated with the provision of the electronic payment service. Therefore, the payment server 100 can realize the proposal of a suitable member store as an advertisement placement surface to the advertiser based on the information such as the user attributes. An outline of the matching process according to the embodiment will be described below. FIG. 4 shows an outline (part 1) of the matching process according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an outline of the matching process between the advertiser and the member store, that is, the process of providing information on a member store suitable as an advertisement placement surface in response to a request from the advertiser. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates an outline of the process when the advertiser is the member store MA.

[0085] The information processing system SYS-3 shown in Fig. 4 includes an affiliated store terminal 20-1 and a payment server 100. Note that the information processing system SYS-3 may also include affiliated store terminals installed at affiliated stores other than the advertiser.

[0086] In the information processing system SYS-3 shown in FIG. 4, the member store terminal 20-1 installed in the member store MA transmits an advertisement posting request to the settlement server 100 in accordance with an operation by the business operator G1 that operates the member store MA (step S51).

[0087] When the payment server 100 receives an advertisement posting request from the member store terminal 20-1, it identifies candidate member stores that are candidates for advertisement posting based on the suitable advertisement target information (step S52). The suitable advertisement target information pre-stored by the payment server 100 is information that estimates suitable advertisement targets, which are advertisement targets suitable for the member store, based on information about each member store, and is stored in association with the member store ID. It is stored in association with the member store ID. Note that the information indicating the suitable advertisement target included in the suitable advertisement target information shown in FIG. 4 may be information that directly identifies a transaction object such as a product or service, or may be information indicating a category into which transaction objects are previously classified based on their similarity.

[0088] For example, the payment server 100 can estimate an advertising target (hereinafter referred to as a "suitable advertising target") suitable for an affiliated store based on the payment history linked to the affiliated store. For example, the payment server 100 acquires attributes of transaction objects transacted at the affiliated store from the payment history linked to the affiliated store. The payment server 100 may then estimate a suitable advertising target corresponding to the affiliated store based on the acquired attributes of the transaction objects. As an example, the payment server 100 can estimate a product or service that is frequently transacted (the number of transactions in a specified period exceeds a specified number) at a certain affiliated store EX1, or a similar product or service similar to that product or service, as a suitable advertising target.

[0089] Also, for example, the payment server 100 may estimate an advertising target corresponding to each affiliated store based on the attributes of the user who performed the electronic payment service (e.g., user U1 shown in FIG. 1 or user U2 shown in FIG. 2) from the payment history linked to the affiliated store. Also, for example, the payment server 100 may estimate a suitable advertising target corresponding to the affiliated store based on the attributes of the affiliated store. For example, when the advertiser's attribute (e.g., industry or business category) is "pharmacy (drug store)", various insurance products are estimated to be suitable as advertising targets. Or, when the advertiser's attribute is "zoo", insurance products such as "heat stroke insurance" and "injury insurance" are estimated to be suitable as advertising targets.

[0090] For example, the payment server 100 sets a user profile corresponding to a royal customer for each affiliated store based on information about the payment user (user who performed electronic payment) included in the payment history at each affiliated store. The information about the payment user may include any information that the payment server 100 can obtain through provision to the electronic payment service via the platform of the electronic payment service, such as demographic attributes and psychographic attributes of the payment user. To specifically explain an example of setting a user, the payment server 100 identifies the characteristics of each user corresponding to a royal customer, and extracts characteristics common to each user corresponding to a royal customer based on the characteristics of each identified user. Then, the payment server 100 sets a user profile corresponding to a royal customer from the extracted characteristics. For example, if the characteristics of male, in his 30s, company employee, and single are extracted as characteristics common to each user corresponding to a royal customer at the affiliated store EX1, the user profile corresponding to a royal customer at the affiliated store EX1 is set to "male, in his 30s, company employee, and single." Furthermore, the payment server 100 sets a user image corresponding to a royal customer for each affiliated store, and then selects the affiliated store to be processed. For example, when the payment server 100 selects the affiliated store EX1 as the affiliated store to be processed, it compares the user image corresponding to the royal customer of the affiliated store EX1 with the user images corresponding to the royal customers of the other affiliated stores. Then, when the user image corresponding to the royal customer of the affiliated store EX1 matches the user image corresponding to the royal customer of the affiliated store EX2, the payment server 100 estimates that transaction objects that are frequently traded at the affiliated store EX2 are also advertising objects suitable for the affiliated store EX1.

[0091] The payment server 100 refers to the matching advertising target information and identifies a matching advertising target corresponding to the affiliated store that is the sender of the advertising display request based on the affiliated store ID included in the advertising display request.Then, the payment server 100 refers to the matching advertising targets associated with other affiliated stores in the matching advertising target information and identifies other affiliated stores that include at least a part of the matching advertising targets corresponding to the affiliated store that is the sender of the advertising display request as candidate affiliated stores that are candidates for advertising display.In the case shown in Figure 4, the payment server 100 identifies the affiliated store MC as the candidate affiliated store.

[0092] The settlement server 100 transmits information indicating candidate affiliated stores that are candidates for advertisement placement (for example, "affiliated store MC") to the affiliated store terminal 20-1, thereby providing the information to the affiliated store MA that sent the advertisement placement request (step S53). As a specific example, the settlement server 100 can suggest affiliated stores such as "zoos" and "beach houses" as candidate affiliated stores to an advertiser requesting to place an advertisement for "heat stroke insurance". This allows the business operator G1 that operates the affiliated store MA to consider whether the affiliated store MC is appropriate as a candidate affiliated store.

[0093] Although the information processing shown in Fig. 4 is an overview of the information processing when the advertiser is an affiliated store, the information processing shown in Fig. 4 can be similarly provided even if the advertiser is not an affiliated store. In this case, the payment server 100 requests information on the advertisement target from the advertiser, and performs matching of candidate affiliated stores based on the information acquired from the advertiser.

[0094] (1-3-5. Matching process (2)) Below, an overview of the information processing will be described when each member store wishes to post advertisements, i.e., when each member store wishes to operate the physical store it operates as an advertisement posting space. Figure 5 shows an overview (part 2) of the matching processing according to the embodiment. Figure 5 shows an overview of the processing for providing information on advertising targets suitable for posting in the store in response to a request from the member store.

[0095] In the information processing system SYS-3 shown in FIG. 5, the member store terminal 20-2 installed in the member store MB transmits an inquiry about a matching advertisement target to the payment server 100 in accordance with an operation by the business operator G3 that operates the member store MB (step S61).

[0096] When the payment server 100 receives an inquiry about a suitable advertising target from the member store terminal 20-2, it identifies a suitable advertising target suitable for the member store that is the sender of the inquiry based on the suitable advertising target information (step S62). Specifically, the payment server 100 refers to the suitable advertising target information and identifies a suitable advertising target corresponding to the member store that is the sender of the inquiry based on the member store ID included in the inquiry. In the case shown in FIG. 4, the payment server 100 identifies targets C3 and C4 as suitable advertising targets suitable for the member store MB that is the sender of the inquiry.

[0097] The payment server 100 transmits information indicating the identified suitable advertising targets (for example, "target C3" and "target C4") to the member store terminal 20-2, thereby providing the information to the member store MB that sent the inquiry (step S63). As a specific example, the payment server 100 can propose "ski insurance" and "ski equipment" as suitable advertising targets in response to a request from a member store that operates a "ski rental store". In addition, the payment server 100 can propose "protein bars", "swimsuits", and "health foods" as suitable advertising targets in response to a request from a member store that operates a "fitness club". This allows the business entity G3 that operates the member store MB to consider posting a corresponding advertisement based on the information indicating the suitable advertising targets.

[0098] [2. Payment server configuration] Next, the configuration of the payment server 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the payment server according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the payment server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0099] (Regarding communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal 10, the bank server 20, etc.

[0100] (Regarding the storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in Fig. 6, the storage unit 120 has a correspondence relationship storage unit 121, an advertising performance information storage unit 1221, an access history storage unit 123, a remuneration information storage unit 124, a fee information storage unit 125, a matching advertisement target storage unit 126, and a payment history storage unit 127.

[0101] (Regarding the correspondence relationship storage unit 121) The correspondence storage unit 121 stores information indicating the correspondence between advertisement identification information unique to a specific advertisement for which a posting request has been made, affiliated store identification information unique to an affiliated store of an electronic payment service that posts the specific advertisement in a physical store, and specific code information that is a code for sending customers to the advertiser of the specific advertisement and is posted together with the specific advertisement. FIG. 7 shows an overview of the correspondence according to the embodiment.

[0102] 7, the information indicating the correspondence stored in the correspondence storage unit 121 has a number of items such as an "advertising ID," an "affiliated store ID," a "URL," and a "forwarding destination URL." These items in the information indicating the correspondence are associated with each other.

[0103] The "advertising ID" field stores an advertising ID, which is advertising identification information unique to a specific advertisement to be posted in a store in response to a posting request from an advertiser (e.g., another affiliated store). For example, the advertising ID is assigned by the settlement server 100 when a posting request for an advertisement is received from an advertiser.

[0104] The "affiliated store ID" field stores an affiliated store ID, which is store identification information that is individually assigned to each business operator to identify the business operator (operated by the affiliated store) that introduces the electronic payment service. Specifically, the store identification information that is used when a user of the electronic payment service makes an electronic payment using the user terminal 10 is stored.

[0105] The "URL" field stores a URL, which is a predetermined address information described in code information posted at a member store together with an advertisement requested by an advertiser. For example, the "URL" field stores a URL for identifying a resource (such as a file or a web page) managed by the payment server 100.

[0106] The "Destination URL" field stores a URL for transferring the accessing user to a website operated by an advertiser when the user accesses the "URL" field. For example, the "Destination URL" field stores the address of the business's device (such as a web server or file server) that stores content such as a website (service application screen) for accepting applications for services provided by an advertiser business (for example, business G1 shown in FIG. 1 or business G2 shown in FIG. 2) or a website for selling products. The URL stored in the "Destination URL" field functions as an address for sending customers to the advertiser.

[0107] (Regarding the advertising performance information storage unit 122) The advertising performance information storage unit 122 stores advertising performance information indicating the effectiveness of a given advertisement that is posted using the affiliated store as an advertising space. Fig. 8 shows an overview of the advertising performance information according to the embodiment.

[0108] 8, the advertising performance information stored in the advertising performance information storage unit 122 has a number of items such as an "advertiser" item, an "advertising ID" item, a "conversion user" item, an "accomplished date and time of conversion" item, etc. These items in the advertising performance information are associated with each other.

[0109] The "advertiser" field stores information for identifying the advertiser of the advertisements posted at the affiliated store. For example, the "advertiser" field stores an affiliated store ID, which is store identification information assigned to each business operator to identify the business operator (operated by the affiliated store) that introduces the electronic payment service.

[0110] The "advertising ID" field stores an advertising ID, which is advertising identification information unique to a specific advertisement requested for display by an affiliated store that is an advertiser. For example, the advertising ID is assigned by the payment server 100 when a request for displaying an advertisement is received from an advertiser.

[0111] The "conversion user" field stores identification information for identifying a user who has performed a specified conversion on a transaction object advertised in a specified advertisement. For example, the identification information stored in the "conversion user" field is a user ID, which is user identification information individually assigned to a user when registering to use an electronic payment service. The "conversion completion date and time" field stores information indicating the date and time when the specified conversion was performed.

[0112] For example, the payment server 100 can identify information regarding the conversion of a transaction object advertised in an advertisement posted at a member store by referring to the advertisement performance information. According to FIG. 8, the payment server 100 can identify that a predetermined conversion was made by a user identified by a user ID: "user #001" at "12:15 on October 1, 2022" for a transaction object linked to an advertisement through an advertisement identified by an advertisement ID: "advertisement #011" requested to be posted by an advertiser identified by an affiliated store ID: "affiliated store #001".

[0113] (Regarding the access history storage unit 123) The access history storage unit 123 stores a history of access by a user to predetermined address information recorded in code information included in a predetermined advertisement. Fig. 9 shows an overview of the access history according to the embodiment.

[0114] 9, the access history stored in the access history storage unit 123 has multiple items such as a "user ID" item, an "advertising ID" item, an "affiliated store ID" item, and an "access date and time" item. These items in the access history are associated with each other.

[0115] The "user ID" field stores identification information for identifying a user who accessed a given address information. For example, the identification information stored in the "user ID" field is a user ID, which is user identification information assigned to each user when registering for the electronic payment service.

[0116] The "advertising ID" field stores an advertising ID, which is advertising identification information unique to a given advertisement. For example, the advertising ID stored in the "advertising ID" field is assigned by the payment server 100 when the advertising medium is generated.

[0117] The "affiliated store ID" field stores an affiliated store ID, which is store identification information that is individually assigned to each business operator to identify the business operator (operated by the affiliated store) that introduces the electronic payment service. Specifically, the store identification information that is used when a user of the electronic payment service makes an electronic payment using the user terminal 10 is stored.

[0118] The "access date and time" field stores information indicating the date and time when the specified address information was accessed.

[0119] For example, the payment server 100 can detect access to the predetermined address information described in the code information posted together with the advertisement by referring to the access history. According to FIG. 9, the payment server 100 can detect that the predetermined address information recorded in the code information included in the advertisement ID: "Advertisement #011" posted on the physical store of the affiliated store identified by the affiliated store ID: "affiliated store #001" as the advertisement posting surface was accessed by the user identified by the user ID: "user #001" at "October 1, 2022, 12:00". The payment server 100 can infer that the user who is the target of the advertisement advertised in the predetermined advertisement has viewed the predetermined address information by the access to the predetermined address information.

[0120] (Regarding the remuneration information storage unit 124) The reward information storage unit 124 stores information indicating the unit price of reward to be given to a contributing affiliated store that is estimated to have contributed to the establishment of a conversion according to a conversion type through a predetermined advertisement. FIG. 10 shows an overview of the reward information according to the embodiment.

[0121] 10, the remuneration information stored in the remuneration information storage unit 124 has a number of items, such as a "conversion type" item and a "remuneration unit price" item. These items in the remuneration information are associated with each other.

[0122] The "conversion type" field stores information indicating a conversion type preset by an advertiser as a result of a given advertisement. The "reward unit price" field stores information indicating a reward unit price preset for each conversion type.

[0123] (Regarding the fee information storage unit 125) The fee information storage unit 125 stores information indicating various fees related to the use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store. Fig. 11 shows an overview of the fee information according to the embodiment.

[0124] 11, the fee information stored in the fee information storage unit 125 has multiple items such as an "affiliated store ID," a "payment fee," and a "coupon usage fee." These items in the fee information are associated with each other.

[0125] The "Member Store ID" field stores the member store ID corresponding to the contributing member store. The member store ID is store identification information that is assigned to each business operator individually to identify the business operator (operated by the member store) that introduces the electronic payment service.

[0126] The "payment fee" field stores information indicating a fee associated with an electronic payment made at a contributing member store. The "coupon usage fee" field stores a fee associated with the distribution of a coupon executed at the request of a contributing member store.

[0127] (Regarding the Matching Advertisement Target Information Storage Unit 126) The suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 stores information on advertisement targets suitable for a member store that is estimated based on information on each member store (payment history and attributes of the member store). For example, the suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 can store suitable advertisement target information estimated based on the payment history of electronic payments made by a user of an electronic payment service using the user's terminal device (user terminal 10), in association with member store identification information (member store ID). Also, for example, the suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 can store suitable advertisement target information estimated based on the attributes of a transaction target transacted at a member store, in association with member store identification information. Also, for example, the suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 can store suitable advertisement target information estimated based on the attributes of a user who has made an electronic payment, in association with member store identification information. Also, for example, the suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 can store suitable advertisement target information estimated based on the attributes of a user who has made an electronic payment, in association with member store identification information. Also, for example, the suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 can store suitable advertisement target information estimated based on the attributes of a member store (for example, business type or business category) in association with member store identification information. FIG. 12 shows an overview of the relevant advertisement target information according to the embodiment.

[0128] 12, the suitable advertisement target information stored in the suitable advertisement target information storage unit 126 has a plurality of items such as an "affiliated store ID", an "affiliated store name", and an "suitable advertisement target". These items in the suitable advertisement target information are mutually associated.

[0129] The "affiliated store ID" field stores an affiliated store ID, which is store identification information that is individually assigned to each business operator to identify the business operator (operated by the affiliated store) that introduces the electronic payment service. Specifically, the store identification information that is used when a user of the electronic payment service makes an electronic payment using the user terminal 10 is stored.

[0130] The "affiliated store name" field stores information indicating the name of the affiliated store. The "suitable advertising target" field stores information indicating a transaction target that is presumed to be suitable as an advertising target when a predetermined advertisement is posted to the affiliated store.

[0131] (Regarding the payment history storage unit 127) The payment history storage unit 127 stores the payment history of electronic payments made at affiliated stores. Fig. 13 shows an overview of the payment history according to the embodiment.

[0132] 13, the payment history stored in the payment history storage unit 127 according to the embodiment has a plurality of items such as an "affiliated store ID", a "payment user", a "payment target", a "payment amount", etc. These items in the matching advertisement target information are mutually associated.

[0133] The "affiliated store ID" field stores an affiliated store ID, which is store identification information that is individually assigned to each business operator to identify the business operator (operated by the affiliated store) that introduces the electronic payment service. Specifically, the store identification information that is used when a user of the electronic payment service makes an electronic payment using the user terminal 10 is stored.

[0134] The "Payment User" field stores the user ID corresponding to the user who made an electronic payment at the affiliated store. The user ID stored in the "Payment User" field is the user ID, which is user identification information assigned to each user when they registered to use the electronic payment service.

[0135] The "payment object" field stores information indicating the transaction object transacted by electronic payment at the affiliated store. The "payment object" field stores information indicating the payment amount of the electronic payment made at the affiliated store.

[0136] (Regarding the control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the payment server 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 can also be realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0137] As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 130 according to the embodiment has an acquisition unit 131, a generation unit 132, an identification unit 133, a determination unit 134, and a provision unit 135, and these units realize or execute functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the control unit 130 may have other functional units than those shown in Fig. 6 as functional units for realizing processing by the payment server 100.

[0138] (Regarding the acquisition unit 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires a payment history linked to an affiliated store that introduces an electronic payment service, the payment history being an electronic payment history performed by a user of the electronic payment service using the user's terminal device. The acquisition unit 131 passes the acquired payment history to the identification unit 133.

[0139] The acquisition unit 131 also acquires a payment history linked to an affiliated store that has posted a predetermined advertisement in its brick-and-mortar store. The acquisition unit 131 transfers the acquired payment history to the identification unit 133.

[0140] The acquisition unit 131 also acquires a payment history linked to at least a first affiliated store that has posted a predetermined advertisement in its brick-and-mortar store, and a payment history linked to at least a second affiliated store that provides a transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement. The acquisition unit 131 transfers the acquired payment history to the identification unit 133.

[0141] (Regarding the Management Department 132) The management unit 132 manages the correspondence between advertisement identification information unique to the predetermined advertisement requested to be posted, affiliated store identification information unique to an affiliated store of an electronic payment service that posts the predetermined advertisement in a physical store, and predetermined code information that is a code for sending customers to the advertiser of the predetermined advertisement and is posted together with the predetermined advertisement. For example, when the management unit 132 receives a request to post a predetermined advertisement from an affiliated store that is an advertiser, the management unit 132 assigns an advertisement ID to the predetermined advertisement requested to be posted. In addition, the management unit 132 generates a code to be posted in the affiliated store together with the advertisement requested to be posted. The management unit 132 generates code information describing predetermined address information for sending customers to the advertiser. Then, the management unit 132 associates the advertisement ID, the affiliated store ID unique to the affiliated store that requested the posting of the predetermined advertisement, and code information related to the code to be posted together with the predetermined advertisement, and stores them in the storage unit 120.

[0142] In addition, when the advertisement requested to be displayed is digital content, the management unit 132 may generate advertising content having code information in advance by using advertising material submitted by a business entity that is the advertiser of the advertisement AD and code information associated with the advertisement requested to be displayed. In this case, the payment server 100 provides the generated advertising content to the affiliated store MB. The affiliated store MB displays the advertisement AD2 by displaying the advertising content corresponding to the advertisement AD2 on a display or display device installed in the store.

[0143] (Regarding the specific unit 133) The identification unit 133 identifies, for each predetermined advertisement, a contributing affiliated store that contributed to the results by matching the user's access history to the predetermined address information with advertising performance information indicating the results of the predetermined advertisement. For example, the identification unit 133 identifies the candidate affiliated store as a contributing affiliated store when the access date and time to the predetermined address information linked to the predetermined advertisement placed in the candidate affiliated store that is a candidate for the contributing affiliated store is information included in the advertising performance information as the results of the predetermined advertisement, and based on the completion date and time of a predetermined conversion related to the transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement, the access to the predetermined address is chronologically earlier than the completion of the predetermined conversion.

[0144] In addition, when there are multiple candidate franchisees that are candidates for contributing franchisees, the identification unit 133 may identify each of the candidate franchisees as the contributing franchisee.

[0145] In addition, the identification unit 133 may identify as a contributing affiliate a candidate affiliate among multiple candidate affiliates, a candidate affiliate for which the elapsed time from the access date and time linked to a specified advertisement posted at the candidate affiliate to the date and time of a specified conversion is within a specified time.

[0146] Furthermore, the identifying unit 133 identifies the affiliated store in which the predetermined advertisement is posted as the affiliated store that contributed to the establishment of the predetermined conversion, on the condition that the establishment of the predetermined conversion for the transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement is confirmed based on the payment history acquired by the acquiring unit 131. Furthermore, the identifying unit 132 may identify the contributing affiliated store by matching the payment history associated with the first affiliated store acquired by the acquiring unit 131 with the payment history associated with the second affiliated store. For example, when a user who has received a transaction object at the second affiliated store has made a payment at the first affiliated store before making a payment at the second affiliated store, the identifying unit 133 identifies the first affiliated store as the contributing affiliated store.

[0147] Furthermore, the identification unit 133 may identify the first affiliated store and the second affiliated store as contributing affiliated stores when the second affiliated store places a predetermined advertisement in its physical store.

[0148] Furthermore, in a case where there are a plurality of first affiliated stores where the user who has been provided with the transaction object has made a payment, the identification unit 133 may identify each of the first affiliated stores as a contributing affiliated store.

[0149] In addition, the identification unit 133 may identify as a contributing affiliated store a first affiliated store among multiple first affiliated stores, where the elapsed time from the user's payment date and time to the payment date and time at a second affiliated store is within a predetermined time.

[0150] (Regarding the determination unit 134) The determination unit 134 determines the settlement amount to be paid to the contributing member store based on the amount of remuneration to be given to the contributing member store identified by the identification unit 133 for posting a specified advertisement and various fees related to the use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store.

[0151] The determination unit 134 may also determine the amount of remuneration based on the unit price of remuneration corresponding to the type of predetermined conversion included in the advertisement performance information and the number of times the predetermined conversion is achieved.

[0152] In addition, when there are multiple contributing affiliated stores identified by the identification unit, the determination unit 134 may apportion the amount of the reward based on the number of contributing affiliated stores.

[0153] Furthermore, the determination unit 134 may settle the amount by adding electronic money equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the contributing affiliated store, or by subtracting the electronic money from the money balance.

[0154] (About the provider 135) The providing unit 135 provides information related to the posting of an advertisement with reference to the storage unit 120. For example, when the providing unit 135 receives a posting request for posting an advertisement from a first affiliated store, the providing unit 135 refers to the matching advertising target information, identifies a second affiliated store whose matching advertising targets include at least a part of the advertising targets matching the first affiliated store, as a candidate for the posting of the advertisement, and provides information indicating the identified second affiliated store to the first affiliated store.

[0155] In addition, when the provision unit 135 receives an inquiry about a suitable advertising target from a third affiliated store, it refers to the memory unit 120 (the suitable advertising target information memory unit 126) and provides the third affiliated store with information indicating the suitable advertising target associated with the third affiliated store.

[0156] The control unit 130 may also have an estimation unit that estimates a suitable advertising target indicating an advertising target suitable for the member store based on the payment history acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The estimation unit can estimate the suitable advertising target based on attributes of transaction targets such as products and services included in the payment history. For example, the estimation unit estimates a product or service that is frequently traded (the number of transactions in a specified period exceeds a specified number) at a certain member store EX1, or a similar product or service similar to the product or service, as the suitable advertising target.

[0157] The estimation unit can also estimate the suitable advertisement target based on the attributes of the user who performed the electronic payment. For example, the estimation unit sets a user image corresponding to a royal customer for each affiliated store based on information about the payment user (user who performed the electronic payment) included in the payment history at each affiliated store. The information about the payment user may include any information that the payment server 100 can obtain through provision to the electronic payment service via the platform of the electronic payment service, such as demographic attributes and psychographic attributes of the payment user. To specifically explain an example of setting a user, the payment server 100 identifies the characteristics of each user corresponding to a royal customer, and extracts characteristics common to each user corresponding to a royal customer based on the characteristics of each identified user. Then, the payment server 100 sets a user image corresponding to a royal customer from the extracted characteristics. For example, if the characteristics of male, 30s, office worker, and single are extracted as characteristics common to each user corresponding to a royal customer at the affiliated store EX1, the user image corresponding to a royal customer of the affiliated store EX1 is set to "male, 30s, office worker, single." Furthermore, the payment server 100 sets a user image corresponding to a royal customer for each affiliated store, and then selects the affiliated store to be processed. For example, when the payment server 100 selects the affiliated store EX1 as the affiliated store to be processed, it compares the user image corresponding to the royal customer of the affiliated store EX1 with the user images corresponding to the royal customers of the other affiliated stores. Then, when the user image corresponding to the royal customer of the affiliated store EX1 matches the user image corresponding to the royal customer of the affiliated store EX2, the payment server 100 estimates that transaction objects that are frequently traded at the affiliated store EX2 are also advertising objects suitable for the affiliated store EX1.

[0158] [3. Processing procedure example] (3-1. Settlement process (part 1)) Hereinafter, an example of a processing procedure executed by the payment server 100 according to the embodiment will be described. First, a processing procedure of the settlement process (part 1) according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 shows an example of the processing procedure of the settlement process (part 1) according to the embodiment.

[0159] 14, the specification unit 133 determines whether or not to execute the settlement process (Step S101). For example, the specification unit 133 determines whether or not it is a predetermined timing for executing the settlement process.

[0160] When it is determined that the settlement process is to be executed (step S101; Yes), the identifying unit 133 acquires the advertising result information from the advertising result information storage unit 121 (step S102). In addition, the identifying unit 133 acquires the access history for the predetermined address information corresponding to the advertising result information (step S103).

[0161] Furthermore, the identifying unit 133 compares the advertising performance information with the access history to identify contributing member stores that are presumed to have contributed to the advertising performance (step S104).

[0162] The determination unit 134 determines the settlement amount to be paid to the contributing affiliated store identified by the identification unit 133 (step S105), and executes the settlement process (step S106).

[0163] When the settlement process by the determination unit 134 is completed, the specification unit 133 determines whether the settlement process has been executed for all advertisers linked to the advertising performance information (Step S107).

[0164] When it is determined that the settlement process has been executed for all advertisers linked to the advertising performance information (Step S107; Yes), the specification unit 133 ends the process procedure shown in FIG.

[0165] On the other hand, when the specification unit 133 determines that the settlement process has not been executed for all advertisers linked to the advertising performance information (step S107; No), the process returns to the processing procedure of step S102 described above.

[0166] In the above-mentioned step S101, when it is determined that the settlement process is not to be executed (step S101; No), the specification unit 133 ends the processing procedure shown in FIG.

[0167] (3-2. Settlement process (part 2)) The following describes the procedure of the settlement process (part 2) according to the embodiment. Fig. 15 shows an example of the procedure of the settlement process (part 2) according to the embodiment.

[0168] 15, the specification unit 133 determines whether or not to execute the settlement process (Step S201). For example, the specification unit 133 determines whether or not it is a predetermined timing for executing the settlement process.

[0169] When the identification unit 133 determines to execute the settlement process (step S201; Yes), it acquires the payment history of the affiliated store that posted the advertisement in its physical store and the payment history of the affiliated store that offers the transaction object posted in the advertisement (step S202).

[0170] The identification unit 133 also collates payment histories for the same payment history to identify contributing affiliated stores that are presumed to have contributed to a predetermined conversion for the transaction target (step S203).

[0171] The determination unit 134 determines the settlement amount to be paid to the contributing affiliated store identified by the identification unit 133 (step S204), and executes the settlement process (step S205).

[0172] When the settlement process by the determination unit 134 is completed, the specification unit 133 determines whether or not the settlement process has been executed for all advertisements posted in the affiliated store (Step S206).

[0173] When it is determined that the settlement process has been executed for all advertisements (Step S206; Yes), the specifying unit 133 ends the process procedure shown in FIG.

[0174] On the other hand, when the specifying unit 133 determines that the settlement process has not been executed for all advertisements (step S206; No), the process returns to the process procedure of step S202 described above.

[0175] In the above-mentioned step S201, when it is determined that the settlement process is not to be executed (step S201; No), the specification unit 133 ends the processing procedure shown in FIG.

[0176] (3-3. Matching process (part 1)) The following describes the procedure of the matching process (part 1) according to the embodiment. Fig. 16 shows an example of the procedure of the matching process (part 1) according to the embodiment.

[0177] 16, the providing unit 135 acquires an advertisement posting request from the affiliated store (step S301). Specifically, the providing unit 135 acquires the advertisement posting request transmitted from the affiliated store terminal 20 via the communication unit 110.

[0178] Furthermore, when the providing unit 135 receives an advertisement posting request, the providing unit 135 refers to the matching advertisement target storage unit 125 to identify candidate affiliated stores that are candidates for advertisement posting (step S302).

[0179] The providing unit 135 also provides information about the identified candidate franchisees to the franchisee that requested the advertisement display (step S303), and ends the processing procedure shown in Fig. 16. Specifically, the providing unit 135 transmits information about the candidate franchisees via the communication unit 110 to the franchisee terminal 20 that sent the advertisement display request.

[0180] (3-4. Matching process (part 2)) The following describes the procedure of the matching process (part 2) according to the embodiment. Fig. 17 shows an example of the procedure of the matching process (part 2) according to the embodiment.

[0181] 17, the providing unit 135 acquires an inquiry about a suitable advertisement target from the affiliated store (step S401). Specifically, the providing unit 135 acquires an inquiry about a suitable advertisement target transmitted from the affiliated store terminal 20 through the communication unit 110.

[0182] Furthermore, when the providing unit 135 acquires an inquiry about a suitable advertising target, the providing unit 135 refers to the suitable advertising target storage unit 125 to identify a suitable advertising target corresponding to the affiliated store that has made the inquiry (Step S402).

[0183] In addition, the providing unit 135 provides information on the identified suitable advertising target to the affiliated store that sent the inquiry (step S403), and ends the processing procedure shown in Fig. 17. Specifically, the providing unit 135 transmits information on the suitable advertising target via the communication unit 110 to the affiliated store terminal 20 that sent the inquiry.

[0184] [4. Modifications] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the payment server 100 of each of the information processing systems SYS-1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the information processing system SYS-2 shown in FIG. 3, and the information processing system SYS-3 shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (hereinafter referred to as "each information processing system SYS") has a processing function for executing processing related to advertisements. However, the configuration of each information processing system SYS according to the embodiment does not need to be particularly limited to such an example, and the server device performing processing related to electronic payment services and the server device performing processing related to advertisements may be physically separate servers, or each server device may belong to a different system. In this case, each server device is connected to be able to communicate with each other in a state in which information required for each process can be exchanged with each other.

[0185] In addition, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, and conversely, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0186] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0187] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory.

[0188] [5. Effects] As described above, the payment server 100 according to the embodiment includes the acquisition unit 131 and the identification unit 133. The acquisition unit 131 acquires a payment history linked to an affiliated store that displays a predetermined advertisement in a physical store. The identification unit 133 identifies the affiliated store as one that contributed to the establishment of a predetermined conversion based on the payment history, on condition that the establishment of a predetermined conversion related to a transaction object displayed in the predetermined advertisement is confirmed.

[0189] The acquiring unit 131 acquires a payment history linked to at least a first affiliated store that has posted a predetermined advertisement in a brick-and-mortar store, and a payment history linked to at least a second affiliated store that provides a transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement. The identifying unit 133 identifies the contributing affiliated store by matching the payment history linked to the first affiliated store with the payment history linked to the second affiliated store.

[0190] In addition, the identification unit 133 identifies the first affiliated store as a contributing affiliated store when a user who has been provided with the transaction object at the second affiliated store makes a payment at the first affiliated store before making the payment at the second affiliated store.

[0191] Furthermore, if the second affiliated store displays a predetermined advertisement in its brick-and-mortar store, the identification unit 133 identifies the first affiliated store and the second affiliated store as contributing affiliated stores.

[0192] Furthermore, in a case where there are multiple first affiliated stores where the user who was provided with the transaction object made the payment, the identifying unit 133 identifies each of the first affiliated stores as a contributing affiliated store.

[0193] In addition, the identification unit 133 identifies, among the multiple first affiliated stores, a first affiliated store where the elapsed time from the user's payment date and time to the payment date and time at the second affiliated store is within a predetermined time as a contributing affiliated store.

[0194] In addition, the payment server 100 further has a determination unit 134 that determines the settlement amount to be paid to the contributing member store based on the amount of remuneration to the contributing member store identified by the identification unit 133 and various fees related to the use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store.

[0195] Furthermore, the determination unit 134 determines the amount of remuneration based on the unit price of remuneration corresponding to the type of predetermined conversion and the number of times the predetermined conversion is established.

[0196] In addition, if there are multiple contributing affiliated stores identified by the identification unit 133, the determination unit 134 divides the amount of the reward proportionately based on the number of contributing affiliated stores.

[0197] Furthermore, the determination unit 134 settles the amount by adding electronic money equivalent to the settlement amount to the money balance linked to the affiliated store identified by the identification unit 133, or by subtracting the amount from the money balance.

[0198] For this reason, the payment server 100 according to the embodiment can efficiently settle expenses related to the display of advertisements when a brick-and-mortar store that is an affiliated store introducing an electronic payment service is regarded as an advertisement display surface, by the processes executed by each of the above-mentioned units or any combination of the units. That is, the payment server 100 can estimate the contributing affiliated store that contributed to the success of the advertisement displayed at the affiliated store only from the payment history at the affiliated store, and can realize efficient settlement processing by offsetting the remuneration to be paid to the contributing affiliated store for the display of the advertisement with the commission of the contributing affiliated store for the use of the electronic payment service.

[0199] [6. Hardware configuration] The payment server 100 according to the embodiment described above is realized, for example, by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 18 shows a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment server 100 according to the embodiment.

[0200] The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected via a bus 1090.

[0201] The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and the secondary storage device 1050 and programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as a RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD, flash memory, etc.

[0202] The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 that outputs various types of information, such as a monitor or a printer, and is realized by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), a registered trademark. The input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as a mouse, keyboard, and scanner, and is realized by a USB, for example.

[0203] The input device 1020 may be a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0204] The network IF 1080 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the arithmetic device 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

[0205] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0206] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the payment server 100 which is an example of an information processing device according to the embodiment, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 executes a program (e.g., an information processing program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040 to realize a function similar to that of the control unit 130. That is, the arithmetic device 1030 cooperates with the program (e.g., an information processing program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040 to realize the processing by the payment server 100 according to the embodiment.

[0207] [7.Other] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

[0208] Further, the above-mentioned payment server 100 can be flexibly changed in configuration, for example, by calling an external platform or the like using an API (Application Programming Interface) or network computing, depending on the function.

[0209] Furthermore, the term "unit" in the claims may be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, a control unit may be read as control means or a control circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 User terminal 20 Merchant terminal 100 Payment Server 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Advertising performance information storage unit 122 Access history storage unit 123 Reward information storage unit 124 Fee information storage unit 125 Applicable advertising target information storage unit 126 Payment history storage unit 130 Control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 Generation part 133 Specific part 134 Decision Section 135 Provision Department

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information read by a user of an electronic payment service through a user application, the information being an access history to code information posted together with a predetermined advertisement at a first affiliated store that introduces the electronic payment service, and payment information associated with the second affiliated store that introduces the electronic payment service and provides the user with the transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement; an identification unit that compares the access date and time included in the access history with the payment information, and if the access date and time is chronologically earlier than the date and time of the achievement of the result due to the specified advertisement for the transaction object at the second affiliated store, identifies the first affiliated store identified by affiliated store identification information included in the access history, which is for identifying the first affiliated store associated with the specified advertisement in the code information, as a contributing affiliated store that is presumed to have contributed to the achievement of the result due to the specified advertisement; 13. An information processing device comprising:

2. The identification unit is When a user who has been provided with the transaction object at the second affiliated store makes a payment at the first affiliated store before making a payment at the second affiliated store, the first affiliated store is identified as the contributing affiliated store.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The identification unit is If the second affiliated store displays the predetermined advertisement in its brick-and-mortar store, the first affiliated store and the second affiliated store are identified as the contributing affiliated stores.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The identification unit is When there are a plurality of first member stores where the user who has been provided with the transaction object has made a payment, each of the first member stores is identified as the contributing member store.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The identification unit is Among the first member stores that exist in plurality, the first member store is identified as the contributing member store, the first member store for which the elapsed time from the date and time of the payment by the user to the date and time of the payment at the second member store is within a predetermined time.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. A determination unit that determines a settlement amount for the contributing member store based on the amount of remuneration associated with the posting of the specified advertisement to be given to the contributing member store identified by the identification unit and various fees associated with the use of the electronic payment service to be charged to the contributing member store.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. The determination unit is The amount of the remuneration is determined based on a unit price of the remuneration according to the type of the result achieved by the predetermined advertisement and the number of times the result is achieved by the predetermined advertisement.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

8. The determination unit is When there are a plurality of contributing franchisees identified by the identification unit, the amount of the reward is apportioned according to the number of contributing franchisees.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

9. The determination unit is Settlement is performed by adding electronic money in an amount equivalent to the settlement amount to a money balance associated with the affiliated store identified by the identification unit or by subtracting the electronic money from the money balance.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

10. The computer an acquisition step of acquiring information read by a user of an electronic payment service through a user application, the information being an access history to code information posted in a first affiliated store that has introduced the electronic payment service together with a predetermined advertisement, and payment information associated with a second affiliated store that has introduced the electronic payment service and provides the user with the transaction object posted in the predetermined advertisement; a step of comparing the access date and time included in the access history with the payment information, and if the access date and time is chronologically earlier than the date and time of the achievement of the result due to the specified advertisement for the transaction object at the second affiliated store, identifying the first affiliated store identified by affiliated store identification information included in the access history and for identifying the first affiliated store associated with the specified advertisement in the code information as a contributing affiliated store that is presumed to have contributed to the achievement of the result due to the specified advertisement; 2. An information processing method comprising:

11. On the computer, an acquisition step for acquiring information read by a user of an electronic payment service through a user application, the access history to code information displayed in a first affiliated store that has introduced the electronic payment service together with a predetermined advertisement, and payment information associated with a second affiliated store that has introduced the electronic payment service and provides the user with the transaction object displayed in the predetermined advertisement; a step of comparing the access date and time included in the access history with the payment information, and if the access date and time is chronologically earlier than the date and time of the achievement of the result due to the specified advertisement for the transaction object at the second affiliated store, identifying the first affiliated store identified by affiliated store identification information included in the access history and for identifying the first affiliated store associated with the specified advertisement in the code information, as a contributing affiliated store presumed to have contributed to the achievement of the result due to the specified advertisement; An information processing program characterized by causing the program to execute the above steps.

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