Information processing terminal and program

Abstract

To improve operability when information of a coupon which can be used at a shop indicated on a map is displayed.SOLUTION: An information processing terminal 300 has a display unit, first display control means for displaying, on the display unit, map information including information indicating positions of stores on a map, acquiring means for acquiring coupon information which can be used at the stores on the map displayed on the display unit, and second display control means for displaying the acquired coupon information on the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for displaying coupon information that can be used in a store.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for providing users with coupon information that can be used in a store are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for providing users with useful information about products.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a user selects a store icon and a product icon displayed on a map, product information such as coupons for the products in the store corresponding to the selected icon is displayed. However, when displaying coupon information using such a technique, when the user wants to view the coupon information available for each of a plurality of stores, the user has to repeatedly perform the operation of selecting the icon for each store, which is time-consuming. An object of the present invention is to improve the operability when displaying coupon information that can be used in stores shown on a map.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides an information processing terminal having a display unit, first display control means for displaying on the display unit map information including information indicating the positions of stores on a map, acquisition means for acquiring coupon information available at the stores existing on the map displayed on the display unit, and second display control means for displaying the acquired coupon information on the display unit.

[0006] The information processing terminal further has means for acquiring the position of the information processing terminal, and the second display control means may display coupon information available at stores existing within a target range defined based on the position of the information processing terminal among the stores existing on the map displayed on the display unit.

[0007] The information processing terminal further includes reception means for receiving a designation from the user regarding the display range of the map information, and the second display control means may display coupon information available at stores existing within a target range predetermined for the display range among the stores existing on the map displayed on the display unit.

[0008] The first display control means may determine the scale of the displayed map so that the number of stores existing within the target range is within a predetermined range.

[0009] The first display control means may determine the scale of the displayed map so that the number of coupon information provided by the stores existing within the target range is within a predetermined range.

[0010] The plurality of coupon information may be displayed scrollably in a second screen area separately set from the first screen area for displaying the map information according to a predetermined arrangement.

[0011] The second display control means may further display information indicating the timing when the coupon information is available.

[0012] The second display control means may further display information indicating the remaining number of issued coupon information.

[0013] The position where each coupon information is displayed may be determined based on at least any one of the content of restrictions on the use of the coupon information, the distance from the current position of the store that provides the coupon information, and the conditions specified by the user regarding the store or the coupon information.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a program for causing a computer to execute a step of displaying map information including information indicating the position of a store on a map on a display unit, a step of acquiring coupon information available at the store existing on the map displayed on the display unit, and a step of displaying the acquired coupon information on the display unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, the operability when displaying coupon information available at a store shown on a map is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the outline of a coupon system 10 according to an embodiment. The coupon system 10 provides a coupon service to promote a user's visit to a store. In the coupon service, coupon information available at stores existing around a reference position is provided to the user. This reference position may be the user's current position or a position specified by the user. When there are a plurality of stores around the reference position, a plurality of coupon information available at these stores is provided respectively. The coupon system 10 includes a map server 100, a distribution server 200, and an information processing terminal 300. The distribution server 200, the map server 100, and the information processing terminal 300 are connected via a communication network 50. The communication network 50 includes, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0018] The map server 100 stores map information showing a map and provides map information around the reference position to the information processing terminal 300. The distribution server 200 stores coupon information of each store and provides coupon information available at stores existing on the map displayed on the information processing terminal 300 to the information processing terminal 300. Here, "existing on the map" means being shown on the map. The information processing terminal 300 displays the map shown by the map information acquired from the map server 100 and the coupon information acquired from the distribution server 200. The user can receive benefits from the store by using the coupon information displayed on the information processing terminal 300 at the store. As a method of using the coupon information, for example, there are a method of displaying and presenting the coupon information on the information processing terminal 300 and a method of printing out the coupon information and presenting it at the store after bringing it to the store.

[0019] The store is, for example, a restaurant. However, the store is not limited to a restaurant. For example, the store may be a store that sells goods such as a supermarket or a convenience store, or may be a store that provides services such as a beauty salon or a hotel. The coupon information is an electronic coupon indicating that privileges such as discounts, point grants, presents, and special treatments can be received. The coupon information includes a discount coupon in which an amount determined from the price required for the purchase of goods or the provision of services is deducted.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the distribution server 200. The distribution server 200 is a general-purpose computer device. The distribution server 200 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, and a communication interface 203. These components are connected via a bus 204.

[0021] The processor 201 controls each part of the distribution server 200 by executing a program, and performs processing to realize the functions of the distribution server 200. The processor 201 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Note that the number of processors 201 may be single or plural. When a plurality of processors 201 are used, these processors 201 may execute processing simultaneously or execute sequential processing. The memory 202 is a computer-readable recording medium. The memory 202 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Further, the memory 202 may include a storage. The storage includes at least one of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a flash memory. The memory 202 stores a program executed by the processor 201 and data used by the processor 201. This data includes a coupon database 211. The communication interface 203 is connected to the communication network 50 and performs data communication with the information processing terminal 300 via the communication network 50.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon database 211. The coupon database 211 includes store identification information, location information, coupon information, expiration date, remaining days, issuable number, and remaining number. The store identification information is information that uniquely identifies a store. For example, a store name is used as the store identification information. However, the store identification information is not limited to the store name and may be an ID (identification) assigned to the store. The location information is information indicating the location of the store. The location information is expressed using, for example, latitude and longitude. The coupon information is information indicating that privileges such as discounts, point grants, and special treatments can be received. The expiration date indicates the period during which the coupon information can be used. The remaining days indicate the number of remaining days until the expiration date. The remaining days are obtained, for example, by counting the number of days from the current date and time to the expiration date. The issuable number indicates the number of coupons that can be issued for the coupon information. Here, the term "issuance" means that the coupon information is displayed on the information processing terminal 300. The issuable number is determined in advance according to, for example, the advertising fee paid by the store to the operator providing the coupon service. The remaining number indicates the remaining number of coupons that can be issued for the coupon information. The remaining number is obtained, for example, by subtracting the number of coupon information that has already been issued from the issuable number.

[0023] The number of coupon information issued by each store may be single or plural. Also, an upper limit may be set for the number of coupon information. For example, when the upper limit of the number of coupon information per store is set to four, the number of coupon information that can be registered in the coupon database 211 for a single store is limited to four or less. That is, five or more coupon information cannot be registered in the coupon database 211 for a single store. The upper limit of the number of coupon information may be fixed or variable. For example, by paying an additional fee to the operator providing the coupon service, the upper limit of the number of coupon information may increase from four to six.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the first row, store identification information "Burger Shop X", location information "P1", coupon information "Burger 90 yen off", expiration date "20XX / 09 / 30", remaining days "3", issuable quantity "100", and remaining quantity "15" are included. This indicates that the store "Burger Shop X" located at the position indicated by "P1" has issued coupon information for a 90 yen discount on burgers. The expiration date of this coupon information is September 30, 20XX, the remaining days until the expiration date are 3 days, the issuable quantity is 100, and the remaining quantity until the issuable quantity is 15.

[0025] The information included in the coupon database 211 is registered and updated, for example, by the store staff of each store. For example, when a store terminal (not shown) installed in the store is connected to the distribution server 200 via the communication network 50, the store staff registers the information shown in FIG. 3 in the coupon database 211 by operating the store terminal. Regarding the location information of the store, for example, based on the position specified on the map by the operation of the store staff, the distribution server 200 may obtain it from the map server 100. Also, when a coupon details screen described later for the coupon information provided by the store is displayed, the remaining quantity included in the coupon database 211 is updated by the processor 201. For example, when the coupon details screen for the coupon information "Burger 90 yen off" is displayed once, the remaining quantity of this coupon information is changed from "15" to "14".

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing terminal 300. The information processing terminal 300 is a computer device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal. The information processing terminal 300 is, for example, carried and used by a user. The information processing terminal 300 includes a processor 301, a memory 302, a communication interface 303, an input unit 304, a display unit 305, and a positioning unit 306. These components are connected via a bus 307.

[0027] The processor 301 controls each part of the information processing terminal 300 by executing a program, and performs processing to realize the functions of the information processing terminal 300. The processor 301 includes, for example, a CPU. Note that, similar to the processor 201, the number of processors 301 may be single or plural. When a plurality of processors 301 are used, these processors 301 may execute processing simultaneously or execute sequential processing. The memory 302 is a computer-readable recording medium. The memory 302 includes, for example, a RAM and a ROM. Further, the memory 302 may include a storage. The storage includes at least one of, for example, an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory. The memory 302 stores a program executed by the processor 301 and data used by the processor 301. This program includes an application program (hereinafter referred to as "coupon app") for realizing a function of displaying coupon information. The communication interface 303 is connected to the communication network 50, and performs data communication with the distribution server 200 and the map server 100 via the communication network 50. The input unit 304 receives an operation of inputting information to the information processing terminal 300. The input unit 304 includes at least one of, for example, a button, a touch sensor, a mouse, and a keyboard. The display unit 305 displays a map and coupon information. The display unit 305 includes at least one of, for example, a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 305 may be configured as a touch panel integrally with a touch sensor. The positioning unit 306 measures the position of the information processing terminal 300 at a predetermined time interval, and generates position information indicating the measured position. This position information is expressed by, for example, latitude and longitude. The positioning unit 306 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. However, the method by which the positioning unit 306 measures the position is not limited to the method using GPS. For example, the positioning unit 306 may measure the position using a wireless base station. The positioning unit 306 is an example of the "means for acquiring the position of the information processing terminal 300" according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing terminal 300. The information processing terminal 300 has a function of acquiring map information from the map server 100, acquiring coupon information from the distribution server 200, and displaying a map indicated by the map information and the coupon information. The information processing terminal 300 functions as a reception unit 311, a first acquisition unit 312, a first display control unit 313, a second acquisition unit 314, and a second display control unit 315. The functions of the information processing terminal 300 are realized by the processor 301 performing calculations or controlling each part of the information processing terminal 300 by executing a program stored in the memory 302.

[0029] The reception unit 311 receives a designation of the display range of the map from the user. For example, when the user plans to visit a store at a travel destination, the user may want to view coupon information of stores existing around a position different from the current position. In this case, the user performs an operation of designating a desired position using the input unit 304. When an operation of designating a desired position is performed, the range determined based on the desired position becomes the display range of the map. When the reception unit 311 receives a designation of the display range of the map from the user, the reception unit 311 supplies position information indicating the position designated by the user to the first acquisition unit 312. This position information is expressed by, for example, latitude and longitude.

[0030] The first acquisition unit 312 acquires map information around the reference position from the map server 100. When the reception unit 311 receives a designation of the display range from the user, the position designated by the user is used as the reference position. On the other hand, when the reception unit 311 has not received a designation of the display range from the user, the current position of the information processing terminal 300 measured by the positioning unit 306 is used as the reference position.

[0031] Specifically, the first acquisition means 312 transmits a request for acquiring map information around the reference position from the communication interface 303 to the map server 100. This acquisition request includes position information indicating the reference position. The map server 100 transmits map information around the reference position to the information processing terminal 300 in response to this acquisition request. This map information includes the position information and store name of stores existing on the map indicated by the map information. The first acquisition means 312 receives the map information from the map server 100 via the communication interface 303. The first acquisition means 312 supplies the map information thus acquired from the map server 100 to the first display control means 313.

[0032] The first display control means 313 displays the map indicated by the map information acquired by the first acquisition means 312 on the display unit 305. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon screen 400 displayed on the display unit 305. The coupon screen 400 is divided into a first screen area 401 and a second screen area 402. That is, in the coupon screen 400, the second screen area 402 is separately set from the first screen area 401. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first screen area 401 is provided below the coupon screen 400, and the second screen area 402 is provided above the coupon screen 400. However, the arrangement of the first screen area 401 and the second screen area 402 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6. For example, the first screen area 401 and the second screen area 402 may be arranged on the left and right of the coupon screen 400.

[0033] In the first screen area 401, a map around the reference position 410 is displayed at a standard scale. As described above, the map information includes the position information of stores existing on the map and the store names. For example, when there are stores such as "Burger Shop X", "Bakery Y", and "Restaurant Z" on the map, the map information includes the position information "P1", "P2", and "P3" of these stores, and the store names "Burger Shop X", "Bakery Y", and "Restaurant Z" of these stores. On the map, based on the position information of the store, an icon indicating the store and the store name are added. In the example shown in FIG. 6, at the position on the map corresponding to the position information "P1" of the store "Burger Shop X", an icon 411 indicating this store and the store name "Burger Shop X" are added. At the position on the map corresponding to the position information "P2" of the store "Bakery Y", an icon 412 indicating this store and the store name "Bakery Y" are added. At the position on the map corresponding to the position information "P3" of the store "Restaurant Z", an icon 413 indicating this store and the store name "Restaurant Z" are added. The icons 411 to 413 are information indicating the positions of the stores "Burger Shop X", "Bakery Y", and "Restaurant Z" on the map, respectively.

[0034] Also, on the map, a target range 420 defined with the reference position 410 as a reference is shown. The target range 420 is, for example, a circular range centered on the reference position 410 and having a radius of a predetermined length. However, the target range 420 is not limited to a circle and may have other shapes such as a rectangle. The first display control means 313 supplies the position information of the area on the map included in the target range 420 to the second acquisition means 314.

[0035] Here, the scale of the map may be changed according to the area to which the reference position 410 belongs, the number of stores existing in the target range 420, or the number of coupon information provided by the stores existing in the target range 420. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of changing the scale of the map. For example, when the area to which the reference position 410 belongs is an urban area, there are many users who move on foot. When the means of movement is on foot, it is difficult for the user to move to a store located at a place far from the current position. On the other hand, when the area to which the reference position 410 belongs is a rural area, there are many users who move by car. When the means of movement is by car, the user can easily move to a store located at a place far from the current position. Therefore, when the area to which the reference position 410 belongs is an urban area, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the map is displayed at a standard scale. As the standard scale, for example, a scale such that the radius of the target range 420 is 100 m is used. On the other hand, when the area to which the reference position 410 belongs is a rural area, the map is displayed at a scale with a smaller magnification than the standard scale, like the coupon screen 400 after the scale change shown in FIG. 7. As the scale with a smaller magnification, for example, a scale such that the radius of the target range 420 is 500 m is used. Note that urban areas and rural areas are predefined on the map.

[0036] Also, when the reference position 410 is in an area with a relatively small number of stores, that is, an area with a low store density, if a map is displayed at the standard scale like the coupon screen 400 before scale change shown in FIG. 7, there may be no stores in the target range 420. If there are no stores in the target range 420, coupon information is not displayed. On the other hand, when the reference position 410 is in an area with a relatively large number of stores, that is, an area with a high store density, there may be a large number of stores in the target range 420. If there are a large number of stores in the target range 420, coupon information for a large number of stores is displayed, making the display cluttered. To avoid such inconveniences, the scale of the map may be determined so that the number of stores existing in the target range 420 falls within a predetermined range. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined range is 2 or more and 5 or less. In this case, when the map is displayed at the standard scale as in the coupon screen 400 before scale change shown in FIG. 7 and there are no stores in the target range 420, as in the coupon screen 400 after scale change shown in FIG. 7, a scale with a smaller magnification than the standard scale is determined so that the number of stores existing in the target range 420 falls within the predetermined range of 2 or more and 5 or less, and the map is displayed at the determined scale. As a method of determining the scale, for example, there is a method of gradually reducing the magnification until the number of stores existing in the target range 420 falls within the predetermined range of 2 or more and 5 or less. Even if the scale of the map is changed, the size of the target range 420 with respect to the screen does not change. Therefore, when the magnification of the map becomes smaller, the area on the map included in the target range 420 becomes relatively wider. On the other hand, when there are 10 stores in the target range 420 when the map is displayed at the standard scale, a scale with a larger magnification than the standard scale is determined so that the number of stores existing in the target range 420 falls within the predetermined range of 2 or more and 5 or less, and the map is displayed at the determined scale. As a method of determining the scale, for example, there is a method of gradually increasing the magnification until the number of stores existing in the target range 420 falls within the predetermined range of 2 or more and 5 or less. As described above, even if the scale of the map is changed, the size of the target range 420 with respect to the screen does not change. Therefore, when the magnification of the map becomes larger, the area on the map included in the target range 420 becomes relatively narrower.

[0037] Furthermore, among the stores existing on the map, there are some stores that do not provide coupon information. Therefore, the scale of the map may be determined so that the number of coupon information provided by the stores existing in the target range 420 falls within a predetermined range. In this case, first, the first display control means 313 inquires of the distribution server 200 whether each store existing on the map provides coupon information. The distribution server 200 refers to the coupon database 211 and responds to this inquiry. For example, when the store identification information of the store existing on the map is included in the coupon database 211, since the store indicates that it provides coupon information, a response indicating that the store provides coupon information is made. On the other hand, when the store identification information of the store existing on the map is not included in the coupon database 211, since the store indicates that it does not provide coupon information, a response indicating that the store does not provide coupon information is made. When a response is made from the distribution server 200, the first display control means 313 identifies the stores existing on the map as stores that provide coupon information and stores that do not provide coupon information. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 7, when there are no stores providing coupon information in the target range 420 when the map is displayed at the standard scale, a scale with a magnification smaller than the standard scale is determined so that the number of stores providing coupon information existing in the target range 420 falls within a predetermined range of 2 or more and 5 or less, and the map is displayed at the determined scale. On the other hand, when there are 10 stores providing coupon information in the target range 420 when the map is displayed at the standard scale, a scale with a magnification larger than the standard scale is determined so that the number of stores providing coupon information existing in the target range 420 falls within a predetermined range of 2 or more and 5 or less, and the map is displayed at the determined scale.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 5, the second acquisition means 314 acquires, from the distribution server 200, coupon information available at stores existing within the target range 420 among the stores existing on the map displayed on the display unit 305. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the stores "Burger Shop X" and "Bakery Y" exist within the target range 420. In this case, the coupon information of the store "Burger Shop X" and the coupon information of the store "Bakery Y" are acquired. Also, coupon attribute information may be acquired together with the coupon information. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the coupon attribute information includes an expiration date, the number of remaining days, the number of issuable copies, and the remaining number.

[0039] Specifically, the second acquisition means 314 transmits, from the communication interface 303 to the distribution server 200, a request to acquire coupon information and coupon attribute information available at stores existing within the target range 420. This acquisition request includes position information of the area on the map included in the target range 420. This position information is expressed by, for example, latitude and longitude. The distribution server 200 transmits, in response to the acquisition request from the information processing terminal 300, coupon information and coupon attribute information available at stores existing within the target range 420 to the information processing terminal 300. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the position information "P1" of the store "Burger Shop X" and the position information "P2" of the store "Bakery Y" are included in the target range 420. In this case, the coupon information, expiration date, number of remaining days, number of issuable copies, and remaining number of the stores "Burger Shop X" and "Bakery Y" are extracted from the coupon database 211 and transmitted to the information processing terminal 300. The second acquisition means 314 receives these pieces of information from the distribution server 200 via the communication interface 303. The second acquisition means 314 supplies the coupon information and coupon attribute information thus acquired from the distribution server 200 to the second display control means 315.

[0040] Note that, in this embodiment, only the coupon information of the stores existing within the target range 420 is acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the coupon information of all stores, including stores outside the target range 420, existing on the map displayed on the display unit 305 may be acquired.

[0041] The second display control means 315 displays the coupon information acquired by the second acquisition means 314 on the display unit 305. As shown in FIG. 6, the coupon information is displayed in the second screen area 402. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the map and the coupon information are displayed on one screen. However, the map and the coupon information do not necessarily have to be displayed on one screen. For example, the coupon information may be displayed on a pop-up screen, etc., and the map and the coupon information may be displayed on separate screens.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the coupon information of two stores, the store "Burger Shop X" and the store "Bakery Y", is displayed. In this way, when the coupon information of a plurality of stores is displayed, these coupon information are scrollably displayed in the second screen area 402 according to a predetermined arrangement. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the coupon information of the same store is grouped and displayed together. Therefore, when there are a plurality of stores that provide the coupon information to be displayed, a plurality of groups are formed. The arrangement of these groups may be determined based on the distance from the reference position 410 of the store that provides the coupon information. For example, the arrangement of the groups is determined in the order of the proximity of the store positions from the reference position 410. By determining the arrangement of the groups in this way, the group of coupon information of the store closer to the reference position 410 is displayed preferentially over the group of coupon information of the store farther from the reference position 410.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of coupon information. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the store named "Burger Shop X" is the closest to the reference position 410, and the store named "Bakery Y" is the second closest to the reference position 410. In this case, the group of coupon information for the store named "Burger Shop X" is arranged at the left end, and the group of coupon information for the store named "Bakery Y" is arranged second from the left. However, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the second screen area 402 has a size that allows only the group of coupon information for one store to be displayed. Therefore, in the second screen area 402, only the group of coupon information for the store named "Burger Shop X" is displayed first, like the coupon screen 400 before scrolling shown in FIG. 8. When the user performs an operation to scroll the second screen area 402 to the right using the input unit 304, the second screen area 402 is scrolled to the right, and like the coupon screen 400 after scrolling shown in FIG. 8, the group of coupon information for the store named "Bakery Y" is displayed in the second screen area 402 instead of the coupon information for the store named "Burger Shop X".

[0044] Note that the direction of the scroll operation is not limited to the left-right direction. For example, the direction of the scroll operation may be the up-down direction. In this case, the groups of coupon information are arranged side by side in the up-down direction. Also, the method of displaying the coupon information of multiple stores is not limited to the method of displaying it scrollably. For example, the entire display may be reduced so that the coupon information of multiple stores fits within the second screen area 402.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of frames 421 are provided in the second screen area 402. These frames 421 are arranged in a matrix. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the coupon information of the store is displayed one by one in these frames 421. In other examples, two frames 421 may be assigned to one store. Representative coupon information of a pre-specified store is displayed in one of the frames 421, and the character "+3" indicating that the display of the other three coupon information is omitted may be displayed in the other frame 421. In this case, when the user performs an operation of selecting the other frame 421 using the input unit 304, all the coupon information of the store is displayed.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 6, one coupon information is displayed in one frame 421. However, for the coupon information that needs to be made prominent, a plurality of frames 421 may be integrated, and one coupon information may be displayed in the integrated frame 421. Also, for the coupon information that needs to be made prominent, the color of the frame 421 may be changed to a prominent color such as gold. The coupon information that needs to be made prominent may be determined by the store clerk when registering the coupon information, or may be determined according to predetermined conditions such as coupon information with a high discount rate.

[0047] In the coupon screen 400 shown in FIG. 6, information indicating the timing when the coupon information is available and information indicating the remaining number of issued coupons may be further displayed together with the coupon information. For example, when the remaining number of days of the coupon information is equal to or less than a predetermined number of days, information indicating that the end of the period during which the coupon information is available is approaching may be further displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the remaining number of days of the coupon information "Burger 90 yen off" is 3 days. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined number of days is 5 days. In this case, since the remaining number of days is equal to or less than the predetermined number of days, as shown in FIG. 6, an additional image 422 with the text "Almost expired" may be added to the coupon information "Burger 90 yen off". Similarly, when the remaining number of coupons is equal to or less than a predetermined number of sheets, information indicating that the remaining number of issued coupons is decreasing may be further displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the remaining number of the coupon information "Salad set 100 yen off" is 3 sheets. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined number of sheets is 5 sheets. In this case, since the remaining number is equal to or less than the predetermined number of sheets, as shown in FIG. 6, an additional image 423 with the text "Only a few left" may be added to the coupon information "Salad set 100 yen off".

[0048] Note that the information indicating the timing when coupon information is available and the information indicating the remaining number of issued coupons are not limited to the additional images 422 and 423, respectively. The information indicating the timing when coupon information is available may be, for example, the expiration date or the remaining days themselves. Also, instead of the remaining days, the remaining time until the expiration date may be used. This remaining time is counted down as time passes. The information indicating the remaining number of issued coupons may be, for example, the remaining number itself. This remaining number is counted down in response to the issuance of coupon information to other users. Each time the distribution server 200 updates the remaining number of coupon information included in the coupon database 211 in response to the issuance of coupon information to other users, the updated remaining number is transmitted to the information processing terminal 300. The second display control means 315 updates the displayed remaining number according to the updated remaining number received from the distribution server 200. Further, the expiration date, the remaining days, the remaining time, and the remaining number may be displayed within a display area provided for an icon indicating a store.

[0049] The coupon information displayed in the second screen area 402 may be narrowed down according to the conditions specified by the user. The conditions specified by the user include, for example, conditions using the genre of cuisine provided by the store. The first screen area 401 includes buttons 431 to 434 indicating the genre of cuisine. For example, when the user wants to see only the coupon information of stores that provide Chinese cuisine, an operation of pressing the button 431 corresponding to Chinese cuisine is performed. When this operation is performed, stores that provide Chinese cuisine are extracted from the stores existing in the target range 420, and only the coupon information of the extracted stores is displayed in the second screen area 402. That is, the coupon information of stores that provide cuisine of genres other than Chinese cuisine is not displayed. The genre of cuisine provided by the store may be included in the map information or may be preset by an operation of a store clerk or the like. The process of extracting stores that provide Chinese cuisine from the stores existing in the target range 420 may be performed by the distribution server 200 or the information processing terminal 300. When the distribution server 200 performs the process of extracting stores, information indicating the extracted stores is transmitted from the distribution server 200 to the information processing terminal 300.

[0050] In other examples, the conditions for narrowing down coupon information may include at least one of a condition using the discount rate of coupon information provided by stores such as stores that provide coupon information discounted by a predetermined discount rate or more, a condition using the attributes of stores such as local stores, and a condition using the business hours of stores such as stores currently in operation. Also in this case, similar to the case where the condition using the genre of cuisine is specified, stores that meet the conditions are extracted, and only the coupon information of the extracted stores is displayed.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the coupon system 10. This operation is started, for example, when the coupon app is launched by an operation using the user input unit 304.

[0052] In step S11, the first acquisition means 312 of the information processing terminal 300 transmits a request for acquiring map information around the reference position 410 to the map server 100. As the reference position 410, for example, the current position measured by the positioning unit 306 is used. In step S12, the map server 100 transmits map information around the reference position 410 to the information processing terminal 300. The first acquisition means 312 receives the map information from the map server 100. In step S13, the second acquisition means 314 of the information processing terminal 300 transmits a request for acquiring coupon information and coupon attribute information of stores existing in the target range 420 on the map indicated by the map information received in step S12 to the distribution server 200. In step S14, the distribution server 200 transmits coupon information and coupon attribute information of stores existing in the target range 420 to the information processing terminal 300. The second acquisition means 314 receives the coupon information from the distribution server 200. In step S15, the first display control means 313 and the second display control means 315 of the information processing terminal 300 display a coupon screen 400 including the map indicated by the map information received in step S12 and the coupon information received in step S14 on the display unit 305. For example, the coupon screen 400 shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, or FIG. 8 is displayed. When coupon information of a plurality of stores is acquired in step S14, as shown in FIG. 8, by the user performing a scrolling operation on the second screen area 402, these coupon information are displayed in order. When the user performs an operation of selecting desired coupon information using the input unit 304, a coupon detail screen for presenting this coupon information is displayed over the coupon screen 400. The coupon detail screen includes a button for receiving an operation of using the coupon. When the user performs an operation of pressing this button using the input unit 304, a coupon usage screen is displayed. For example, the user can use the coupon information by presenting this coupon usage screen to the store clerk.

[0053] After the coupon screen 400 is displayed, the user may change the coupon information displayed in the second screen area 402 by performing an operation to move the map. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the coupon screen 400. In the coupon screen 400 before the movement shown in FIG. 10, since there are stores "Burger Shop X" and "Bakery Y" in the target range 420, the coupon information of these stores is displayed in the second screen area 402. Here, when the user wants to view the coupon information of the store "Restaurant Z", an operation is performed to move the map to the right using the input unit 304 so that the icon 413 indicating this store enters the target range 420. Since the map moves to the right by this operation as in the coupon screen 400 after the movement shown in FIG. 10, a new display range of the map is specified. When this operation is performed, the reception means 311 receives the specification of the new display range of the map. When receiving the specification of the new display range of the map, the process returns to step S11 shown in FIG. 9, and the processes after step S11 are repeated.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the center of the target range 420 on the coupon screen 400 after movement becomes the new reference position 415. In step S11, a request to acquire map information around the new reference position 415 is transmitted. As a result, map information around the new reference position 415 is acquired from the map server 100. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, while the map moves to the right by the user's operation, the target range 420 does not move, so the area on the map included in the target range 420 is changed. In step S13, a request to acquire coupon information of stores existing in the target range 420 in the map after movement is transmitted. As a result, coupon information of stores existing in the target range 420 in the map after movement is acquired from the distribution server 200. In the coupon screen 400 after movement shown in FIG. 10, stores named "Restaurant Z" and "Bakery Y" exist in the target range 420. Therefore, coupon information of these stores is acquired. Note that since the coupon information of the store named "Bakery Y" has already been acquired, only the coupon information of the store named "Restaurant Z" may be acquired. In step S15, a coupon screen 400 including the map indicated by the newly acquired map information and the newly acquired coupon information is displayed. For example, like the coupon screen 400 after movement shown in FIG. 10, a map after movement is displayed in the first screen area 401. In the second screen area 402, coupon information of the store named "Restaurant Z" and coupon information of the store named "Bakery Y" existing in the target range 420 on the map after movement are displayed.

[0055] Note that the operation for designating a new display range of the map is not limited to the operation of moving the map. For example, a new display range of the map may be designated by an operation of inputting a place name or latitude and longitude. Also, the user may perform an operation of changing the scale of the map. Even when the scale of the map is changed by this operation, a new display range of the map is designated, and since the area on the map included in the target range 420 is also changed, the same operation as when the map is moved is performed.

[0056] When the user finds coupon information they like, the coupon information may be saved. When the coupon information is saved, if the user performs an operation to instruct the display of the saved coupon information using the input unit 304, the coupon information will be displayed regardless of whether the store that provides the coupon information exists within the target range 420 on the map.

[0057] Also, when coupon information for a certain store is saved by the user, when the user passes near that store, the coupon information may be displayed without the user's operation in order to recommend the use of the coupon information to the user.

[0058] According to the above-described embodiment, even if the user does not perform an operation of selecting an icon indicating a store on the map, the coupon information available at the stores existing on the map is displayed. Therefore, the operability when displaying the coupon information available at the stores shown on the map is improved. Also, since the coupon information available at the stores existing within the target range 420 defined based on the position of the information processing terminal 300 is displayed, when the user is carrying the information processing terminal 300, the user can obtain the coupon information around their own position. When the user performs an operation of specifying a position different from the current position, since the coupon information available at the stores existing within the target range 420 defined based on the position specified by the user is displayed, the user can obtain the coupon information at the location they are interested in. Furthermore, since the scale of the map is adjusted according to the number of stores existing within the target range or the number of coupon information provided by the stores existing within the target range, it is easy for the user to find the desired coupon information. Furthermore, since the map and the coupon information are displayed on the same screen, the user can check the position of the store and the content of the coupon information together. Furthermore, since the information indicating the timing when the coupon information is available and the information indicating the remaining number of issued coupon information are displayed together with the coupon information, the use of the coupon information by the user is promoted. Furthermore, since the position where the group of coupon information is displayed is determined based on the distance from the current position of the store that provides the coupon information, the coupon information of the store close to the reference position can be quickly found.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments may be modified and implemented as follows. The embodiments and the modified examples may be used in combination, or may be switched and used according to the execution. Similarly, the following modified examples may be used in combination, or may be switched and used according to the execution.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the arrangement of the group of coupon information may be determined based on the conditions specified by the user regarding the store. In this case, the user performs an operation of specifying the conditions regarding the store using the input unit 304. The conditions specified by the user regarding the store include conditions using the popularity of the store. For example, the group of coupon information of the store is arranged in descending order of popularity. Thereby, the coupon information of the store with higher popularity is displayed preferentially over the group of coupon information of the store with lower popularity. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the group of coupon information of the store with the highest popularity is arranged at the left end, and the group of coupon information of the store with the second highest popularity is arranged second from the left. Thereby, only the group of coupon information of the store with the highest popularity is first displayed in the second screen area 402. When the user performs an operation of scrolling the second screen area 402 to the right using the input unit 304, the second screen area 402 is scrolled to the right, and the group of coupon information of the store with the second highest popularity is displayed in the second screen area 402. The popularity of the store may be determined, for example, by the distribution server 200 collecting in advance the usage history of the coupon information and based on this usage history. For example, the higher the number of uses of the coupon information provided by the store, the higher the popularity of the store may be. The popularity of each store is transmitted from the distribution server 200 to the information processing terminal 300. The arrangement of the group of coupon information is determined using the popularity of the store acquired from the distribution server 200. According to this modified example, since the coupon information of the store with higher popularity is preferentially displayed, such coupon information can be found quickly.

[0061] In other examples, the conditions specified by the user for the store may include conditions using the user's attribute information. This attribute information includes at least one of gender, age, and address. In this case, the user inputs their own attribute information in advance using the input unit 304. The distribution server 200 collects in advance the attribute information of each user and the usage history of coupon information, and analyzes the usage tendency of coupon information for each user attribute. The usage history of coupon information is input into the distribution server 200, for example, by the operation of a store clerk. The group of coupon information of stores frequently used by other users having the same or similar attributes as the user is displayed preferentially over the group of coupon information of other stores. The store where the coupon information is preferentially displayed is notified from the distribution server 200 to the information processing terminal 300. Here, it is assumed that the user is a 20-year-old female. As a result of the analysis by the distribution server 200, if users in their 20s tend to frequently use the store "Bakery Y", for example, the group of coupon information of this store is arranged at the left end. Thereby, the coupon information of the store "Bakery Y" is first displayed in the second screen area 402 shown in FIG. 6. According to this modification, since the coupon information of the store corresponding to the user's attributes is preferentially displayed, such coupon information can be found quickly.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, when one store provides a plurality of coupon information, the arrangement of this coupon information may be determined based on the content of the restrictions on the use of the coupon information. The content of the restrictions on the use of coupon information includes, for example, the content that the remaining days are less than or equal to a predetermined number of days or the remaining number is less than or equal to a predetermined number. For example, among the plurality of coupon information provided by the store, the coupon information with the remaining days less than or equal to a predetermined number of days or the remaining number less than or equal to a predetermined number is displayed at a more prominent position than other coupon information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, among the coupon information of the store "Burger Shop X", the coupon information with the remaining days less than or equal to a predetermined number of days or the remaining number less than or equal to a predetermined number is displayed in the frame 421a at the upper left end of the second screen area 402. According to this modification, since the coupon information with restrictions on the use of coupon information is displayed at a prominent position, such coupon information can be found quickly.

[0063] In the above-described embodiments, when the same store provides a plurality of coupon information, the arrangement of this coupon information may be determined based on the conditions specified by the user regarding the coupon information. In this case, the user performs an operation of specifying conditions regarding the coupon information using the input unit 304. The conditions specified by the user regarding the coupon information include conditions using the popularity of the coupon information. For example, the coupon information is arranged in descending order of popularity. Thereby, the coupon information with higher popularity is displayed preferentially over the coupon information with lower popularity. In the example shown in FIG. 6, among the coupon information of the store named "Burger Shop X", the coupon information with the highest popularity is displayed in the frame 421a at the upper left end of the second screen area 402, and the coupon information with the second highest popularity is displayed in the second frame 421b from the left in the upper row. The popularity of the coupon information may be determined, for example, by the distribution server 200 collecting the usage history of the coupon information in advance and based on this usage history. For example, the higher the number of uses of the coupon information, the higher the popularity of the coupon information may be. The popularity of each store is transmitted from the distribution server 200 to the information processing terminal 300. The arrangement of the coupon information is determined using the popularity of the coupon information acquired from the distribution server 200. According to this modification, since the coupon information with high popularity is displayed in a prominent position, such coupon information can be found quickly.

[0064] In other examples, the conditions specified by the user for the coupon information may include conditions using the user's attribute information. This attribute information includes at least one of gender, age, and address. In this case, the user inputs their own attribute information in advance using the input unit 304. The distribution server 200 collects in advance the attribute information of each user and the usage history of the coupon information, and analyzes the usage tendency of the coupon information for each user attribute. The usage history of the coupon information is input into the distribution server 200, for example, by the operation of a store clerk. Coupon information that is frequently used by other users having the same or similar attributes as the user is displayed preferentially over other coupon information. The preferentially displayed coupon information is notified from the distribution server 200 to the information processing terminal 300. Here, it is assumed that the user is a 20-year-old woman. As a result of the analysis by the distribution server 200, if users in their 20s tend to frequently use coupon information for "100 yen off salad set" at a store called "Burger Shop X", for example, this coupon information is displayed in the frame 421a at the upper left end of the upper part of the second screen area 402 shown in FIG. 6. According to this modification example, since the coupon information corresponding to the user's attributes is displayed in a prominent position, such coupon information can be found quickly.

[0065] The content of the restrictions on the use of the coupon information described above, the distance from the current location of the store providing the coupon information, and the conditions specified by the user regarding the store or the coupon information may be used alone to determine the position where each coupon information is displayed, or at least two of these may be used in combination.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the second display control means 315 may change the display of the icon of the store that provides the displayed coupon information so that the position of the store that provides the displayed coupon information can be easily recognized. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when coupon information of a store named "Burger Shop X" is displayed in the second screen area 402, the display of the icon 411 of this store included in the first screen area 401 changes. As a method of changing the display of the icon 411, for example, at least one of changing the color or size, blinking display, and adding an additional image may be used. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when coupon information of a store named "Bakery Y" is displayed in the second screen area 402 by the user's scroll operation, the display of the icon 412 of this store included in the first screen area 401 changes. In this case, the display of the icon 411 of the store named "Burger Shop X" returns to its original state.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the coupon system 10 is not limited to the above-described example. The coupon system 10 may be configured to include one or more of the above-described devices, or may be configured without including some of the devices. For example, the distribution server 200 and the map server 100 may be an integrated device.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the operation of the coupon system 10 is not limited to the above-described example. The processing procedures of the coupon system 10 may be reordered as long as there is no contradiction. Also, some of the processing procedures of the coupon system 10 may be omitted. For example, after a map is displayed on the coupon screen 400, coupon information may be acquired and the coupon information may be displayed on the coupon screen 400. Also, the main body of the operation of the coupon system 10 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, at least a part of the processing of the information processing terminal 300 may be performed by the distribution server 200. Information is exchanged between the distribution server 200 and the information processing terminal 300 as necessary.

[0069] Another aspect of the present invention may provide a method having steps of processing performed in the distribution server 200, the map server 100, or the information processing terminal 300. Still another aspect of the present invention may provide a program executed in the distribution server 200, the map server 100, or the information processing terminal 300. This program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided by being downloaded via the Internet or the like.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the coupon screen may be divided according to the type of the target of using the coupon information. For example, when the type of "eating and drinking" is selected by the user's operation, a coupon screen for eating and drinking is displayed. This coupon screen for eating and drinking only includes coupon information that can be used in restaurants. On the other hand, when the type of "shopping service" is selected by the user's operation, a coupon screen for shopping services is displayed. This coupon screen for shopping services only includes coupon information that can be used in stores other than restaurants, for example, coupon information that can be used in stores that sell goods or stores that provide services other than the provision of food and drink.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the coupon information that can be used for lunch may be added with an additional image indicating that it can be used for lunch, for example, a label with the words "Lunch available".

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the coupon details screen may include a button for receiving an operation for instructing the display of the map provided by the map server 100. When this button is pressed by the user's operation, a map is displayed on the display unit 305 of the information processing terminal 300 according to the map information provided by the map server 100.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0073] 10: Coupon system, 100: Map server, 200: Distribution server, 300: Information processing terminal, 301: Processor, 302: Memory, 303: Communication interface, 304: Input unit, 305: Display unit, 306: Positioning unit, 311: Reception means, 312: First acquisition means, 313: First display control means, 314: Second acquisition means, 315: Second display control means

Claims

1. A display unit; a first display control means for displaying map information including information indicating the positions of each of a plurality of stores on a map on the display unit; An acquisition means for acquiring each coupon information associated with a coupon that can be used at each of the plurality of stores present on the map displayed on the display unit; a second display control means for displaying, on the display unit, a second screen area for displaying each of the acquired coupon information in a predetermined order and a first screen area for displaying the map information in a single screen; having A group of the coupon information is formed for each store, and the groups are displayed side by side in the second screen area.

2. A display unit; a first display control means for displaying map information including information indicating the positions of each of a plurality of stores on a map on the display unit; An acquisition means for acquiring each coupon information associated with a coupon that can be used at each of the plurality of stores present on the map displayed on the display unit; a second display control means for displaying, on the display unit, a second screen area for displaying each of the acquired coupon information in a predetermined order and a first screen area for displaying the map information in a single screen; having An information processing terminal in which a group of the coupon information is formed for each store, and the group formed for a store determined in response to a user's operation is displayed together in the second screen area of ​​the display unit.

3. The information processing device further includes a means for acquiring a position of the information processing terminal, The second display control means displays coupon information that can be used at stores that are present on the map displayed on the display unit and that are within a target range that is determined based on the position of the information processing terminal.

3. The information processing terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a receiving unit for receiving a designation of a display range of the map information from a user, The second display control means displays coupon information that can be used at stores that are present on the map displayed on the display unit and that are present within a predetermined target range with respect to the display range.

4. An information processing terminal according to claim 1.

5. The first display control means determines a scale of the map to be displayed so that the number of stores existing in the target area falls within a predetermined range.

5. An information processing terminal according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The first display control means determines a scale of the map to be displayed so that the number of coupon information pieces provided by the stores in the target area falls within a predetermined range.

5. An information processing terminal according to claim 3 or 4.

7. The coupon information is displayed in a scrollable manner in the second screen area.

7. An information processing terminal according to claim 1.

8. The second display control means further displays information indicating a timing when the coupon information can be used.

8. An information processing terminal according to claim 1.

9. The second display control means further displays information indicating the remaining number of coupons to be issued.

8. An information processing terminal according to claim 1.

10. The position where each coupon information is displayed is determined based on at least one of the following: the content of restrictions on the use of the coupon information, the distance from the current location of the store that provides the coupon information, and conditions designated by the user regarding the store or the coupon information.

10. The information processing terminal according to claim 7.

11. On the computer, displaying map information including information indicating the positions of each of the plurality of stores on a map on a display unit; acquiring coupon information associated with coupons that can be used at each of the plurality of stores present on the map displayed on the display unit; displaying, on the display unit, a second screen area for displaying each of the acquired coupon information in a predetermined order and a first screen area for displaying the map information in a single screen; Run the command, A group of the coupon information is formed for each store, and the groups are displayed side by side in the second screen area.

12. On the computer, displaying map information including information indicating the positions of each of the plurality of stores on a map on a display unit; acquiring coupon information associated with coupons that can be used at each of the plurality of stores present on the map displayed on the display unit; displaying, on the display unit, a second screen area for displaying each of the acquired coupon information in a predetermined order and a first screen area for displaying the map information in a single screen; Run the command, A program for forming a group of each coupon information for each store, and displaying the group formed for a store determined in response to a user's operation together in the second screen area of ​​the display unit.

Images