Information processing apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To improve a technology related to reward granting.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 provided with a control part 23. The control part 23 presents a plurality of choices including a first granting method being a granting method corresponding to first settlement means used in a transaction by a user of a terminal device 10 as a granting method of a reward based on a transaction amount by the terminal device 10 usable by a plurality of pieces of settlement means, determines whether or not to enable reward granting by a second granting method being the granting method selected from among the plurality of choices by the user, and executes the reward granting by the second granting method in the case of determining that the reward granting by the second granting method is possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques related to reward provision are known. A reward is a remuneration provided to a user who purchases a product or service using a payment means in a predetermined manner. Examples include recharging the balance of a specific prepaid card or adding points to a specific credit card. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for unifying rewards into adding points to a specific credit card even when payment is made using a payment means other than a specific credit card (e.g., a prepaid card or a debit card).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional techniques related to reward provision, users cannot freely select the method of receiving rewards, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the techniques related to reward provision.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus including a control unit, wherein the control unit As a method of awarding rewards based on the transaction amount by a terminal device that can use multiple payment methods, a plurality of options including a first awarding method that is an awarding method corresponding to a first payment method used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device are presented. Determine whether it is possible to award a reward in a second awarding method, which is the awarding method selected by the user from among the plurality of options. When it is determined that it is possible to award a reward in the second awarding method, execute the reward awarding in the second awarding method.

[0007] The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is A method executed by an information processing device, As a method of awarding rewards based on the transaction amount by a terminal device that can use multiple payment methods, present a plurality of options including a first awarding method that is an awarding method corresponding to a first payment method used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device. Determine whether it is possible to award a reward in a second awarding method, which is the awarding method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, and When it is determined that it is possible to award a reward in the second awarding method, execute the reward awarding in the second awarding method. including.

[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is to an information processing device, As a method of awarding rewards based on the transaction amount by a terminal device that can use multiple payment methods, present a plurality of options including a first awarding method that is an awarding method corresponding to a first payment method used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device. Determine whether it is possible to award a reward in a second awarding method, which is the awarding method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, and When it is determined that it is possible to award a reward in the second awarding method, execute the reward awarding in the second awarding method. A program that causes the above to be executed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, techniques related to reward granting are improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] <Overview of the Embodiment> With reference to FIG. 1, the overview of the system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The system 1 includes a terminal device 10 and an information processing device 20. The terminal device 10 and the information processing device 20 are communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0013] The terminal device 10 is a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet. The user can operate the terminal device 10 to use various services on the terminal device 10 via, for example, the network 30. In the present embodiment, the user can receive various rewards given by using a payment service on an application of a payment means in which a plurality of payment means installed in the terminal device 10 are registered as a funding source. The various rewards include, but are not limited to, recharging the balance of a specific prepaid card and adding points to a specific credit card. The number of terminal devices 10 included in the system 1 can be arbitrarily determined.

[0014] The information processing device 20 is a computer such as a server device. The information processing device 20 can communicate with the terminal device 10 via the network 30.

[0015] First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. The information processing device 20 presents a plurality of options including a first awarding method which is an awarding method corresponding to a first payment means used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device 10, as an awarding method of a reward based on the transaction amount by the terminal device 10 in which a plurality of payment means are available. The information processing device 20 determines whether it is possible to award a reward in a second awarding method which is the awarding method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, and when it is determined that it is possible to award a reward in the second awarding method, the information processing device 20 executes the awarding of the reward in the second awarding method.

[0016] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the awarding method of the reward is determined based on the selection of the user of the terminal device 10. Therefore, the technology related to the awarding of the reward is improved in that it becomes easier for the user to freely select the method of receiving the reward.

[0017] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] <Configuration of the terminal device> As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a positioning unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces for connecting to the network 30. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0020] The positioning unit 12 includes one or more devices for acquiring the position information of the terminal device 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 12 includes, for example, a receiver corresponding to GPS (Global Positioning System), but is not limited thereto, and may include a receiver corresponding to any satellite positioning system.

[0021] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with the display. The input unit 13 receives an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the terminal device 10. Instead of being provided in the terminal device 10, the input unit 13 may be connected to the terminal device 10 as an external input device. As the connection interface, for example, an interface corresponding to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0022] The output unit 14 may include one or more output devices that output information to notify the user. The output device may be, but is not limited to, for example, a display that outputs information as an image or video, or a speaker that outputs information as sound. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 14 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0023] The storage unit 15 includes one or more memories. The memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, etc., but is not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 15 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 15 stores any information used for the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 15 may store a system program, an application program, and embedded software, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 15 may be updated with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 11, for example. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 15 stores an application for payment means (for example, an electronic wallet application) in which a plurality of payment means are registered as funding sources.

[0024] The control unit 16 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to this. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to this. The control unit 16 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 10.

[0025] <Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus> As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0026] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces for connecting to the network 30. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto and may correspond to any communication standard. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 20 communicates with the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30.

[0027] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, a database, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updated with information acquired from the network 30 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores a user database. As shown in FIG. 4, the user database includes user data having "account information", "application information", "payment information", and "reward information" for each user of the terminal device 10.

[0029] The "account information" includes any information related to the user of the terminal device 10. For example, the account information may include, but is not limited to, a login ID and password for logging in to various services, a user ID, and a user name. Also, the account information may be used to authenticate the user when a transaction such as an electronic payment is performed, for example.

[0030] "Application information" includes any information that identifies the applications installed on the user's terminal device 10. In this embodiment, the application is an application for payment means (hereinafter also referred to as "payment means application") in which a plurality of payment means are registered as funding sources, but it is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, one payment means application is installed on the user's terminal device 10, but different types of payment means applications may be installed. Also, the application information includes any information that identifies the applications used on the terminal device 10 (for example, the applications being executed).

[0031] "Settlement information" includes any information used for conducting transactions such as electronic settlements. For example, the settlement information includes information on the payment means used by the user of the terminal device 10 (for example, the type, number, or expiration date of the card) and account information. In this embodiment, the information on the payment means is stored in a database in association with the payment means application. That is, the user database stores information indicating what payment means the user of the terminal device 10 uses with the payment means application.

[0032] "Reward information" includes any information indicating the rewards given by conducting transactions such as electronic settlements. For example, the reward information includes information indicating the reward granting method (hereinafter also simply referred to as "granting method") based on the transaction amount for each payment means indicated by the settlement information. The granting method includes balance recharge and point addition. Also, the reward information includes information indicating the balance, points, or point reduction rate. However, the reward information is not limited to these examples and may include any information.

[0033] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 20.

[0034] <Operation flow of the information processing device> Referring to FIG. 5, the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation in FIG. 5 corresponds to the method according to the present embodiment. The operation in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed, for example, at a predetermined period. The predetermined period can be arbitrarily determined.

[0035] Step S100: The control unit 23 of the information processing apparatus 20 presents a plurality of options including a first awarding method, which is an awarding method corresponding to the first payment means used in the transaction by the user of the terminal device 10, as an awarding method of rewards based on the transaction amount by the terminal device 10 capable of using a plurality of payment means. The "terminal device 10 capable of using a plurality of payment means" means that the user of the terminal device 10 can select one of a plurality of payment means using a payment means application installed in the terminal device 10 and pay for the purchase price of goods or services or recharge the balance of the payment means by the payment means. Hereinafter, the plurality of payment means will be described as including a prepaid card S and a credit card T, but are not limited thereto and may include any payment means. The "transaction amount by the terminal device 10" refers to the transaction amount of the transaction performed by the terminal device 10. The "transaction" includes, but is not limited to, payment for the purchase price of goods or services by the prepaid card S or the credit card T and recharge of the balance of the prepaid card S.

[0036] Specifically, the control unit 23 receives, from the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 via the network 30 and the communication unit 21, information indicating the payment means used in the transaction performed by the user of the terminal device 10 in the terminal device 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as "payment means information"), and user identification information (for example, user ID) used for authentication of the transaction.

[0037] The control unit 23 identifies the payment method indicated by the received payment method information as the first payment method. For example, assume that the user operates a smartphone as the terminal device 10 to select a prepaid card S on the payment means application and makes a payment (electronic payment) for the purchase price of the product. In this case, the control unit 23 receives the payment means information indicating the prepaid card S from the terminal device 10 and identifies the prepaid card S as the first payment method.

[0038] The control unit 23 searches the user database using the received user identification information as a query and refers to the reward information corresponding to the user's terminal device 10. The control unit 23 identifies the awarding method corresponding to the first payment method indicated by the flag of the reward information as the first awarding method. For example, when the flag corresponding to the prepaid card S, which is the first payment method, indicates "recharge of the balance of the prepaid card S", the control unit 23 identifies "recharge of the balance of the prepaid card S" as the first awarding method. Similarly for other payment methods, the control unit 23 refers to the reward information in the user database to identify the awarding method corresponding to each payment method. The control unit 23 sets the plurality of awarding methods thus identified as a plurality of options for the awarding method of the reward based on the transaction amount. The control unit 23 adds each set option to a list of awarding method options (hereinafter also referred to as the "awarding method list"). In this way, the control unit 23 includes the first awarding method in the plurality of options. In the present embodiment, the selectable awarding methods for each payment method are grouped, and information indicating the selectable awarding methods is stored in the user database in association with each payment method.

[0039] Then, the control unit 23 presents a plurality of options by transmitting the awarding method list to the terminal device 10 for output. For example, the user operates a smartphone as the terminal device 10 to display the payment means application on the screen of the smartphone. In this case, the control unit 23 presents a plurality of options to the user of the terminal device 10 by transmitting the awarding method list to the terminal device 10 and displaying it on the payment means application.

[0040] In this way, as a method of awarding rewards based on the transaction amount by the terminal device 10 that can use a plurality of payment means, the control unit 23 presents a plurality of options including a first awarding method that is an awarding method corresponding to the first payment means used in the transaction by the user of the terminal device 10.

[0041] Also, when presenting a plurality of options, the control unit 23 can include, in the plurality of options, an awarding method corresponding to a predetermined payment means by executing the operation of FIG. 6 described later. The operation of FIG. 6 corresponds to the detailed processing procedure of step S100.

[0042] Step S200: The control unit 23 determines whether a specific application is being used on the user's terminal device 10. That is, the control unit 23 determines whether the user of the terminal device 10 has conducted a transaction using a specific application. If it is determined that a specific application is being used (step S200 - Yes), the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific application is not being used (step S200 - No), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0043] Any method can be adopted for the determination in this step. For example, the control unit 23 may retrieve a list of applications (hereinafter, "application list") used on the terminal device 10 by searching the user database and referring to the application information corresponding to the user's terminal device 10. If the specific application is included in the application list, the control unit 23 may determine that the specific application is being used on the user's terminal device 10. For example, the specific application may be an electronic wallet application provided by a specific operator.

[0044] Step S201: When it is determined that a specific application is being used (Step S200 - Yes), the control unit 23 determines whether a predetermined payment method is registered as a payment method used in the specific application. If it is determined that the predetermined payment method is registered (Step S201 - Yes), the process proceeds to Step S202. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined payment method is not registered (Step S201 - No), the process proceeds to Step S203.

[0045] The predetermined payment method may be the same payment method as the first payment method (i.e., a payment method with the same granting method), but in this embodiment, it is assumed to be a payment method different from the first payment method (i.e., a payment method with a different granting method). Hereinafter, the description will be made on the assumption that the first payment method is the prepaid card S and the predetermined payment method is the credit card T, but it is not limited thereto. Any method can be adopted for determining the registration of the predetermined payment method. For example, the control unit 23 may search the user database, refer to the payment information corresponding to the user's terminal device 10, and obtain a list of payment methods specified by the user as the payment methods used in the specific application (hereinafter, "payment method list"). If the credit card T is included in the payment method list, the control unit 23 may determine that the predetermined payment method is registered.

[0046] Step S202: When it is determined that the predetermined payment method is registered (Step S201 - Yes), the control unit 23 includes the granting method corresponding to the predetermined payment method in a plurality of options.

[0047] Specifically, the control unit 23 identifies the awarding method corresponding to the credit card T, which is a predetermined payment method, by referring to the reward information in the user database. For example, when the flag corresponding to the credit card T indicates "point addition for credit card T", the control unit 23 identifies "point addition for credit card T" as the awarding method corresponding to the predetermined payment method. The control unit 23 sets the identified awarding method ("point addition for credit card T") as an additional option for the awarding method. By adding the set additional option to the awarding method list, the control unit 23 includes the awarding method corresponding to the predetermined payment method in the multiple options.

[0048] In this way, when presenting multiple options, if it is determined that a specific application is used in the terminal device 10 and a predetermined payment method is registered as the payment method used in the specific application, the control unit 23 includes the awarding method corresponding to the predetermined payment method in the multiple options (step S202). On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific application is not used in the terminal device 10 (step S200 - No), or if it is determined that although a specific application is used in the terminal device 10, a predetermined payment method is not registered as the payment method used in the specific application (step S201 - No), the process proceeds to step S203 without going through step S202.

[0049] That is, for a user who does not use a specific application in the terminal device 10, that is, a user who conducts transactions using other applications, the awarding method corresponding to the predetermined payment method is not presented as one of the multiple options. Such a user cannot select the awarding method corresponding to the predetermined payment method and cannot receive rewards in that awarding method. For example, assume that the predetermined payment method is the credit card T. In this case, even if the user is a member of the credit card T, when conducting transactions using a payment method other than the credit card T using an application other than the specific application in the terminal device 10, the user cannot receive rewards in the awarding method corresponding to the credit card T.

[0050] On the other hand, for a user who uses a specific application on the terminal device 10 and has registered credit card T as a payment method used in the specific application, an awarding method corresponding to a predetermined payment method (here, credit card T) is presented as an awarding method for rewards. For the terminal device 10 of a user who satisfies both conditions, in addition to the awarding methods corresponding to each payment method, the awarding method corresponding to the predetermined payment method is stored in the user database as an additional selectable awarding method. As a result, a user who is a member of credit card T and also a member of a specific application can choose to receive point addition for credit card T even when conducting a transaction using a payment method other than credit card T (for example, prepaid card S). Therefore, for example, when a point service provider for a specific payment method is an affiliated company capable of information cooperation with the operator of a specific application, it becomes easier to give an incentive for the user of the terminal device 10 who is a member to become a member of the specific application. When the user of the terminal device 10 who is a member becomes a member of a specific application, the point service provider can easily perform user consumption behavior analysis by obtaining the transaction information of the user of the terminal device 10 from, for example, the server of the operator of the specific application.

[0051] Step S203: The control unit 23 includes the first awarding method in a plurality of options. Since the processing of this step is the same as the processing described above in step S100, the description is omitted.

[0052] Step S204: The control unit 23 presents a plurality of options. Since the processing of this step is the same as the processing described above in step S100, the description is omitted.

[0053] Hereinafter, the description will return to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0054] Step S101: The control unit 23 determines whether it is possible to grant a reward in the second granting method, which is the granting method selected by the user of the terminal device 10 from among the plurality of options presented in step S100. If it is determined that it is possible to grant a reward in the second granting method (step S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not possible to grant a reward in the second granting method (step S101-No), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0055] Any method can be adopted for the determination in this step. For example, the control unit 23 may receive, from the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 via the network 30 and the communication unit 21, information indicating the granting method selected by the user of the terminal device 10 from among the plurality of options presented in step S100. The control unit 23 can identify the granting method indicated by the received information as the second granting method. The second granting method may be the same as or different from the first granting method. Specific examples, namely the first example and the second example, are shown below.

[0056] The first example is the case where the second granting method is the same as the first granting method. Typically, it is the case where the user of the terminal device 10 wishes to receive a reward corresponding to the payment means used in the transaction and selects the same granting method as the first granting method as the second granting method. In this example, assume that the user of the terminal device 10 that has performed an electronic payment with the prepaid card S on the electronic wallet application selects "recharge the balance of the prepaid card S" from among the plurality of options presented. In this case, the second granting method is the same as the first granting method. And at the time of the determination in this step, since the transaction using the first payment means by the user has been completed, the first payment means has not become invalid due to circumstances such as cancellation or expiration. Therefore, the control unit 23 can determine that it is possible to grant a reward in the second granting method.

[0057] The second example is a case where the second awarding method is different from the first awarding method. Typically, it is a case where the user of the terminal device 10 hopes to receive a reward corresponding to a payment method different from the payment method used in the transaction, and selects an awarding method different from the first awarding method as the second awarding method. In this example, assume that the user of the terminal device 10 that made an electronic payment with the prepaid card S on the electronic wallet application selected "point addition for credit card T" from among the multiple presented options. In this case, the second awarding method is different from the first awarding method. At the time of determination in this step, the transaction using the first payment method by the user has been completed, but unlike the first example, the payment method corresponding to the second awarding method may be invalid due to circumstances such as cancellation or expiration. For this reason, the control unit 23 may, for example, inquire of the server of the service provider of the payment method corresponding to the second awarding method whether the payment method corresponding to the second awarding method is valid at the time of determination in this step, and determine whether it is possible to award a reward in the second awarding method according to the inquiry result. Also, the payment of the amount required for the awarding of the reward may be carried out on behalf of the operator of the electronic wallet application. That is, the operator of the electronic wallet application may bear the payment of the amount required for the awarding of the reward corresponding to each payment method registered in the electronic wallet application. The operator of the electronic wallet application can set a point reduction rate for each payment method and perform point conversion according to the awarding method selected by the user, thereby making the payment of the amount required for the awarding of the reward. In this case, regardless of the existence of a point exchange system between the service providers of the payment methods, it is possible to execute the awarding of a reward to the user of the terminal device 10.

[0058] Step S102: When it is determined that it is possible to award a reward in the second awarding method (Step S101 - Yes), the control unit 23 executes the awarding of the reward in the second awarding method. Then, the process ends.

[0059] Specifically, the control unit 23 calculates the amount necessary for awarding a reward based on the transaction amount by the settlement means, based on the point reduction rate of the second awarding method indicated by the reward information in the user database. The control unit 23 adds the calculated amount to the balance or points of the settlement means corresponding to the second awarding method indicated by the reward information.

[0060] In the above first example, the control unit 23 calculates the amount necessary for awarding a reward based on the transaction amount of the electronic settlement by the prepaid card S, based on the point reduction rate of "recharge of the balance of the prepaid card S" indicated by the reward information in the user database. For example, assume that the transaction amount of the electronic settlement by the prepaid card S by the user of the terminal device 10 is 10,000 yen, and the point reduction rate of the prepaid card S is 1% of the transaction amount. In this case, the control unit 23 calculates 100 yen as the amount necessary for awarding the reward. The control unit 23 adds the calculated amount to the balance of the prepaid card S indicated by the reward information.

[0061] In the above second example, the amount necessary for awarding a reward based on the transaction amount corresponding to the credit card T is calculated based on the point reduction rate of "point addition of the credit card T" indicated by the reward information in the user database. For example, assume that the transaction amount of the electronic settlement by the prepaid card S by the user of the terminal device 10 is 10,000 yen, and the point reduction rate of the prepaid card S is 1% of the transaction amount. In this case, the control unit 23 calculates 100 yen as the amount necessary for awarding the reward. Different from the first example, the control unit 23 adds the calculated amount to the points of the credit card T indicated by the reward information. Here, the point reduction rate may be different between the prepaid card S, which is the settlement means corresponding to the first awarding method, and the credit card T, which is the settlement means corresponding to the second awarding method. In this case, the control unit 23 may calculate the amount necessary for awarding the reward according to the point conversion method set by the operator of the electronic wallet application described above in the second example.

[0062] In this way, the control unit 23 executes reward provision in the second provision method by storing, in the user database, a value obtained by adding the amount calculated based on the point reduction rate of the second provision method to the balance or points of the settlement means corresponding to the second provision method.

[0063] Step S103: When it is determined that reward provision in the second provision method is not possible (Step S101 - No), the control unit 23 executes reward provision in the first provision method instead of the second provision method. Then, the process ends.

[0064] As in the first example above, when the second provision method is the same as the first provision method, since the settlement means corresponding to each provision method is the same (here, the prepaid card S), problems such as cancellation of the settlement means corresponding to the second provision method do not occur. On the other hand, as in the second example above, when the second provision method is different from the first provision method, since the settlement means are different (here, the prepaid card S and the credit card T), problems such as cancellation of the settlement means corresponding to the second provision method (in this example, the credit card T) may occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the second provision method is different from the first provision method and reward provision in the second provision method is not possible, the control unit 23 executes reward provision in the first provision method instead of the second provision method.

[0065] For example, when there are circumstances such as the above-mentioned cancellation or expiration of the validity period, the control unit 23 determines that it is not possible to grant a reward in the second granting method, and executes the reward granting in the first granting method instead of the second granting method. At this time, the control unit 23 may automatically switch the granting method from the second granting method to the first granting method without making an inquiry to the user. The reason is as follows. As described in the first example above, the user of the terminal device 10 often hopes to receive a reward corresponding to the payment means used in the transaction. Conversely, it can be said that transactions are often conducted using a payment means by which a desired reward can be received. Therefore, the control unit 23 can execute the reward granting in the first granting method instead of the second granting method by automatically switching the granting method from the second granting method to the first granting method without, for example, causing the terminal device 10 to display a prompt prompting the user to select another granting method. Thereby, the work process associated with the switching of the reward granting method can be omitted. As a result, the annoyance of the user of the terminal device 10 can be reduced, and it becomes easier to reduce the burden on the administrator of the information processing device 20. In addition, when it is determined that it is not possible to grant a reward in the second granting method, it is desirable to inform the user in advance that the reward will be granted in the first granting method instead of the second granting method.

[0066] As described above, the information processing device 20 according to the present embodiment presents a plurality of options including a first granting method that is a granting method corresponding to a first payment means used in a transaction by a user of the terminal device 10 as a method of granting a reward based on the transaction amount by the terminal device 10 in which a plurality of payment means are available. The information processing device 20 determines whether it is possible to grant a reward in a second granting method that is a granting method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, and when it is determined that it is possible to grant a reward in the second granting method, executes the reward granting in the second granting method.

[0067] According to such a configuration, the reward granting method is determined based on the user's selection. Therefore, the technology related to reward granting is improved in that it becomes easier for the user to freely select the method of receiving the reward.

[0068] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions and the like included in each component or each step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of components or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0069] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiments, an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the information processing apparatus 20 are distributed among a plurality of computers capable of communicating with each other is also possible. As an example, an embodiment in which the components of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the above-described embodiments are distributed and arranged in a first server group managed by a service provider of each payment means and a second server group managed by an operator of an electronic wallet application is also possible. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing apparatus 20 are provided in the terminal device 10 is also possible.

[0070] Also, for example, an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing apparatus 20 according to the above-described embodiments is also possible. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the above-described embodiments is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 1 System 10 Terminal Device 11 Communication Unit 12 Positioning Unit 13 Input Unit 14 Output Unit 15 Storage Unit 16 Control Unit 20 Information Processing Apparatus 21 Communication Unit 22 Memory unit 23 Control unit 30 Network

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus including a control unit, wherein the control unit searches for and presents, from among selectable reward granting methods for each payment method, a plurality of options of reward granting methods that are stored in advance in association with the user and include a first reward granting method that is a reward granting method corresponding to a first payment method used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device, as a reward granting method based on the transaction amount by a terminal device capable of using a plurality of payment methods, determines whether or not a second reward granting method, which is a reward granting method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, is the same as the first reward granting method, when the second reward granting method is the same as the first reward granting method, determines that reward granting by the second reward granting method is possible, when the second reward granting method is different from the first reward granting method, acquires inquiry information as to whether or not the payment method corresponding to the second reward granting method is valid, based on the inquiry information, when the payment method corresponding to the second reward granting method is valid, determines that reward granting by the second reward granting method is possible, and when it is determined that reward granting by the second reward granting method is possible, executes reward granting by the second reward granting method. An information processing apparatus.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when presenting the plurality of options, the control unit includes, in the plurality of options, a reward granting method corresponding to the predetermined payment method when it is determined that a specific application is used in the terminal device and a predetermined payment method is registered as a payment method used in the application. An information processing apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first reward granting method is different from the second reward granting method, and when it is determined that reward granting by the second reward granting method is not possible, the control unit executes reward granting by the first reward granting method instead of the second reward granting method. An information processing apparatus.

4. A method executed by an information processing apparatus, searching for and presenting, from among selectable reward granting methods for each payment method, a plurality of options of reward granting methods that are stored in advance in association with the user and include a first reward granting method that is a reward granting method corresponding to a first payment method used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device, as a reward granting method based on the transaction amount by a terminal device capable of using a plurality of payment methods, Determining whether a second awarding method, which is the awarding method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, is the same as the first awarding method; When the second awarding method is the same as the first awarding method, determining that reward awarding by the second awarding method is possible; When the second awarding method is different from the first awarding method, obtaining inquiry information as to whether the payment means corresponding to the second awarding method is valid; Based on the inquiry information, when the payment means corresponding to the second awarding method is valid, determining that reward awarding by the second awarding method is possible, and When it is determined that reward awarding by the second awarding method is possible, executing reward awarding by the second awarding method A method comprising the above.

5. An information processing apparatus, As an awarding method for a reward based on a transaction amount by a terminal device in which a plurality of payment means are available, searching and presenting from among selectable awarding methods for each payment means, which are stored in advance in association with the user, a plurality of options for awarding methods including a first awarding method which is an awarding method corresponding to a first payment means used in a transaction by the user of the terminal device; Determining whether a second awarding method, which is the awarding method selected by the user from among the plurality of options, is the same as the first awarding method; When the second awarding method is the same as the first awarding method, determining that reward awarding by the second awarding method is possible; When the second awarding method is different from the first awarding method, obtaining inquiry information as to whether the payment means corresponding to the second awarding method is valid; Based on the inquiry information, when the payment means corresponding to the second awarding method is valid, determining that reward awarding by the second awarding method is possible, and When it is determined that reward awarding by the second awarding method is possible, executing reward awarding by the second awarding method A program for causing the above to be executed.

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