Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processor that can effectively use credit card usage information for purposes other than payment.SOLUTION: A processor includes: a storage part that stores registration information of each user who is a credit card member; a determination part that determines whether or not a use place of one user based on a credit card use history of one user and an address or residence based on the registration information on the one user are separated away from each other farther than a prescribed reference; and a processing part that when the determination part determines that they are separated away from each other farther than the prescribed reference. performs prescribed processing related to an area to which the use place belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus that executes information processing using credit card usage information.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a settlement system including purchase data control means for transmitting credit card usage information to a cloud server and causing the cloud server to perform settlement processing on unprocessed purchase data stored therein.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not disclose using credit card usage information for purposes other than settlement.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can effectively use credit card usage information for purposes other than settlement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) In one aspect, the information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores registration information of each user who is a member of a credit card, a determination unit that determines whether or not a usage location of one user based on a usage history of the one user's credit card and an address or residence based on the registration information related to the one user are separated by a predetermined standard or more, When it is determined by the determination unit that the distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined criterion, a processing unit that executes a predetermined process related to the area to which the usage location belongs, in association with the one user.

[0007] (2) In the above aspect, preferably, when the area belongs to the disaster area of the occurred disaster, the predetermined process includes a first notification process of notifying information related to the one user to a device of a specific person related to the disaster area.

[0008] (3) In the above aspect, preferably, when the area belongs to the disaster area of the occurred disaster, the predetermined process includes a second notification process of notifying information related to evacuation to the one user.

[0009] (4) In the above aspect, preferably, the processing unit executes the notification process based on the usage history within a predetermined period closest to the occurrence time of the disaster.

[0010] (5) In the above aspect, preferably, the predetermined process includes a process of outputting predetermined information indicating the actual living conditions of the one user in the area to which the area belongs.

[0011] (6) In the above aspect, preferably, when there are a predetermined number or more of the usage locations belonging to the area, or when the number of usage times at the usage location is a predetermined number or more, the processing unit enables the output of the predetermined information for proving the actual living conditions.

[0012] (7) In the above aspect, preferably, the predetermined process includes a process of associating information useful for living in the area to which the area belongs with the one user.

[0013] (8) In the above aspect, preferably, the information relates to public services in the area to which the area belongs.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] On one hand, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the usage information of credit cards for purposes other than payment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 5A

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a storage unit 11 that stores registration information of each user who is a member of a credit card, a usage location of the user based on the usage history of the user's credit card, and a determination unit 12 that determines whether the address or residence based on the user's registration information is separated from the usage location by a predetermined standard or more, and a processing unit 13 that, when it is determined by the determination unit 12 that the separation is by a predetermined standard or more, executes a predetermined process related to the area to which the usage location belongs in association with the user, and an output permission determination unit 14 that enables the output of predetermined information for proving the actual living situation in a predetermined case.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is connected to the Internet 70 and other communication lines, and various store settlement terminals 30 and a settlement center 50 in different regions are connected to these communication lines. The information processing apparatus 10 is configured as, for example, a device managed by a credit card company.

[0020] In addition, each settlement terminal 30 is provided with a function of transmitting usage information to a data server 20 managed by a credit card company and a communication function for exchanging information with the information processing apparatus 10. Such functions of the settlement terminal 30 can be obtained by implementing predetermined application software (program) on the settlement terminal 30. According to such application software, for example, when a user uses a plurality of credit cards, the usage information can be transmitted only to the data server 20 of the credit company corresponding to the used credit card.

[0021] In FIG. 1, for convenience, the information processing apparatus 10 is represented as a single device (server) connected to the Internet 70, but a part of the functions of the information processing apparatus of the present invention may be allocated to the settlement terminal 30. Also, a part of the functions of the information processing apparatus of the present invention may be provided in both the information processing apparatus 10 and the settlement terminal 30 shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] Personal information of a user who is a member of a credit card is stored in the data server 20 of the credit card company as registration information at the time of applying for the credit card. The credit card registration information includes the user's address or place of residence. The address or place of residence is registered at the initial registration when starting to use the credit card, but can be changed at any timing based on the user's notification.

[0023] When a user who is a credit card member uses a credit card at a specified store, the payment terminal 30 of the store acquires the amount used and other information read from the credit card, and usage information including the user, store information identifying the store, usage time, and usage amount is transmitted from the payment terminal 30 to the payment center 50 via a communication line.

[0024] Also, this usage information is transmitted from the payment terminal 30 to the data server 20 of the credit company via a communication line and stored as a usage history.

[0025] Furthermore, when a user who has received user registration described later uses a credit card, the information processing device 10 can acquire the usage history of the user who has received user registration from the data server 20.

[0026] Next, the function of the storage unit 11 will be described.

[0027] A user who receives the service provided by the information processing device 10 of this embodiment can receive the service through user registration. The registration information of the user who has received user registration is stored in the storage unit 11. The registration information stored in the storage unit 11 can be acquired from the registration information of the credit card stored in the data server 20, but in addition to this, or as information to replace this, it can also be acquired from the user at the time of user registration or after user registration.

[0028] The registration information stored in the storage unit 11 includes a user ID for identifying the user and an address or residence associated with the user ID. Also, the storage unit 11 includes contact information for the user, such as the phone number of the user's mobile terminal, email address, etc. The address or residence may be updated in the information processing device 10 based on the frequency of the usage area described later, the action history based on the position information (GPS information) of the user's mobile terminal, etc.

[0029] The user's mobile terminal is pre-installed with application software (program) necessary to receive the services provided by the information processing apparatus 10 in advance.

[0030] Next, the operation of the determination unit 12 will be described.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the determination unit. This processing can be executed, for example, periodically.

[0032] In step S102 of FIG. 2, the determination unit 12 determines, based on the usage history of the data server 20, whether there is new usage information for the user who has received user registration and is the selected user. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0033] In step S106, the determination unit 12 selects the next user who has received user registration and proceeds to step S102.

[0034] In step S104, the determination unit 12 acquires the usage information of the specified user from the usage history of the data server 20.

[0035] In step S108, the determination unit 12 acquires the usage area, which is the area to which the area of the usage store belongs, from the usage information acquired in step S104. The usage area is, for example, the municipality where there is a store that uses a credit card, but it may also be a wider area (e.g., prefecture) or a narrower area. A plurality of usage areas defined from different viewpoints may be associated with the store.

[0036] In step S110, the determination unit 12 accesses the registration information in the storage unit 11 and acquires the address or residence of the specified user.

[0037] In step S112, the determination unit 12 compares the usage area acquired in step S108 with the address or residence of the user acquired in step S110, and determines whether the usage area matches the address or residence of the user. If the determination is affirmative, the determination unit 12 proceeds to step S106; if the determination is negative, the determination unit 12 proceeds to step S114.

[0038] In step S114, the determination unit 12 determines whether all users have been selected. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends; if the determination is negative, the determination unit 12 proceeds to step S116.

[0039] In step S116, the determination unit 12 accumulates predetermined information in the information processing apparatus 10 as history data 80 from the usage information acquired in step S104, and proceeds to step S106.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the data configuration of the history data. In this example, the history data 80 includes a user ID for identifying the user, a usage time when the user used the credit card, and the above-described usage area.

[0041] As described above, the credit card usage history in an area that does not match the address or residence of the user is accumulated and updated in the history data 80.

[0042] Next, the operation of the processing unit 13 will be described.

[0043] The processing unit 13 provides predetermined area information to the user based on the history data 80.

[0044] For example, when a disaster occurs in a certain area, area information related to the disaster, such as evacuation information like an evacuation map, can be provided to users who have used a credit card in that area. Also, area information provided by local governments, companies, stores, etc. in a certain area, such as various announcements from local governments or neighborhood associations, information on events such as tourism and festivals, advertisements from companies and stores, rights to benefits at the time of use, etc., can be provided to users who have used a credit card in that area.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing area information to a user.

[0046] In step S202 of FIG. 4, the processing unit 13 selects one piece of area information to be provided to the user. Hereinafter, as the area information, evacuation information provided to the user when a disaster occurs in a predetermined area will be exemplified.

[0047] In step S204, the processing unit 13 specifies the area corresponding to the area information selected in step S202. For example, the area where the disaster occurred corresponds to this.

[0048] In step S206, the processing unit 13 searches the history data 80 and extracts a predetermined user (user ID) who is the target of providing information related to the disaster based on the usage area and usage time. For example, the processing unit 13 extracts users who have used a credit card in the area specified in step S204 for a predetermined period, for example, recently or immediately after the disaster occurred. Also, for example, the processing unit 13 extracts users whose last area of credit card use (last usage area) matches the area where the disaster occurred.

[0049] In step S208, the processing unit 13 provides the evacuation information to the users extracted in step S206. Here, for example, the processing unit 13 acquires the phone number of the corresponding user's mobile terminal and other contact information from the storage unit 11, and transmits the evacuation information to the acquired contact information.

[0050] In step S210, the processing unit 13 determines whether all area information has been selected. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S212.

[0051] In step S212, the processing unit 13 selects the next area information to be provided to the user and proceeds to step S204.

[0052] In addition, the processing unit 13 provides information about the user to others based on the history data 80.

[0053] For example, when a disaster occurs in the area where the user uses a credit card, user information, which is information about the user, can be provided to a specific person in the disaster area, for example, the corresponding local government. Thereby, the local government can confirm the safety of the user. For example, the personal information of the user obtained at the time of application for a credit card includes information such as a phone number that is easy to contact the user himself / herself. Therefore, the user information can be utilized as effective information for safety confirmation.

[0054] In addition, for example, based on the usage history that a certain user uses a credit card in a certain area, user information that proves that the user has a living reality in the area can be provided to others, for example, the local government of the area.

[0055] FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A are flowcharts illustrating the process of providing user information to others. FIG. 5 shows an example of providing user information to the local government where a disaster has occurred when a disaster occurs.

[0056] In step S302 of FIG. 5, the processing unit 13 identifies the area where the disaster has occurred.

[0057] In step S304, the processing unit 13 searches the history data 80 and extracts, based on the usage area and usage time, users who were likely to be in the area where the disaster occurred, that is, the area specified in step S302, at the time of the disaster or immediately after the disaster. Here, for example, the processing unit 13 extracts users who used their credit cards around or immediately after the disaster occurred. Also, for example, the processing unit 13 extracts users whose last credit card usage area (the last usage area) matches the area where the disaster occurred.

[0058] In step S306, the output permission determination unit 14 specifies, based on the output permission data 81 (FIG. 1) stored in the information processing apparatus 10, among the users extracted in step S304, the users who have permitted the provision of user information and the items of user information for which the provision has been approved.

[0059] In step S308, the processing unit 13 provides the user information specified by the output permission determination unit 14 in step S306 to the local government and ends the process. Here, for example, the processing unit 13 acquires the corresponding user's telephone number and other contact information from the storage unit 11 and transmits it to the information management apparatus of the local government or the like, making it viewable by the responsible person or the disaster response person of the local government.

[0060] As described above, the processing unit 13 can provide user information on the premise of the user's consent. In this case, the user's intention, that is, the presence or absence of consent regarding the provision of user information, can be registered in advance in the output permission data 81 and reflected in the operation of the processing unit 13 (steps S306 to S308). The user can specify, using the output permission data 81, the destination to which the user consents to provide user information, the items for which the user has given consent among the user information, etc. User information is provided only for the destination to which the user has given consent and for the items for which the user has given consent. This enables the user to control their own user information.

[0061] Next, in FIG. 5A, an example of a process in which a user provides user information regarding their living situation to the local government of the area where they live is illustrated. The process in FIG. 5A is executed, for example, at regular intervals.

[0062] In step S402 of FIG. 5A, the processing unit 13 selects one user from the users registered in the storage unit 11.

[0063] In step S404, the processing unit 13 accesses the history data 80 and acquires the usage area of the selected user.

[0064] In step S406, the processing unit 13 extracts, based on the usage area acquired in step S404, the area where the credit card has been used at a frequency of a certain level or more within a predetermined period. For example, the processing unit 13 may enable the output of predetermined information for proving the living situation when the number of usage locations belonging to the area is equal to or more than a predetermined number, or when the number of usage times at the usage location is equal to or more than a predetermined number. The setting methods for the predetermined number and the predetermined number of times may differ for each local government according to the requirements of the local government.

[0065] In step S408, based on the output permission data 81, the output permission determination unit 14 determines whether the selected user has consented to provide user information regarding their living situation to the local government of the area extracted in step S406. If the determination is affirmative, the output permission determination unit 14 proceeds to step S410, and if the determination is negative, it proceeds to step S412.

[0066] The output permission data 81 has registered in advance the intention of the user, that is, whether there is consent regarding the provision of user information.

[0067] In step S410, the processing unit 13 provides user information regarding the living conditions to the local government of the area extracted in step S406, and proceeds with the processing to step S412. The user information regarding the living conditions includes, for example, information indicating the living conditions in the area and personal information for identifying the user. The user can specify, by the output permission data 81, the destination to which the user information is provided and the items for which the user has given consent, and the user information is provided only for the destinations for which the user has given consent and for the items for which the user has given consent. This enables the user to control their own user information.

[0068] In step S412, the processing unit 13 determines whether all users have been selected. If the determination is affirmative, the processing ends. If the determination is negative, the processing proceeds to step S414.

[0069] In step S414, the processing unit 13 selects the next user from the users registered in the storage unit 11, and proceeds with the processing to step S404.

[0070] Thus, according to the processing shown in FIG. 5A, the user can provide the user information regarding their own living conditions to the local government.

[0071] As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the information of the stores used, the information of the area where the store is located can be provided to the user.

[0072] For example, when the place of residence and the place of work are far apart, information about the area of the address can be obtained from the local government or acquaintances, but information about the area of the place of work may be difficult to obtain. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, based on the usage information of the credit card used in the area of the place of work, the information of the area is provided to the user. Also, it is possible to provide necessary information to users whose weekday living area where they work and their holiday living area are different.

[0073] Also, when traveling on business or for leisure to a place far from the place of residence, information about that area is provided to the user based on the credit card usage information in that area. As described above, when a disaster occurs in that area, information about the disaster, such as evacuation information, is provided to the user, so the user can ensure their own safety. Also, the user can obtain useful information about the area visited on business or for leisure.

[0074] Also, according to this embodiment, user information regarding the user's living situation is provided to the local government of that area based on the credit card usage information in a certain area. For example, the living situation such as dining, food, and daily necessities purchases in that area is indicated by the credit card usage history. Therefore, user information regarding the user's living situation can be presented to the local government as proof of the existence of the living infrastructure and activities in that area. For example, when the existence of the living infrastructure and activities in that area is required as a requirement for using various public services of the local government, such as facilities like libraries, user information regarding the living situation can be provided to the local government. Therefore, for example, even a user who does not have a residence registration in that area can use the service. Since the credit card usage information indicates that there has been a payment at a physical store and cannot be faked in terms of location, user information regarding the user's living situation can be used as information having a function similar to a certificate indicating the existence of a living situation in the area.

[0075] By collaborating with the local government, smooth provision of services by the information processing apparatus 10 can be ensured. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment and the server of the local government are connected via a communication line such as the Internet, and information from the local government can be provided to the user or user information can be provided to the local government via the communication line. Also, for example, when an alarm regarding a disaster is issued by the local government, the information processing apparatus 10 can quickly grasp the alarm and utilize it for providing evacuation information and the like.

[0076] In addition, the usage area of the credit card may not be limited to the area to which the physical store belongs, and the usage area may include the area related to the goods or services purchased with the credit card. For example, when purchasing goods produced in a certain area or using accommodation facilities in a certain area, the said area may be treated as the usage area.

[0077] The information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment may be provided with an information collection function for obtaining the latest information regarding the area to which the usage location belongs, for example, from the server of a local government or the server of a company. The information collection function may change the timing of information collection based on the time of usage information and location information. For example, in an area with an emergency, necessary information can be obtained quickly by increasing the frequency of information collection. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment may be provided with an information provision request function for requesting information provision to the area to which the usage location belongs, for example, the server of a local government or the server of a company. Thereby, when there is insufficient information or when necessary information is required during an emergency, the information can be obtained in a timely manner.

[0078] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope described in the claims. Also, it is possible to combine all or a plurality of the constituent elements of the above-described embodiments.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0079] 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Storage unit 12 Determination unit 13 Processing unit 14 Output permission determination unit

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores registration information of each user who is a credit card member; A determination unit that determines whether or not a usage location of the one user based on the usage history of the credit card of the one user and an address or residence based on the registration information related to the one user are separated by a predetermined standard or more; An information processing apparatus including a processing unit that, when the determination unit determines that they are separated by the predetermined standard or more, executes a predetermined process related to the area to which the usage location belongs, in association with the one user.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process includes a first notification process of notifying information related to the one user to a device of a specific person related to the disaster area when the area belongs to the disaster area of the occurred disaster.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined process includes a second notification process of notifying information related to evacuation to the one user when the area belongs to the disaster area of the occurred disaster.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processing unit executes the predetermined process based on the usage history within a predetermined period closest to the occurrence time of the disaster.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined process includes a process of outputting predetermined information indicating the living situation of the one user in the area to which the area belongs.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit enables output of the predetermined information for proving the living situation when there are a predetermined number or more of the usage locations belonging to the area, or when the number of usage times at the usage location is a predetermined number or more.

7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined process includes a process of associating information useful for living in the area to which the area belongs with the one user.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the useful information is related to public services in the area to which the area belongs.

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