Local activation system and method

Abstract

To provide a region activation system and method which can realize region activation in which a propagation effect is further expected with hometown tax payment (donation).SOLUTION: In a region activation system, a business operator system executes the steps of: configuring a digital cart in a user terminal 5 (S1); turning on the digital cart in a target area when the user terminal 5 enters the target area (S2); reading out information from a commodity 40 on the basis of user's operation in the target area and registering the commodity information in the digital cart (S3); turning off the digital cart outside the target area when the user terminal 5 moves out from the target area (S6); and performing settlement processing including donation processing concerning hometown tax payment to a municipality associated with the target area, on a purchase determined commodity in the commodity information in the digital cart (S7).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for local activation using IT (information technology).

Background Art

[0002] In Japan, there is "hometown taxation" (furusato nozei: hometown taxation / hometown tax donation system) as a means of regional revitalization. Hometown taxation is one of the donation tax systems in Japan. It is a system in which users can make a donation to any local government of their choice and declare the donation amount to the tax office under the jurisdiction of their place of residence, and the amount of the donation can be deducted, thereby enabling taxpayers to effectively pay taxes to any local government of their choice. Through advertisements by service providers and others, the social recognition rate of hometown taxation has increased, and the number of users has also increased.

[0003] Examples of technologies related to hometown taxation include websites (also referred to as "hometown taxation websites") and web services that support hometown taxation and are publicly available on the Internet. For example, on a certain hometown taxation website, information on products eligible for return gifts in hometown taxation is registered, and functions such as popularity rankings of return gifts, search for return gifts, and support for the procedures for final tax returns related to hometown taxation are provided.

[0004] As a prior art example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-67246 (Patent Document 1) can be cited. Patent Document 1 describes that as a final tax return support processing device for hometown taxpayers, etc., it supports the easy final tax return of those who have made hometown tax payments.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Prior art examples can assist in the procedures for hometown tax payment and final tax return filing, but they do not fully achieve the realization of the concept of "an individual donating to the local government they wish to support" in hometown tax payment. Specifically, users of the hometown tax website tend to pay taxes with the aim of receiving return gifts, and do not have a spillover effect on the local government that exceeds the tax amount paid.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide IT technology that can realize the activation of local areas where a greater spillover effect can be expected through hometown tax payment (donation).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A typical embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. The local activation system according to the embodiment displays a digital cart on the display screen of the user terminal, registers product information in the digital cart based on the user's operation within the target area, and when it is determined that the user terminal has exited the target area, or when the user inputs an instruction within the target area, performs processing for donations related to the regional revitalization tax for the entity associated with the target area on the products in the digital cart.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to a typical embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide IT technology that can realize the activation of local areas where a greater spillover effect can be expected through hometown tax payment (donation). Other problems, configurations, effects, etc. are shown in [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention].

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are generally denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. For the sake of explanation, when describing the processing by a program, the program, function, processing unit, etc. may be described mainly, but the main body of these as hardware is a processor, or a controller, device, computer, or system composed of a processor or the like. The computer executes processing according to the program read onto the memory while appropriately using resources such as a memory and a communication interface by the processor. Thereby, a predetermined function, processing unit, etc. are realized. The processor is composed of a semiconductor device such as a CPU or GPU, for example. The processor is composed of a device or circuit capable of performing a predetermined operation. The processing is not limited to software program processing and can also be implemented by a dedicated circuit. For the dedicated circuit, FPGA, ASIC, CPLD, etc. are applicable. The program may be installed in the computer in advance as data, or may be distributed to the computer as data from the program source. The program source may be a program distribution server on a communication network or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (for example, a memory card), etc. The program may be composed of a plurality of modules. The computer system may be composed of a plurality of computers. The computer system may be composed of a client-server system, a cloud computing system, an IoT system, etc. Various data and information are expressed and implemented in a structure such as a table or a list, for example, but are not limited thereto. Also, expressions such as identification information, identifier, ID, code, name, number, etc. are mutually replaceable.

[0012] <Embodiment 1> Using FIGS. 1 to 15, the regional activation system and the like according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. The regional activation system according to Embodiment 1 is realized as a computer system using IT. The regional activation method according to Embodiment 1 is a method having steps executed in the regional activation system according to Embodiment 1. The regional activation system according to Embodiment 1 is, in other words, a hometown tax support system, and is a system that aims to activate regions by supporting hometown tax using IT. The regional activation system according to Embodiment 1 corresponds to a user purchasing and settling a product (especially an article that can be delivered, etc.) at a predetermined place (target area, location, region, etc.) during travel or the like using a digital cart (i.e., online) of the user terminal, and can make a donation related to a regional revitalization tax such as hometown tax to a subject (for example, a local government) associated with the product or the predetermined place.

[0013] The regional activation system according to Embodiment 1 is a system devised to bring about a synergistic effect between travel and hometown tax, and is a system devised to smoothly cooperate from the support for product sales and purchases during travel to the support for hometown tax. This system can guide users from travel to hometown tax. This system can increase the opportunities for hometown tax. For users interested in travel, they can easily make a donation related to hometown tax corresponding to the purchase of products at the travel destination, and can receive the purchased products as return gifts from the local government.

[0014] The local activation system of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 etc. provides a digital cart 51 by the app 50 to the user's user terminal 5 by the business operator system 1, and uses the digital cart 51 to assist the user's shopping during the trip (product sales from the perspective of the product seller 2). The digital cart 51 is a shopping cart that can be used for shopping only during the stay in the target area corresponding to the area of the travel destination 400. At the same time, this system links the purchase of products with the digital cart 51 to the hometown tax payment to the local government of the region. This system manages and controls the purchase of products 40 with the digital cart 51 within the target area corresponding to the travel destination 400 based on the position of the user terminal 5. This system controls the settlement, delivery, etc. of the purchased products at the timing when the user terminal 5 goes out of the target area. And when the purchased product with the digital cart 51 is the target of the return gift for the hometown tax payment, this system links to the donation related to the hometown tax payment to the local government associated with the travel destination 400.

[0015] The user can actually view and confirm the products 40 sold at places such as the store 4 within the target area during the trip, and then read the product information with the user terminal 5 and make purchases etc. with the digital cart 51. The user does not need to carry the actual product 40 during the trip. During the trip, the product information of the candidate products for purchase is held in the digital cart 51, and operations such as purchase confirmation and purchase cancellation are possible. When the user returns from the trip and the user terminal 5 goes out of the target area, according to the setting or instruction, the processing such as the settlement (including the settlement of the donation) and delivery of the purchased products in the digital cart 51 is automatically executed. When the purchased product in the digital cart 51 is the target of the return gift for the hometown tax payment and the user approves the donation, the processing of the donation related to the hometown tax payment for that purchased product can be automatically executed. The user can make a donation to the local government through the store etc. along with the purchase of products at the local store etc., and can receive that product as a return gift as it is. The user can make purchases, settlements, deliveries of products with the digital cart 51 during the trip and make donations related to the hometown tax payment with only simple operations on the app 50 of the user terminal 5.

[0016] [1. System] Figure 1 shows an overview of the overall configuration of the local activation system according to Embodiment 1. The local activation system according to Embodiment 1 includes a business operator system 1, a product seller 2, a local government system 3, a user terminal 5 for each user, a payment system 6, and a delivery system 7, which are appropriately communicatively connected via a communication network 101. The communication network 101 includes a mobile network and the Internet.

[0017] The business operator system 1 is a main part constituting the local activation system according to Embodiment 1. The business operator system 1 is a computer system under the jurisdiction of the business operator, and is configured to have hardware and software such as a server, a database (DB), and a website. The business operator system 1 is realized, for example, as a data center or a cloud computing system on the communication network 101. Based on the cooperation of hardware and software, the business operator system 1 realizes functions as a local activation system, that is, functions to support product sales by the product seller 2, functions to support donations related to users' travel and hometown tax payment, functions to support the hometown tax payment of local governments, etc. The business operator system 1 manages and controls the digital cart 51 of each user.

[0018] The product seller 2 is each seller who sells products 40 at each store 4 in various regions of Japan and the computer system of the seller, and is configured to have, for example, a PC 21 and product information 22. The seller manages the product information 22 with a seller terminal such as a PC 21. The product information 22 is product information about the products 40 sold at the store 4. A code 41 for product management is assigned in advance to each product 40 in the store 4. The code 41 assigned to the product 40 corresponds to the product information 22. The seller registers the product information in the DB of the business operator system 1. The product information 22 has information related to the hometown tax payment of local governments, such as whether it is a target of a return gift for hometown tax payment (a flag described later), in addition to basic information such as product codes and prices for each product 40. The product information provided by the business operator system 1 to the user terminal 5 includes such information related to hometown tax payment.

[0019] Among the products 40 sold by merchant 2 at store 4, some products 40 are eligible for the hometown tax payment return gifts of the local government. For the sake of explanation, the products 40 eligible for the return gifts are also referred to as "return gift products", and the other products 40 are also referred to as "ordinary products". Some of these products 40 are set as return gift products in this system in advance. Specifically, in the database of the business system 1, information such as a flag indicating whether a product 40 is eligible for the hometown tax payment return gift is set for each product 40. For these return gift products, they are determined as eligible for the hometown tax payment return gifts in the digital cart 51 and can be automatically linked to the donation process.

[0020] Note that the products 40 (ordinary products and return gift products) sold by merchant 2 at store 4 are not limited to foods, goods, etc. that can be physically picked up and confirmed. For example, there may be no physical products 40 arranged or displayed at the local store 4, and the images and information of the products 40 may be described in the catalogs, pamphlets, advertisements arranged at the local store 4, or on the website of store 4 or the business system 1. Even in this case, if the user can obtain product information by reading the images and information through the functions of the user terminal 5, it is possible to purchase products in the digital cart 51.

[0021] This system is applicable if the user goes to a specific place such as the local store 4 in person during a trip or the like and purchases a specific product 40 at that specific place, and there are no restrictions on the form of display of the product 40. The specific place is a place that is subject to location management as a target area in this system. In Embodiment 1, the case where the area of the travel destination is targeted as the specific place is described, but it is not limited to this, and it is also applicable to cases other than travel, such as specific stores or areas including them. Examples of specific stores other than the travel destination include so-called antenna shops (stores opened outside the local area by local governments, etc. for the purpose of introducing local products, etc.).

[0022] The local government system 3 is a computer system in each local government associated with the area of the travel destination 400 and the local government where the user resides, and is configured to have a hometown tax reception department 31. The hometown tax reception department 31 is a department that accepts the procedures for hometown tax payment, and is a general term including personnel, machines, computers, and systems, etc.

[0023] The user terminal 5 is a portable information processing terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet that the user owns and carries. An app 50 of the business operator is installed on the user terminal 5. The app 50 is an application program for managing and controlling a digital cart 51 (in other words, a shopping cart). The app 50 realizes the functions of this local activation system, that is, functions such as purchasing goods in the digital cart 51, settlement (including donations), delivery, and travel. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 displays an app screen including a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display screen of the display device (for example, a touch panel) of the user terminal 5. The app screen includes the screen of the digital cart 51 described later. The digital cart 51 is controlled based on the communication and processing between the app 50 of the user terminal 5 and the server of the business operator system 1, etc.

[0024] The user travels from home 8 to the travel destination 400. The position of the user terminal 5 is grasped as position information (for example, latitude and longitude) based on a system or means such as GPS (Global Positioning System) 102. Also, the user owns a personal identification card 80 such as a My Number card. When registering and setting user information, payment information, delivery information, and tax payment information, etc. for this system, the user can use the information of the personal identification card 80. The information of the personal identification card 80 may be held as data in the user terminal 5.

[0025] The payment system 6 is a system by payment operators related to credit cards, bank accounts, point services, etc., and is a general term including a computer system, etc.

[0026] The delivery system 7 is a system by a delivery operator such as a logistics center or a home delivery service provider that delivers the product 40, and is a general term including a computer system and the like.

[0027] [2. Operator System] FIG. 2 shows an example of the functional block configuration of the operator system 1 in FIG. 1. The functional blocks and the connection lines between the functional blocks are examples. The operator system 1 includes, as each part (functional block), a communication unit 10, a location management unit 11, an authentication unit 12, a tax payment management unit 13, a product management unit 14, a cart management unit 15, a settlement management unit 16, a delivery management unit 17, etc., and they can communicate with each other and perform data input / output. Further, the operator system 1 includes, as a DB (in other words, each storage unit), a user DB 202, a tax payment DB 203, a product DB 204, a cart DB 205, and a delivery DB 207, etc. Each storage unit may be implemented in a structure such as a file or a table.

[0028] The communication unit 10 has a communication interface for the communication network 101 in FIG. 1 and the LAN 310 in FIG. 3, and performs communication processing with each component such as the user terminal 5 in FIG. 1.

[0029] Based on the GPS location information of the user terminal 5 of each user, the location management unit 11 grasps the location of each user terminal 5 and stores location information and the like in the user DB 202. Further, the location management unit 11 determines the positional relationship between the location of the user terminal 5 and the target area 500 (FIG. 4) of the travel destination 400. Based on the current location information acquired from the user terminal 5, the location management unit 11 determines and detects that the user terminal 5 has entered the target area 500 (also described as "entry") or exited the target area 500 (also described as "exit"). When making the determination, the location management unit 11 refers to the setting information of the target area 500 of the user's travel. The target area 500 is a range where shopping can be done with the digital cart 51 and corresponds to the settlement range described later. The location management unit 11 or the cart control unit 15 sets the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400 in the area master (FIG. 13) described later.

[0030] The authentication unit 12 performs registration and authentication processes regarding the users who use this system and the user terminals 5. The business operator system 1 may register the users as members who are eligible to receive services through this system. The authentication unit 12 performs user authentication in a predetermined manner when accessing from the user terminal 5. The authentication unit 12 holds the information for authentication in a DB (not shown). This authentication may be automatically performed at a predetermined timing, such as when the user terminal 5 enters or exits the target area, or when purchasing the product 40 at the store 4.

[0031] The cart management unit 15, which is, in other words, the main control unit, manages and controls the app 50 and the digital cart 51. Based on the communication with the app 50 of each user terminal 5, the cart management unit 15 stores digital cart information, as information related to the status and history of the digital cart 51, in the cart DB 205. This digital cart information includes the product information registered in the digital cart 51. When the user terminal 5 enters the target area, the cart management unit 15 turns on the digital cart 51, and when it exits the target area, the cart management unit 15 turns off the digital cart 51.

[0032] In addition, as part of the functions of the app 50, the cart management unit 15 also manages the user's travel, and stores travel-related setting information (also referred to as "travel information"), such as travel destination 400 and schedule, in the user DB 202. The user information, digital cart information, travel information, etc. are managed in association with each other.

[0033] Based on communication with the cart management unit 15, the application 50 receives operations such as input of instructions by the user on the application screen, and performs processes such as display of information of the digital cart 51 and registration of products to the digital cart 51. The cart management unit 15 updates the digital cart information in the cart DB 205 according to processes such as registration of products to the digital cart 51 of the application 50. The information of the digital cart 51 of the application 50 and the digital cart information in the cart DB 205 are synchronized as appropriate. The history information of the digital cart 51 held in the cart DB 205 also includes history information related to operations such as registration and settlement of the digital cart 51 by the user.

[0034] The product management unit 14 stores product information related to the product 40 sold by each product seller 2 in the store 4 in the product DB 204. The product DB 204 has a product master (Figure 12) described later. The operator of the product seller 2 or the business operator sets product information in the product master of the product DB 204 based on the product information 22 of the product seller 2. For example, based on information obtained from the product seller 2 or the local government system 3, when the product 40 is a target of a return gift for hometown tax payment, the operator sets information such as a flag indicating whether the product 40 is a target of a return gift in the product master. Note that the product seller 2 may leave the product information 22 and the website to the product DB 204 of the business operator system 1 etc. without holding and managing them by itself.

[0035] Based on the product identification information read by the reader function of the user terminal 5 from the code 41 of the product 40 in the store 4 by the user, the product management unit 14 refers to the product DB 204, identifies the product 40, obtains the product information of the product 40, and transmits it to the user terminal 5. This product information includes various information for handling in the digital cart 51.

[0036] The settlement management department 16 stores management information related to the settlement process of product purchases made by users using the digital cart 51. Basically, all settlements are carried out by the settlement system 6, and settlement information of users and the like is basically managed and stored in the settlement DB of the settlement system 6. The settlement management department 16 on the side of the business operator system 1 stores management information related to the settlement process among the user, the business operator system 1, and local governments. For the confirmed purchase products in the digital cart 51, the settlement management department 16 uses the settlement information of the user to perform a settlement process (step S7 in FIG. 4 described later) corresponding to the settlement means (for example, credit card) used by the user with the settlement system 6. The settlement management department 16 records the state and result of the settlement process (for example, information such as whether the settlement has been completed). Note that this is not limited to this, and the settlement information of the user may be managed and stored in the business operator system 1 instead of on the settlement system 6 side. In other words, the business operator system 1 may also have the function of a settlement system.

[0037] The delivery management department 17 stores management information related to the delivery process for the settled products in the digital cart 51. Basically, all deliveries are carried out by the delivery system 7, and the delivery information of the user is managed and stored in the delivery system 7. The delivery management department 17 on the side of the business operator system 1 stores management information related to the delivery process among the user, the business operator system 1, and the product seller 2. For the settled products in the digital cart 51, the delivery management department 17 uses the delivery information of the user to perform a delivery process (step S8 in FIG. 4 described later) to the user's delivery destination (for example, home 8) with the delivery system 7. The delivery management department 17 sends a delivery instruction to the delivery system 7 and records the state and result of the delivery process (for example, information such as whether the delivery has been completed).

[0038] When the purchased items on the digital cart 51 are eligible for the return gifts of hometown tax payment (return gift items), the tax management department 13 performs the donation process related to the hometown tax payment procedure. This donation process is realized as part of the settlement process (step S7 in FIG. 4 described later). The tax management department 13 stores the user's tax-related information in the tax DB 203. The tax management department 13 uses the tax-related information to perform the donation process related to the hometown tax payment with the hometown tax reception department 31 of the local government system 3. During the donation process, the tax management department 13 transmits the donation information to the hometown tax reception department 31. The tax management department 13 records the status and result of the donation process (such as information on whether the donation has been made or not) in the tax DB 203.

[0039] [3. Computer System] FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the computer system that constitutes the merchant system 1 in FIG. 1. This computer system is a system including a server computer 300 (in other words, a server device), a client computer 320 (in other words, a client device) connected to the server computer 300 via a communication network such as LAN 310, a DB server 330, a Web server 340, and the like. The communication network 101 in FIG. 1 is connected to the LAN 310.

[0040] The server computer 300 is configured to have a processor 301, a memory 302, a communication interface device 303, an input / output interface device 304, and a bus or the like that interconnects them. The server computer 300 executes, based on program processing, middleware such as an OS, a DBMS (DataBase Management System), a Web server program, and applications operating on them. An input device such as a keyboard or a display device such as a liquid crystal display may be connected to the input / output interface device 304. The communication interface device 303 is connected to the LAN 310 through a communication interface, for example, and performs communication processing with other devices through the LAN 310.

[0041] The processor 301 is composed of, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and constitutes a controller. Based on program processing, the processor 301 realizes the functions of the server computer 300 (for example, each part in FIG. 2). The processor 301 provides a screen including a GUI to the client computer 320.

[0042] The memory 302 is composed of a non-volatile storage device, etc., and stores various data and information used by the processor 301, etc. The control program 311, setting information 312, work data, etc. are stored in the memory 302. The control program 311 is a computer program for realizing the functions of the processor 301. The setting information 312 is setting information for the functions of the control program 312 and user setting information.

[0043] The client computer 320 can be composed of, for example, a PC and is operated by an operator of a business operator. The client computer 320 is equipped with input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a liquid crystal display, or they are externally connected. The client computer 320 accesses the server computer 300. While looking at the display screen of the client computer 320, the operator operates the input device to use this computer system and perform management operations such as DB setting.

[0044] The DB server 330 has a DB 350 and has various data and information managed by the business operator system 1, specifically, each DB in FIG. 2.

[0045] A website 360 is built on the web server 340, which accepts access from user terminals 5 and the like. The web browser of the user terminal 5 accesses the website 360 to obtain web page data and the like, thereby displaying the screen of the website 360. The website 360 is a website that provides users with information related to travel and hometown tax payment in this system. In addition, the website 360 provides information for introducing the app 50 including the digital cart 51 to the user terminal 5. The website 360 may provide information for assisting the user in selecting a travel destination, or may provide information for assisting in the procedures for hometown tax payment. The website 360 may provide, for example, information on stores 4 and products 40 in the regions that are candidates for the travel destination 400, and information related to the procedures for hometown tax payment for each local government in that region (including information on return gifts). The website 360 is not essential, and this system may be in a form that cooperates with websites provided by external operators.

[0046] [4. Flow of Use] FIG. 4 shows an overview of the overall operation and processing flow when a user uses the local activation system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 has steps S1 to S8, which will be described in the following order.

[0047] (1) Step S1 is for pre-registration. First, in step S1, for example, at home 8, the user installs the app 50 introduced from the business operator system 1 on their user terminal 5 and performs initial settings for the app 50 and the digital cart 51. This setting includes the registration of user information. User information includes, for example, name, address, phone number, email address, authentication ID, password, etc. Also, this setting includes the setting of payment information, delivery information, and tax payment information among the user information. With this setting, on the business operator system 1 side, the information of the user's digital cart 51 is registered in the cart DB 205. At this point, the user's digital cart 51 is in the off state. The off state is a state where shopping with the digital cart 51 is invalid and product information cannot be registered. The on state is a state where shopping with the digital cart 51 is valid and product information can be registered.

[0048] Also, the user pre-sets payment information in the app 50. This payment information is the information required for the payment of purchased products in the digital cart 51 (step S7). This payment information is, for example, credit card information, bank account information, or point service information, etc.

[0049] Also, the user pre-sets delivery information in the app 50. This delivery information is the information required to deliver the purchased products (ordinary products and return gift products) to the user's home 8, etc. (step S8), and is information such as the delivery method and the address of the delivery destination.

[0050] Also, the user pre-sets tax payment information in the app 50. This tax payment information is the information required for the procedures of hometown tax payment related to the purchased products, and includes the information particularly required for the donation process in the settlement process of step S8. The tax payment information can use, for example, the information of the personal authentication 80. The personal authentication 80 includes a my number card, a driver's license, a passport, etc.

[0051] Settings such as the above-mentioned payment information, delivery information, and tax payment information can also be made in the application 50 later. When the user terminal 5 has data of the personal authentication 80 such as a My Number card, that data may be used for settings such as the above-mentioned payment information.

[0052] Also, after the initial settings, when the user has a travel plan, the user makes travel-related settings in the application 50. The user sets travel information such as the travel destination (area) 400, schedule / duration, and budget related to the travel plan. This is regarded as travel information among the user information (see FIG. 14 described later). The business operator system 1 registers the user information including the travel information in the user DB 202.

[0053] (2) The user conducts the travel at the date and time scheduled in the application 50. When traveling, the user carries the user terminal 5, the personal authentication 80, etc., and heads to the travel destination 400 by means of transportation from home 8 (shown as the outbound route 431). The user visits the target area 500 corresponding to the area of the travel destination 400. In this example, it is assumed that the travel destination 400 is an area such as a prefecture as shown in FIG. 6 described later. The target area 500 corresponding to that area is set. The target area 500 is the set area on the map and is an area for controlling the purchase and payment of goods with the digital cart 51.

[0054] Step S2 indicates that the user terminal 5 enters (enters the venue) the target area 500. In step S2, the user who holds the user terminal 5 enters the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400. The application 50 of the user terminal 5 and the operator system 1 determine whether the user terminal 5 has entered the target area 500 based on the user's travel information, the setting of the target area 500, and the detection of the position information of the user terminal 5. This determination can be realized between the user terminal 5 and the operator system 1 using technical means such as a known GPS 102. For example, in the example of FIG. 6 described later, when the position coordinates indicated by the GPS position information of the user terminal 5 enter the circular area of the target area 500, it is determined that the user has entered the venue. In the determination of entry and exit from the target area 500, the date and time are also determined together with the position. The operator system 1 grasps the user's position, date and time, etc. based on the communication with the application 50 of the user terminal 5.

[0055] The determination of the entry and exit of the user and the user terminal 5 is not limited to the method using GPS, and other technical methods may be applied. Other methods may be, for example, methods using short-range wireless communication functions such as RFID tags, beacons, or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Other methods may also be methods for grasping the wireless communication state between the wireless station in the mobile network and the user terminal 5. When setting the target area 500 for a relatively narrow area such as an individual store 4 or a tourist destination, a method of installing RFID tags, beacons, etc. is also effective. In addition, other methods may use methods for grasping the position, route, and date and time of use in transportation means such as automobiles, trains, buses, and airplanes. For example, the function of a car navigation system that communicates with the user terminal 5 may be used. Also, a method of grasping the position, date and time, etc. from the usage history information of accommodation facilities, leisure facilities, etc. may be used.

[0056] When entering the target area 500 in step S2, if the user terminal 5 has not launched the app 50, it will automatically launch and turn on the digital cart 51 automatically. Within the target area 500, the digital cart 51 in the on state can be used. The user can register product information corresponding to the candidate products for purchase in the digital cart 51 in the on state.

[0057] In addition to the target area 500 of the travel destination 400, when setting a target area for each store 4, a position detection function using an RFID tag, a beacon, a wireless LAN, etc. may be set in advance for the store 4, the product 40, or the code 41. For example, when the user terminal 5 approaches the RFID tag, etc. for each store 4, it is possible to detect that the user terminal 5 has entered the target area for each store 4.

[0058] Regarding the relationship and operation between the app 50 and the digital cart 51 in the user terminal 5, the app 50 and the digital cart 51 may be launched / ended or enabled / disabled integrally, or the digital cart 51 may be launched / ended or enabled / disabled with the app 50 basically in the launched state.

[0059] (3) Step S3 is the registration of products into the digital cart 51 by shopping at store 4 within the target area 500 and during the period of the trip. In step S3, the user visits a desired store 4 or the like within the target area 500 of the travel destination 400 and freely shops. The user examines the purchase of a desired physical product 40 (such as food or goods) in store 4, for example, by looking at and checking it. For example, if there is a product 40 that the user wants to consider purchasing in a certain store 4 (such as store 4A), the user reads product information from the code 41 of that product 40 using the reader function of the user terminal 5 and registers the product information in the digital cart 51. The reader function is a function that cooperates with the app 50 or a part of the app 50. At this time, the user brings the part of the reader function (such as a camera) of the user terminal 5 close to the code 41 attached to the product 40, for example, by holding it over the code 41, and causes the code 41 to be read by the reader function. The code 41 is, for example, a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). The code 41 is a medium in which product information including at least information for identifying the product 40 (product identification information, product code), attribute information of the product 40, and related information is recorded in the form of a code. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 identifies the product 40 from the read information and transmits at least the product identification information to the server of the operator system 1 via the communication network 101.

[0060] The above reader function, without limiting the details, is, for example, a function that takes a picture of the code 41 using a camera, decodes the code information from the code image, and reads product identification information and the like. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 communicates with the server of the operator system 1 based on the product information read by the reader function, and confirms and obtains detailed product information regarding the product 40. If the product 40 is a product registered in the product master of the operator system 1, that is, if it is a target product in this system, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 obtains the product information corresponding to the product 40 from the server. The user terminal 5 uses the obtained product information to additionally register the product information corresponding to the product 40 (purchase candidate product) in the digital cart 51 of the app 50.

[0061] The above code 41 may be a medium implemented by an IC chip or the like (for example, an RFID tag). The code 41 may be attached to the packaging of the product 40 or a display shelf, etc., or the code 41 may be prepared in a catalog or the like separately from the product 40. The store system or website of the store 4 may provide something corresponding to the code 41. The reading of information from the above product 40 is not limited to the method using the above reader function and is possible. For example, a method of photographing the product 40 itself displayed in the store 4 or a product image described in a catalog or the like with a camera of the user terminal 5 and identifying the product by image processing from the photographed image may be used. Also, a method of reading information from an RFID tag or the like by short-range wireless communication may be applied.

[0062] In addition, when the user immediately purchases the product 40 in the store 4 according to their intention, the user can also immediately purchase the product 40 by a normal payment mechanism, for example, payment at the POS register in the store 4, separately from this system. For example, when the product 40 is food that the user wants to eat immediately, the food can be immediately purchased and paid for on the spot.

[0063] The app 50 of the user terminal 5 communicates with the server of the business operator system 1, and transmits the above read product identification information, current location information by GPS102, etc. as a request to the server of the business operator system 1. After confirmation in the business operator system 1, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 acquires product information from the business operator system 1. The server of the business operator system 1 searches the product master in the product DB204 based on the product identification information received from the app 50 of the user terminal 5, and checks whether the product 40 is a target product (normal product or gift product) registered in the product master. When it is a target product, the server of the business operator system 1 reads detailed product information from the product master and transmits it to the app 50 of the user terminal 5 as a response. Also, the server can specify the area where the user is currently located, the store 4, the corresponding local government (the donation destination in the case of hometown tax payment), etc. from the current location information of the user terminal 5.

[0064] The product information in the product master has a product code, product name, price, retailer, region, municipality, and a flag related to hometown tax payment (Figure 12 described later). The flag is information indicating whether the product 40 is a target of a return gift for hometown tax payment in that municipality. Since the product master also has flag and municipality information, it is possible to easily determine the municipality of the donation destination in the case of hometown tax payment, and smooth donation processing is possible.

[0065] In this example, the information obtained by reading from the code 41 has at least product identification information, and detailed product information is acquired from the product master of the business operator system 1. Not limited to this, it may also be in a form where detailed product information can be obtained from the code 41, the store system, etc.

[0066] Based on the product information acquired from the server of the business operator system 1, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 creates and registers the product information of the product 40 in the digital cart 51 as information on a product to be purchased. At this point, the product information is held as a purchase candidate status, not a purchase confirmed status, as an administrative status. The app 50 displays the registered product information on the screen of the digital cart 51 (Figure 8, Figure 9, etc. described later).

[0067] Note that in Embodiment 1, when the user registers the product 40 in the digital cart 51 in step S3, it is assumed that it is registered as a purchase candidate product with a purchase candidate status, but it is not limited to this. In a modification, it may be possible to register it as a purchase confirmed product from the beginning. In other words, there may be no distinction between the purchase candidate status and the purchase confirmed status. Also, for example, at the time of reading from the code 41, on the screens of Figure 8 and Figure 9 described later, the user may be able to select and operate between registration as a purchase candidate and registration as a purchase confirmation.

[0068] In addition, in the first embodiment, the information of the digital cart 51 is configured and held on both the local side, that is, the app 50 side of the user terminal 5, and the server side of the business operator system 1. Then, synchronization is appropriately performed so that the information on the app 50 side and the information on the server side match in content. Not limited to this, the information of the digital cart 51 may be configured and held on either the app 50 side of the user terminal 5 or the server side of the business operator system 1.

[0069] (4) Step S4 is the same product registration step as step S3. In step S4, similarly, the user visits a desired store 4 (for example, store 4B) and freely shops. As a result of step S3 and step S4, the product information of one or more products 40 registered by the user as purchase candidates is held as a list in the user's digital cart 51. The app 50 displays the registered one or more product information on the screen of the digital cart 51 (see FIG. 9 and the like described later).

[0070] (5) Step S5 is not essential, but is a step for confirming the product information of the digital cart 51, sorting out purchase confirmation or purchase cancellation, etc. During the trip, the user can appropriately operate the app 50 of the user terminal 5 to view the screen of the digital cart 51 and confirm the information of the purchase candidate products held in the digital cart 51 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 described later). Also, for the purchase candidate products registered in the digital cart 51, the user can freely sort out whether to confirm the purchase or cancel the purchase for each product (see (C) of FIG. 8 and the like described later). Among the products with the purchase candidate status registered in the digital cart 51, the user can sort the products for which the purchase is to be confirmed into the group with the purchase confirmed status by a predetermined operation. Also, among the products with the purchase candidate status registered in the digital cart 51, the user can sort the products for which the purchase is to be cancelled into the group with the purchase cancelled status by a predetermined operation. The products with the purchase confirmed status will be the targets of automatic settlement in the subsequent step S7.

[0071] Note that the distribution in step S5 is typically assumed to be performed before the user exits the target area 500 at the end of the trip, but it is not limited to this and is possible. Even if the user does not perform this distribution, as described later, when exiting the target area 500, it is possible to perform confirmation, distribution, or automatic processing. Note that even after the distribution in step S5, it is possible to additionally register product information in the digital cart 51 as in step S3.

[0072] Note that in Embodiment 1, even in the case of a purchase cancellation operation, product information is left in the digital cart 51 as a purchase cancellation status, but it is not limited to this and is possible. In the case of a purchase cancellation operation, the product information may be deleted from the digital cart 51.

[0073] Note that in Embodiment 1, a function for changing and distributing product status such as in step S5 is provided, but it is not limited to this and this function may be omitted. In a modified example, the form is mainly such that registration and deletion of product information in the digital cart 51 can be operated, and operations such as purchase confirmation by the user are made unnecessary. In this modified example, at step S7, the product information registered in the digital cart 51 is automatically settled as a purchase confirmation.

[0074] In addition, based on the confirmation of flags and the like between the app 50 and the server, the system automatically checks whether the product information registered in the digital cart 51 is eligible for the return gift of hometown tax payment, and differentiates and holds the information. When the app 50 displays the product information on the screen of the digital cart 51, it automatically and clearly displays information such as whether the product is eligible for the return gift of hometown tax payment to the user (see (B) of FIG. 8, (B) and (C) of FIG. 9, FIG. 10, etc., which will be described later). For example, the app 50 and the server manage the product information in the digital cart 51 by dividing it into a group of return gift products (in other words, donation targets) that are eligible for the return gift of hometown tax payment and a group of normal products (in other words, normal purchase targets, non-donation targets) that are not eligible for the return gift of hometown tax payment. This makes it easier for the user to check and consider whether to make hometown tax payment for each product 40. Also, on the screen of the digital cart 51 (see (C) of FIG. 9, etc., which will be described later), the app 50 and the server display the return gift products separately for the cases of normal purchase without donation and purchase with donation, enabling the user to make a selection.

[0075] (6) At the end of the trip, the user travels from the travel destination 400 to their home 8 by means of transportation (shown as the return route 432). Step S6 indicates that the user terminal 5 exits the target area 500. In step S6, the user who holds the user terminal 5 exits the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 and the server of the operator system 1 determine whether the user terminal 5 has exited the target area 500 based on the detection of the user's travel information, the setting information of the target area 500, and the GPS location information of the user terminal 5. This determination of departure is possible in the same way as the determination at the time of entry in step S2.

[0076] When the user terminal 5 goes outside the target area 500 in step S6, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 turns off the digital cart 51. As a result, in the user's digital cart 51, additional shopping, that is, additional registration of product information, cannot be performed. Even in this off state, the product information already registered in the digital cart 51 is retained. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 and the server of the business operator system 1 determine purchase confirmation or purchase cancellation, etc. for the products registered in the user's digital cart 51.

[0077] (7) Step S7 is a payment process including a donation process. First, the payment process when the product to be paid for is a normal product will be explained, and the payment process including the donation process when the product to be paid for is a gift product will be described later. Immediately after step S6, in step S7, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 automatically performs a payment process for the products with the purchase confirmation status registered in the digital cart 51 at that time. The payment process is performed between the user terminal 5, the business operator system 1, and the payment system 6 using the user's payment information. The user terminal 5 performs a payment process on the payment system 6 in FIG. 1 corresponding to the payment means (for example, credit card) used by the user through the business operator system 1. When the payment process for the products in the digital cart 51 is completed due to purchase confirmation, the cart management unit 15 records the status of the products as purchased and paid in the cart DB205. The app 50 deletes, for example, the product information of the product and makes it empty on the screen of the digital cart 51.

[0078] Also, in Embodiment 1, when the user terminal 5 goes outside the target area 500 without performing the above-mentioned distribution (step S5), there may be cases where there are items with a purchase candidate status remaining in the digital cart 51 at that time. In this case, it can be handled in the following manner. In Embodiment 1, for the items with a purchase candidate status registered in the digital cart 51 at that time, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 determines whether to confirm the purchase or cancel the purchase, etc., and performs the settlement process. In Embodiment 1, at this time, the app 50 and the server automatically consider the items with a purchase candidate status in the digital cart 51 as purchase confirmed, omit the confirmation and decision operations by the user, and execute the settlement process, etc. In a modification, the app 50 presents to the user, on a screen (for example, similar to FIGS. 8 to 10), for each item with a purchase candidate status, whether to perform the settlement as a purchase confirmation or cancel the purchase, and accepts the decision operation. On the other hand, when a purchase confirmation operation is performed by the user, the app 50 changes the item with the purchase candidate status to a purchase confirmed status and performs the settlement process. When a purchase cancellation operation is performed, the app 50 changes the status of that item to a purchase cancelled status and does not perform the settlement process.

[0079] As a modification of step S7, the following may be possible. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 asks the user whether to execute the settlement for the items with a purchase confirmed status in the digital cart 51, and accepts the decision operation. When the app 50 receives the decision operation, it executes the settlement process, and when it receives a negative operation, it does not execute the settlement process. Also, at step S7, the user may be allowed to input settlement information.

[0080] The following is also possible as a modification related to settlement. The user instructs the app 50 of the user terminal 5 to execute the settlement for the desired item at any desired timing on the screen. For example, during the trip within the target area 500, the user can perform a predetermined operation to execute the settlement first for some of the purchase confirmed items in the digital cart 51 (similar to (C) in FIG. 9).

[0081] Furthermore, in step S7, the donation process when the product to be settled is a return gift product is as follows. This donation process is basically realized through the settlement process for the settlement system 6. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 instructs the settlement system 6 to settle the donation amount through the business operator system 1, and transmits donation information to the local government system 3. The settlement management department 16 and the tax payment management department 13 of the business operator system 1 record management information during the settlement process including the donation process. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 automatically performs the donation process related to hometown tax payment for the return gift product that has been purchased. When the purchased product is a return gift product based on the flag, the business operator system 1 performs the donation process to the local government associated with the product so as to make a donation (donation at the same time as purchase) in the form of using the purchased product as a return gift as it is. This donation process is a part of the process that constitutes the procedures for hometown tax payment to the local government associated with the product 40 purchased at the travel destination 400 and the local government where the user resides. The donation process is carried out between the user terminal 5, the business operator system 1, and the local government system 3 using the user's tax payment information. The user terminal 5 transmits donation information for hometown tax payment regarding the purchased return gift product to the hometown tax acceptance department 31 of the local government system 3 of the local government associated with the product 40 and the target area 500 through the business operator system 1. The hometown tax acceptance department 31 of the local government system 3 performs the procedures for hometown tax payment (especially the acceptance of the donation among them) for the user based on the received donation information.

[0082] The settlement of the donation amount may have rules stipulated among the relevant parties in advance. Specifically, this settlement can be realized as follows, for example. The app 50 or the server instructs the settlement system 6 to deposit the donation amount for the return gift product into the account of the business operator system 1. Next, the business operator system 1 instructs the settlement system 6 to deposit the donation amount into the account of the local government system 3 of the donation destination.

[0083] After that, between the local government system 3 and the product seller 2 (store 4), the settlement regarding the price of the return gift may be arbitrarily conducted according to the regulations of each local government. For example, the local government system 3 may pay the price of the return gift product to the product seller 2 (Figure 15 described later). Also, in a modified example, the present system may also assume the settlement between the local government system 3 and the product seller 2. As an example, at step S7, regarding the donation amount from the user terminal 5 to the local government, the product seller 2 such as the store 4 may be remitted the price of the return gift product, and the amount obtained by subtracting that price from the donation amount may be remitted to the local government.

[0084] At the time of the donation process, the donation information may be transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the local government system 3, or the donation information may be transmitted from the business operator system 1 to the local government system 3. That is, the business operator system 1 may intervene between each user and each local government and support the procedures for hometown tax payment according to the local government. Also, at the time of the donation process in step S7, the user may be made to input tax payment information. Also, at step S7, before transmitting the donation information, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 may confirm with the user on the screen whether to execute the donation process for hometown tax payment, and may accept a decision operation.

[0085] The donation information transmitted at step S7 includes, for example, information such as the name, contact information, address of the user based on the tax payment information, whether to make a one-stop application, information on the region or store of the purchase destination, purchase product information (i.e., return gift information), information on the target local government, amount information such as the donation amount, etc. In an example of the current system, when a hometown tax payment application (corresponding donation information) is transmitted to a certain local government, a document requesting verification of the user's personal information is mailed from that local government, and for example, a copy of the my number card is requested to be sent. In terms of Figure 4, the user can be identified by exchanging information such as the personal identification certificate 80 necessary for hometown tax payment (data communication or mailing, etc.) between the user terminal 5 and the hometown tax reception section 31 of the local government system 3 via the business operator system 1.

[0086] (8) Step S8 is the delivery process. In step S8 following step S7, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 automatically performs the delivery process for the goods that have been settled in step S7. The delivery process is carried out between the user terminal 5, the merchant system 1, and the delivery system 7 using the user's delivery information. The user terminal 5 transmits a delivery instruction regarding the purchased goods (ordinary goods or return gift goods) to the delivery system 7 through the merchant system 1. The delivery instruction includes information such as the purchased goods information and the user's delivery destination. The delivery management unit 17 records management information such as whether the delivery has been completed. The delivery system 7 delivers the purchased goods to the user's home 8 or the like according to the delivery instruction (shown as goods deliveries 71, 72 in FIGS. 1 and 4). Goods delivery 71 indicates the case where the purchased goods are ordinary goods, and goods delivery 72 indicates the case where the purchased goods are return gift goods. Also, the user may be allowed to input delivery information at the time of step S8. Further, in step S8, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 may confirm with the user whether the delivery process may be executed on the screen and accept a decision operation.

[0087] In the first embodiment (Fig. 4), regarding the delivery of the product 40 and the handover to the user, it was assumed that the settlement was made outside the target area 500 (step S7) and the delivery was made through the delivery system 7 (step S8). However, it is not limited to this and is possible. Along with the settlement of each individual product 40, the delivery destination of the product 40 may be set to a designated delivery destination inside or outside the target area 500, such as an accommodation facility or a transportation facility, instead of the home 8. For example, in response to a delivery designation operation by the user on the screen of the app 50, the product 40 may be handed over to the user at the store 4 where the user purchased the product 40, or at another store, or at a predetermined location. For example, for the products registered in the digital cart 51 by the user during the trip, as one of the delivery designations, it is possible to hand over the product 40 placed at a predetermined location when returning from the trip. In this case, the user can check the received product 40 on the way back from the travel destination 400 to the home 8. The predetermined location for the handover may be the boundary of the target area 500 or between the target area 500 and the home 8. Examples of the predetermined location include product handover counters and delivery lockers at tourist spots, shopping malls, convenience stores, stations, airports, etc. The predetermined location may also be a "roadside station" (regional revitalization facility) or a service area on the road.

[0088] Note that the delivery process in step S8 is not essential. The system of the modified example does not have a function related to delivery. In that case, for product delivery, the user, the store 4, etc. may perform it individually to the delivery system 7. After leaving the venue in step S6 and finishing the processes in steps S7 to S8, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 may automatically terminate the digital cart 51 or the app 50.

[0089] As a result of the processes in steps S7 to S8, the purchased products (ordinary products or return gifts 9) will be delivered to the user's home 8 at a later date. The user will receive the products at home 8 after returning from the trip.

[0090] As in step S7 above, in this system, when the user purchases product 40 at travel destination 400 (corresponding target area 500) using digital cart 51, along with settlement and delivery, if the product 40 is a target for hometown tax return gifts, the user can easily make a donation for hometown tax to the local government associated with the product as the return gift as it is. When one-stop application can be used according to the local government, hometown tax can be realized particularly efficiently. If the procedures for hometown tax (in other words, the acceptance interface) differ for each local government, the business operator system 1 may support individual procedures with individual local governments. Regarding the procedures for hometown tax, at least the parts that can be automated by data communication and digitization on communication network 101 can be automated through business operator system 1.

[0091] The system of Embodiment 1 can automatically perform product purchase, settlement (including donation), and delivery processing with digital cart 51 without requiring operations or confirmations by the user when predetermined conditions related to the user's position and time during travel are met. In Embodiment 1, the predetermined conditions are the timing when user terminal 5 exits the target area 500, giving priority to the user's convenience. The predetermined conditions can be preset in this system, and may particularly be settable by the user through a user setting function. Also, in a modification example described later, as the predetermined condition, settlement processing and the like are performed at the timing when a preset period has elapsed.

[0092] [5. Processing Flow] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the main processing in the local activation system of Embodiment 1 corresponding to the example of FIG. 4. The flow in FIG. 5 has steps S101 to S111.

[0093] In step S101, the user performs initial settings for the digital cart 51 using the app 50 on the user terminal 5, and sets travel information such as the travel destination 400 and schedule. The business operator system 1 sets the information of the user's digital cart 51 in the cart DB205, sets the travel information in the user DB202, and sets the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400, etc.

[0094] In step S102, the user terminal 5 and the business operator system 1 confirm the current position of the user terminal 5 based on the GPS position information of the user terminal 5, and determine and detect whether the user terminal 5 has entered the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400.

[0095] When entry is detected, in step S103, the app 50 on the user terminal 5 turns on the digital cart 51. At this time, authentication processing is automatically performed between the user terminal 5 and the authentication unit 12 of the business operator system 1. At that time, it is also confirmed whether the payment means described in the preset payment information is valid or not. For example, the expiration date of the credit card, etc. is confirmed.

[0096] The user freely shops, etc. at stores 4, etc. within the target area 500. In step S104, the user terminal 5 reads information from the code 41 of the product 40 by means of a reader function based on an operation by the user. The app 50 on the user terminal 5 transmits the read product identification information, current position information, etc. to the server of the business operator system 1.

[0097] In step S105, the server (communication unit 10) of the merchant system 1 receives information from the app 50 of the user terminal 5. The cart management unit 15 searches the product master in the product DB204 based on the product identification information from the user terminal 5, reads it out if there is product information associated with the product identification information, and transmits it to the user terminal 5. At step S105, the merchant system 1 checks whether the product 40 is a target product in this system and also checks the attributes of the product 40. This check of attributes includes checking whether the product 40 is a target for the return gift of hometown tax payment. Also, in a modification, at step S105, the merchant system 1 may check the inventory when providing the product 40.

[0098] In step S106, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 receives and acquires the product information from the server of the merchant system 1 and registers it as the product information of the product with the purchase candidate status in the digital cart 51. The app 50 updates the display state so as to add and register the product information on the screen of the digital cart 51 on the display screen of the user terminal 5. Also, on the screen of the digital cart 51, the app 50 displays the status such as the purchase candidate status for each registered product, and also clearly displays whether it is a target for the return gift of hometown tax payment or not based on a flag (see FIG. 8 etc. described later).

[0099] The processing of steps S104 to S106 is the same repetition for each shopping of each product 40 in each store 4 at the travel destination 400, such as steps S3 and S4 in FIG. 4. In the first embodiment, the purchase of the product 40 in the store 4 means registering the product information as a purchase candidate product in the digital cart 51 and then performing settlement etc. as a purchase confirmation later. This registration is provisional, and as described above, operations such as purchase confirmation and purchase cancellation are also possible.

[0100] In step S107, during the trip, the user operates the application 50 of the user terminal 5 at the desired timing of the user, and on the screen of the application 50, the product information in the digital cart 51 can be confirmed as a list. On the screen of the digital cart 51, the status of each product can be confirmed. The status includes purchase candidate, purchase confirmed, purchase cancelled, etc. Also, on the screen of the digital cart 51, a sorting operation for changing the status is accepted. On this screen, for each purchase candidate product, it can be sorted into purchase confirmed or purchase cancelled. When the user decides to actually purchase a purchase candidate product, the user operates it so that it becomes the purchase confirmed status. Also, the user can appropriately return the status of the product to the purchase candidate status on the screen.

[0101] In step S108, the user terminal 5 and the business operator system 1 confirm the position of the user terminal 5 based on the GPS position information of the user terminal 5, and determine / detect whether the user terminal 5 has exited outside the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400.

[0102] When an exit is detected, in step S109, the application 50 of the user terminal 5 turns off the digital cart 51. Also, at this time, an authentication process is automatically performed between the user terminal 5 and the business operator system 1, and at that time, it is also confirmed whether the payment means described in the preset payment information is valid or not.

[0103] In step S110, the application 50 of the user terminal 5 executes a payment process (including a donation process) for the purchase confirmed products in the digital cart 51 with the business operator system 1. At this time, the payment process is performed with the payment system 6 using the payment means confirmed in steps S103 and S109. For the return gift products among the purchase confirmed products, as described above, a donation process (payment related to the donation and transmission of donation information to the local government system 3) is performed through the payment system 7. The donation information includes the donation amount information calculated by the application 50 and the server. For example, if the price of a certain purchased product (return gift product) is X yen and the donation amount is Y yen, the donation amount Y yen is paid to the local government (Figure 15 described later).

[0104] Subsequently, in step S111, the application 50 of the user terminal 5 executes a delivery process for the goods that have been settled in the digital cart 51 and for which the settlement process has been completed between the user terminal 5 and the operator system 1. At this time, as described above, the delivery process is performed between the delivery system 7 and the user terminal 5.

[0105] [6-1. Target Area] The setting of the target area 500 in FIG. 4 will be described. In the first embodiment, the target area 500 is set in the following manner. The target area 500 is an area that corresponds to the user's travel destination 400 and the digital cart 51 and is the target of control such as the purchase and settlement of goods 40. In other words, it is an area, region, or range on the map. The target area 500 is also associated with a range (also referred to as a "settlement range") for collectively controlling the above-described settlement and delivery processes.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows a first example as a setting example of the target area 500. In this first example, a circular target area 500 is set on the map so as to include the area of the travel destination 400. It is assumed that the area of the travel destination 400 is a large-scale area such as a prefecture. The area of the travel destination 400 may be at least one store 4, a tourist spot, or the like, or it may be a municipality. In this case, a circular target area 500 is set using the central position 511 represented by the latitude and longitude in that area and the radius 512.

[0107] Within the target area 500, the digital cart 51 is turned on. Also, within a large administrative division such as a prefecture, hierarchical small administrative divisions such as municipalities are included. In this example, within the large administrative division, there are small administrative divisions A to F. Within each region, there are each store 4, tourist spots, etc. Also, even within a small administrative division unit such as a town, smaller region units or areas may be set. The user visits a store 4 in a desired region and shops. In the example of FIG. 6, the user can freely move within a region such as a prefecture of the travel destination 400 and shop. During the trip, until the user leaves this region, the digital cart 51 can hold a plurality of product information, and the user can freely consider whether to purchase, make choices, etc.

[0108] In Embodiment 1, the target area 500 is set by the operator system 1 according to the designation of the travel destination 400 by the user. Specifically, using an area master (FIG. 13) described later, as shown in FIG. 6, a circular target area 500 that includes the area of the travel destination 400 is automatically set. Note that in a modification, the user may be able to set the target area 500 with the app 50. For example, the user may specify by an operation such as tapping or surrounding the area of the travel destination 400 on the map screen of the app 50, or by a character input operation.

[0109] Hometown tax payment has a jurisdiction area in units of local governments such as prefectures and municipalities. Therefore, as one method, the target area 500 may be set according to the area of such a local government. Also, it is desirable to set a suitable target area 500 according to the travel destination 400 of the user. In this system, considering these viewpoints, the target area 500 is set as a circular area so as to include at least one local government corresponding to the area of the travel destination 400 of the user, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0110] The shape of the target area 500 is not limited to a circle as shown in FIG. 6, and any shape is possible. In a modification, it may be a target area with a more detailed shape that conforms to the shape of the boundary of an area on a map or the like. In this example, setting the target area 500 to a circular shape has advantages such as facilitating the determination of entry and exit (steps S2 and S6).

[0111] In the example of FIG. 6, a circular target area 500 is set with a larger size so as to encompass the area (for example, a prefecture) of the travel destination 400. Also, a settlement range is set for this target area 500. In this example, the target area = the settlement range. The settlement range is a range for determining whether to execute the settlement in step S7. Also, in Embodiment 1, not only the settlement but also the accompanying delivery (step S8) is controlled using the settlement range. As a modification, respective ranges may be set for each process of settlement (step S7) and delivery (step S8). Also, different ranges may be set for normal goods and return gift goods (for donation processing).

[0112] When setting the circular target area = the settlement range as in the example of FIG. 6, there are also the following advantages. Even when the user moves near the boundary of the area (for example, a prefecture) of the travel destination 400 within this target area 500, the settlement process in step S7 and the like do not operate. Therefore, it is suitable because the digital cart 51 is stably held within the target area 500.

[0113] In this example, the target area = the settlement range, but it is not limited to this, and a settlement range with a different shape may be set separately from the target area 500. For example, the shape of the area of the travel destination 400 may be used as the target area 500 as it is, and an area such as a larger circle may be set as the settlement range.

[0114] In Embodiment 1, the GPS 102 is used to grasp the position of the user terminal 5 as described above. The position of the user terminal 5 may be represented by a circular range with a radius considering the positioning error centered on the position represented by the latitude and longitude in the GPS position information.

[0115] Note that the user's travel destination 400 is specified in advance as the aforementioned travel information, but it is not limited to this, and it may be automatically determined based on the location information of the user terminal 5. The target area 500 and the like may be automatically set according to the region of the automatically determined travel destination 400.

[0116] [6-2. Target Area] Another setting example for the target area 500 is as follows. In the first example of FIG. 6, one target area corresponding to the travel destination 400 is set, but a plurality of target areas corresponding to the travel destination 400 may be set. It is conceivable that the user's travel destination 400 is one that sequentially visits a plurality of spatially separated regions (for example, tourist spots, etc.).

[0117] FIG. 7 shows a second example as a setting example of the target area 500 in a modified example. This second example shows a case where, on a map, the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination 400 is composed of a plurality of spatially separated target areas (also described as sub-areas). For example, it shows a case where a certain travel route is roughly composed of three sub-areas 601 to 603. For example, the route is composed of, in order, the first sub-area 601 (including region A), the second sub-area 602 (including region B), and the third sub-area 601 (including region C). The sub-areas may be spatially separated via movement by means of transportation. For example, the first sub-area 601 is set as a circle including region A using the central position 611 and the radius. The second sub-area 602 and the third sub-area 603 are also set as circles in the same way. The user, for example, first shops at the store 4a in region A, and thereby product A is registered in the digital cart 51. When the user terminal 5 goes out of the sub-area 601, settlement processing and the like regarding product A are performed. Next, the user moves to region B and shops at, for example, the store 4b, and thereby product B is registered in the digital cart 51. When the user terminal 5 goes out of the sub-area 602, settlement processing and the like regarding product B are performed. Thus, in the second example, settlement, delivery, etc. are controlled using the settlement range for each sub-area.

[0118] In the second example, the user visits a plurality of regions in order according to the planned travel route and schedule. For each sub-area corresponding to a region, it is possible to purchase products or the like using the digital cart 51. As another example, even when the travel route is not determined, that is, when the traveler moves freely, based on the grasp of the current position of the user terminal 5, by appropriately setting a sub-area for each region where the user stays, the same control is possible. Also, a sub-area may be set for each store 4 targeted by this system. When the user terminal 5 enters the sub-area for each store 4, the digital cart 51 automatically turns on and shopping becomes possible, and when it exits that sub-area, settlement or the like is performed.

[0119] When setting the sub-area = settlement range in a relatively small regional unit (for example, a town), for each such sub-area, it is possible to perform donation processing (step S7) related to hometown tax payment to the corresponding local government. Thereby, there is an advantage that it is easy for the user to associate and recognize the purchased products in the region with the donation to the local government corresponding to that region.

[0120] Note that also in the second example of FIG. 7, similar to the first example of FIG. 6, it is also possible to set one target area 500 that encompasses the entire travel route. Also, the route and the target area 500 may include the round-trip route between the home 8 and the travel destination 400.

[0121] [7. Target Period] In a modified example, as another method related to the control of the digital cart 51 and settlement or the like, it is also possible to use a target period (in other words, a time limit) as a predetermined condition. When the user sets the travel schedule, the business operator system 1 sets a control target period according to the schedule. Either a method of controlling only based on the target period or a method of controlling based on both the target period and the target area 500 is possible.

[0122] The method of controlling only during the target period is as follows, for example. During the target period of the trip (for example, the three days from May 1st to May 3rd), the business operator system 1 keeps the shopping on the digital cart 51 and holds the product information regardless of the location of the user terminal 5. When the target period has passed, the business operator system 1 turns off the digital cart 51 and performs settlement processing (step S7) and the like. In this method, the user can freely enter and leave the area of the travel destination 400 during the target period, and settlement processing and the like do not operate during that time. Even if the user is within the area of the travel destination 400, when the target period has passed, settlement processing and the like operate.

[0123] The method of controlling in both the target period and the target area is as follows, for example. During the target period of the trip, when the location of the user terminal 5 is within the target area, the business operator system 1 keeps the shopping on the digital cart 51 and holds the product information. When the user terminal 5 goes out of the target area and the target period has passed, the business operator system 1 turns off the digital cart 51 and performs settlement processing (step S7) and the like.

[0124] In the case of the above method, for example, on the first day of the trip, the user can register products on the digital cart 51 and can check and distribute the products in the digital cart 51 during accommodation and the like. The same applies to the second and third days. When the user leaves and returns from the target area 500 on the third day and the target period has passed, settlement and the like are performed for the products in the digital cart 51. Also, as a predetermined condition, when using the target period, it may be added as a condition that the user is within the target area at least once a day for regular confirmation.

[0125] [8-1. Screen Example] Figs. 8 to 9 show display examples of the digital cart 51 and the like in a screen example of the app 50 of the user terminal 5.

[0126] As a first example, Fig. 8(A) shows an example of a screen when a user makes a purchase at store 4 as shown in Fig. 4 and the user terminal 5 registers the product recognized by reading the code 41 of product 40 with the reader function into the digital cart 51. At the top of this screen, an image 801 representing the read product and information (such as product name and price) are displayed. At the bottom, an image 802 (cart icon) representing the digital cart 51 is displayed. In the image 802, the number of products already registered in the digital cart 51 is also displayed as a number (for example, 4). If the user wants to register on this screen, they perform a predetermined operation such as touching the image 801 with a finger and swiping it to move it to the position of the image 802. As a result, the product information of the read product is registered in the digital cart 51. The predetermined operation may be a tap, a flick, etc. At the time of this registration, the status of the product is first set to the purchase candidate status. If this operation is not performed, the read product is not registered in the digital cart 51 (registration is cancelled).

[0127] As a second example, Fig. 8(B) shows an example of a screen when the above-mentioned read product (or a product selected from the digital cart 51) is a target of a hometown tax payment return gift. At the top of this screen, an image 803 representing the read product and information are displayed. An image such as a mark (in this example, a ribbon) indicating that this product is a target of a hometown tax payment return gift is attached to and displayed on this image 803. Also, as shown by a speech bubble image below the image 803, an explanatory text indicating that it is a target of a hometown tax payment return gift may be displayed, or more detailed information may be displayed in response to a click on the link URL or the like. The detailed information includes, for example, the detailed information of the hometown tax payment of the corresponding municipality and the detailed product description information.

[0128] (C) of FIG. 8 is, as a third example, an example of the display of the digital cart 51 on the screen of the application 50, and shows a screen example related to the function of sorting "buy" (purchase confirmation) and "not buy" (purchase cancellation) for each candidate product for purchase in the digital cart 51. In this example, on this screen, images 804 of a plurality of products (corresponding product information) with the purchase candidate status registered in the digital cart 51 are displayed side by side vertically, for example, and can be scrolled vertically. When the user decides to confirm the purchase ("buy") for each product, the user moves the image 804 to the right direction of the screen by swiping with a finger (or pressing the right button, etc.). By such a predetermined operation, the product is changed from the purchase candidate status to the purchase confirmed status. The product with the purchase confirmed status is added to the purchase confirmation box (for example, (A) of FIG. 9) of the digital cart 51. On the other hand, when the user decides to cancel the purchase ("not buy") for the product, the user moves the image corresponding to the product to the left direction of the screen by swiping with a finger (or pressing the left button, etc.). As a result, the product is changed from the purchase candidate status to the purchase cancelled status. The product with the purchase cancelled status is added to the purchase cancellation box. On this screen, the images of the sorted products disappear from the vertical column, and the images of the remaining products are displayed packed in the vertical direction.

[0129] In addition, in Embodiment 1, in the digital cart 51, even for the product for which the user has performed the purchase cancellation operation, the product information is kept in the purchase cancellation box without being deleted. Thus, it is also possible for the user to later change the product back from the purchase cancelled status to the purchase candidate or purchase confirmed status. In other forms, the product information is deleted in the case of purchase cancellation.

[0130] [8-2. Screen Example] As a fourth example, (A) of FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen when the contents and status of the digital cart 51 are displayed in a list. On this screen, the app 50 displays a plurality of product information in the digital cart 51 in boxes (columns) classified by status. This screen has a purchase confirmation box 901, a purchase candidate box 902, and a purchase cancellation box 903. For example, products A and B with a purchase confirmation status are registered in the purchase confirmation box 901.

[0131] The user can also change the status for each product on this screen. The arrows indicate examples of status changes. For example, the user can select a desired product in the purchase candidate box 902 and move it to the purchase confirmation box 901 or the purchase cancellation box 903 by swiping or the like. Accordingly, the status is changed. Similarly, the products in the purchase confirmation box 901 and the products in the purchase cancellation box 903 can also be moved to other boxes.

[0132] As a fifth example, (B) of FIG. 9 is an example of a screen for displaying a plurality of product information with a purchase candidate status in, for example, the purchase candidate box 902 in the digital cart 51. In particular, for each purchase candidate product, an image 904 indicating whether it is a target of a return gift for hometown tax payment is displayed based on a flag. In this example, for three products D, E, and F, an image 904 such as a mark (a ribbon in this example) indicating that product F is a target of a return gift for hometown tax payment is attached and displayed. On the screens of (A) and (B) of FIG. 9, the plurality of product information may be displayed in a grouped state classified according to whether it is a target of a return gift for hometown tax payment based on a flag. In (B) of FIG. 9, products D and E are grouped as normal products, and product F is grouped as a return gift product and displayed separately. Also, on the screen of the digital cart 51, the product information may be arranged and displayed in a desired free order and position based on the user's operation.

[0133] In addition, on the app screen as described above, a payment execution instruction button may be provided for the normal products selected by the user to perform payment in advance. When the user presses this payment execution instruction button, even within the target area 500, payment processing will be immediately performed only for this product. That is, the basic payment timing in this system is the timing when it is outside the target area 500 as in the aforementioned step S7, but according to the user's intention, it is also possible to complete the payment individually at an earlier timing. For example, when the user wants to immediately consume product 40 such as food within the target area 500, the user can purchase and consume it using normal payment means separate from this system as described above, or can also consume it using the pre-payment function as described above.

[0134] As a sixth example, Fig. 9 (C) shows an example of a screen that displays product information of a gift-return product (e.g., product F) selected by the user from within the digital cart 51 at the payment timing of step S7 or an earlier timing. On this screen, details such as the product name of product F and a mark indicating a gift-return product are displayed. On this screen, in particular, detailed information about the amount and buttons that allow selection of whether it is a normal purchase or a donation (simultaneous donation form with purchase) are displayed. On this screen, the normal amount when this product F is purchased normally (when not donating), and a purchase button 907 for purchasing product F at that normal amount, the donation amount when this product F is donated as a gift-return for hometown tax payment, and a donation button 908 for performing donation processing at that donation amount are displayed. The user can freely select whether to purchase the gift-return product normally or purchase it simultaneously with a donation related to hometown tax payment on such a screen. Also, similar to normal products, for gift-return products as well, at any timing within the target area 500, for the desired gift-return product selected by the user, it may be possible to immediately perform the same payment processing (including donation processing) earlier by using buttons on the same screen.

[0135] The application 50 and the server (tax management department 13) calculate this donation amount and display it on the screen. Let the price of product F, which is the return gift product (the same as the normal price when purchasing normally), be X yen (for example, 6,000 yen), and the donation amount be Y yen (also shown in Fig. 15 described later). As a condition according to the local government's system, it is predetermined that the amount of the return gift should be 30% or less of the donation amount. For example, as a condition, Y = X / 0.3. Then, for example, the donation amount Y yen can be calculated as Y = 6,000 yen / 0.3 = 20,000 yen. The business operator system 1 automatically calculates the necessary donation amount (Y yen) for the donation with the purchased product as the return gift based on the conditions, and uses the donation information including the donation amount in the donation process.

[0136] As described above, in the first embodiment, the user can consider the trade-off selection regarding the purchase of products in the digital cart 51 by intuitive and simple operations on the screen of the application 50 of the user terminal 5.

[0137] [8-3. Screen example] Fig. 10 shows another screen example of the application 50 of the user terminal 5. The screen in Fig. 10 is an example of displaying the content and status of the digital cart 51 in a list in tabular form. This table displays the product information of the purchase candidate products row by row, and as the column items, there are number, date and time, product image, product name (or product code), purchase store, purchase area, purchase amount, hometown tax return gift (flag), donation, purchase confirmation, deletion, etc. In addition, as the column items of the table, a pre-payment button or the like may be provided. The multiple product information in the digital cart 51 can be sorted and displayed according to the selected conditions (for example, registration order, product category order, price order, etc.).

[0138] The "Date and Time" item is the date and time when the product information of product 40 was registered. The "Product Image" item displays the product image obtained from the product master of the product DB204 in FIG. 2 (or it may be an image captured by a camera). The "Product Name" item displays the product name (or product code), and categories such as food and goods may also be displayed. The "Purchasing Store" item displays information corresponding to the store 4 or the product seller 2 where the product 40 is purchased. The "Purchasing Region" item displays the region such as the city, town, or village corresponding to the purchasing store of the product 40, and information on the corresponding local government may also be displayed. The "Purchasing Amount" item displays the amount when the product 40 is purchased normally or when it is purchased simultaneously with a donation as a return gift product for hometown tax payment. The "Hometown Tax Return Gift" item displays whether or not the product is a target of the return gift for hometown tax payment based on a flag. For example, if it is a target, the value is 1, and if not, the value is 0.

[0139] When the product 40 is a target of the hometown tax return gift, the "Donation" item displays a button that allows the user to select in advance whether to donate (ON) or not to donate (OFF). If the user wants to make a donation with the product 40 as a return gift in this "Donation" item, the user sets the button to ON, and if not, sets it to OFF. Then, at the timing of the donation process in step S7 when the user terminal 5 exits the target area 500 in step S6, the set value of this "Donation" item is reflected. Also, the amount displayed in the "Purchasing Amount" item and the total amount column 1001 at the bottom of the screen automatically changes according to the ON / OFF state of this "Donation" item. Note that the amount may differ between the case of making a donation (ON) and the case of not making a donation (OFF). This is because there are conditions for the donation amount when making hometown tax payments (for example, the amount of the return gift should be 30% or less of the donation amount). The business system 1 (the tax management department 13 in FIG. 2) calculates the donation amount for each return gift product when making hometown tax payments and displays it on the screen of the app 50 as described above. Note that, similar to FIG. 9 (C), both the normal purchase amount and the donation amount may be displayed in parallel.

[0140] For the "Purchase Confirmed" item, a check box for determining whether to confirm the purchase of the product is displayed. If the user wishes to confirm the purchase of the product, they press the check box. As a result, the product is changed from the purchase candidate status to the purchase confirmed status. For the "Delete" item, a delete button is displayed when the product information is to be deleted from the digital cart 51. If the user wishes to delete the product information, they press this delete button.

[0141] In this example, the total amount column 1001 displays the total amount of the products with the purchase confirmed status (those with the check box checked ON) in the above table. This total amount is separately displayed as the total amount of the donation amount in the group of return gift products for hometown tax payment and the total amount of the normal purchase amount in the group of normal products that do not pay hometown tax. The business operator system 1 (the tax management department 13 in Figure 2) calculates the total amount of each group and displays it on the screen of the app 50 as described above. In this example, when there are three products AA, BB, and CC with the purchase confirmed status, two of the products AA and BB are eligible for return gifts and are set to be donated (ON). The purchase amounts (= donation amounts) of products AA and BB are 5,000 yen and 3,600 yen respectively. The purchase amount of product CC, which is a normal product, is 7,000 yen. Correspondingly, in the total amount column 1001, the overall total amount is 15,600 yen, the total amount for hometown tax payment (donation) is 8,600 yen, and the total amount for normal purchase is 7,000 yen. By looking at the total amount column 1001, the user can estimate the total amount according to the current planned product purchases and consider and change whether to purchase or not.

[0142] As another example, on the screen of the digital cart 51, the total amount for the products with the purchase candidate status in the table (those with an unchecked check box) may be similarly displayed. Further, on the screen of the digital cart 51, although not shown in the figure, the budget for the trip set by the user and the remaining budget obtained by subtracting the total amount from the budget may be displayed. Thereby, the user can make considerations according to the budget. Also, on the screen of the digital cart 51, an upper limit value regarding the donation amount for hometown tax payment may be settable and the upper limit value may be displayed. When the total amount for the return gift products designated as purchase candidates or purchase confirmations by the user reaches the upper limit value, the application 50 displays a notice to that effect on the screen. Thereby, the user can easily consider donations within the range not exceeding the upper limit value.

[0143] Also, by the user operating the location (for example, the link URL) of the total amount for hometown tax payment in the total amount column 1001, detailed information regarding hometown tax payment may be displayed and confirmed. Thereby, for example, it is possible to confirm or input the content of the donation information transmitted to the local government in the donation process of step S7.

[0144] Further, the above screen has a history item 1002. When the user wants to view the history information of the digital cart 51, the user operates the history item 1002 by touch or the like. Thereby, the history information of the digital cart 51 is displayed on the application screen. As described above, since the cart DB 205 also holds the history information of the digital cart 51, the history information can be displayed on the application screen. The history information is the history information such as registration, settlement (including donation), and delivery of products at past dates and times.

[0145] Also, in the modified example, this history information may be used to enable re-purchase of product 40. For example, after the user goes out of the target area 500 of the travel destination 400 and before returning home 8, or even after returning home 8 until a set period, the system retains the history information of the digital cart 51. Then, the user can appropriately refer to the history information of the digital cart 51 on the screen of the app 50, select a desired product from it, and press the purchase instruction button if they want to purchase that product again. Thereby, for that product, payment and delivery processes are performed. Thus, the user can easily re-purchase that product. Also, the user can easily make a donation for hometown tax again along with the re-purchase.

[0146] As described above, in Embodiment 1, just by the display of the digital cart 51 on the screen of the app 50, it is possible to identify and recognize whether a product is a target for a return gift for hometown tax, etc., and according to the user's intention and operation, it is also possible to specify whether to make a donation for hometown tax in the form simultaneous with the purchase for each return gift product.

[0147] [9-1. Digital Cart Information] FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the digital cart information in the cart DB205 of FIG. 2. The table of this digital cart information has, as items corresponding to columns, number (representing each row record), date and time, product code (in other words, product identification information), product image, product name, purchase store, purchase area, municipality, purchase amount (normal purchase amount or donation amount), flag for target of hometown tax return gift, status, donation, payment, delivery, etc. The status is the aforementioned purchase candidate, purchase confirmation, etc. The data example in FIG. 12 corresponds to the screen example in FIG. 11. Other than this, position information of product 40, etc. may be registered in the digital cart information.

[0148] [9-2. Product Master] FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the product master of the product DB204 in FIG. 2. The table of this product master has, as items corresponding to columns, number, product code, product name, product image, sales store, sales area, local government, location (latitude and longitude), flag for hometown tax return gift target, normal amount, donation amount, etc. The flag indicates whether the product is a target for a return gift in hometown tax payment of the local government in that area. The "location" item represents the location of the product 40 or the sales store in terms of GPS latitude and longitude. In this table, as product price information, both "normal price" and "donation price" (two types) are set and held. The "normal amount" item indicates the sales price corresponding to the normal amount when purchasing normally without donation. The "donation amount" item indicates the condition of the minimum amount corresponding to the donation amount in the case of making a donation (simultaneous purchase with donation) related to hometown tax payment. Conditions such as the amount of the return gift for each local government may be set in the product DB204 etc. In the illustrated example, the condition is that the donation amount (Y) = normal amount (X) / 0.3.

[0149] [9-3. Area Master] FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the area master stored in the user DB202 in FIG. 2. The area master is information for managing areas such as the travel destination 400 and the target area 500 etc. The business operator system 1 holds the setting information of the target area 500 etc. corresponding to the travel destination 400 (travel information) for each user in the area master. Note that the area master may be separately held in another DB (for example, a map DB).

[0150] This area master table has items corresponding to columns, such as number, region (area), region name, target area, central position, radius, etc. The "region (area)" item is the ID for each region (area). The "region name" is the name of, for example, prefectures, municipalities, etc. The "target area" item is the ID of target area 500 when target area 500 is set for that region. The "central position" and "radius" items are information when setting the aforementioned circular target area 500. In this example, this target area 500 is the settlement range. The target area 500 is not limited to the region of the travel destination or the area of the local government, and as described above, specific stores such as antenna shops can also be set.

[0151] [9-4. User Information] Figure 14 shows a configuration example of user information including travel information stored in user DB202 of Figure 2. This user information table has items corresponding to columns, such as number, user ID, travel destination (region), travel period, target area, central position, radius, settlement information, delivery information, tax payment information, etc. The "travel destination (region)" item is specified by one or more regions according to the information of the area master in Figure 13, for example. The "travel period" item has the travel schedule, etc. set. The "target area" item has the ID of target area 500 corresponding to travel destination 400 set. The "central position" and "radius" items are the content defining target area 500 and are the same as the information in the area master. The business system 1 sets this target area 500 based on the information of the area master and the "travel destination (region)" item. The "settlement information" item has the settlement information for settlement processing (step S7) set. The "delivery information" item has the delivery information for delivery processing (step S8) set. The "tax payment information" item has the tax payment information for donation processing (step S7) set.

[0152] [10. Hometown Tax Payment] As a supplement, the hometown tax payment will be explained. The upper part of Fig. 15 shows the concept of the amount of hometown tax payment. In Fig. 15, from the perspective of the user, in the hometown tax payment, when making a donation within the deduction limit, for the amount obtained by subtracting the self-payment amount of 2,000 yen (1503) from the total donation amount (donation 1501) (deduction amount 1502), a deduction 1504 from income tax (refund of income tax) and a deduction 1505 from inhabitant tax can be received. For example, when the deduction limit is 100,000 yen and a donation of 98,000 yen is made through hometown tax payment, with a self-payment amount of 2,000 yen, the deduction amount of 96,000 yen will be deducted from the inhabitant tax and income tax. However, the user needs to temporarily make a payment (such as credit card payment) for the deduction amount of 98,000 yen. Note that the deduction limit varies depending on the amount of tax paid, and is determined by the family composition, annual income of the donor, and the amount of tax deduction already received.

[0153] As a procedure after the implementation of hometown tax payment (donation), a final tax return is required. Also, in order to promote hometown tax payment, a "one-stop special case system" (one-stop application) has been established. The one-stop special case system is a mechanism where donation deductions can be received without having to file a final tax return after making a hometown tax payment (donation). In this system, the procedure is completed by filling in the necessary items in the "Application for Special Case of Declaration for Tax Deduction of Donation Amount" sent by the local government after the donation and returning it. However, the number of donation recipients is limited to 5 local governments. If donations are made to more than 5 local governments, a final tax return is required. Note that for the above necessary items, a reply of personal identification documents such as a driver's license is required, but electronic applications using the My Number card have also been started in some local governments.

[0154] From the perspective of local governments, in order to increase the amount of donations (i.e., tax revenue), a gift in return for the donation amount is set. The gift in return is stipulated by the Local Tax Law to be 30% or less of the donation amount. For example, when receiving a donation of 10,000 yen, the gift in return will be goods or the like worth 3,000 yen or less. In principle, the gift in return is only local products. Local products, in a broad sense, include production, manufacturing, and service provision within the area. The gift in return is not limited to food, and various local products are possible. Things like gift vouchers, for example, are no longer used as gifts in return.

[0155] At the bottom of Fig. 15, the concept of the donation amount (Y yen) in the simultaneous purchase and donation format of Embodiment 1 is shown. The donation amount (Y yen) 1511 is the amount when making a donation in the simultaneous purchase and donation format for the gift-in-return goods in the donation process of step S7 in Fig. 4, and is the amount donated from the user to the local government through the business operator system 1. The price (X yen) 1512 of the gift-in-return goods is the price of the gift-in-return goods sold by the goods seller 2 such as store 4, and also corresponds to the normal amount when the user makes a normal purchase without donating. The condition of the donation amount is, for example, Y = X / 0.3 as described above. The amount (Y - X yen) 1513 is the amount obtained by subtracting the price (X yen) 1512 of the gift-in-return goods from the donation amount (Y yen) 1511. When the local government pays the price (X yen) 1512 to the goods seller 2, this amount (Y - X yen) 1513 corresponds to the income of the local government.

[0156] [11. Effects, etc.] As described above, according to the local activation system of Embodiment 1, it is possible to realize local activation with an even more expectable ripple effect through hometown tax payment (donation). According to this system, it is possible to arouse demand from travel to tax payment and achieve smooth cooperation. According to this system, it is possible to increase the opportunities for hometown tax payment. Users can make a donation simultaneously with purchasing goods at local stores or the like during the trip and obtain the purchased goods as a return gift. According to this system, it is possible to arouse demand by local use of hometown tax payment. According to this system, hometown tax payment can be promoted based on the users' interest in travel. Even when users are interested in travel but not in hometown tax payment, hometown tax payment can be promoted starting from travel. According to this system, by arousing and promoting the users' demand for hometown tax payment (donation), it is possible to support the local government corresponding to the travel destination area, bring about regional economic activation including the profits of local commodity sellers and related industries such as transportation and accommodation, and increase the amount of donation received by the local government for hometown tax payment. This system can contribute to improving the satisfaction of travelers and local creation by effectively utilizing a regional revitalization tax system such as the hometown tax payment system. According to this system, users can contribute not only to the regional economy by traveling to local areas and purchasing goods, but also through hometown tax payment. In the conventional IT technology, the procedures for hometown tax payment are relatively troublesome, and users hardly feel the connection with commodity sellers and local governments. In contrast, according to Embodiment 1, users can make a donation more easily than in the conventional procedures. Users can easily make a donation related to hometown tax payment along with purchasing goods at specific locations such as local stores, and users can easily feel the connection with commodity sellers and local governments.

[0157] According to the system and method of Embodiment 1, a user can electronically register and hold products 40 as product information in the digital cart 51 during a trip as shown in FIG. 4 etc. Therefore, there is no need to carry the physical product 40, the burden is reduced, and it is convenient. During the trip, the user does not have to make an immediate decision on product purchase, and can freely consider whether to purchase or not while taking into account, for example, the normal purchase amount, donation amount, etc. for the products to be purchased in the digital cart 51, which is convenient. Since the user can purchase products with the digital cart 51 during the trip, there is no need to carry cash, no need to line up at the store cashier, etc., and it is possible to avoid crowding of people, increasing free time and enabling effective use of time. When the user leaves and returns from the target area, the settlement and delivery of the purchased products are automatically summarized, so there is no need to carry the products during the return home, which is convenient. Also, when the user leaves and returns from the target area, regarding the return gift products, it is possible to easily make a donation related to hometown tax payment, which is convenient. Since the business operator system 1 intervenes and supports between the user and the local government, the user and the local government can reduce the load related to the procedures of hometown tax payment.

[0158] For product sellers 2 and local governments, during a trip, users can be shown the physical products 40 in store 4 and consider purchasing them, thereby increasing the sales profit. The user can select the product as a return gift for hometown tax payment after seeing and confirming the physical product locally. Since the digital cart 51 reduces the burden and restrictions on users during the trip, the number of products purchased by users, the purchase amount, etc. can be increased. Also, the product seller 2 and the local government side can let the user know that the product 40 is a target for the return gift of the hometown tax payment of that local government along with the trip. Even a small product seller can let the user know about the return gift product during the trip, and the local government can activate local stores, etc. And according to this system, it is possible to easily connect from product purchase during the trip to the donation related to hometown tax payment, and increase the donation amount by hometown tax payment. Also, the product seller 2 and the local government side can obtain information related to product purchase through the digital cart 51 from the business operator system 1 and also utilize it for marketing, etc.

[0159] This system can also be similarly applied when the place such as a store selling return gift items is not a travel destination or within the area of the corresponding local government body, for example, an antenna shop. Even in such a case, users can easily make donations for return gift items at an antenna shop or the like, and users can support the corresponding local government body.

[0160] <Modification Example 1> As a modification example related to Embodiment 1, the following is also possible. As a modification example regarding the processing of steps S6 to S8 in FIG. 4, when the user terminal 5 goes outside the target area 500, the app 50 automatically regards the products in the purchase candidate status in the digital cart 51 as purchase cancellations and does not execute settlement processing or the like.

[0161] When performing the settlement processing in step S7 at the timing when the user terminal 5 goes outside the target area 500, regarding which method of Embodiment 1 or various modification examples is to be applied to the products in the purchase candidate status in the digital cart 51, it is set in this system in advance. Alternatively, it may be in a form where the user can select and set which method to apply through the user setting function of the app 50.

[0162] <Modification Example 2> In Embodiment 1, the opportunity and timing for automatically executing the settlement and delivery for the product 40 registered in the digital cart 51 were basically immediately after going outside the target area 500 as in step S6 of FIG. 4, but the following forms are also possible. In Modification Example 2, after the user terminal 5 goes outside the target area 500 and until the user arrives home at the home 8, the system accepts sorting such as purchase confirmation, settlement, delivery, etc. instructions for the products in the digital cart 51. This system executes processing such as settlement and delivery for that product at the timing when this instruction is received. The user can make the above considerations during the return journey, such as in a means of transportation. Based on the location information, when the user arrives home at the home 8 or when the target period has passed, settlement processing and the like are similarly performed.

[0163] <Modification Example 3> In Modification Example 3, after the user terminal 5 goes outside the target area 500, for the products with the purchase confirmation status in the digital cart 51, the settlement in step S7 and the delivery process in step S8 are executed. For the products with the purchase candidate status in the digital cart 51, the business operator system 1 does not execute the settlement and delivery processes yet, but retains the product information in the digital cart 51 until a predetermined period, for example. Then, within that period, the system individually accepts instructions regarding settlement and delivery for each product in the digital cart 51. The user can, for example, appropriately check the product information in the digital cart 51 on the screen of the app 50 of the user terminal 5 after returning from a trip, and input instructions for settlement and delivery for each purchase candidate product.

[0164] <Modification Example 4> In Embodiment 1, for the gift-return products, the user can select on the screen whether it is a normal purchase or a donation (simultaneous purchase and donation format) (Fig. 9 (C)), and for all the products designated as donations, an automatic donation process is performed in step S7. Not limited to this, the following is also possible. First, depending on the setting by the system or the user, basically all the gift-return products may be in a format of being donated. Also, in Modification Example 4, the donation process in step S7 is controlled as follows. Up to step S6 is the same as described above. The user purchases a certain product 40, which is a gift-return product, at the normal price (non-donation format) initially. In step S7, the purchased product is settled at the normal price. At this point, the system does not execute the donation process. The system retains the product information in the digital cart 51 until a predetermined period, for example, even after the user returns home 8 from the travel destination 400. The user uses and consumes the product 40 delivered to home 8. For example, if the user eats and likes a food product 40 and that product 40 is a gift-return product, the user can input an execution instruction for the donation related to hometown tax payment for that product 40 on the screen of the digital cart 51 in the app 50 of the user terminal 5. Thereby, the user can make a donation for the same product 40 for the second time.

[0165] <Modification Example 5> In Modification Example 5, the following functions are further added. When the user terminal 5 is within the target area 500 in FIG. 4, the business operator system 1 pushes and distributes information on the stores 4 and products 40 near the user terminal 5 to the app 50 of the user terminal 5 according to the position of the user terminal 5 and the information in the DB. The distributed information includes information on the gift items. The app 50 of the user terminal 5 receives the distributed information and displays it on the screen. By looking at the screen during the trip, the user can find that the gift items are sold at the stores 4 within the area of the travel destination 400. The user can go to the store 4 to check the products 40 or add them to the purchase candidates. This can further support product sales and hometown tax payment.

[0166] Also, before the user travels, the business operator system 1 may provide the app 50 of the user terminal 5 with a map of the travel destination 400 and information on the stores 4 that sell the products 40 on the map. The user can view this information on the screen of the app 50 and select the travel destination and the like.

[0167] Also, in the system of Embodiment 1, based on the position information of the user terminal 5 and the like, it is also possible to grasp that the attribute of the user within the target area 500 is a traveler, in other words, not a local resident. This system may provide the traveler with predetermined preferential measures, such as points or discounts in the point service. Alternatively, the local government may provide preferential measures regarding the gift items. This system may provide preferential measures when it distinguishes between the case where the user purchases the product 40 on a general e-commerce site or a hometown tax payment site and the case where the user purchases the product 40 at a local store 4 and when it grasps the latter purchase. This makes it more advantageous to make a donation during the trip, so that travel and donation can be further promoted.

[0168] <Modification Example 6> This system is also applicable when multiple users such as family members and friends are traveling together. In Modification 6, in this case, the product information registered in the digital cart 51 of the user terminal 5 of a certain first user can be copied or transferred through communication to the digital cart 51 of the user terminal 5 of another associated second user. Thereby, it is possible to realize product recommendations, simultaneous purchases, joint purchases, children having their parents make purchases, etc. among users.

[0169] <Modification 7> FIG. 16 shows an explanatory diagram of Modification 7. Similar to Modification 6, Modification 7 has an additional function assuming a case where a group of multiple users (for example, family) goes shopping in a target area such as a travel destination. In Modification 7, when traveling together with a taxpayer (for example, father) (that is, when the group is within the target area), fellow travelers (for example, mother, child) can share and use the digital cart of the taxpayer. In Modification 7, one user (for example, father) in the group is set as the taxpayer (in other words, the settler), and the digital cart of that taxpayer is shared and used by the group as a shared cart. At a predetermined timing such as when the user terminal of the taxpayer (for example, father) exits the target area, settlement processing including donation processing for the purchased products in the shared cart is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0170] In the example of Fig. 16, as a group of multiple users, there is a family of three, father, mother, and child, and each person has a user terminal 5. Let the father's user ID be U01, the mother's be U02, and the child's be U03. Regarding the availability of the digital cart 51 for each individual user terminal 5, it is the same as in Embodiment 1. In this system, each user, user terminal 5, digital cart 51, etc. is identified by an ID. In the example of Fig. 16, the father, mother, and child have entered the target area 500 corresponding to the travel destination, etc. One user in the group is determined as the taxpayer (in other words, the settler). In this example, the father (U01) is the taxpayer. This taxpayer is the entity when making hometown tax payments to the local government. In the target area 500, with the father as the taxpayer, the digital cart 51 of the taxpayer is set as the shared cart within the group. Shopping can be done with the shared cart by the group, and when the item is a gift item, a donation process by the taxpayer (father) is performed during settlement. The setting of this shared cart can be done at any timing, and the set shared cart can be canceled.

[0171] The implementation example and processing example in Modification 7 are as follows. First, within the target area 500, the father (U01) who becomes the taxpayer performs a predetermined operation on the app 50 of his own user terminal 5 to set his digital cart 51 as the shared cart within the group. At this time, the app 50 of the user terminal 5 of the taxpayer (U01) creates a shared cart ID. This shared cart ID is information indicating that the digital cart 51 of the taxpayer (U01) (identified as, for example, "Cart 01") is the shared cart, and may be information including, for example, a flag indicating which user paid out this shared cart ID as the taxpayer. The app 50 pays out that shared cart ID to the user terminals 5 of the other users (the mother and child who are fellow travelers) in the group through communication. The apps 50 of the user terminals 5 of the mother and child register and hold that paid-out shared cart ID for themselves.

[0172] After that, within the target area 500, each person in the group can register product information in a shared cart indicated by the shared cart ID of the app 50 on the user terminal 5 when shopping at a store or the like (including the case where it is the above-mentioned gift-return product). In this example, the digital carts 51 of the three user terminals 5 become the same shared cart, and the entity of the shared cart is the father's digital cart 51 (cart 01). The product information registered among the three digital carts 51 is synchronized. For example, when the mother registers product information in the shared cart on her own user terminal 5, the product information is also transmitted and registered in the shared cart (cart 01) of the father's user terminal 5.

[0173] When the user terminal 5 of the taxpayer (father) goes outside the target area 500 or the like, settlement processing including donation processing is performed on the product information registered in the shared cart in the same manner as in step S7 described above. For the gift-return product, donation processing is performed with the father (U01) as the taxpayer. Also, for example, after the settlement processing and the like are completed outside the target area 500, the shared cart ID is deleted and the settings of the shared cart are released.

[0174] <Modification Example 8> FIG. 17 shows an explanatory diagram of Modification 8. The difference of Modification 8 from Modification 7 is that the taxpayer (or the settler) of one person in the group (for example, the father) does not go to the target area such as the travel destination, while the other users in the group (for example, the mother and the child) go to the target area such as the travel destination to do shopping and the like. In the example of FIG. 17, the mother and the child in the family have gone into the target area 500 such as the travel destination, and the father is at home. Modification 8 has a function that allows the digital cart of the taxpayer to be temporarily used (or borrowed, etc.). One designated person in the group (for example, the mother) applies to the taxpayer for temporary use of the taxpayer's digital cart at an arbitrary timing (for example, before or during the trip) and obtains permission to use it. Then, when shopping in the target area, the designated person who has obtained permission to use can register product information for the taxpayer's digital cart (or borrowed cart). And at a predetermined timing such as when the user terminal of the designated person leaves the target area, settlement processing (including donation processing) for the purchased products in the taxpayer's digital cart (borrowed cart) is performed. In Modification 8, prior and post-approval for the taxpayer is possible regarding the settlement of purchased products in the target area, including donations related to hometown tax payment.

[0175] Implementation examples and processing examples in Modification Example 8 are as follows. First, for example, the mother (U02) designates herself as the applicant (borrower) and the father (U01) as the taxpayer (lender) by performing a predetermined operation with the application 50 on her user terminal 5 within the target area 500, and makes an application to the father's (taxpayer's) user terminal 5 to temporarily borrow and use the taxpayer's digital cart 51. The application 50 on the mother's user terminal 5 transmits the usage application information to the father's (taxpayer's) user terminal 5. The application 50 on the father's user terminal 5 decides whether to permit the usage application information. For example, the application 50 displays the usage application information on the screen, and the father checks the information and presses the permission button if he permits it. The application 50 on the taxpayer's (father's) user terminal 5 transmits the usage permission information to the applicant's (mother's) user terminal 5. When the application 50 on the mother's user terminal 5 receives the usage permission information, it sets the taxpayer's digital cart 51 as a valid borrowed cart within the target area 500 in her user terminal 5. In other words, this setting is to make the settlement of purchased goods within the target area 500 be made with the taxpayer's digital cart 51 (borrowed cart). Also, at the time of usage application and permission, an upper limit amount available for settlement with the borrowed cart may be set.

[0176] After that, within the target area 500, the designated person (mother) can register product information in the borrowing cart in the app 50 of their user terminal 5 when shopping at a store or the like (including when it is the above-mentioned return gift product). The physical entity of the borrowing cart is the digital cart 51 (cart 01) of the taxpayer (father). And when the user terminal 5 of the designated person (mother) goes outside the target area 500 or the like, the product information registered in the borrowing cart is transferred as a settlement processing request to the user terminal 5 of the taxpayer (father). The app 50 of the user terminal 5 of the taxpayer (father) that has received the settlement processing request performs the settlement processing (including the donation processing) by the taxpayer (father) in the same manner as in the above-mentioned step S7. After the settlement processing, a settlement completion notice is sent from the user terminal 5 of the taxpayer (father) to the user terminal 5 of the designated person (mother). Note that at the time of the settlement processing request, it may be an automatic process, but as a settlement application from the designated person (mother) to the taxpayer (father), the taxpayer (father) may perform the settlement processing after performing an operation to confirm the settlement application content on the screen. Also, for example, after the settlement processing or the like is completed outside the target area 500, the setting of the borrowing cart is cancelled.

[0177] According to Modifications 6 to 8, groups such as families can conveniently use digital carts and contribute to the local economy through shopping and the like.

[0178] As described above, the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. Regarding the components of the embodiments, addition, deletion, replacement, etc. are possible except for the essential ones. Forms by combining each example are also possible. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural. This local activation system corresponds to a user purchasing and settling a product (especially an article that can be delivered, etc.) in a digital cart (i.e., online) at a predetermined location (target area, position, region, etc.), and can make a donation related to a regional revitalization tax such as hometown tax payment to a subject (e.g., a local government) associated with the predetermined location. The subject is not limited to a local government, and examples include the state, a service provider, a product seller 2 (store 4), etc. In Embodiment 1, the case of applying to the current hometown tax payment system in Japan was described, but it is not limited thereto, and it can be similarly applied according to the tax payment / donation system.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0179] 1... Operator system, 2... Product seller, 3... Local government system, 4... Store, 5... User terminal, 6... Settlement system, 7... Delivery system, 8... Home, 9... Return gift, 21... PC, 22... Product information, 31... Hometown tax reception section, 40... Product, 41... Code, 50... App, 51... Digital cart, 71, 72... Product delivery, 80... Personal authentication, 101... Communication network, 102... GPS, 400... Destination (region).

Claims

1. Display a digital cart on the display screen of the user terminal, Register product information in the digital cart based on the user's operation within the target area, The target area can be set as a settlement range in a shape that includes the destination area when the user travels, corresponding to the destination area of the user's travel, When it is determined that the user terminal has exited the settlement range corresponding to the target area, For the products in the digital cart, perform a settlement process including a process of donating the local revitalization tax to the entity associated with the target area, The process of the donation is a process for making a donation related to hometown tax payment to the local government along with the purchase of the product and receiving the product as the return gift when the product is the target of the return gift of hometown tax payment for the local government or the municipality associated with the product seller, and includes a process of calculating the amount of the donation, Based on the location information of the user terminal, it is grasped that the user having the user terminal is within the target area, and when the user purchases the product that is the target of the return gift and makes the donation, provide a predetermined preferential measure, Local activation system.

2. In the local activation system according to Claim 1, On the digital cart on the display screen of the user terminal, when the product is the return gift, select whether to purchase the product at the normal price or purchase the product as the return gift and make a donation based on the user's operation, Local activation system.

3. In the local activation system according to Claim 1, When displaying the product information in the digital cart on the display screen of the user terminal, when the product is the target of the return gift of hometown tax payment for the local government, display that the product is the target of the return gift of hometown tax payment for the local government, Local activation system.

4. In the local activation system according to claim 1, when displaying the product information on the digital cart on the display screen of the user terminal, calculate and display the total amount of the donation when making a donation related to hometown tax to the local government. Local activation system.

5. In the local activation system according to claim 1, when registering the product information in the digital cart, register the status of the product as a purchase candidate, based on the operation of the user on the user terminal, change the status of the product in the product information in the digital cart from the purchase candidate to purchase confirmation or purchase cancellation. Local activation system.

6. In the local activation system according to claim 1, perform delivery processing on the products with purchase confirmation in the product information in the digital cart. Local activation system.

7. In the local activation system according to claim 1, set a target period corresponding to the target area in the user's digital cart, when it is determined that the target period has passed, perform the settlement process including the donation process. Local activation system.

8. In the local activation system according to claim 1, when the target area is the area of the travel destination and has multiple areas, set a sub - area for each area, perform the settlement process including the donation process of the product at the timing when the user terminal goes out of the sub - area. Local activation system.

9. A local activation method in a local activation system, As steps executed by the local activation system, A step of displaying a digital cart on a display screen of a user terminal; A step of registering product information in the digital cart based on a user's operation within a target area; The target area can be set as a settlement range in a shape including the destination area corresponding to the area where the user travels when the user travels; When it is determined that the user terminal has gone outside the settlement range corresponding to the target area, A step of performing settlement processing including processing of donations related to the local revitalization tax for the entity associated with the target area for the products in the digital cart; having The processing of the donation is a process for making a donation related to hometown tax to the local government and receiving the product as the return gift for hometown tax when the product is a target of the return gift for hometown tax of the local government associated with the target area or the product seller, and includes calculation of the amount of the donation. Based on the position information of the user terminal, it is grasped that the user having the user terminal is within the target area, and when the user purchases the product that is the target of the return gift and makes the donation, a predetermined preferential measure is provided. Local activation method.

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