Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To reduce a burden of setting operation for distribution of information by a user when distributing information that a user may desires with high possibility.SOLUTION: A detection part 33 detects utilization of an electronic settlement function or a privilege utilization function in a store in a user terminal 10 capable of utilizing the electronic settlement function regarding electronic settlement and the privilege utilization function regarding utilization of privilege. A setting part 34 performs a setting for distributing both of information provided to a user regarding an electronic settlement function in a store and information provided to a user regarding a privilege utilization function in a store to the user terminal 10 in detection of utilization of at least one of the electronic settlement function and the privilege utilization function in the user terminal 10. A distribution part 35 distributes information provided to a user regarding an electronic settlement function in a store or information provided to a user regarding a privilege utilization function in a store to the user terminal 10 following a setting by the setting part 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for delivering information to users.

Background Art

[0002] With the spread of user terminals such as smartphones and tablets, electronic payment services that perform electronic payments using such user terminals and privilege utilization services that grant privileges to users who have conducted commercial transactions are widely used. For example, in Patent Document 1, an information distribution apparatus includes a distribution information storage unit that stores information data to be distributed to users, an information data selection unit that selects information data to be distributed to users, a user attribute management unit that manages each user by dividing a plurality of user groups according to attributes, and a message box that stores information data for each user, and discloses a mechanism for distributing information data to users selected by collating distribution conditions with the attributes of user groups. In the mechanism of this Patent Document 1, registration for receiving information data is not required on the user side, and a distribution service is provided to unspecified users.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a mechanism for distributing information to unspecified users, there is a possibility that the user's preference does not match the content of the information distributed to the user. On the other hand, in a mechanism in which the user explicitly designates the information desired by the user himself / herself, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome for the user, and thus the number of information distributions does not increase as expected from the information provider side.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the burden of operations for information distribution by a user when distributing information that the user is likely to desire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides, in a user terminal capable of using an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a privilege utilization function related to privilege utilization, a detection unit that detects that the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at a store, and when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at the store in the user terminal, a setting unit that performs a setting for distributing to the user terminal both information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function in the store and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function in the store, and a distribution unit that distributes to the user terminal information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function in the store or information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function in the store according to the setting by the setting unit. When the setting unit detects that the usage level of at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege usage function on the user terminal has reached a certain level or higher among a plurality of predetermined levels, the setting unit makes a setting for distributing to the user terminal both the information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function and the information provided to the user regarding the privilege usage function. An information processing apparatus is provided, which is characterized by the above. Furthermore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus including: a detection unit that detects that the electronic payment function or the privilege usage function has been used at a store in a user terminal capable of using an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a privilege usage function related to privilege usage; a setting unit that makes a setting for distributing to the user terminal both the information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function at the store and the information provided to the user regarding the privilege usage function at the store when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege usage function has been used at the store in the user terminal; a distribution unit that distributes to the user terminal the information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function at the store or the information provided to the user regarding the privilege usage function at the store according to the setting by the setting unit; and a notification unit that gives a new arrival notification for notifying the user that information has been distributed to both the electronic payment function and the privilege usage function of the user terminal. The notification unit cancels the new arrival notification made for the other function of the electronic payment function or the privilege usage function when electronic payment application related information or privilege usage application related information is displayed by the one function in response to the new arrival notification made for one function of the electronic payment function or the privilege usage function on the user terminal. Further, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects, in a user terminal capable of using an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a privilege utilization function related to privilege utilization, that the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at a store; a setting unit that, when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at the store in the user terminal, performs a setting for distributing to the user terminal both information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function at the store and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function at the store; and a distribution unit that distributes, according to the setting by the setting unit, information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function at the store or information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function at the store to the user terminal, wherein the setting unit acquires designation information in which a provider of the information designates a distribution destination or a distribution method of the information, and performs the setting according to the distribution destination or the distribution method designated by the acquired designation information.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, when distributing information that the user is likely to desire, the burden of operations for information distribution by the user can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 electronically performs settlement in a commercial transaction in which a user pays money at a store to purchase goods or services, confers some kind of privilege on the user according to the commercial transaction, and further enables the user to consume the privilege. The privilege here may be anything that is valuable to the user, for example, points or discount coupons that the user can consume instead of money at a store or the like. Further, the information processing system 1 distributes information related to electronic settlement and privilege utilization at each store to each user, and at this time, it is characterized in that the operation burden of the user for the information distribution is reduced.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a user terminal 10 carried by a user, a store terminal 20 installed in a store, an information distribution server device 30 that performs processing for distributing information to the user terminal 10, a franchisee device 40 that is a source of information to be distributed to the user terminal 10, an electronic settlement server device 50 that performs processing related to electronic settlement, a privilege management server device 60 that performs processing related to the conferring and consumption of privileges on the user, and a communication network 2 including a wireless communication network or a wired communication network that communicably connects these. The user terminal 10, the store terminal 20, the information distribution server device 30, the franchisee device 40, the electronic settlement server device 50, and the privilege management server device 60 are all computers capable of communicating with each other. The information distribution server device 30 functions as the information processing device of the present invention.

[0011] The user terminal 10 is a computer that can be carried by a user, such as a smartphone, a wearable terminal, or a tablet. The store terminal 20 is a terminal operated at each store, and may be, for example, a computer integrated with a POS (Point of Sales) register or a computer connected to the POS register, or may be a computer called a payment terminal. The franchisee device 40 may be, for example, a personal computer or a computer configured as a server. The information distribution server device 30, the electronic payment server device 50, and the privilege management server device 60 are computers configured as servers. Note that in FIG. 1, each terminal or device is shown one by one, but these may each be plural.

[0012] The stores in this embodiment are, for example, stores that conduct retail sales of daily necessities, sundries, clothing, food and drink, etc., or stores that provide food and drink services within the store. These are, for example, multiple stores are developed under the same trade name by a franchise system or the like, and each store group having the same trade name is called a franchisee. The franchisee device 40 is a computer device installed for each franchisee, and is a provider of information related to electronic payment and privilege utilization in stores belonging to the same group. Note that the premise that there are multiple stores belonging to the same group as described above is not essential in the present invention.

[0013] When a user selects a product at a store and makes a payment at the cashier, the user terminal 10 requests an electronic payment from the electronic payment server device 50 via the communication network 2. In response, a one-time token corresponding to so-called disposable identification information, as settlement identification information for identifying each electronic payment process, is transmitted from the electronic payment server device 50 to the user terminal 10, and this one-time token is displayed as a two-dimensional code on the user terminal 10. The store terminal 20 acquires the one-time token by optically reading and decrypting the two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal 10 using a two-dimensional code reader or the like, and transmits this to the electronic payment server device 50. When the electronic payment server device 50 acquires the one-time token, it identifies the user terminal 10 that requested the electronic payment, and performs processing related to the electronic payment based on the user ID (Identification) of the user of that user terminal 10. Specifically, the electronic payment server device 50 performs processing such as notifying a financial institution such as a bank or a credit card company of the settlement amount in order to collect the settlement amount from the user using the bank account or credit card corresponding to the user ID.

[0014] At this time, when the privilege management server device 60 acquires, for example, the user ID transmitted from the electronic payment server device 50, it performs processing for granting or consuming privileges for the user of that user ID. Specifically, the privilege management server device 60 performs processing to update so as to increase or decrease the remaining balance of the privilege stored in association with each user ID.

[0015] Note that the above-described methods of electronic payment and privilege management are merely examples, and the present invention is applicable to all electronic payments and privilege management.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information distribution server device 30. Physically, the information distribution server device 30 is configured as a computer including a processor 3001, a memory 3002, a storage 3003, a communication device 3004, an input device 3005, an output device 3006, and a bus connecting these components. Each of these devices operates on power supplied from a battery (not shown). In the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the information distribution server device 30 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in FIG. 2, or may be configured without including some of the devices. Also, a plurality of devices with different enclosures may be communicatively connected to form the information distribution server device 30.

[0017] Each function in the information distribution server device 30 is realized by causing the processor 3001 to load a predetermined software (program) onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and the memory 3002, so that the processor 3001 performs calculations and controls communication by the communication device 3004, or controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 3002 and the storage 3003.

[0018] The processor 3001 controls the entire computer by operating, for example, an operating system. The processor 3001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, etc.

[0019] The processor 3001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 3003 and the communication device 3004 into the memory 3002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described later is used. The functional blocks of the information distribution server device 30 may be stored in the memory 3002 and realized by a control program operating in the processor 3001. Various processes may be executed by one processor 3001, or may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 3001. The processor 3001 may be implemented by one or more chips. Note that the program may be transmitted to the information distribution server device 30 via a telecommunication line.

[0020] The memory 3002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 3002 may be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), etc. The memory 3002 can store a program (program code), a software module, etc. executable for implementing the method according to the present embodiment.

[0021] The storage 3003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (for example, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc), a smart card, a flash memory (for example, a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The storage 3003 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0022] The communication device 3004 is hardware (a transceiver device) for performing communication between computers via the communication network 2, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc.

[0023] The input device 3005 is an input device (for example, a key, a microphone, a switch, a button, a camera, a sensor, a two-dimensional code reader, etc.) that receives an external input. The output device 3006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs an output to the outside. Note that the input device 3005 and the output device 3006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

[0024] Each device such as the processor 3001 and the memory 3002 is connected by a bus for communicating information. The bus may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses for each device.

[0025] The information distribution server device 30 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and some or all of each functional block may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 3001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware.

[0026] The user terminal 10, the store terminal 20, the franchisee device 40, the electronic payment server device 50, and the privilege management server device 60 are, as hardware for realizing a computer in the same manner as the information distribution server device 30 shown in FIG. 2, equipped with a processor, a memory, a storage, a communication device, an input device, an output device, and a bus for connecting these. However, the communication device included in the user terminal 10 is hardware (a transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via the communication network 2 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Time Evolution) in order to realize wireless communication. This communication device may include, for example, a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. in order to realize at least one of frequency-division duplexing (FDD: Frequency Division Duplex) and time-division duplexing (TDD: Time Division Duplex). Further, a transmission / reception antenna, an amplifier unit, a transmission / reception unit, a transmission line interface, etc. may be realized by this communication device. The transmission / reception unit may be physically or logically separated into a transmission unit and a reception unit for implementation.

[0027] An application program for the user to use the electronic payment function related to electronic payment and the privilege utilization function related to privilege utilization is installed in the user terminal 10, respectively. The privilege utilization function includes a function of granting privileges to the user and a function of consuming the privileges granted to the user. Hereinafter, the application program for the user to use the electronic payment function in the user terminal 10 is referred to as an "electronic payment app". Also, the application program for the user to use the privilege utilization function in the user terminal 10 is referred to as a "privilege utilization app". That is, in the following description, the term "app" is synonymous with the term "function".

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information distribution server device 30. The functions illustrated in FIG. 3 are realized by causing a processor 3001 to perform operations by loading a predetermined software (program) onto hardware such as the processor 3001, the memory 3002, etc., controlling communication by the communication device 3004, or controlling at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 3002 and the storage 3003.

[0029] In FIG. 3, an acquisition unit 31 acquires various types of information from a terminal or device external to the information distribution server device 30 via a communication network 2 or the like.

[0030] A storage unit 32 stores the information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 and the information generated by the information distribution server device 30 based on these pieces of information.

[0031] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage unit 32 stores an electronic payment application usage history, which is a history of a user using an electronic payment application using their own user terminal 10, in association with a user ID that identifies each user. This electronic payment application usage history includes, for example, the date and time when the electronic payment application was used, a store ID that identifies the store where it was used, a franchise store ID that identifies the franchise store to which the store belongs, the payment amount settled by the electronic payment application, and the like. The information illustrated in FIG. 4 was acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the electronic payment server device 50.

[0032] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the storage unit 32 stores a privilege utilization application usage history, which is a history of a user using a privilege utilization application using their own user terminal 10, in association with a user ID that identifies each user. This privilege utilization application usage history includes, for example, the date and time when the privilege utilization application was used, a store ID that identifies the store where it was used, a franchise store ID that identifies the franchise store to which the store belongs, the value of the privilege granted or consumed by the privilege utilization application, the remaining amount of the privilege, and the like. The information illustrated in FIG. 5 was acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the privilege management server device 60.

[0033] Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the detection unit 33 detects, for each user terminal 10, that an electronic payment application or a privilege utilization application has been used for the first time at each franchise store based on the information (FIGS. 4 and 5) stored in the storage unit 32. More specifically, the detection unit 33 refers to, for example, the electronic payment application usage history corresponding to the user with the user ID "U001" in FIG. 4, and determines whether the electronic payment application has been used for the first time at each franchise store. Further, the detection unit 33 refers to, for example, the privilege utilization application usage history corresponding to the user with the user ID "U001" in FIG. 5, and determines whether the privilege utilization application has been used for the first time at each franchise store.

[0034] When the detection unit 33 detects that at least one of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application has been used for the first time at each franchise store in the user terminal 10, the setting unit 34 performs settings for delivering to the user terminal 10 both the information provided to the user regarding the use of the electronic payment application at that franchise store (hereinafter referred to as electronic payment application related information), and the information provided to the user regarding the use of the privilege utilization application at that franchise store (hereinafter referred to as privilege utilization application related information). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the setting unit 34 causes the storage unit 32 to store, for each user ID of each user (exemplifying the user ID "U001" in FIG. 6), whether to deliver the electronic payment application related information and the privilege utilization application related information at that franchise store in association with each franchise store ID. In the example of FIG. 6, for the user with the user ID "U001", it is set to deliver the electronic payment application related information and the privilege utilization application related information corresponding to the franchise store ID "SU01", and it is not set to deliver the electronic payment application related information and the privilege utilization application related information corresponding to the franchise store ID "SU02".

[0035] Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the distribution unit 35 distributes electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information to the user terminal 10 via the communication network 2 in accordance with the settings made by the setting unit 34. The electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information distributed to the user terminal 10 is stored in the storage unit 32 in association with each franchise store ID, as illustrated in FIG. 7. When the distribution time of the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information arrives, the distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information (FIG. 7) corresponding to each franchise store ID stored in the storage unit 32, and distributes this information to the user terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID (FIG. 6) for which distribution is set for that franchise store ID.

[0036] The notification unit 36 sends a new arrival notification to both the electronic payment app and the privilege utilization app of the user terminal 10, notifying the user that the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information has been distributed by the distribution unit 35. At this time, when the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information is displayed in response to a new arrival notification made for one of the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app on the user terminal 10, the notification unit 36 cancels the new arrival notification made for the other app of the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app. More specifically, the new arrival notification is to perform some output (such as display or voice output, etc.) to inform the user that there is unread (that is, not displayed on the user terminal 10) electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information, and canceling the new arrival notification means not performing the above output.

[0037] [Operation] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the information distribution server device 30 will be described. In the following description, when the information distribution server device 30 is the main body of the operation, specifically, by causing a predetermined software (program) to be loaded onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and the memory 3002, the processor 3001 performs calculations, and controls communication by the communication device 3004 and reading and / or writing of data in the memory 3002 and the storage 3003, which means that the processing is executed. The same applies to the user terminal 10, the store terminal 20, the franchisee device 40, the electronic payment server device 50, and the privilege management server device 60.

[0038] First, the detection unit 33 performs utilization detection processing (step S11), for example, periodically or whenever any user uses the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application. For example, when a certain user uses the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application at a store of a certain franchisee, the detection unit 33 refers to the distribution availability corresponding to the user ID of the above user and the franchisee ID of the above franchisee based on the information (FIG. 6) stored in the storage unit 32. If there is no distribution, it is detected that the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application has been used for the first time at that franchisee by that user.

[0039] When it is detected that the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application has been used for the first time at a certain franchisee for the above user terminal 10, the setting unit 34 performs distribution setting processing (step S12). That is, the distribution unit 35 performs settings for distributing both the electronic payment application-related information at that franchisee and the privilege utilization application-related information at that franchisee to the user terminal 10. For example, in FIG. 6, when distributing both the electronic payment application-related information at the franchisee with the franchisee ID "SU01" and the privilege utilization application-related information at that franchisee to the user terminal 10 owned by the user with the user ID "U001", the setting unit 34 sets the distribution availability corresponding to the franchisee ID "SU01" to "Yes".

[0040] When the distribution unit 35 determines that the timing for distribution has arrived (step S13; YES), such as at regular intervals, at any arbitrary timing, or when the electronic payment application-related information or privilege utilization application-related information stored in the storage unit 32 is updated, etc., the distribution unit 35 performs a process of distributing such electronic payment application-related information or privilege utilization application-related information to both the electronic payment application and the privilege utilization application on the user terminal 10. At the same time, the notification unit 36 performs a new arrival notification process of notifying the user that the electronic payment application-related information or the privilege utilization application-related information has been distributed by the distribution unit 35 (step S14).

[0041] FIG. 9 is an example of a display screen displayed when the electronic payment application is being executed on the user terminal 10. On the screen D11, among the titles corresponding to each franchise store A to C, for the title "Notification from Franchise Store A", an image of "New" is displayed as a new arrival notification to notify the user that new electronic payment application-related information or privilege utilization application-related information has been distributed by the distribution unit 35. Note that the method of outputting such a new arrival notification is not limited to the one that displays the image of "New" exemplified here, and any method may be used as long as it can notify the user that there is unread electronic payment application-related information or privilege utilization application-related information.

[0042] When the user selects the title "Notification from Franchise Store A", the user terminal 10 transitions to a screen D12 on which the electronic payment application-related information "10% off for electronic payment, target product: snack ○○" and the privilege utilization application-related information "5% point addition, target product: juice ××" are displayed. That is, when the electronic payment application is being executed, not only the electronic payment application-related information but also the privilege utilization application-related information is displayed. However, this is merely an example, and only the electronic payment application-related information may be displayed and the privilege utilization application-related information may not be displayed when the electronic payment application is being executed.

[0043] The distribution unit 35 performs distribution by instructing the user terminal 10 to display the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information for each affiliated store (i.e., for each store) in the order of distribution to the user terminal 10. Therefore, on the screen D12, in response to this instruction, the electronic payment app-related information "10% off target product, snack ○○ with electronic payment" that was distributed earlier is displayed at the upper part, and the privilege utilization app-related information "5% point addition, target product, juice ××" that was distributed later is displayed at the lower part. The electronic payment app-related information and privilege utilization app-related information illustrated in FIG. 9 are information that is valid only at affiliated store A, and is invalid, for example, at affiliated store B and affiliated store C. Therefore, the electronic payment app-related information and privilege utilization app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notification from affiliated store B" on the screen D11 are information that is valid only at affiliated store B, and the electronic payment app-related information and privilege utilization app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notification from affiliated store C" on the screen D11 are information that is valid only at affiliated store C.

[0044] When the user performs an operation such as "return" on the screen D12, the screen transitions to the screen D13. In this case, since the electronic payment app-related information "10% off target product, snack ○○ with electronic payment" and the privilege utilization app-related information "5% point addition, target product, juice ××" have already been displayed on the screen D12, on the screen D13, the image "New" indicating a new arrival notice is not displayed for the title "Notification from affiliated store A".

[0045] Next, FIG. 10 is an example of a display screen displayed when the privilege utilization app is running on the user terminal 10. On the screen D21, among the titles corresponding to each of the affiliated stores A to C, for the title "Notification from affiliated store A", the image "New" is displayed as a new arrival notice to notify the user that new privilege utilization app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information has been distributed by the distribution unit 35.

[0046] When the user selects the title "Notification from Franchise Store A", the user terminal 10 transitions to screen D22 where the privilege utilization app-related information such as "10% off for eligible products, snacks ○○" and the privilege utilization app-related information such as "5% points added for eligible products, juice ××" are displayed. That is, when the privilege utilization app is running, not only the privilege utilization app-related information but also the e-payment app-related information will be displayed. However, this is just an example, and only the privilege utilization app-related information may be displayed while the e-payment app-related information may not be displayed when the privilege utilization app is running.

[0047] As described above, the distribution unit 35 instructs the user terminal 10 to distribute the privilege utilization app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information to each franchise store in the order of distribution, so that they are displayed on the user terminal 10. Therefore, on screen D22, in response to this instruction, the e-payment app-related information "10% off for eligible products, snacks ○○" distributed earlier is displayed above, and the privilege utilization app-related information "5% points added for eligible products, juice ××" distributed later is displayed below. These e-payment app-related information and privilege utilization app-related information are valid only in Franchise Store A and are invalid, for example, in Franchise Store B and Franchise Store C. Therefore, the e-payment app-related information and privilege utilization app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notification from Franchise Store B" on screen D21 are valid only in Franchise Store B, and the e-payment app-related information and privilege utilization app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notification from Franchise Store C" on screen D21 are valid only in Franchise Store C.

[0048] When the user performs an operation of "return" on screen D22, the screen transitions to screen D23. In this case, since the electronic payment app-related information "10% off eligible products, snacks ○○" and the privilege utilization app-related information "5% point bonus eligible products, juice ××" have already been displayed on screen D22, on this screen D23, the image of "New", which is a new arrival notice, is not displayed under the title of "Notification from Store A".

[0049] Also, when the user launches the privilege granting app after displaying the aforementioned screen D12 in the electronic payment app, the screen displayed on the user terminal 10 also becomes screen D23. This is because when the notification unit 36 displays the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information in response to a new arrival notice made for one of the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app on the user terminal 10, it is configured to cancel the new arrival notice made for the other app of the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app. By doing so, new arrival notices for the electronic payment app-related information and the privilege utilization app-related information that the user has already seen will not be presented again.

[0050] According to the embodiments described above, when a certain user first uses a privilege utilization app or an electronic payment app at a certain franchise store, the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information valid at that franchise store is set to be distributed to that user. The fact that the user has used the privilege utilization app or the electronic payment app at that franchise store even once is assumed to highly likely mean that the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information at that franchise store is useful to that user. Also, just by using the privilege utilization app or the electronic payment app, the user is set to have the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information distributed, so no user operation is required solely for such distribution. As a result, it is possible to distribute information that the user is highly likely to desire, and it is also possible to reduce the burden of setting operations for information distribution by the user. Furthermore, the franchise store can promote the sale of products or services by distributing information that is highly likely to be useful to the user.

[0051] [Modification Example] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows. Also, two or more of the following modification examples may be combined and implemented. [Modification Example 1] In the above embodiment, the setting unit 34 performs settings for distributing both the electronic payment app-related information and the privilege utilization app-related information to the user terminal 10 when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app is first used on the user terminal 10. However, the conditions for performing the distribution settings are not limited to this. In short, the setting unit 34 may perform settings for distributing both the electronic payment app-related information and the privilege utilization app-related information at the store to the user terminal 10 when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app is used at the store on the user terminal 10.

[0052] For example, when it is detected that the usage level of at least one of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application on the user terminal 10 has reached a certain level or higher among a plurality of predetermined levels, the setting unit 34 may perform a setting for distributing both the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information to the user terminal 10. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the electronic payment application is not used on the user terminal 10, the setting unit 34 does not perform distribution; when the electronic payment application is used but its usage level is less than X (for example, X is the number of uses, usage frequency, settlement amount, etc.), the setting unit 34 does not perform distribution; when the usage level of the used electronic payment application is X or higher, the setting unit 34 may perform a setting to perform distribution. Similarly, when the privilege utilization application is not used on the user terminal 10, the setting unit 34 does not perform distribution; when the privilege utilization application is used but its usage level is less than Y (for example, Y is the number of uses, usage frequency, remaining privileges, etc.), the setting unit 34 does not perform distribution; when the usage level of the used privilege utilization application is Y or higher, the setting unit 34 may perform a setting to perform distribution. The relationship between such a usage level and the presence or absence of distribution is specified by the franchise store, which is the information provider, operating the franchise store device 40. Thereby, fine-grained distribution settings according to arbitrary usage levels become possible.

[0053] [Modification Example 2] Each franchise store (that is, the provider of the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information) may be able to arbitrarily set the distribution destination or distribution method of the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information by operating the franchise store device 40. The distribution destination here is specified by the attributes (such as gender, age, place of residence, hobbies) of the user who is the distribution destination of the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information. The distribution method is the distribution timing of the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information, the number of distributions or the amount of distribution per certain period, etc. That is, the setting unit 34 acquires, from the franchise store device 40 via the communication network 2, the designation information by which the provider of the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information designates the distribution destination or distribution method, and performs setting according to the distribution destination or distribution method designated by the acquired designation information.

[0054] With this setting, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information distributed to the user terminal 10 is stored in the storage unit 32 in association with each franchise store ID and the distribution destination or distribution method. When the distribution timing of the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information arrives, the distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information (FIG. 12) corresponding to each franchise store ID stored in the storage unit 32, and distributes this information to the user terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID (FIG. 6) that matches the above distribution destination among the user IDs set to have distribution for that franchise store ID according to the above distribution method. This enables the fine-grained information distribution desired by the information provider.

[0055] [Modification Example 3] The setting unit 34 may perform a setting to distribute only one of the electronic payment app-related information and the privilege utilization app-related information to the user terminal 10 for a predetermined piece of information, rather than both. For example, the setting unit 34 distributes the electronic payment app-related information meaning a receipt issued by using the electronic payment app only to the electronic payment app of the user terminal 10, and the privilege utilization app-related information meaning a stamp card or the like on which an electronic stamp is stamped in response to the granting of a privilege in the privilege utilization app only to the privilege utilization app of the user terminal 10. In this case, when the electronic payment app is launched on the user terminal 10, the privilege utilization app-related information meaning a stamp card or the like is not displayed, and other privilege utilization app-related information is displayed. Also, when the privilege utilization app is launched on the user terminal 10, the electronic payment app-related information meaning a receipt is not displayed, and other electronic payment app-related information is displayed. This can avoid the display of information that is considered not very beneficial to the user.

[0056] Also, the following may be used as electronic payment app-related information. In FIG. 7 described above, information regarding a first coupon and a second coupon is stored in the storage unit 32 as electronic payment app-related information corresponding to each franchise store ID. When the delivery time of the electronic payment app-related information arrives, the delivery unit 35 delivers information regarding the first coupon as the electronic payment app-related information to the user terminal 10. When the user activates the electronic payment app and makes an electronic payment (or activates the privilege utilization app and presents it to the store) at the store of the franchise store corresponding to the above franchise store ID, the delivery unit 35 delivers information regarding the second coupon as the electronic payment app-related information to the user terminal 10. The information regarding this second coupon is displayed, for example, in a form superimposed on the receipt displayed by the electronic payment app on the user terminal 10. Note that the delivery unit 35 may deliver the information regarding the first coupon and the information regarding the second coupon at different delivery times as described above, or may first deliver the information regarding the first coupon and the information regarding the second coupon together, and cause the user terminal 10 to display the information regarding the second coupon after the electronic payment is completed.

[0057] Note that the electronic payment app-related information and the privilege utilization app-related information are not limited to being displayed in the delivered delivery order. For example, they may be displayed in an order arbitrarily set by the delivery unit 35. The order at this time is determined, for example, according to the degree of benefit for the user, the expiration date of the privilege, etc., or the degree of relevance to the electronic payment app or the privilege utilization app.

[0058] [Modification Example 4] The setting unit 34 makes settings for distributing electronic payment app-related information or privilege utilization app-related information according to conditions related to the behavior of the user who owns the user terminal 10. The distribution unit 35 acquires behavior information related to the behavior of the user who owns the user terminal 10, and when the acquired behavior information satisfies the conditions, may distribute the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information to the user terminal 10. For example, the setting unit 34 acquires behavior information related to the behavior of the user, which is a condition that must be satisfied for the providers of the electronic payment app-related information and the privilege utilization app-related information to distribute these information, from the store device 40 via the communication network 2, and makes settings for information distribution according to the acquired behavior information. The behavior information referred to here is information such as, for example, the user entered a store, entered a certain area, started a certain sport, or browsed a certain website. These behavior information are detected by various sensors and detection devices provided in the user terminal 10 and transmitted to the information distribution server device 30.

[0059] With this setting, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information distributed to the user terminal 10 is stored in the storage unit 32 in association with the behavior information related to the behavior of the user that must be satisfied for distributing these information. When the distribution timing of the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information arrives, the distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app-related information or the privilege utilization app-related information (FIG. 13) corresponding to each store ID stored in the storage unit 32, and distributes these information to the user terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID of the user who has taken an action that satisfies the above behavior information among the user IDs for which it is set that there is distribution for that store ID (FIG. 6). Thereby, it becomes possible to perform information distribution when the position or some action of the user is satisfied.

[0060] [Modification Example 5] According to the usage status of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application, the electronic payment application-related information and the privilege utilization application-related information may be changed. That is, the setting unit 34 makes settings for delivering different information to the user terminal 10 according to the usage status of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application in the user terminal 10.

[0061] With this setting, as illustrated in FIG. 14, for each affiliated store ID, the electronic payment application-related information or the privilege utilization application-related information to be delivered to the user terminal 10 is prepared for each usage status of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application in the user terminal 10 and stored in the storage unit 32. For example, different electronic payment application-related information or privilege utilization application-related information is stored in the storage unit 32 according to the level of usage of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application. The relationship between such a usage status of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application and the information to be delivered is specified by the affiliated store, which is the information provider, operating the affiliated store device 40.

[0062] When the delivery timing of the electronic payment application-related information or the privilege utilization application-related information arrives, the delivery unit 35 reads out the electronic payment application-related information or the privilege utilization application-related information (FIG. 14) corresponding to each affiliated store ID stored in the storage unit 32, and for the user terminal 10 of the user ID (FIG. 6) set to have delivery for that affiliated store ID, delivers the electronic payment application-related information or the privilege utilization application-related information corresponding to the usage status of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application in that user terminal 10. This enables appropriate information delivery according to the usage status of the electronic payment application or the privilege utilization application.

[0063] [Other Variants] Note that the block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments show blocks of functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Also, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one physically or logically combined device, or two or more physically or logically separated devices may be directly or indirectly (e.g., using wired, wireless, etc.) connected and realized using these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the above one device or the above multiple devices.

[0064] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, solution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regarded as, notification (broadcasting), notification (notifying), communication (communicating), forwarding, configuration (configuring), reconfiguration (reconfiguring), allocation (allocating, mapping), assignment (assigning), etc. For example, a functional block (component) that functions as transmission is called a transmission control unit or a transmitter. In any case, as described above, the realization method is not particularly limited.

[0065] For example, an information distribution server device in an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing of the present disclosure.

[0066] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applicable to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other appropriate systems, and next-generation systems extended based on these. Further, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A and 5G, etc.) and applied.

[0067] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be rearranged as long as there is no contradiction. For example, regarding the methods described in the present disclosure, the elements of various steps are presented using an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0068] The input / output information, etc. may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input / output information, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or appended. The output information, etc. may be deleted. The input information, etc. may be transmitted to other devices.

[0069] The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, comparison with a predetermined value).

[0070] As described above in detail, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented as modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and does not have any limiting meaning for the present disclosure.

[0071] Software should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether called by the name of software, firmware, middleware, microcode, a hardware description language, or other names. Also, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, when software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technologies (such as coaxial cables, optical fiber cables, twisted pairs, digital subscriber lines (DSLs), etc.) and wireless technologies (such as infrared rays, microwaves, etc.), at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included within the definition of the transmission medium.

[0072] The information, signals, etc. described in the present disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof. Note that terms described in the present disclosure and terms necessary for understanding the present disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0073] In addition, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be represented using absolute values, relative values from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information.

[0074] In the present disclosure, the description "based on" used herein does not mean "only based on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the description "based on" means both "only based on" and "at least based on".

[0075] Any reference to an element using designations such as "first", "second", etc. used in the present disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in the present disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Therefore, a reference to the first and second elements does not mean that only two elements can be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in some form.

[0076] In the configuration of each of the above devices, the "section" may be replaced with "means", "circuit", "device", etc.

[0077] In the present disclosure, when terms such as "include", "including" and their variants are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising". Furthermore, the term "or" used in the present disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive disjunction.

[0078] In the present disclosure, for example, when articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the present disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0079] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean that "A and B are different from each other". Note that the term may also mean that "A and B are each different from C". Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different".

Explanation of Signs

[0080] 1: Information processing system, 2: Communication network, 10: User terminal, 20: Store terminal, 30: Information distribution server device, 31: Acquisition unit, 32: Storage unit, 33: Detection unit, 34: Setting unit, 35: Distribution unit, 36: Notification unit, 40: Franchise store device, 50: Electronic payment server device, 60: Privilege utilization server device, 3001: Processor, 3002: Memory, 3003: Storage, 3004: Communication device, 3005: Input device, 3006: Output device, D11, D12, D13, D21, D12, D13: Screens.

Claims

1. In a user terminal capable of using an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a privilege utilization function related to privilege utilization, a detection unit that detects that the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at a store; When it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at the store in the user terminal, a setting unit that performs a setting for distributing to the user terminal both information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function in the store and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function in the store; A distribution unit that distributes to the user terminal information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function in the store or information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function in the store according to the setting by the setting unit Comprising The setting unit When it is detected that the utilization level of at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function in the user terminal has reached a certain level or higher among a plurality of predetermined levels Performs a setting for distributing to the user terminal both information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. In a user terminal capable of using an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a privilege utilization function related to privilege utilization, a detection unit that detects that the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at a store; When it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at the store in the user terminal, a setting unit that performs a setting for distributing to the user terminal both information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function in the store and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function in the store; A distribution unit that distributes to the user terminal information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function in the store or information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function in the store according to the setting by the setting unit Comprising A notification unit that gives a new arrival notification notifying the user that information has been distributed to both the electronic payment function and the privilege utilization function of the user terminal When the notification unit detects a new arrival notification for one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function on the user terminal, and electronic payment application related information or privilege utilization application related information is displayed by the one function, the new arrival notification for the other function of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function is cancelled. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

3. In a user terminal capable of using an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a privilege utilization function related to privilege utilization, a detection unit that detects that the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at a store, When it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used at the store on the user terminal, information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function at the store and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function at the store A setting unit that makes settings for distributing both to the user terminal; A distribution unit that distributes information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function at the store or information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function at the store to the user terminal according to the settings by the setting unit Comprising The setting unit Obtains designation information in which the provider of the information designates the distribution destination or distribution method of the information, Performs the setting according to the distribution destination or distribution method designated by the obtained designation information An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

4. The setting unit When it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used for the first time on the user terminal, Settings for distributing both information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function and information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function to the user terminal are performed. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. The distribution unit performs distribution by instructing the user terminal to display the information in the order of distribution for each store on the user terminal. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The setting unit When it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function has been used on the user terminal, Regarding the information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function and the information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function, for predetermined information, a setting is made to distribute only one of the information provided to the user regarding the electronic payment function or the information provided to the user regarding the privilege utilization function to the user terminal. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

7. The setting unit makes a setting for distributing the information according to conditions regarding the behavior of the user who possesses the user terminal, The distribution unit acquires behavior information regarding the behavior of the user who possesses the user terminal, and when the acquired behavior information satisfies the conditions, distributes the information to the user terminal. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. The setting unit makes a setting for distributing different information to the user terminal according to the usage status of the electronic payment function or the privilege utilization function in the user terminal. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

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