Information processing device

Abstract

To measure effect of distribution of multiple pieces of information provided to a user from each different information provider regarding an electronic settlement function and a privilege utilization function.SOLUTION: An information distribution server device 30 includes: a distribution part 35 for distributing information related to multiple pieces of information related to an electronic settlement application provided to a user from each different information provider regarding an electronic settlement application and multiple pieces of information related to a privilege utilization application provided to a user from each different information provider regarding a privilege utilization application to user terminals 10; a statistical processing part 37 for executing a statistical process regarding a result in which information distributed to the multiple user terminals 10 is browsed or utilized in the respective user terminals 10 for each information; and an output part 38 for outputting a statistically processed result for each information by the statistical processing part 37 to a provider of each information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for measuring the effectiveness of information delivery to users. [Background technology]

[0002] With the spread of user terminals such as smartphones and tablets, electronic payment services that perform electronic payments using the user terminals and reward services that grant rewards to users who have performed commercial transactions are becoming widely used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism in which an information distribution device 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 divides users into multiple user groups based on their attributes and manages them, and a message box that stores information data for each user, and distributes information data to users selected by matching distribution conditions with the attributes of the user group. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-265703 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when various information is distributed to users for the purpose of sales promotion, it is important to measure the extent to which the sales promotion effect of the information distribution was achieved and to verify the results.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to measure the effect of delivering a plurality of pieces of information to a user, each of which is provided by different information providers, regarding an electronic payment function and a benefit use function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a system including a distribution unit that distributes to a user terminal a plurality of pieces of information provided to the user from different information providers regarding an electronic payment function and a plurality of pieces of information provided to the user from different information providers regarding a benefit use function, a statistical processing unit that performs statistical processing for each piece of information on the results of the information distributed to the plurality of user terminals being viewed or used at each of the user terminals, and an output unit that outputs the results of the statistical processing for each piece of information performed by the statistical processing unit to each of the providers of the information. When different user management is performed for the same user in the electronic payment function and the benefit use function, the statistical processing unit identifies a usage history in which the electronic payment function and the benefit use function were used simultaneously based on a usage history that includes at least the date and time when the electronic payment function and the benefit use function were used and the amount when the electronic payment function and the benefit use function were used, and performs the statistical processing based on the identified usage history. An information processing device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the effect of delivering a plurality of pieces of information provided to a user from different information providers regarding electronic payment functions and privilege use functions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an information distribution operation by the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an effect measurement operation by the information distribution server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the affiliated store device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the affiliated store device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the affiliated store device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in an information distribution server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in an information distribution server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in an information distribution server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in an information distribution server device 30 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [composition] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 is a system that electronically settles commercial transactions in which a user pays money to purchase goods or services at a store, grants the user some kind of benefit in response to the transaction, and allows the user to consume the benefit. The benefit here may be anything that has value to the user, such as points or discount coupons that the user can consume in place of money at a store. Furthermore, the information processing system 1 distributes information related to electronic payments and benefit usage at each store to each user, and measures the effectiveness of this information distribution.

[0010] As shown in Figure 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 to distribute information to the user terminal 10, an affiliated store device 40 that is the source of the information to be distributed to the user terminal 10, an electronic payment server device 50 that performs processing related to electronic payments, a benefit management server device 60 that performs processing related to the granting and consumption of benefits to users, and a communication network 2 including a wireless communication network or a wired communication network that communicatively connects these devices. The user terminal 10, store terminal 20, information distribution server device 30, affiliated store device 40, electronic payment server device 50, and benefit management server device 60 are all computers that can communicate 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, wearable device, or tablet. The store terminal 20 is a terminal operated in each store and may be, for example, a computer integrated with a POS (Point of Sales) register or a computer connected to a POS register, or a computer called a payment terminal. The affiliated store 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 benefit management server device 60 are computers configured as servers. Note that while FIG. 1 shows one of each terminal or device, there may be multiple of each.

[0012] In this embodiment, the stores may be, for example, stores that sell daily necessities, miscellaneous goods, clothing, food and beverages, or stores that provide in-store dining services. These stores are operated under the same trade name, for example, through a franchise system, and each store group with the same trade name is called an affiliated store. The affiliated store device 40 is a computer device installed at each affiliated store, and serves as a provider of information related to electronic payments and benefit redemption at stores belonging to the same group. There are multiple affiliated stores (information providers), and each affiliated store device 40 serves as a provider of different information related to electronic payment functions and benefit redemption functions. Note that the assumption that there are multiple stores belonging to the same affiliated store group is not essential to the present invention.

[0013] When a user selects a product at a store and makes a payment at a cash register, the user terminal 10 requests electronic payment from the electronic payment server device 50 via the communication network 2. In response, a one-time token, which corresponds to so-called disposable identification information, is transmitted from the electronic payment server device 50 to the user terminal 10 as payment identification information for identifying each electronic payment transaction, and the 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 decoding the two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal 10 using a two-dimensional code reader or the like, and transmits the one-time token to the electronic payment server device 50. Upon acquiring the one-time token, the electronic payment server device 50 identifies the user terminal 10 that requested the electronic payment and performs processing related to the electronic payment based on the user ID (ID) of the user of the user terminal 10. Specifically, the electronic payment server device 50 performs processing such as notifying financial institutions such as banks and credit card companies of the payment amount, etc., in order to collect the payment amount from the user using a bank account or credit card corresponding to the user ID.

[0014] At this time, when the benefit management server device 60 acquires a user ID transmitted from the electronic settlement server device 50, for example, the benefit management server device 60 performs processing to grant or consume a benefit to the user of that user ID. Specifically, the benefit management server device 60 performs processing to update the benefit balance stored in association with each user ID so as to increase or decrease it.

[0015] It should be noted that the above-described method of electronic payment and privilege management is merely an example, and the present invention is applicable to any electronic payment and privilege management.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of information distribution server device 30. Information distribution server device 30 is physically configured as a computer including a processor 3001, memory 3002, storage 3003, communication device 3004, input device 3005, output device 3006, and a bus connecting these devices. Each of these devices operates using power supplied from a battery (not shown). In the following description, the term "device" can be interpreted as a circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configuration of 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. Furthermore, information distribution server device 30 may be configured by communicating and connecting multiple devices each having a different housing.

[0017] Each function in the information distribution server device 30 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and memory 3002, causing the processor 3001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 3004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 3002 and storage 3003.

[0018] The processor 3001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system, and may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, 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 in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described below. The functional blocks of the information distribution server device 30 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 3002 and running on the processor 3001. The 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 on one or more chips. The programs may be transmitted to the information distribution server device 30 via a telecommunications line.

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

[0021] 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 (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 3003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0022] The communication device 3004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via the communication network 2, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[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 input from the outside. The output device 3006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 3005 and the output device 3006 may be integrated into one device (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 between each device.

[0025] 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), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, processor 3001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0026] The user terminal 10, the store terminal 20, the affiliated store device 40, the electronic payment server device 50, and the benefit management server device 60 each include hardware for implementing a computer, such as a processor, memory, storage, a communication device, an input device, an output device, and a bus connecting these, similar to the information distribution server device 30 shown in FIG. 2 . However, the communication device included in the user terminal 10 is hardware (a transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via the communication network 2 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Time Evolution) to achieve wireless communication. This communication device may include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). Furthermore, the communication device may also implement a transmitting / receiving antenna, an amplifier, a transmitting / receiving unit, a transmission path interface, etc. The transmitting / receiving unit may be physically or logically separated from the receiving unit.

[0027] The user terminal 10 is equipped with application programs that allow the user to use an electronic payment function related to electronic payment and a reward use function related to reward use. The reward use function includes a function for granting a reward to the user and a function for the user to consume the granted reward. Hereinafter, the application program that allows the user to use the electronic payment function on the user terminal 10 will be referred to as an "electronic payment app." Also, the application program that allows the user to use the reward use function on the user terminal 10 will be referred to as an "reward use app." In other words, 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 information distribution server device 30. The functions illustrated in Fig. 3 are realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as processor 3001, memory 3002, etc., causing processor 3001 to perform calculations, control communication by communication device 3004, and control at least one of reading and writing of data from memory 3002 and storage 3003.

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

[0030] The 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 this information.

[0031] For example, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the storage unit 32 stores an electronic payment app usage history, which is a history of a user's use of an electronic payment app using the user terminal 10 owned by the user, in association with a user ID that identifies each user. This electronic payment app usage history includes, for example, the date and time the electronic payment app was used, a store ID that identifies the store used, an affiliated store ID that identifies the affiliated store to which the store belongs, and the payment amount paid using the electronic payment app. In other words, the storage unit 32 stores an electronic payment app usage history that includes at least the date and time the electronic payment app was used and the amount paid when the electronic payment app was used. The information illustrated in Fig. 4 was acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the electronic payment server device 50.

[0032] Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the storage unit 32 stores a reward usage app usage history, which is a history of a user's use of a reward usage app on the user's own user terminal 10, in association with a user ID that identifies each user. This reward usage app usage history includes, for example, the date and time when the reward usage app was used, a store ID that identifies the store that was used, an affiliated store ID that identifies the affiliated store to which the store belongs, the value of the reward granted or consumed by the reward usage app, and the remaining reward. In other words, the storage unit 32 stores a reward usage app usage history that includes at least the date and time when the reward usage app was used and the amount when the reward usage app was used. The information illustrated in Fig. 5 was acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the reward management server device 60.

[0033] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 3, the detection unit 33 detects, for each user terminal 10, that the electronic payment app or the reward usage app has been used for the first time at each affiliated store, based on the information stored in the storage unit 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5). More specifically, the detection unit 33 references the electronic payment app usage history corresponding to the user with user ID "U001" in FIG. 4, for example, and determines whether the electronic payment app has been used for the first time at each affiliated store. Furthermore, the detection unit 33 references the reward usage app usage history corresponding to the user with user ID "U001" in FIG. 5, for example, and determines whether the reward usage app has been used for the first time at each affiliated store.

[0034] When the detection unit 33 detects that at least one of the electronic payment app and the reward usage app has been used for the first time at a member store on the user terminal 10, the setting unit 34 performs settings to distribute to the user terminal 10 both information provided to the user regarding the use of the electronic payment app at that member store (hereinafter referred to as electronic payment app-related information) and information provided to the user regarding the use of the reward usage app at that member store (hereinafter referred to as reward usage app-related information). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the setting unit 34 stores in the storage unit 32, for each user ID of each user (user ID "U001" is illustrated in FIG. 6), whether or not to distribute the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information at that member store in association with each member store ID. In the example of FIG. 6, the setting unit 34 is configured to distribute the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information corresponding to the member store ID "SU01" to the user with user ID "U001," but is not configured to distribute the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information corresponding to the member store ID "SU02."

[0035] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 3, distribution unit 35 distributes, to user terminal 10 via communication network 2, a plurality of pieces of electronic payment app-related information provided to the user by different affiliated store devices 40 (information providers) regarding the electronic payment app, or reward usage app-related information provided to the user by different affiliated store devices 40 (information providers) regarding the reward usage app, in accordance with the settings made by setting unit 34. The electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information to be distributed to user terminal 10 is stored in memory 32 in association with each affiliated store ID, as shown in FIG. 7. When the time for distribution of the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information arrives, distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information (FIG. 7) corresponding to each affiliated store ID stored in memory 32, and distributes this information to user terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID (FIG. 6) for which distribution is set for that affiliated store ID.

[0036] The notification unit 36 sends a new arrival notification to both the electronic payment app and the reward usage app on the user terminal 10 to notify the user that electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information has been distributed by the distribution unit 35. At this time, when the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information is displayed on the user terminal 10 in response to the new arrival notification sent to either the electronic payment app or the reward usage app, the notification unit 36 cancels the new arrival notification sent to the other of the electronic payment app or the reward usage app. More specifically, the new arrival notification is some kind of output (such as a display or audio output) to inform the user that there is electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information that the user has not read (i.e., not displayed on the user terminal 10), and canceling the new arrival notification means not sending such an output.

[0037] Statistical processing unit 37 performs statistical processing on the results of electronic payment application related information or benefit usage application related information distributed to multiple user terminals 10 being viewed or used at each user terminal 10. Statistical processing on the results of electronic payment application related information or benefit usage application related information being viewed or used at user terminal 10 includes, for example, the number of times this information was viewed (number of views), the ratio of the number of views to the number of distributions of this information (view rate), the number of times this information was used to purchase products (number of uses), the ratio of the number of uses to the number of views of the viewed information (use rate), and each user's purchase price or purchase frequency before and after the distribution of this information.

[0038] Statistical processing unit 37 may perform the above statistical processing for each of the electronic payment application-related information or the reward usage application-related information. Furthermore, statistical processing unit 37 may perform the above statistical processing for both the electronic payment application-related information and the reward usage application-related information, or may perform the above statistical processing separately for the electronic payment application-related information and the reward usage application-related information.

[0039] To perform this statistical processing, storage unit 32 stores the browsing history and usage history of each of the electronic payment application-related information and the reward utilization application-related information delivered to user terminal 10 of each user, in association with the user ID of that user, as shown in Fig. 8. These browsing histories and usage histories are stored based on notifications (notifications that the electronic payment application-related information and the reward utilization application-related information have been viewed and used) from user terminal 10 to which the electronic payment application-related information and the reward utilization application-related information have been delivered.

[0040] Furthermore, the statistical processing unit 37 classifies the multiple users who respectively use the multiple user terminals 10 into multiple user groups based on predetermined classification criteria for classifying users, and performs statistical processing for each classified user group. The classification criteria here may be based on user attributes (e.g., gender, age, place of residence, hobbies and preferences). These user attributes such as gender, age, place of residence, hobbies and preferences are stored in association with the user ID of each user, as shown in FIG. 9. The statistical processing unit 37 classifies the users into multiple user groups based on these user attributes, for example, by gender, age, place of residence, hobbies and preferences, and performs statistical processing for each classified user group.

[0041] The classification criteria may be based on the payment amount (purchase amount) of a user who uses an electronic payment app, or based on the time of a user who uses an electronic payment app to make a payment (purchase time). The latter classification criteria based on the time of payment include criteria such as the frequency of electronic payments and the time of the most recent electronic payment.

[0042] The classification criteria are specified by the affiliated store device 40. The classification criteria may be specified for each affiliated store, or may be specified for each piece of electronic payment application-related information and benefit usage application-related information.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic payment server device 50, which processes electronic payments, and the benefit management server device 60 are different devices. Therefore, for the same user, different user management is performed for the electronic payment app and the benefit utilization app. A user may simultaneously use both the electronic payment app and the benefit utilization app for a single electronic payment. Therefore, the statistical processing unit 37 identifies histories related to the same payment by the same user in the electronic payment app usage history illustrated in FIG. 4 and the benefit utilization app usage history illustrated in FIG. 5, and performs statistical processing. Therefore, the statistical processing unit 37 identifies, among the electronic payment app usage history and the benefit utilization app usage history of the same user, usage histories in which the dates and times when the electronic payment app and the benefit utilization app were used are within a predetermined range and the amounts when the electronic payment app and the benefit utilization app were used are within a predetermined range, as usage histories in which the electronic payment app and the benefit utilization app were used simultaneously.

[0044] By performing statistical processing based on the electronic payment app usage history and reward app usage history, which are considered to be the same payment and integrated as described above, the results of this statistical processing can be used in the following ways. For example, it is possible to calculate the percentage of electronic payments made using the electronic payment app relative to the total sales of a certain affiliated store, or the percentage of users who simultaneously used a reward app when making an electronic payment using the electronic payment app (e.g., in cases where a reward is awarded according to the amount of the electronic payment). Furthermore, because the payment amounts included in the electronic payment app usage history are accurate, it is possible, for example, to classify users who used a reward app into user groups based on the level of their payment amounts and to develop targeting or measures based on these classifications. Furthermore, it is possible to classify users into groups such as those who use the electronic payment app, those who use a reward app, those who use both the electronic payment app and the reward app, and those who do not use either of these apps, and to develop targeting or measures appropriate for each of these groups. For example, a marketing strategy may be implemented to encourage the use of electronic payment apps for a user group that uses reward-granting apps but does not use electronic payment apps, or conversely, a marketing strategy may be implemented to encourage the use of reward-granting apps for a user group that uses electronic payment apps but does not use reward-granting apps, or a marketing strategy may be implemented to encourage the simultaneous use of both electronic payment apps and reward-utilization apps for users that use only either electronic payment apps or reward-utilization apps, or users that use neither of these. Note that the above-mentioned examples of use of the results of statistical processing based on electronic payment app usage history and reward-utilization app usage history are merely illustrative and are not limited to these examples.

[0045] The output unit 38 outputs the results of statistical processing for each piece of information by the statistical processing unit 37 to the affiliated store device 40, which is the provider of each piece of information. In particular, when the statistical processing unit 37 performs statistical processing for each user group classified by the statistical processing unit 37, the output unit 38 outputs the results of statistical processing for each user group by the statistical processing unit 37 to the affiliated store device 40, which is the provider of each piece of information.

[0046] [Operation] [Information distribution operation] Next, the information distribution operation by the information distribution server device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the following description, when the information distribution server device 30 is the subject of the operation, this specifically means that the processor 3001 performs calculations by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and memory 3002, and controls communication via the communication device 3004 and the reading and / or writing of data from and / or to the memory 3002 and storage 3003, thereby executing processing. The same applies to the user terminal 10, the store terminal 20, the affiliated store device 40, the electronic payment server device 50, and the benefit management server device 60.

[0047] First, the detection unit 33 performs a usage detection process, for example, periodically or each time a user uses an electronic payment app or a reward usage app (step S11). For example, when a user uses an electronic payment app or a reward usage app at a certain affiliated store, the detection unit 33 references the information stored in the storage unit 32 (FIG. 6) to determine whether or not a distribution corresponding to the user ID and the affiliated store ID of the affiliated store has been made to the user terminal 10 of the user. If no distribution has been made, the detection unit 33 detects that the user has used the electronic payment app or the reward usage app for the first time at the affiliated store.

[0048] When it is detected that an electronic payment app or a reward usage app has been used for the first time at a certain affiliated store for the user terminal 10, the setting unit 34 performs a distribution setting process (step S12). That is, the distribution unit 35 performs settings for distributing both the electronic payment app related information of that affiliated store and the reward usage app related information of that affiliated store to the user terminal 10. For example, in FIG. 6, when distributing both the electronic payment app related information of the affiliated store with affiliated store ID "SU01" and the reward usage app related information of that affiliated store to the user terminal 10 owned by the user with user ID "U001", the setting unit 34 sets the distribution yes / no corresponding to the affiliated store ID "SU01" to "yes".

[0049] For example, periodically, at an arbitrary timing, or when the time for distribution arrives, such as when the electronic payment app related information or the reward usage app related information stored in the storage unit 32 is updated (step S13; YES), the distribution unit 35 performs a process of distributing the electronic payment app related information or the reward usage app related information to both the electronic payment app and the reward usage app of 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 app related information or the reward usage app related information has been distributed by the distribution unit 35 (step S14).

[0050] 11 is an example of a display screen displayed on user terminal 10 while the electronic payment app is running. On screen D11, among the titles corresponding to member stores A to C, the title "Notice from member store A" displays an image of "New" as a new arrival notification notifying the user that new electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information has been distributed by distribution unit 35. Note that the method of outputting such a new arrival notification is not limited to the example shown here, which displays the image of "New," and any method may be used as long as it notifies the user that there is electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information that the user has not read.

[0051] When the user selects the title "Notice from Affiliated Store A," the user terminal 10 transitions to screen D12, which displays electronic payment app-related information such as "10% off with electronic payment, eligible product: Snack XX" and reward usage app-related information such as "5% points awarded, eligible product: Juice XX." In other words, while the electronic payment app is running, not only the electronic payment app-related information but also the reward usage app-related information is displayed. However, this is merely an example, and while the electronic payment app is running, only the electronic payment app-related information may be displayed, and the reward usage app-related information may not be displayed.

[0052] The distribution unit 35 instructs the user terminal 10 to display the electronic payment app-related information or the reward usage app-related information for each affiliated store on the user terminal 10 in the order of distribution. Therefore, in response to this instruction, the screen D12 displays the electronic payment app-related information, "10% off with electronic payment, eligible product: snack XX," which was distributed earlier, at the top, and the reward usage app-related information, "5% points awarded, eligible product: juice XX," which was distributed later, at the bottom. The electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information illustrated in FIG. 9 are valid only for affiliated store A and are invalid for, for example, affiliated stores B and C. Therefore, the electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notice from affiliated store B" on screen D11 are valid only for affiliated store B, and the electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notice from affiliated store C" on screen D11 are valid only for affiliated store C.

[0053] Then, if the user performs an operation such as "Back" on screen D12, the screen transitions to screen D13. In this case, since screen D12 has already displayed information related to the electronic payment app, such as "10% off with electronic payment, eligible product: Snack XX," and information related to the reward application app, such as "5% points awarded, eligible product: Juice XX," the image "New," which indicates a new arrival notification, is not displayed next to the title "Notice from affiliated store A."

[0054] 12 is an example of a display screen displayed while the reward usage app is running on the user terminal 10. On screen D21, among the titles corresponding to each of member stores A to C, the title "Notice from member store A" displays an image of "New" as a new arrival notification notifying the user that reward usage app related information or reward usage app related information has been newly distributed by the distribution unit 35.

[0055] When the user selects the title "Notice from Affiliated Store A," the user terminal 10 transitions to screen D22, which displays information related to the reward usage app, such as "Use reward to get 10% off on eligible item: Snack XX" and information related to the reward usage app, such as "5% points awarded on eligible item: Juice XX." In other words, while the reward usage app is running, not only the information related to the reward usage app but also the information related to the electronic payment app is displayed. However, this is merely an example, and while the reward usage app is running, only the information related to the reward usage app may be displayed, and the information related to the electronic payment app may not be displayed.

[0056] As described above, the distribution unit 35 instructs the user terminal 10 to display the reward usage app-related information or the reward usage app-related information for each affiliated store on the user terminal 10 in the order in which it was distributed. Therefore, in response to this instruction, on screen D22, the electronic payment app-related information distributed earlier, such as "10% off with electronic payment, eligible product: snack XX," is displayed at the top, and the reward usage app-related information distributed later, such as "5% points awarded, eligible product: juice XX," is displayed at the bottom. This electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information are valid only at affiliated store A and are invalid at, for example, affiliated stores B and C. Therefore, the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notice from affiliated store B" on screen D21 are valid only at affiliated store B, and the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information displayed when the user selects the title "Notice from affiliated store C" on screen D21 are valid only at affiliated store C.

[0057] Then, when the user performs a "Back" operation on screen D22, the screen transitions to screen D23. In this case, since screen D22 has already displayed information related to the electronic payment app, such as "10% off with electronic payment, eligible product: Snack XX," and information related to the reward application app, such as "5% points awarded, eligible product: Juice XX," the image "New," which indicates a new arrival notification, is not displayed next to the title "Notice from affiliated store A."

[0058] Furthermore, if the user launches a reward-granting app after displaying the aforementioned screen D12 in the electronic payment app, the screen displayed on user terminal 10 will be screen D23. This is because when electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information is displayed in user terminal 10 in response to a new arrival notification sent to either the electronic payment app or the reward usage app, notification unit 36 cancels the new arrival notification sent to the other of the electronic payment app and the reward usage app. This prevents new arrival notifications from being presented again for electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information that the user has already viewed.

[0059] [Information distribution effectiveness measurement] Next, with reference to Fig. 13, an operation for measuring the effectiveness of information distribution by the information distribution server device 30 will be described. For example, upon receiving a request from an affiliated store device 40, the statistical processing unit 37 classifies multiple users who use multiple user terminals 10 to which the electronic payment application-related information or benefit usage application-related information provided by the affiliated store device 40 is to be distributed into multiple user groups (step S21), and performs statistical processing for each classified user group (step S22). The output unit 38 outputs the results of the statistical processing for each user group performed by the statistical processing unit 37 to the affiliated store device 40 that issued the request (step S23). The affiliated store device 40 displays the output statistical processing results.

[0060] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on affiliated store device 40. This FIG. 14 displays statistical processing results such as the number of distributions, number of views, number of uses, view rate, and usage rate of electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information. These statistical processing results may be the result of statistical processing on any one piece of electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information, or the result of statistical processing on multiple pieces of electronic payment app-related information or multiple pieces of reward usage app-related information provided by a single affiliated store. Furthermore, these statistical processing results may be the result of statistical processing on both the electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information, or the result of statistical processing on only one of the electronic payment app-related information or the reward usage app-related information. Furthermore, these statistical processing results may be displayed for each user group classified according to various classification criteria, as described above.

[0061] Furthermore, the results of these statistical processes may be displayed as time-series changes, as shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 15 illustrates a case in which time-series changes in the viewing rate and usage rate of electronic payment app-related information or reward use app-related information are displayed.

[0062] Furthermore, the results of these statistical processes may be displayed as the change in the unit purchase price or purchase frequency of each user before and after the information distribution, as exemplified in Figure 16. Figure 16 shows an example in which the change in the unit purchase price per user before and after the distribution of electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information, and the change in the unit purchase frequency price per user before and after the distribution of electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information are displayed.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, when a user uses a reward usage app or an electronic payment app at a certain affiliated store for the first time, the user is configured to receive electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information valid at that affiliated store. Since the user has used a reward usage app or an electronic payment app at that affiliated store at least once, it is assumed that the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information at that affiliated store is likely to be useful to the user. Furthermore, since the user is configured to receive electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information simply by using the reward usage app or electronic payment app, no user operation is required solely for the delivery. This allows the delivery of information that the user is likely to want and reduces the burden of the user's setup operation for information delivery. Furthermore, by delivering information that is likely to be useful to users, affiliated stores can promote sales of products or services.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to measure the effectiveness of the distribution of multiple pieces of electronic payment app or reward usage app information provided to users from different affiliated store devices 40, for each piece of information. This allows each affiliated store to plan a sales promotion strategy for its own products or services based on the measured effectiveness.

[0065] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows. Furthermore, two or more of the following modifications may be combined and implemented. [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the setting unit 34 performs a setting to deliver both electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information to the user terminal 10 when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment app and the reward usage app has been used for the first time on the user terminal 10, but the conditions for performing the delivery setting are not limited to this. In short, the setting unit 34 only needs to perform a setting to deliver both electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information at the store to the user terminal 10 when it is detected that at least one of the electronic payment app and the reward usage app has been used at the user terminal 10 at a store.

[0066] For example, the setting unit 34 may perform a setting to deliver both the electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information to the user terminal 10 when it is detected that the usage level of at least one of the electronic payment app or the reward usage app in the user terminal 10 has reached a certain level or higher among a plurality of predetermined levels. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 17 , the setting unit 34 may perform a setting to not deliver the information if the electronic payment app is not being used in the user terminal 10, not deliver the information if the electronic payment app is being used but its usage level is less than X (e.g., X is the number of uses, frequency of use, payment amount, etc.), and deliver the information if the usage level at which the electronic payment app is being used is X or higher. Similarly, the setting unit 34 may perform a setting to not deliver the information if the reward usage app is not being used in the user terminal 10, not deliver the information if the reward usage app is being used but its usage level is less than Y (e.g., Y is the number of uses, frequency of use, reward balance, etc.), and deliver the information if the usage level at which the reward usage app is being used is Y or higher. The relationship between such a usage level and whether or not to distribute is specified by the affiliated store, which is the information provider, by operating the affiliated store device 40. This allows for detailed distribution settings according to any usage level.

[0067] [Variation 2] Each affiliated store (i.e., a provider of electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information) may be able to arbitrarily set the destination or method of delivery of the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information by operating the affiliated store device 40. The destination is specified by attributes (e.g., gender, age, place of residence, hobbies, etc.) of the user to whom the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information are to be delivered. The delivery method refers to the timing of delivery of the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information, the number of deliveries per certain period, or the amount of delivery. Note that the attributes of the recipient users are not limited to static attributes such as gender, age, place of residence, hobbies, etc., but may also be dynamic attributes such as the number of views, view rate, number of uses, and usage rate of the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information. In other words, the setting unit 34 acquires, via the communication network 2, from the affiliated store device 40, designation information by which the provider of the electronic payment app-related information and reward usage app-related information specifies the destination or method of delivery of the information, and performs setting in accordance with the destination or method designated by the acquired designation information.

[0068] With this setting, as illustrated in Fig. 18, the electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information to be distributed to user terminal 10 is stored in storage unit 32 in association with each affiliated store ID and distribution destination or distribution method. When the time for distribution of the electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information arrives, distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information (Fig. 18) corresponding to each affiliated store ID stored in storage unit 32, and distributes this information according to the distribution method to user terminals 10 corresponding to user IDs that match the above distribution destinations, among user IDs (Fig. 6) set to receive distribution for that affiliated store ID. This enables detailed information distribution as desired by the information provider.

[0069] [Variation 3] The setting unit 34 may set the electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information so that only one of the predetermined information, rather than both, is delivered to the user terminal 10. For example, the setting unit 34 may set the electronic payment app-related information representing a receipt issued through use of the electronic payment app to be delivered only to the electronic payment app of the user terminal 10, and the reward usage app-related information representing a stamp card on which an electronic stamp is stamped in response to the issuance of a reward in the reward usage app to be delivered only to the reward usage app of the user terminal 10. In this case, when the electronic payment app is launched on the user terminal 10, the reward usage app-related information representing the stamp card is not displayed, and other reward usage app-related information is displayed. Furthermore, when the reward usage app is launched on the user terminal 10, the electronic payment app-related information representing a receipt is not displayed, and other electronic payment app-related information is displayed. This makes it possible to avoid displaying information that is considered to be less useful to the user.

[0070] The following information may also be used as the electronic payment app-related information. In FIG. 7 described above, information about a first coupon and a second coupon is stored in the storage unit 32 as electronic payment app-related information corresponding to each affiliated store ID. When the time for distributing the electronic payment app-related information arrives, the distribution unit 35 distributes information about the first coupon as electronic payment app-related information to the user terminal 10. When a user launches the electronic payment app and makes an electronic payment at a store of an affiliated store corresponding to the affiliated store ID (or launches a benefit usage app and presents it to the store), the distribution unit 35 distributes information about the second coupon as electronic payment app-related information to the user terminal 10. The information about the second coupon is displayed, for example, by superimposing it on a receipt displayed on the user terminal 10 by the electronic payment app. The distribution unit 35 may distribute the information about the first coupon and the information about the second coupon at separate times, as described above. Alternatively, the information about the first coupon and the information about the second coupon may be distributed together at first, and the user terminal 10 may display the information about the second coupon after the electronic payment is completed.

[0071] The electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information do not necessarily have to be displayed in the order in which they were distributed, but may be displayed in an order arbitrarily set by the distribution unit 35. The order in this case is determined, for example, according to the degree of benefit to the user, the expiration date of the reward, or the degree of association with the electronic payment app or the reward usage app.

[0072] [Variation 4] The setting unit 34 may configure settings for distributing electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information according to conditions related to the behavior of a user who owns the user terminal 10. The distribution unit 35 may acquire behavioral information related to the behavior of the user who owns the user terminal 10 and distribute the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information to the user terminal 10 if the acquired behavioral information satisfies the conditions. For example, the setting unit 34 may acquire behavioral information related to the user's behavior from the affiliated store device 40 via the communication network 2, which is a condition that must be met for a provider of the electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information to distribute the information, and configure information distribution according to the acquired behavioral information. The behavioral information here refers to, for example, information such as whether the user entered a store, entered a certain area, started a certain sport, or viewed a certain website. This behavioral information is detected by various sensors and detection devices included in the user terminal 10 and transmitted to the information distribution server device 30.

[0073] With this setting, as shown in Fig. 19, electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information to be distributed to user terminal 10 is stored in storage unit 32 in association with behavioral information regarding user behavior that must be satisfied in order for this information to be distributed. When the time for distribution of electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information arrives, distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app-related information or reward usage app-related information (Fig. 19) corresponding to each affiliated store ID stored in storage unit 32, and distributes this information to user terminals 10 corresponding to the user IDs of users who have behaved in a way that satisfies the behavioral information, among the user IDs (Fig. 6) set to receive distribution for that affiliated store ID. This makes it possible to distribute information when the user's location, certain actions, etc. are satisfied.

[0074] [Variation 5] The electronic payment app-related information and the reward usage app-related information may be changed depending on the usage status of the electronic payment app or the reward usage app. In other words, the setting unit 34 performs settings to deliver different information to the user terminal 10 depending on the usage status of the electronic payment app or the reward usage app in the user terminal 10.

[0075] 20, electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information to be distributed to user terminal 10 is prepared for each usage status of the electronic payment app or reward usage app in user terminal 10 and stored in storage unit 32. For example, different electronic payment app related information or reward usage app related information is stored in storage unit 32 depending on the level of usage of the electronic payment app or reward usage app. The relationship between the usage status of the electronic payment app or reward usage app and the information to be distributed is specified by the affiliated store, which is the information provider, operating affiliated store device 40.

[0076] When it is time to distribute the electronic payment app related information or the reward usage app related information, distribution unit 35 reads out the electronic payment app related information or the reward usage app related information (FIG. 20) corresponding to each affiliated store ID stored in storage unit 32, and distributes this information to user terminal 10 of the user ID (FIG. 6) for which distribution is set for that affiliated store ID, according to the usage status of the electronic payment app or the reward usage app on that user terminal 10. This enables appropriate information distribution according to the usage status of the electronic payment app or the reward usage app.

[0077] [Other variations] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0078] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0079] For example, an information distribution server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing of the present disclosure.

[0080] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 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), or other appropriate systems, and next-generation systems extended based on these. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G, etc.) may also be applied.

[0081] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0082] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0083] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0084] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0085] Software, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc. Additionally, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then such wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of a transmission medium.

[0086] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that 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. In addition, terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0087] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0088] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0089] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0090] The "unit" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "means," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0091] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0092] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0093] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "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 symbols]

[0094] 1: Information processing system, 2: Communication network, 10: User terminal, 20: Store terminal, 30: Information distribution server device, 31: Acquisition unit, 32: Memory unit, 33: Detection unit, 34: Setting unit, 35: Distribution unit, 36: Notification unit, 40: Member store device, 50: Electronic payment server device, 60: Benefit management 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. a distribution unit that distributes to a user terminal a plurality of pieces of information provided to the user from different information providers regarding the electronic payment function and a plurality of pieces of information provided to the user from different information providers regarding the benefit use function; a statistical processing unit that performs statistical processing for each piece of information on the results of the information distributed to the plurality of user terminals being viewed or used at each of the user terminals; an output unit that outputs the results of the statistical processing performed for each piece of information by the statistical processing unit to a provider of each piece of information; Equipped with When different user management is performed for the same user in the electronic payment function and the benefit use function, The statistical processing unit identifies a usage history in which the electronic payment function and the benefit use function were simultaneously used based on a usage history including at least the date and time when the electronic payment function and the benefit use function were used, and the amount when the electronic payment function and the benefit use function were used, and performs the statistical processing based on the identified usage history.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The statistical processing unit identifies a usage history in which the date and time when the electronic payment function and the reward use function were used are within a predetermined range, and the amount when the electronic payment function and the reward use function were used are within a predetermined range, as a usage history in which the electronic payment function and the reward use function were used simultaneously.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The statistical processing unit executes the statistical processing in combination with the electronic payment function and the benefit use function.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. The statistical processing unit executes the statistical processing by distinguishing between the electronic payment function and the benefit use function.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

5. the statistical processing unit classifies a plurality of users who respectively use the user terminals into a plurality of user groups based on a classification criterion, and performs the statistical processing for each of the classified user groups; The output unit outputs the results of the statistical processing performed by the statistical processing unit for each user group to each of the information providers.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a computer.

6. The classification criteria include at least one of a classification criterion based on the amount of payment made by the user using the electronic payment function and a classification criterion based on the time when the user made a payment using the electronic payment function.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,

7. The classification criteria are specified by the source of the information.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

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