Coupon information providing device, coupon information providing method, and coupon information providing program

Abstract

To provide a coupon information providing device, method and program that, when a screen for a specific retail store is displayed, allows the presentation of a coupon that is set to be usable at the retail store even if the coupon is issued by a company other than the retail store. [Solution] In a communication system S, a coupon service server receives from a user terminal a request for a screen for a specific store among the stores where a user can use coupons, and based on coupon information stored in a memory unit that stores coupon information that can identify the coupon issuer and the store where the coupon can be used for each of multiple coupons, identifies a first coupon from the multiple coupons that is issued by the business operator of the specific store and a second coupon that is issued by a manufacturer that is different from the business operator of the specific store and produces products that can be purchased at the store and is set to be usable at the specific store, and displays a screen including the first coupon and the second coupon on the user terminal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for presenting coupons that can be used in stores that sell products. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been known that among coupons that can be electronically issued and used using information and communication technology, there are coupons that can be used in stores. For example, a user can use a coupon when purchasing a product or using a service at a store. Also known is a method of presenting coupons that can be used only at a specific store. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a user taps an advertisement displayed on a screen, the screen transitions to a dedicated page for the store that advertises the advertisement, and when the user taps "Coupon" on the dedicated page, coupons that the user can use for electronic payments at the store are displayed, and the user can obtain the coupon by tapping the displayed coupon. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-55138 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A screen for a specific store typically displays coupons issued by the store's operator as coupons that can be used at that store. While coupons issued by the store's operator are displayed on this screen, opportunities to display coupons issued by other operators are lost. Coupons issued by other operators may also be available at that specific store. In this case, opportunities to use coupons available at that specific store may be reduced.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one example of its objective is to provide a coupon information providing device, a coupon information providing method, and a coupon information providing program that, when a screen for a specific store is displayed, makes it possible to present coupons that are set to be usable at that store, even if the coupons are issued by a company other than the store's operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (Application Example 1) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized by comprising: a receiving means for receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use coupons; an identification means for, when the request is received from the terminal device, identifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means for storing coupon information that can identify, for each of a plurality of coupons, the issuer of the coupon and a setting regarding the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specific store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer different from the business operator of the specific store that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specific store; and a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device coupon screen information that causes the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon.

[0007] According to this application example, when a request for a screen for a specific store is received from a terminal device, coupons to be displayed on that screen are identified. These coupons are identified based on coupon information. The coupon information is information that can identify the issuer of the coupon and the store where the coupon can be used. The identified coupons include a first coupon and a second coupon. The first coupon is a coupon issued by the business operator of the specific store. The second coupon is a coupon issued by a manufacturer that can be purchased at the store. This manufacturer is different from the business operator of the specific store. The second coupon is a coupon that is set to be usable at the specific store. Coupon screen information for a screen that includes the first coupon and the second coupon is received by the terminal device. The terminal device displays a screen for the specific store based on the coupon screen information. The screen for the specific store displays the second coupon in addition to the first coupon. The second coupon is a coupon that is set to be usable at the specific store. Therefore, even if a coupon is issued by a business operator other than the store operator, it is possible to present a coupon that is set to be usable at that store.

[0008] (Application Example 2) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the first coupon at a position higher than the position at which the second coupon is displayed on the screen.

[0009] According to this application example, among the identified coupons, the coupons that are more relevant to the specific store can be displayed in higher positions.

[0010] (Application Example 3) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information for coupons whose issuer is the manufacturer includes coupon usable store condition information indicating conditions specified by the manufacturer as conditions for stores where the coupon can be used, and the identification means determines whether the coupon can be used at the specified store based on the coupon usable store condition information included in the coupon information.

[0011] According to this application example, a coupon issued by a manufacturer includes coupon-usable store condition information. The coupon-usable store condition information indicates the conditions for the stores at which the coupon can be used. Therefore, one of the conditions of the second coupon, whether the coupon can be used at a specific store, can be determined based on the coupon-usable store condition information.

[0012] (Application Example 4) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer may include coupon available store information indicating available stores designated as stores where the coupon can be used, the identification means identifies, as the second coupon, a coupon that includes the specified store in its available stores and a coupon for which the available store is not designated, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the coupon that includes the specified store in its available stores at a position higher on the screen than the position at which the coupon for which the available store is not designated is displayed.

[0013] According to this application example, coupon information for a coupon issued by a manufacturer may include coupon usable store information. The coupon usable store information indicates stores where the coupon can be used. As the second coupon, a coupon that includes a specific store as one of the usable stores and a coupon for which no usable store is specified are identified. For example, if the coupon usable store information indicates that no store is specified, or if the coupon information does not include coupon usable store information, it may be determined that no store is specified for the coupon. On the screen for the specific store, coupons that include the specific store as one of the usable stores are displayed in a higher position than coupons for which no usable store is specified. Therefore, among coupons issued by a manufacturer, coupons that are more closely related to the specific store can be displayed in a higher position.

[0014] (Application Example 5) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of coupons issued by the manufacturer may include coupon available type information indicating an available type designated as a type of store at which the coupon can be used, the identification means identifies, as the second coupon, a coupon whose available type includes a type to which the specified store is classified, and a coupon for which the available type is not specified, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the coupon whose available type includes the type to which the specified store is classified, at a position higher on the screen than the position at which the coupon for which the available type is not specified is displayed.

[0015] According to this application example, coupon information for a coupon issued by a manufacturer may include coupon availability type information. The coupon availability type information indicates the type of store at which the coupon can be used. As the second coupon, coupons whose availability types include a type to which the specific store is classified and coupons for which no availability type is specified are identified. For example, if the coupon availability type information indicates that the type of store is not specified, or if the coupon information does not include coupon availability type information, it may be determined that the type of store at which the coupon can be used is not specified. On a screen for a specific store, coupons whose availability types include a type to which the specific store is classified are displayed in a higher position than coupons whose availability type is not specified. Therefore, among coupons issued by a manufacturer, coupons that are more relevant to the specific store can be displayed in a higher position.

[0016] (Application Example 6) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of coupons issued by the manufacturer may include at least one of coupon available store information indicating available stores designated as stores where the coupon can be used and coupon available type information indicating available types designated as types of stores where the coupon can be used, the identification means identifies as the second coupon a third coupon that includes the specified store in its available stores, a fourth coupon that includes in its available types a type to which the specified store is classified, and a fifth coupon that has neither the available store nor the available type specified, and the transmission means displays the third coupon in a position higher on the screen than the position where the fourth coupon is displayed, and transmits the coupon screen information that displays the fourth coupon in a position higher on the screen than the position where the fifth coupon is displayed.

[0017] According to this application example, coupon information for a coupon issued by a manufacturer may include at least one of coupon availability store information and coupon availability type information. The coupon availability store information indicates the store where the coupon is available. The coupon availability type information indicates the type of store where the coupon is available. A third coupon, a fourth coupon, and a fifth coupon are identified as the second coupon. The third coupon is a coupon for which stores, including the specific store, are specified as stores where the coupon is available. The third coupon can be identified based on the coupon availability store information. The fourth coupon is a coupon for which a type, including a type into which the specific store is classified, is specified as the type of store where the coupon is available. The fourth coupon can be identified based on the coupon availability type information. The fifth coupon is a coupon for which neither a store nor a type is specified as a store where the coupon is available. For example, if the coupon availability store information indicates that a store is not specified or if the coupon information does not include coupon availability store information, it may be determined that a store where the coupon is available is not specified. For example, if the coupon availability type information indicates that a store type is not specified or if the coupon information does not include coupon availability type information, it may be determined that a store type where the coupon is available is not specified. On the screen for the specific store, the third coupon is displayed in a higher position than the fourth coupon, which in turn is displayed in a higher position than the fifth coupon. Therefore, among coupons issued by manufacturers, the coupon that is more relevant to the specific store can be displayed in a higher position.

[0018] (Application Example 7) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that it is stipulated that in order to use a coupon issued by the store operator, it is necessary to conduct a transaction at the store of the issuer, and in order to use a coupon issued by the manufacturer, it is stipulated that it is necessary to purchase a product manufactured by the issuer.

[0019] According to this application example, in addition to presenting coupons that can be used by making transactions at specific stores of the issuing business, it is also possible to present coupons that can be used by purchasing products manufactured by the issuing manufacturer at a store, and the stores where the coupons can be used include the specific stores.

[0020] (Application Example 8) This application example is a coupon information providing device further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring handling information indicating the status of product handling at a store, and the transmission means is characterized in that it transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the identified second coupon, where the acquired handling information indicates that a product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon is in a status of being available at the identified store.

[0021] According to this application example, among second coupons issued by a manufacturer and set to be usable at a specific store, second coupons whose handling information indicates that the specific store has placed a product manufactured by the issuer in a status available at the specific store are displayed on a screen for the specific store. A product placed in a status available at a specific store is a product that was handled at the specific store at some point. Such a product may still be handled at the specific store. Therefore, it is possible to display coupons that are more likely to satisfy the condition for using the second coupon, which is to purchase a product manufactured by the issuer, at the specific store.

[0022] (Application Example 9) In this application example, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer includes coupon applicable product information indicating the product specified by the manufacturer, and the transmission means notifies the user that among the specified second coupons, a product indicated by the coupon applicable product information included in the coupon information is placed in a state where it is available at the specified store. The handling information The coupon information providing device transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupon indicated by the coupon information.

[0023] According to this application example, the coupon information includes coupon-usable product information. The coupon-usable product information indicates a specified product. Among second coupons issued by a manufacturer and set to be usable at a specific store, a second coupon whose handling information indicates that the specific store has placed a product specified by the issuer in a handling status at the specific store is displayed on a screen for the specific store. Therefore, it is possible to display coupons that are more likely to satisfy the condition for using the second coupon, i.e., purchasing a product specified by the issuer among products manufactured by the issuer, at the specific store.

[0024] (Application Example 10) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that the acquired handling information includes purchase information indicating a record of a product purchase at the store, and the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including, of the identified second coupons, a second coupon whose purchase information indicates that the product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon was purchased at the identified store.

[0025] According to this application example, among second coupons issued by a manufacturer and set to be usable at a specific store, second coupons for which a product manufactured by the issuer has been purchased at the specific store are displayed on a screen for the specific store. Products that have been purchased at a specific store may still be available for purchase at the specific store. Therefore, it is possible to display coupons that are more likely to satisfy the condition for using the second coupon, which is to purchase a product manufactured by the issuer, at the specific store.

[0026] (Application Example 11) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that the acquired handling information includes inventory information indicating the inventory status of the product at the store, and the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including, of the identified second coupons, the second coupons whose inventory information indicates that the product manufactured by the manufacturer is in stock at the identified store.

[0027] According to this application example, among second coupons issued by a manufacturer and usable at a specific store, second coupons for which the specific store has in stock products manufactured by the issuer are displayed on a screen for the specific store. Products in stock at a specific store may currently be available for purchase at the specific store. Therefore, coupons that are more likely to satisfy the condition for using the second coupon, i.e., purchasing products manufactured by the issuer, at the specific store can be displayed.

[0028] (Application Example 12) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information for coupons issued by the manufacturer includes issue date information indicating the issue date of the coupon, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including, among the identified second coupons, second coupons that have not yet been issued for a predetermined period of time since the issue date.

[0029] According to this application example, among second coupons that are issued by the manufacturer and are set to be usable at a specific store, coupons for which a predetermined period of time has not yet elapsed since the coupon's issue date are displayed, thereby making it possible to display newer second coupons.

[0030] (Application Example 13) This application example is a coupon information providing device characterized in that it is defined that the user can use the coupons that the user has acquired from the plurality of coupons, and the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen that can accept operations to acquire the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon all at once.

[0031] According to this application example, the screen for the specific store is a screen that can accept an operation to acquire the first coupon and the second coupon displayed on that screen at the same time. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation to acquire the first coupon and the second coupon separately. This reduces the operational burden on the user.

[0032] (Application Example 14) This application example is a coupon information providing method executed by a computer, comprising: a receiving step of receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use coupons; an identifying step of, when the request is received from the terminal device, identifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means that stores coupon information that can identify, for each of a plurality of coupons, the issuer of the coupon and the settings for the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specific store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer that is different from the business operator of the specific store and that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specific store; and a transmitting step of transmitting to the terminal device coupon screen information that causes the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon.

[0033] (Application Example 15) This application example is a coupon information providing program that causes a computer to function as: a receiving means that receives from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use coupons; an identification means that, when the request is received from the terminal device, identifies, based on coupon information stored in a storage means that stores coupon information that can identify, for each of a plurality of coupons, the issuer of the coupon and the settings for the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is the business operator of the specific store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer different from the business operator of the specific store that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specific store; and a transmission means that transmits to the terminal device coupon screen information that causes the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the present invention, when a screen for a specific store is displayed, it is possible to present a coupon that is set to be usable at that store, even if the coupon is issued by a company other than the store's operator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of types of coupons. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the coupon service server 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 in a coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coupon list screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retail store. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between coupons and display orders. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retail store when a coupon acquisition operation is performed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retail store after a coupon acquisition operation. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retail store when performing a bulk coupon acquisition operation. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon batch acquisition result window. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retail store after a bulk coupon acquisition operation. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a collective coupon granting process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 in a coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between transaction information and product handling at a retail store. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of a retail store server 7. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between inventory information and product handling in a retail store. [Figure 22]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Communication System Configuration] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the communication system S according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system S includes a coupon service server 1, multiple store terminals 2, an electronic payment server 3, a point card server 4, one or multiple coupon setting terminals 5, and multiple user terminals 6. The coupon service server 1, each store terminal 2, the electronic payment server 3, the point card server 4, the coupon setting terminal 5, and each user terminal 6 are connected to a network NW. The network NW is constructed, for example, by the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), a gateway, etc.

[0037] The coupon service server 1 may be a server device that executes processes related to the coupon service. The coupon service may be a service that allows users to obtain and use electronic coupons that can be used at stores. A store where coupons can be used is a store that can sell products to users. An example of a store where users can use coupons is a retail store. However, a store where coupons can be used may also include a store that sells products to people other than consumers, or a store that sells products manufactured by the store itself. A store where coupons can be used may also include a store that primarily provides services but also sells products. Hereinafter, a store where coupons can be used is referred to as a retail store. In this embodiment, a store or retail store may be a store group or chain consisting of multiple stores, or a single store that does not belong to a store group. In this embodiment, a store may refer to an individual building where products are sold. Examples of a store group include multiple directly operated stores operated or managed by the same business operator, multiple franchise stores affiliated with the same franchise, etc. A store group may include multiple stores that are generally recognized as the same retail store.

[0038] Each coupon may have an issuer. The issuer may be the entity that issues the coupon. For example, the issuer may be an entity that issues coupons to encourage users to use the issuer's retail store, or an entity that issues coupons to encourage users to purchase products manufactured or sold by the issuer. For example, the issuer may be an entity that primarily bears the funds for the benefits granted to users in response to coupon use. For example, the issuer may be an entity that posts coupons on a coupon service or an entity that requests a coupon service to post a coupon. Examples of types of coupon issuers include retail stores and manufacturers. A retail store that issues a coupon may more specifically be the retail store's operator. The retail store operator may be an entity related to the retail store where the coupon can be used. For example, the retail store operator may be a retailer. The retail store operator may be an entity that manages, operates, manages, or supervises the retail store. If the retail store is a store group including multiple directly operated stores, the retail store operator may be an entity that operates or manages those directly operated stores. If a retail store is a store group including multiple franchised stores, the operator of the retail store may be the franchisor. If a retail store is a single store that does not belong to a store group, the operator of the retail store may be the operator that operates the store. A manufacturer may be a person who produces goods available for purchase at a retail store. Examples of manufacturers include manufacturers and manufacturers. For example, a manufacturer may be a person who outsources the production of goods to another party. For example, a manufacturer may be a person who manufactures goods upon being outsourced. For example, a manufacturer may be a person who ships or distributes manufactured goods. For example, a manufacturer may be a person who imports goods and distributes them domestically. For example, a manufacturer may be a person who can be identified as the source of goods by a trademark or other mark affixed to the goods. For example, a manufacturer may be a person who has the right to affix a trademark or other mark to the goods. Issuing a coupon may involve making the coupon available for acquisition or making information about available coupons available.Even if it is assumed that the coupon service, the coupon service operator, or the coupon service server 1 issues the coupon on behalf of the retail store operator or manufacturer, the issuer is the retail store operator or manufacturer.

[0039] The coupon service server 1 may provide information about coupons to the user terminal 6 and display the coupons on the user terminal 6. The coupon service server 1 may also manage the status of coupon acquisition by each user based on the user's operation to acquire the coupon displayed on the user terminal 6. The coupon service server 1 may also grant a benefit to a user in response to the user's use of a coupon. Examples of the benefit that may be granted include discounts, cash back, points in a point program, electronic money, etc. Hereinafter, the benefit that is granted is assumed to be points.

[0040] A user may be able to use a coupon that the user has acquired from among multiple coupons issued by the coupon service. In other words, it may be required that the coupon be acquired in advance in order to use the coupon. A coupon may be usable when the user makes a transaction at a retail store. For example, a coupon may be usable when the user purchases a product or service at a retail store. The coupon service server 1 may execute a process for identifying the fact that the user has made a transaction at a retail store. Examples of methods by which the user may present the fact that they have made a transaction include requesting a receipt, using electronic payment, and presenting a point card. Requesting a receipt may involve sending an image of the receipt the user received at the retail store as a result of the transaction to the coupon service server 1 from the user terminal 6. Using electronic payment may involve paying for a transaction at a retail store using a predetermined electronic payment app. The electronic payment app may be an application for making an electronic payment using a payment method that the user has registered in advance. Payment methods that can be registered include credit card payment, debit card payment, and electronic money payment. Presenting a point card may involve presenting a point card granted to the user under a predetermined point program to the retail store when making a transaction at the retail store. By presenting a point card, users can earn points or use their points for payment. Examples of presenting a point card include presenting the point card itself and presenting the screen of a point card app. A point card app is an application that has the functionality of a point card.

[0041] Each user may use a coupon service using a web app or a coupon app. The coupon app may be an application that allows the user terminal 6 to display coupons, obtain coupons, and use coupons in the coupon service.

[0042] Each store terminal 2 may be a terminal device installed in a store or used by a store employee. Examples of store terminals 2 include a POS (Point of Sales) register, a personal computer, and a tablet computer. Each store terminal 2 may be a terminal device mainly used for payments when a user conducts a transaction at a store. For example, assume that a user makes a payment using an electronic payment app. In this case, the user displays the screen of the electronic payment app on the user terminal 6. The screen of the electronic payment app displays a code for electronic payment. Examples of the displayed code include a barcode and a two-dimensional code. This code may indicate payment identification information. The payment identification information may be identification information for identifying the user using electronic payment. The store terminal 2 may read the code displayed on the screen of the electronic payment app and transmit the payment information to the electronic payment server 3. The payment information is information for electronic payment and may indicate the details of the transaction. For example, the payment information may include payment identification information, information identifying the retailer where the transaction was made, information identifying the product or service traded, the amount to be paid, etc. Also, assume that a user uses a point card when conducting a transaction at a store. For example, a code indicating the card number is printed on a point card. Also, for example, a code indicating the card number is displayed on the screen of a point card app. The card number may be identification information that identifies the point card. The store terminal 2 may read the card number code from the point card or the screen of the point card app and send point card usage information to the point card server 4. The point card usage information is information that indicates the use of the point card and may be information that indicates the content of the transaction. For example, the point card usage information may include the card number, information that identifies the retailer where the transaction took place, information that identifies the product or service traded, the amount paid, the number of points used for payment, etc.

[0043] The electronic payment server 3 may be a server device that executes payment processing for a user to make a payment using the above-mentioned electronic payment app. For example, the electronic payment server 3 may execute payment processing based on payment information transmitted from the store terminal 2. The coupon service server 1 may identify the fact that the user has used electronic payment at a store based on information about the electronic payment acquired or stored by the electronic payment server 3.

[0044] The point card server 4 may be a server device that manages points owned by each user who can use the above-mentioned point program. The number of points owned by a user is referred to as the number of available points. The point card server 4 may also be a means for storing the number of available points for each user. The point card server 4 may also execute a process to enable each user to earn and use points in response to the presentation of a point card by the user. For example, the point card server 4 may add the number of points earned to the number of available points or subtract the number of points used based on point usage information transmitted from the store terminal 2. The coupon service server 1 may identify the fact that a user has presented a point card to a store based on information regarding the use of the point card acquired or stored by the point card server 4.

[0045] The coupon setting terminal 5 may be a terminal device for setting information about coupons that can be used at a retail store. The information set about the coupon is stored in the coupon service server 1. For example, the coupon setting terminal 5 may be a terminal device used by an operator of a coupon service. In this case, the operator of the coupon service may set information about the coupon at the request of the coupon issuer. The issuer can specify the content of the information to be set to the coupon operator. Alternatively, multiple issuers that issue coupons may each have a coupon setting terminal 5. In this case, the issuer themselves may set information about the coupon.

[0046] Each user terminal 6 may be a terminal device used by a user who can use the coupon service. Examples of the user terminal 6 include smartphones, other mobile phones, wearable computers, tablet computers, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). Each user terminal 6 may have a built-in web browser. Furthermore, each user terminal 6 may be capable of installing a coupon app, an electronic payment app, and a point card app.

[0047] [1-2. Types of coupons] Next, the types of coupons issued by the coupon service will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing examples of coupon types. Coupons issued by the coupon service may be classified according to the type of coupon issuer. As shown in FIG. 2, there may be two types of coupons: shop coupons and manufacturer coupons. Shop coupons are coupons issued by retail store operators. Manufacturer coupons are coupons issued by manufacturers.

[0048] Depending on the type of coupon, the conditions for the retailers at which a user can use the coupon may vary. It is generally required that a transaction be made at the retailer that issued the coupon in order to use the coupon. As shown in FIG. 2, the retailers at which the coupon can be used may be limited to the retailers of the business that issued the coupon. If the issuer is a business that operates multiple store groups, the coupon may be usable at all of those store groups. Alternatively, the issuer may be able to specify one or more store groups from among those multiple store groups at which the coupon can be used. The conditions for the retailers at which the manufacturer coupon can be used may be specified by the manufacturer that issued the manufacturer coupon. For example, one or more retailers at which the manufacturer coupon can be used may be specified. Also, one or more types of retailers at which the manufacturer coupon can be used may be specified. Examples of the types of retailers that can be specified include business types. Examples of retailer business types include supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, department stores, and various specialty stores. Also, it may be specified that the manufacturer coupon can be used at any retailer.

[0049] Furthermore, the conditions for products on which a user can use a coupon may vary depending on the type of coupon. Using a coupon for a product may mean using the coupon when purchasing or ordering that product. As shown in FIG. 2, the conditions for products on which a shop coupon can be used may be specified by the retailer that issues the coupon. For example, one or more products on which the shop coupon can be used may be specified. Products designated as products on which a shop coupon can be used may include products manufactured by a manufacturer, or may include products manufactured by the retailer or a retailer. Furthermore, the shop coupon may be designated as being usable for any product. In this case, the shop coupon may be usable not only for products, but also when purchasing or reserving a service. It is stipulated that in order to use a manufacturer coupon, it is necessary to purchase a product manufactured by the issuer of the coupon. Products on which a manufacturer coupon can be used may be limited to products manufactured by the manufacturer that issued the manufacturer coupon. For example, a manufacturer coupon may be usable for all products manufactured by the manufacturer. Alternatively, the issuer, that is, the manufacturer, may be able to designate one or more products manufactured by the issuer on which the manufacturer coupon can be used. Hereafter, the issuer will always specify the products for which the manufacturer coupon can be used.

[0050] A coupon that can be used for products manufactured by a retail store or a business of a retail store and that can be used at that retail store is called a shop coupon. A manufacturer coupon may be a coupon that can be used when purchasing products manufactured by the manufacturer that issued the coupon at a retail store owned by a business different from the manufacturer.

[0051] [1-3. Coupon service server configuration] Next, the configuration of the coupon service server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the coupon service server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0052] The system control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, and the like.

[0053] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11 .

[0054] The memory unit 14 is configured with, for example, a hard disk drive or the like. This memory unit 14 may function as an example of a storage means for storing information. The memory unit 14 may store databases such as a retail store DB 14a, an issuer DB 14b, a coupon DB 14c, an acquired coupon DB 14d, and a transaction DB 14e. "DB" is an abbreviation for database. At least one of these databases may be stored in a server device other than the coupon service server 1. The coupon service server 1 may be able to access the database via that server device.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the coupon service server 1. The retail store DB 14a may store retail store information about each retail store. For example, the retail store DB 14a may store a retail store ID, a retail store name, a business type ID, and a business ID, etc., in association with one another, as retail store information. The retail store ID may be identification information that identifies the retail store. The retail store name may indicate the name of the retail store. The business type ID may be identification information that identifies the business type into which the retail store is classified, as an example of the type into which the retail store is classified. The business ID may be identification information that identifies the business of the retail store. If there is only a one-to-one correspondence between a retail store and its business, a business ID is not required. A one-to-one correspondence between a retail store and its business means that one business is involved in only one retail store (or one store group). In this case, the retail store and the business can be considered to be the same. The retail store information may be registered, for example, by the operator of the coupon service.

[0056] The issuer DB 14b may store issuer information about each issuer of a coupon. For example, the issuer DB 14b may store an issuer ID and an issuer type in association with each other. The issuer ID may be identification information that identifies the issuer. If the issuer is a retail store operator, the issuer ID may be the operator ID of that operator. If the issuer is a retail store operator and there is only a one-to-one correspondence between the retail store and the retail store operator, the issuer ID may be substituted with the retail store ID of that retail store. In this case, the issuer can be considered to be the retail store. The issuer type may indicate whether the issuer is the retail store operator or the manufacturer. The issuer information may be registered, for example, by the operator of the coupon service.

[0057] The coupon DB 14c may store coupon information for each of multiple coupons that can be obtained through the coupon service. The stored coupon information may be information that can identify the issuer of the coupon and the store where the coupon can be used. For example, the coupon DB 14c may store coupon information such as a coupon ID, an issuer ID, a coupon type, an issue date and time, a coupon name, an image uniform resource locator (URL), benefit information, and coupon usage conditions information, all of which are associated with one another. The coupon ID may be identification information that identifies the coupon. The issuer ID may indicate the issuer of the coupon. The issuer of the coupon can be identified based on the issuer ID. The coupon type may indicate whether the coupon is a shop coupon or a manufacturer coupon. If the issuer is a retail store operator, the coupon type indicates a shop coupon. If the issuer is a manufacturer, the coupon type indicates a manufacturer coupon. The issue date and time may indicate the date and time the coupon was issued. In other words, the issue date and time may indicate the date and time the coupon is placed in a state where it can be obtained by a user. The coupon information may indicate the date and time when the coupon information was stored in the coupon DB 14c. The coupon name may indicate the name of the coupon. If the issuer specifies the product for which the coupon can be used, the coupon name may include the name of the specified product. The image URL may be identification information that identifies image data of the coupon image. If the issuer specifies the product for which the coupon can be used, the coupon image may be an image of the specified product. The memory unit 14 may store image data of the coupon image in association with the image URL. The benefit information may indicate a benefit that the user can earn by using the coupon. In this embodiment, the benefit information indicates the number of points that the user can earn. The coupon usage condition information may indicate conditions that must be met to use the coupon. The coupon usage condition information may include, for example, coupon-available product information, coupon-available store condition information, transaction fact presentation method, and other conditions.The coupon-applicable product information may be information indicating a product for which the coupon can be used. For example, the coupon-applicable product information may include a product ID and a product name. The product ID may be identification information that identifies a product for which the coupon can be used. An example of a product ID is a product code. The product name may indicate the name of the product. If the coupon is a manufacturer coupon, the coupon-applicable product information may always be set. If the coupon is a shop coupon, the coupon-applicable product information may or may not be set. The absence of coupon-applicable product information may mean that the coupon-applicable product information indicates that the product is not specified, or that the coupon information does not include coupon-applicable product information. If coupon-applicable product information is not set, the coupon can be used for any product. The coupon-applicable store condition information may indicate the conditions for retail stores at which the coupon can be used. Based on the coupon-applicable store condition information, the settings for stores at which the coupon can be used can be identified. For example, the coupon-applicable store condition information may include at least one of coupon-applicable store information and coupon-applicable business type information. The coupon-applicable store information may indicate retail stores at which the coupon can be used. For example, the coupon-applicable store information may be a coupon-applicable retail store ID. The coupon usable retail store ID is the retail store ID of the retail store where the coupon can be used. The coupon usable business type information may indicate the business type into which the retail store where the coupon can be used is classified. For example, the coupon usable business type information may be the coupon usable business type ID. The coupon usable business type ID may be the business type ID of the retail store where the coupon can be used. If coupon usable store condition information is not set for a manufacturer coupon issued by the manufacturer, the coupon may be usable at any retail store. The fact that coupon usable product information is not set may mean that the coupon usable store condition information indicates that no conditions are specified, or that the coupon information does not include coupon usable store condition information.The coupon information for a shop coupon issued by a retailer may or may not include coupon usage store condition information. A shop coupon is defined as a coupon that can only be used at the retailer's retail store. Therefore, if a coupon is determined to be a shop coupon based on the issuer ID or coupon type, the retailer at which the coupon can be used can be identified as the retailer of the coupon's issuer. If the coupon information for a shop coupon issued by a retailer includes coupon usage store condition information, the coupon usage store condition information may indicate the retailer of the retailer. The transaction fact presentation method may indicate how the coupon can be used as a method for a user to present the fact that they have made a transaction at the retailer. For example, the transaction fact presentation method may indicate one or more of the following: requesting a receipt, using electronic payment, and presenting a point card. Other examples of conditions include making a purchase of a specified amount or more, the number of times the coupon can be used for a specified product, etc. At least some of the information included in the coupon information may be specified by the coupon issuer. For example, the issuer may specify the coupon name, coupon image, benefit information, and coupon usage condition information. The issuer ID and coupon type may be determined depending on the type of issuer. The registration of information about the coupon may be performed by the coupon issuer or by the operator of the coupon service. The coupon service server 1 may generate coupon information based on information input to the coupon setting terminal 5, for example. The coupon service server 1 may store the generated coupon information in the coupon DB 14c.

[0058] The acquired coupon DB 14d may store acquired coupon information about coupons acquired by users in the coupon service for each acquired coupon. For example, the acquired coupon DB 14d may store, as acquired coupon information, a user ID, a coupon ID, an acquisition date and time, an expiration date, usage information, and the like, in association with one another. The user ID may be identification information that identifies the user who acquired the coupon. The coupon ID may indicate the acquired coupon. The acquisition date and time may indicate the date and time when the coupon was acquired. The expiration date may indicate the last date and time when the coupon can be used. The usage information may indicate whether the coupon has been used.

[0059] The transaction DB 14e may store transaction information indicating a record of a transaction at a retail store for each transaction. The transaction information may be purchase information. The purchase information may be information indicating a record of a purchase of a product at a retail store. The purchase information may be information that can identify the purchased product and the retail store where the product was purchased. For example, the transaction DB 14e may store, in association with each other, the following transaction information: a transaction ID, a user ID, a retail store ID, a store ID, a transaction date and time, purchased product information, a total amount, and a transaction fact presentation method. The transaction ID may be identification information that identifies the transaction. The user ID may indicate the retail store and the user who performed the transaction. The retail store ID may indicate the retail store where the transaction was performed. The store ID may indicate the store where the transaction was performed. If the retail store where the transaction was performed is part of a store group, the store ID indicates the store in the store group where the transaction actually took place. The transaction date and time may indicate the date and time the transaction took place at the retail store. The purchased product information may be information about the product purchased in the transaction. For example, the purchased product information may include the product name, product ID, unit price, and quantity. The product ID may indicate the product that was traded. The unit price may indicate the price per unit of the product. The quantity may indicate the number of products traded. If multiple products are traded, multiple pieces of purchased product information may be stored for one transaction. If a service is purchased instead of a product, information about the purchased service may be stored instead of the purchased product information. The total amount may indicate the total amount paid by the user for the transaction. The transaction fact presentation method may indicate which method was used by the user to present the fact that the transaction was made: requesting a receipt, using electronic payment, or presenting a point card.

[0060] When requesting a receipt, the user selects one or more coupons they wish to use from the coupons they have already acquired. The user then photographs the receipt with the user terminal 6. The user terminal 6 may transmit image data of the receipt, the coupon ID of the selected coupon, and the user's user ID to the coupon service server 1. Upon receiving this information from the user terminal 6, the coupon service server 1 may perform character recognition on the image data of the receipt to identify the characters printed on the receipt. For example, the coupon service server 1 may identify the retail store name, store name, transaction date and time, product name, unit price, quantity, and total amount. The coupon service server 1 may obtain a retail store ID associated with the retail store name from the retail store DB 14a. The coupon service server 1 may also identify the store ID based on the store name. The coupon service server 1 may also identify the product ID of the purchased product from the product name. The coupon service server 1 may then generate transaction information including this information, a unique transaction ID, and a transaction fact presentation method indicating the receipt request, and store this transaction information in the transaction DB 14e. The coupon service server 1 may also store in the storage unit 14 the coupon ID of the coupon selected by the user in association with this transaction ID.

[0061] The electronic payment server 3 executes payment processing based on the payment information transmitted from the store terminal 2. The payment information may include, for example, payment identification information, a retail store ID, a store ID, purchased product information, and a total amount. The electronic payment server 3 may use a predetermined algorithm to convert the payment identification information contained in the payment information into the user ID of the user who used the electronic payment. The electronic payment server 3 may execute payment processing using a payment method pre-registered for the user who used the electronic payment. The electronic payment server 3 may generate transaction information based on the payment information, the user ID, and payment source information indicating the payment method. At this time, the electronic payment server 3 may generate transaction information including a transaction fact presentation method indicating the use of electronic payment. The electronic payment server 3 may transmit the generated transaction information to the coupon service server 1. The coupon service server 1 may add a unique transaction ID to the transaction information received from the electronic payment server 3 and store this transaction information in the transaction DB 14e.

[0062] The point card server 4 executes processing for redeeming and acquiring points based on the point card usage information transmitted from the store terminal 2. The point card usage information may include, for example, a card number, a retail store ID, a store ID, purchased product information, a total amount, and the number of points used. The point card server 4 may store a database that associates the card number of each point card with the user ID of the user who owns the point card. The point card server 4 may identify the user ID of the user who used the point card from the card number. The point card server 4 may calculate the number of points acquired, for example, by multiplying the total amount by a predetermined percentage. The point card server 4 may update the number of available points stored in the point card server 4 by adding the number of points acquired and subtracting the number of points used from the number of available points of the user who used the point card. The point card server 4 may generate transaction information based on the point card usage information and the user ID. At this time, the point card server 4 may generate transaction information including a transaction fact presentation method indicating the presentation of the point card. The point card server 4 may transmit the generated point transaction information to the coupon service server 1. The coupon service server 1 may add a unique transaction ID to the transaction information received from the electronic payment server 3 and store this transaction information in the transaction DB 14e.

[0063] The storage unit 14 may further store various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a server program. The server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute various processes related to the coupon service. The server program may be obtained from another device via the network NW, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0064] The communication unit 15 may be configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 15 may be connected to a device different from the coupon service server 1 via the network NW and control the communication state with the connected device.

[0065] [1-4. Functionality Overview] Next, an overview of the functions of the system control unit 11 in the coupon service server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 13. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the system control unit 11 in the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the system control unit 11 may function as a store screen request receiving unit 1101, a coupon identification unit 1102, a screen information sending unit 1103, a coupon granting request receiving unit 1104, a coupon granting unit 1105, a coupon usage control unit 1106, and the like, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the server program.

[0066] The store screen request receiving unit 1101 may receive from the user terminal 6 a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where the user can use a coupon. The specific store may be, for example, a retail store of the business that issues the coupon. For example, the specific store may be a retail store designated by a user of the coupon service. The screen for the specific store may be, for example, a screen that displays information about the specific retail store. For example, the screen for the specific store may be a screen that displays coupons that can be used at the specific retail store. The screen for the specific store may also be a screen that can accept an operation by the user to obtain a coupon. The screen for the specific store may also be a screen dedicated to the specific retail store. For example, the user may be able to designate a retail store on a coupon app or coupon service website.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coupon list screen. The coupon list screen may be a screen displaying a list of coupons available through a coupon service. For example, the user terminal 6 may display the coupon list screen in response to a user's operation to select coupon display on a coupon app or a coupon service website. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the coupon list screen 10 may include one or more coupon information areas 100, a menu icon 210, and one or more retailer icons 220. Each coupon information area 100 may display information about available coupons. For example, the coupon information area 100 may include an issuer icon 110, a coupon image 120, a coupon name 130, coupon-available retailer information 140, earnable points 150, and an earn button 160. The issuer icon 110 may be an icon indicating the issuer of the coupon. The coupon image 120 may be an image related to the coupon. If the issuer specifies a product for which the coupon can be used, the coupon image may be an image of the specified product. The coupon name 130 may indicate the name of the coupon. If the issuer specifies the product for which the coupon can be used, the coupon name 130 may include the name of the specified product. The coupon-usable retailer information 140 may indicate the retailer where the coupon can be used. For example, if the coupon can be used at any retailer, the coupon-usable retailer information 140 may display "Can be used anywhere." If the coupon can only be used at a specific retailer, the coupon-usable retailer information 140 may display "XXX only." "XXX" indicates the name of the retailer. If the coupon can only be used at a specific type of retailer, the coupon-usable retailer information 140 may display "YYY only." "YYY" indicates the name of the type of retailer. The earnable points number 150 may indicate the number of points the user can earn by using the coupon. The earn button 160 may be an element that can be operated to earn the coupon. In the coupon information area 100 for a coupon that the user has already earned, earned information 170 is displayed instead of the earn button 160.The acquired information 170 indicates that a coupon has been acquired. The menu icon 210 may be an element operable to display a menu for a coupon service. For example, a user can operate this menu to display an acquired coupon list screen. The acquired coupon list screen may be a screen showing a list of coupons that the user has acquired but not yet used. Each retail store icon 220 may be an element operable to display a coupon screen for a specific retail store as an example of a screen for a specific retail store. Each retail store icon 220 may be an icon indicating the retail store to which the retail store icon 220 corresponds. The user may be able to specify a retail store by operating the retail store icon 220. In response to operating any of the retail store icons 220, the user terminal 6 may transmit a request for a coupon screen for a specific retail store to the coupon service server 1 as an example of a request for a screen for a specific store. In this manner, the store screen request receiving unit 1101 may receive the request for a screen for a specific store. The request for a coupon screen for a specific retail store may include, for example, at least one of the retail store ID of the retail store specified by the user and the business ID of the business of that retail store. The request for a coupon screen for a specific retail store may also include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 6 that sent the request.

[0068] When the coupon identification unit 1102 receives a request for a screen for a specific store from the user terminal 6, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, from among multiple coupons that can be used in the coupon service, coupons that can be used at the specific retail store corresponding to the received request, based on the coupon information stored in the coupon DB 14c. The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, based on the coupon information stored in the coupon DB 14c, a first coupon issued by the business operator of the specific retail store and a second coupon issued by a manufacturer different from the business operator of the specific retail store. The first coupon may be a shop coupon. The first coupon may also be a coupon that can be used only at the specific retail store that issued the coupon. The second coupon may also be a manufacturer coupon. The second coupon may also be a coupon that can be used only for products manufactured by the manufacturer that issued the coupon. Here, the second coupon may also be a coupon that can be used only for products specified by the manufacturer among products manufactured by the manufacturer that issued the coupon. Furthermore, the second coupon may also be a coupon that is set to be usable at the specific retail store. The second coupon may be redeemable at a retailer other than the specified retailer, as long as it is set to be redeemable at the specified retailer. Even if the second coupon is redeemable for products manufactured by the specified retailer or the business operator of the specified retailer, the coupon issued by the business operator of the specified retailer or the coupon redeemable at the specified retailer is the first coupon.

[0069] The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify the first coupon based on, for example, the issuer ID included in the coupon information. In this case, the coupon identification unit 1102 may acquire, from the retail store DB 14a, a business ID associated with the retail store ID of the specific retail store included in the request for a coupon screen for the specific retail store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may search for coupon information including an issuer ID that matches the business ID of the business of the specific retail store that has been acquired, as the coupon information for the first coupon. If the issuer ID is substituted with the retail store ID of a retail store associated with the issuer, the coupon identification unit 1102 may search for coupon information including an issuer ID that matches the retail store ID of the specific retail store, as the coupon information for the first coupon. If there is only a one-to-one correspondence between a retail store and a business of the retail store, the first coupon may be identified in this manner. Alternatively, the coupon identification unit 1102 may search for coupon information including an issuer ID that matches the business ID of the business of the specific retail store, as the information for the first coupon, as the coupon information for the first coupon. The first coupon may be identified in this manner when there is a possibility that there is a multiple-to-one correspondence between a retail store and the retail store's business operators. A multiple-to-one correspondence between a retail store and the retail store's business operators means that one business operator is involved in multiple retail stores (or multiple store groups).

[0070] When identifying the second coupon, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify a coupon that can be used at a specific retail store based on, for example, coupon availability store condition information included in the coupon information. For example, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, as the second coupon, a coupon that satisfies the conditions indicated by the coupon availability store condition information at the specific store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, as the second coupon, a coupon that satisfies the conditions indicated by the coupon availability store condition information at the specific store and that is issued by a manufacturer or a manufacturer coupon, based on at least one of the issuer ID and coupon type included in the coupon information in addition to the coupon availability store condition information. For example, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify a coupon that is associated with the issuer ID and stored in the issuer DB 14b and whose issuer type is a manufacturer. Alternatively, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify a coupon whose coupon type is a manufacturer coupon. If the coupon service predetermines that the manufacturer issuing the coupon is different from the retailer, it is not necessary to determine whether the issuer of the coupon is different from the retailer to determine whether the coupon is a second coupon. When it is necessary to determine whether the issuer of a coupon is different from the business operator of the specific retail store, the issuer ID of the issuer can be compared with the business ID of the business operator of the specific retail store.

[0071] The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, as the second coupon, coupons that include a specific retailer among the retailers designated by the manufacturer (issuer) as retailers at which the coupon can be used, and coupons for which no retailer is designated. The coupon identification unit 1102 may perform this identification based on, for example, coupon-usable store information. For example, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, among coupons issued by the manufacturer, coupons whose coupon information includes a coupon-usable retailer ID that matches the retailer ID of the specific retailer as coupons whose designated retailers include the specific retailer. Furthermore, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, among coupons issued by the manufacturer, coupons whose coupon information does not include a coupon-usable retailer ID as coupons for which no retailer is designated.

[0072] The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, as the second coupon, coupons that include a business type in which the specific retail store is classified as a business type designated by the manufacturer (issuer) as a business type of retail store in which the coupon can be used, and coupons that do not specify a business type of the retail store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may perform this identification based on, for example, coupon availability business type information. For example, the coupon identification unit 1102 may acquire, from the retail store DB 14a, a business type ID of the business type in which the specific retail store is classified, associated with the retail store ID of the specific retail store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, among coupons issued by the manufacturer, coupons whose coupon information includes a coupon availability business type ID that matches the business type ID of the business type in which the specific retail store is classified, as coupons whose specified business type includes a business type in which the specific retail store is classified. Furthermore, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, among coupons issued by the manufacturer, coupons whose coupon information does not include a coupon availability business type ID as coupons whose retail store type is not specified.

[0073] The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify the third, fourth, and fifth coupons as the second coupons. The third coupon may be a coupon that includes the specific retail store among the retail stores designated by the manufacturer (issuer) as retail stores where the coupon can be used. The fourth coupon may be a coupon that includes the business type into which the specific retail store is classified among the business types into which the coupon can be used, designated by the manufacturer (issuer). The fifth coupon may be a coupon that does not specify either the retail store where the coupon can be used or the business type of the retail store where the coupon can be used. For example, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify, as the third coupon, a coupon issued by the manufacturer, whose coupon information includes a coupon-usable retail store ID that matches the retail store ID of the specific retail store. In other words, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify a manufacturer coupon designated as usable at the specific retail store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may also obtain, from the retail store DB 14a, the business type ID of the business type into which the specific retail store is classified, associated with the retail store ID of the specific retail store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may identify as the fourth coupon a coupon whose coupon information includes a coupon usable business category ID that matches the business category ID of the business category to which the specific retail store is classified, among coupons issued by the manufacturer. That is, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify a manufacturer coupon whose coupon information is designated as usable at stores of the same business category to which the specific retail store is classified. The coupon identification unit 1102 may also identify as the fifth coupon a coupon whose coupon information includes neither a coupon usable retail store ID nor a coupon usable business category ID, among coupons issued by the manufacturer. That is, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify a manufacturer coupon that can be used at any store.

[0074] Alternatively, the coupon identification unit 1102 may identify coupons that can be used at a specific retail store based on coupon-usable store condition information included in the coupon information. Coupons that can be used at a specific retail store fall into either the first coupon or the second coupon. For example, the coupon identification unit 1102 may search for coupon information including a coupon-usable retail store ID that matches the retail store ID of the specific retail store. The coupon identification unit 1102 may also search for coupon information including a coupon-usable business category ID that matches the business category ID of the business category to which the specific retail store is classified. The coupon identification unit 1102 may also search for coupon information that does not include either a coupon-usable retail store ID or a coupon-usable business category ID. When distinguishing between the first coupon and the second coupon, the coupon identification unit 1102 may make this distinction based on the coupon type included in the searched coupon information. If the coupon type indicates a shop coupon, the coupon is the first coupon. If the coupon type indicates a manufacturer coupon, the coupon is the second coupon.

[0075] The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit screen information to the user terminal 6. The screen information may be information that causes the user terminal 6 to display a specific screen related to the coupon service. By transmitting the screen information, the coupon service server 1 may cause the user terminal 6 to display that screen. For example, the screen information may be an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document of a web page that corresponds to that screen. In this case, the screen can be referred to as a web page or a page. Alternatively, the screen information may include information that indicates information or elements that should be displayed on that screen. Alternatively, the screen information may indicate a command to display that screen.

[0076] The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information to the user terminal 6 as an example of screen information. The coupon screen information may be screen information for displaying a screen for a specific store. The screen for a specific store may be a screen including a first coupon and a second coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102. Since not only the first coupon issued by the specific retail store but also the second coupon issued by the manufacturer and set to be usable at the specific retail store are displayed on the user terminal 6, it is expected that the opportunities for users to acquire or use coupons will increase.

[0077] The screen for the specific store may be a screen that can accept an operation to acquire the first coupon and the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 all at once. This allows the user to save the trouble of acquiring coupons that can be used at the specific retail store one by one. For example, the screen for the specific store may include an element that can be operated to acquire the first coupon and the second coupon all at once. Examples of such elements include a button, an icon, Examples of the information include links, menus, check boxes, etc. The screen for the specific store may be the coupon screen for the specific retail store described above. In response to the store screen request receiving unit 1101 receiving the coupon screen request for the specific retail store, the screen information sending unit 1103 may generate coupon screen information and send the coupon screen information.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retailer. In FIG. 7, the same elements as in FIG. 6 are assigned the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 7, the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer may include a menu icon 210, a retailer name 310, a business type 320, a bulk acquisition button 330, and one or more coupon display areas 100. The retailer name 310 may indicate the name of the specific retailer. For example, "AAA" is displayed as the retailer name 310. The business type 320 may indicate the business type of the specific retailer. For example, "supermarket" is displayed as the business type 320. In other words, the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 7 is a screen for a supermarket named "AAA." This supermarket is referred to as Supermarket A. The bulk acquisition button 330 may be an element that can be operated to acquire a first coupon and a second coupon at the same time. Each coupon display area 100 may be an area that displays information about any one of the first coupon and the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102. As described above, each coupon display area 100 may include an issuer icon 110, a coupon image 120, a coupon name 130, retailer information 140 where the coupon can be used, the number of earnable points 150, and an acquire button 160. In the coupon display area 100 for a coupon that the user has already acquired, acquired information 170 may be displayed instead of the acquire button 160.

[0079] In FIG. 7, coupon display areas 100 include coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6. These coupon display areas 100 are displayed in two columns and multiple rows. However, these coupon display areas 100 may be displayed in one column or three or more columns. Furthermore, these coupon display areas 100 may be displayed in one row. Among these coupon display areas, coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 are display areas for information on a first coupon. The issuer icon 110 for each of the coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 indicates that the issuer is Supermarket A. Furthermore, the coupon-usable retailer information 140 for each of the coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 indicates that the coupon can only be used at Supermarket A. The coupon corresponding to coupon display area 100-1 is a coupon that does not limit the products that can be used with it. The coupon corresponding to coupon display area 100-2 is a coupon that is limited to products that are manufactured by supermarket A and specified by supermarket A. The coupon corresponding to coupon display area 100-3 is a coupon that is limited to products that are manufactured by a manufacturer other than supermarket A and specified by supermarket A. Whether or not the products that the coupon can be used with are limited can be recognized from regular coupon name 130.

[0080] Coupon display areas 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6 are display areas for information about the second coupon. The issuer icon 110 in each of coupon display areas 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6 indicates that the issuer is a manufacturer different from Supermarket A. Furthermore, from the coupon name 130 in each of coupon display areas 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6, it can be recognized that the products for which the coupon can be used are limited. Products for which the second coupon can be used are products manufactured by the manufacturer that issued the coupon. The coupon corresponding to coupon display area 100-4 is a coupon that can be used only at Supermarket A. The coupon corresponding to coupon display area 100-5 is a coupon that can be used only at supermarkets as a business type. Therefore, this coupon can also be used at Supermarket A. The coupon corresponding to coupon display area 100-6 is a coupon that can be used at any retail store. Therefore, this coupon can also be used at Supermarket A. The coupon usable retailer information 140 indicates whether or not the retailers at which the coupon can be used are limited.

[0081] The screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit to the user terminal 6 coupon screen information for displaying the first coupon at a higher position on the screen for the specific retailer than the position at which the second coupon is displayed. This allows the specific retailer's own coupons to be displayed with higher priority. A higher position may indicate a higher display order for the coupon. For example, the higher the display order, the more likely the coupon is to be displayed at a position that is easier for the user to see, more likely to be displayed on the screen, or more likely to be selected by the user. For example, the higher the position on the screen, the higher the display order. Among positions at the same height on the screen, the further to the left the position, the higher the display order. In FIG. 7 , the coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6 have the highest display order. Among these coupon display areas, the coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 have the highest display order, and the information of the first coupon is displayed in these coupon display areas. The coupon display areas 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6, which are lower in display order, display information about the second coupon.

[0082] When the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies coupons that include a specific retailer among the retailers designated by the manufacturer (issuer) as retailers at which the coupon can be used and coupons that do not specify a retailer, the screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information that displays coupons that include a specific retailer among the designated retailers in a position higher than the position at which coupons without a specified retailer are displayed. This allows coupons that are more closely related to the specific retailer to be displayed with higher priority. Also, coupons that are more likely to be usable at the specific retailer to be displayed with higher priority. When a specific retailer is designated by the manufacturer as a retailer at which the coupon can be used, there is a higher probability that the specific retailer handles the product designated by the manufacturer than when the specific retailer is not designated.

[0083] When the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies coupons that include a business category in which the specific retail store is classified as a business category designated by the manufacturer (issuer) as a business category in which the coupon can be used, and coupons that do not specify a business category, the screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information that displays coupons that include a business category in which the specific retail store is classified as a business category in a position higher than the position in which coupons that do not specify a business category are displayed. This allows coupons that are more closely related to the specific retail store to be displayed with higher priority. Also, coupons that are more likely to be usable at the specific retail store to be displayed with higher priority. If a business category in which the specific retail store is classified by the manufacturer is designated as a business category in which the coupon can be used, there is a higher probability that the specific retail store handles the product designated by the manufacturer than if this is not the case.

[0084] When the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies the third coupon, the fourth coupon, and the fifth coupon as the second coupon, the screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information that displays the third coupon in a position higher than the position where the fourth coupon is displayed on the screen for the specific store. Furthermore, the screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information that displays the fourth coupon in a position higher than the position where the fifth coupon is displayed on the screen for the specific store. That is, the screen information transmission unit 1103 may prioritize the display of the third coupon, the fourth coupon, and the fifth coupon in this order among the second coupons. This allows coupons that are more relevant to the specific retail store to be displayed with higher priority. Furthermore, coupons that are more likely to be usable at the specific retail store to be displayed with higher priority. The second coupon is a coupon that can be used for products designated by the manufacturer that issues the coupon. The third coupon is a coupon for which the issuer specifies the retail store where the coupon can be used. The fourth coupon is a coupon for which the issuer specifies the type of retail store where the coupon can be used. The fifth coupon is a coupon that does not specify the retail store or business type at which the coupon can be used. If a specific retail store is designated by the manufacturer as a retail store where the coupon can be used, there is a fairly high probability that the specific retail store carries the product designated by the manufacturer. If a manufacturer designates a business type that is the same as the business type into which the specific retail store is classified as a retail store type where the coupon can be used, there is a fairly high probability that at least one retail store of that business type carries the product designated by the manufacturer, but the probability that the specific retail store carries that product is somewhat lower. Regardless of the business type, there is an extremely high probability that at least one retail store carries the product designated by the manufacturer, but the probability that the specific retail store carries that product is even lower.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between coupons and display order. As shown in FIG. 8, the coupon with the highest display order is the first coupon. The first coupon is a shop coupon issued by a specific retailer. The coupon with the second highest display order is the third coupon of the second coupons. The coupon with the third highest display order is the fourth coupon of the second coupons. The coupon with the fourth highest display order is the fifth coupon of the second coupons. The third, fourth, and fifth coupons are manufacturer coupons.

[0086] In FIG. 7, coupon display area 100-4 displays information about a third coupon. That is, information about a coupon that can only be used at Supermarket A is displayed. Coupon display area 100-5 displays information about a fourth coupon. That is, information about a coupon that can only be used at supermarkets as a business type is displayed. Coupon display area 100-6 displays information about a fifth coupon. That is, information about a coupon that can be used at any retail store is displayed. As mentioned above, the display order is highest in coupon display area 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6.

[0087] An upper limit on the number of coupons that can be displayed on a screen for a specific retail store may be set in advance. If the number of coupons identified by coupon identification unit 1102 exceeds the upper limit, screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate coupon screen information so that a screen including only the coupons with the highest display priority among those coupons is displayed.

[0088] The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit screen information for displaying the acquired coupon list screen to the user terminal 6. For example, a user performs an operation to display the acquired coupon list screen. In response to this operation, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may search the acquired coupon DB 14d for each piece of acquired coupon information including the user's user ID, which includes a combination of an unexpired expiration date and usage information indicating that the coupon has not been used. The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may acquire coupon information for acquired coupons from the coupon DB 14c based on the coupon ID included in each piece of searched coupon information. The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate screen information for the acquired coupon list screen based on the acquired coupon information. At this time, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate screen information that can accept an operation to proceed to a receipt request on the acquired coupon list screen. Furthermore, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate screen information that can accept an operation to select one or more coupons to be used in a receipt request from among the acquired coupons.

[0089] The coupon grant request receiving unit 1104 may receive a coupon grant request transmitted from the user terminal 6 in response to a user's operation to acquire a coupon. The coupon grant request may be information indicating a request for a coupon to be granted. In other words, the coupon grant request may indicate a request for the user to acquire a coupon. For example, when the user terminal 6 is displaying the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer, the user operates the coupon acquisition button 160 in any of the coupon display areas 100. In response to this operation, the user terminal 6 may transmit a coupon grant request to the coupon service server 1. The user may also be able to select a portion of the coupon display area 100 other than the acquisition button 160. In response to this operation, the user terminal 6 may display a coupon details window. The coupon details window may be a window that displays detailed information about the coupon corresponding to the coupon display area 100. For example, the coupon details window may display a coupon image, a coupon name, information about retailers where the coupon can be used, the number of points that can be acquired, the conditions for use, and the expiration date. The coupon details window may be displayed superimposed on the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer. The coupon details window may further display either a get button or a send button. The get button may be an element that can be operated to get the coupon corresponding to the coupon details window. The get button may be displayed when the user has not yet got the coupon. The send button may be an element that can be operated to send image data of the receipt in a receipt request when using the coupon corresponding to the coupon details window. The send button may be displayed when the user has already got the coupon but has not yet used it. In response to the user operating the get button displayed in the coupon details window, the user terminal 6 may send a coupon grant request. The coupon grant request may include, for example, the coupon ID of the coupon corresponding to the coupon display area 100 and the user ID of the user of the user terminal 6 who sent the coupon grant request.

[0090] Furthermore, the coupon grant request receiving unit 1104 may transmit a coupon bulk grant request to the coupon service server in response to a user operating the bulk acquisition button 330. The coupon bulk grant request may be information indicating a request to grant the first coupon and the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in a lump sum. The coupon bulk grant request may include, for example, the coupon IDs of the first coupon and the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 and the user ID of the user of the user terminal 6 that transmitted the coupon bulk grant request. When generating coupon screen information to be transmitted to the user terminal 6, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate coupon screen information so that the user terminal 6 transmits the coupon bulk grant request. Here, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate coupon screen information in response to an event of operating the bulk acquisition button 330 so that the user terminal 6 includes the coupon IDs of all coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in the coupon bulk grant request.

[0091] The coupon granting unit 1105 may grant a coupon to a user in response to an operation by the user to acquire the coupon. For example, when the coupon granting request receiving unit 1104 receives a coupon granting request, the coupon granting unit 1105 may acquire a user ID and a coupon ID from the coupon granting request. The coupon granting unit 1105 may generate acquired coupon information including the acquired user ID and coupon ID. The coupon granting unit 1105 may store the generated acquired coupon information in the acquired coupon DB 14d. As a result, the coupon granting unit 1105 may grant the coupon. When granting the coupon, the coupon granting unit 1105 or the screen information sending unit 1103 may cause the user terminal 6 to display information indicating that the coupon has been acquired.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon screen for a specific retailer when a coupon is acquired. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon screen for a specific retailer after the coupon has been acquired. The coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a user performs an operation of pressing the acquire button 160 in the coupon display area 100-1 with the user's finger 400. In response to this operation, the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer changes to the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 10. In the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 10, the acquire button 160 in the coupon display area 100-1 has been changed to acquired information 170.

[0093] The coupon granting unit 1105 may grant all of the first and second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 to the user in response to an operation to acquire those coupons in a lump sum. The coupon granting unit 1105 may store the coupon IDs of the first and second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in association with the user ID of the user who performed the lump sum acquisition operation in a predetermined acquired coupon information storage unit that stores a coupon ID identifying an acquired coupon and a user ID identifying the user who acquired the coupon in association with each other. In this manner, the coupon granting unit 1105 may grant the coupons. Here, the coupon granting unit 1105 does not need to grant to the user any coupons that the user has already acquired, out of the first and second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102. For example, when the coupon granting request receiving unit 1104 receives a coupon lump sum granting request, the coupon granting unit 1105 may acquire the user ID and all coupon IDs from the coupon granting request. The coupon granting unit 1105 may determine, for each acquired coupon ID, whether acquired coupon information including a user ID and the coupon ID has already been stored in the acquired coupon DB 14d. The coupon granting unit 1105 may generate acquired coupon information including a user ID and the coupon ID for each acquired coupon ID for which acquired coupon information is not stored. The coupon granting unit 1105 may store each generated piece of acquired coupon information in the acquired coupon DB 14d. In this way, the coupon granting unit 1105 may grant coupons in a batch. When granting coupons in a batch, the coupon granting unit 1105 or the screen information sending unit 1103 may display information on the user terminal 6 indicating that the coupons have been acquired.

[0094] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retailer during a bulk coupon acquisition operation. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a bulk coupon acquisition result window. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen for a specific retailer after a bulk coupon acquisition operation. The coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer shown in FIG. 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a user performs an operation of pressing a bulk acquisition button 330 with the user's finger 400. In response to this operation, the user terminal 6 may display a bulk coupon acquisition result window. The bulk coupon acquisition result window may be a window indicating that coupons have been acquired in bulk. The bulk coupon acquisition result window may be displayed superimposed on the coupon screen 300 for a specific retailer. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the bulk coupon acquisition result window 500 may include acquired coupon information 510, an acquired coupon display button 520, and a delete button 530. The acquired coupon information 510 indicates that the user has acquired a coupon and may also indicate the number of coupons the user has acquired. The acquired coupon display button 520 may be an element that can be operated to display a screen listing acquired coupons. The delete button 530 may be an element that can be operated to close the coupon bulk acquisition result window 500 and bring the specific retailer coupon screen 300 to the foreground. In response to the user operating the delete button 530, the user terminal 6 displays the specific retailer coupon screen 300 shown in Fig. 13. In the specific retailer coupon screen 300 shown in Fig. 13, the acquire button 160 in each of the coupon display areas 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5, and 100-6 has been changed to acquired information 170.

[0095] The coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether a user meets the coupon use conditions and may provide a benefit corresponding to the coupon to a user who meets the use conditions. For example, the coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether a user meets the coupon use conditions based on the transaction information stored in the storage unit 14, the acquired coupon information stored in the acquired coupon DB 14d, and the coupon use condition information included in the coupon information stored in the coupon DB 14c. The coupon use control unit 1106 may identify candidate coupons to be used depending on the method of presentation of the fact that a transaction has been made. For example, if the presentation method is electronic payment or presentation of a point card, the candidate coupons to be used may be coupons that have been acquired by the user who has made a transaction at a retail store, have not yet expired, and have not yet been used. In this case, the candidate coupons to be used can be identified based on the acquired coupon information. When the presentation method is a receipt request, the candidate coupons for use may be coupons that have not yet expired and that have been selected by the user in the receipt request, among those already acquired by the user who conducted a transaction at the retail store. In this case, the candidate coupons for use may be identified based on the acquired coupon information and a coupon ID stored in the storage unit 14 in association with the transaction ID of the transaction information. The coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether the use conditions are met based on the transaction information and the coupon use condition information of the candidate coupon. For example, if the coupon use condition information includes coupon-usable product information, the coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether a product for which a coupon can be used was purchased by comparing a product ID included in the coupon-usable product information with a product ID included in the purchased product information of the transaction information. Furthermore, if the coupon use condition information includes a coupon-usable retailer ID, the coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether the transaction was conducted at a retailer for which a coupon can be used by comparing the coupon-usable retailer ID with the retailer ID included in the transaction information.Furthermore, if the coupon use condition information includes a coupon usable business category ID, the coupon use control unit 1106 may obtain, from the retail store DB 14a, a business category ID associated with the retail store ID included in the transaction information. The coupon use control unit 1106 may compare the coupon usable business category ID with the obtained business category ID to determine whether the transaction was made at a retail store in a business category where the coupon can be used. If it is determined that the use conditions are met, the coupon use control unit 1106 grants a benefit to a user identified by a user ID included in the transaction information. For example, the coupon use control unit 1106 may obtain the number of accruable points from benefit information included in the coupon information. The coupon use control unit 1106 may send a point addition request to the point card server 4. The point addition request may indicate a request to add a specified number of points to the number of usable points of a specified user. The point addition request may include the user ID of the user to whom the benefit is to be granted and the number of accruable points. The point card server 4 that has received the point addition request may update the number of available points stored in association with the user ID of the user to whom the privilege is to be granted by adding the number of points that can be acquired. In this way, the privilege may be granted to the user.

[0096] Assume that a screen including the first coupon and the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 is displayed based on the coupon screen information transmitted by the screen information transmission unit 1103, and that at least one of the first coupon and the second coupon is acquired by the user on this screen. In this case, the coupon usage control unit 1106 determines whether the usage conditions for at least one of the acquired first coupon and the second coupon are satisfied. The first coupon is a coupon issued by a business operator of a specific retail store. In order for a user to use a coupon issued by a business operator of a retail store, the user must conduct a transaction at the retail store that issues the coupon. For example, the coupon usage control unit 1106 may determine whether the transaction was conducted at a specific retail store based on the retail store ID and the retail store ID of the specific retail store included in the transaction information. If the transaction was conducted at the specific retail store, the coupon usage control unit 1106 may determine, for example, that the usage conditions are satisfied and decide to grant a benefit. For example, the coupon-available retail store ID included in the coupon information of a coupon issued by a business operator of a retail store may be the retail store ID of the issuer. In this case, the coupon usage control unit 1106 may determine whether a transaction has been made at a specific retailer based on the coupon-available retailer ID included in the coupon information of the first coupon and the retailer ID included in the transaction information, as described above. Alternatively, the coupon usage control unit 1106 may obtain, from the retailer DB 14a, a retailer ID associated with the issuer ID included in the coupon information. The coupon usage control unit 1106 may determine whether a transaction has been made at a specific retailer based on the coupon-available retailer ID included in the coupon information and this retailer ID. The second coupon is a coupon issued by a manufacturer. In order for a user to use a coupon issued by a manufacturer, the user must purchase a product manufactured by that issuer. For example, the coupon usage control unit 1106 may determine whether a product manufactured by the issuer has been purchased based on a product ID included in the transaction information. For example, the coupon usage control unit 1106 may determine that the usage conditions have been met and decide to grant a benefit if a product manufactured by the issuer has been purchased, for example.For example, the memory unit 14 may store a database that associates manufacturers with products. For example, the memory unit 14 may store, for each product, a product ID of the product and a manufacturer ID of the product's manufacturer. The manufacturer ID may be identification information that identifies the manufacturer. The issuer ID of the manufacturer may be the same as the manufacturer's manufacturer ID. The coupon use control unit 1106 may acquire from the memory unit 14 a product ID associated with the issuer ID included in the coupon information of the first coupon. The coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether a product manufactured by the issuer has been purchased based on the product ID included in the transaction information and the acquired product ID. In order for a user to use a coupon issued by a manufacturer, it may be necessary to purchase a product specified by the issuer from among products manufactured by the issuer. In this case, the coupon use control unit 1106 may determine whether a product specified by the issuer has been purchased based on the product ID included in the transaction information and the product ID of the coupon-available product information in the coupon information of the second coupon. The second coupon is a coupon that is set to be usable at a specific retail store. However, depending on the retailer's designation by the issuer, purchasing a product at a specific retailer may not be necessary to use the second coupon. Therefore, the coupon usage control unit 1106 does not necessarily need to determine whether the product was purchased at a specific retailer. If the usage conditions include other conditions, those conditions must be met in order for the benefit to be granted.

[0097] [1-5. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 may execute the processes described below in accordance with various program codes included in the server program. The processes shown in Figures 14 and 15 are examples, and any process may be executed as long as the purpose is achieved. The order of the processes is not limited to the order shown in these figures. Furthermore, at least one of the steps shown in these figures may not be executed.

[0098] 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may execute the coupon screen information transmission process in response to receiving a coupon screen request for a specific retail store transmitted from the user terminal 6.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 14, the coupon identification unit 1102 acquires the retail store ID of the specific retail store from the coupon screen request for the specific retail store (step S101). Next, the coupon identification unit 1102 acquires the business ID stored in the retail store DB 14a in association with the acquired retail store ID as the issuer ID of the business of the specific retail store (step S102). Next, the coupon identification unit 1102 searches the coupon DB 14c for coupon information including the issuer ID of the business of the specific retail store (step S103). As a result, the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies the first coupon. At this time, the coupon identification unit 1102 may search, as the coupon information of the first coupon, for coupon information including the issuer ID of the business of the specific retail store, for coupon information including a coupon-available retail store ID that matches the retail store ID of the specific retail store.

[0100] Next, the coupon identification unit 1102 searches the coupon DB 14c for coupon information including a coupon type indicating a manufacturer coupon, and for coupon information including a coupon-available retail store ID that matches the retail store ID of the specified retail store (step S104). As a result, the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies the second coupon as the third coupon. Next, the coupon identification unit 1102 acquires a business ID associated with the retail store ID of the specified retail store from the retail store DB 14a (step S105). Next, the coupon identification unit 1102 searches the coupon DB 14c for coupon information including a coupon type indicating a manufacturer coupon, and for coupon information including a coupon-available business category ID that matches the business category ID of the business category to which the specified retail store is classified (step S106). As a result, the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies the second coupon as the fourth coupon. Next, the coupon identification unit 1102 searches the coupon DB 14c for coupon information including a coupon type indicating a manufacturer coupon, and for coupon information that does not include either a coupon-available retail store ID or a coupon-available business category ID (step S107). As a result, the coupon identification unit 1102 identifies the second coupon as the fifth coupon.

[0101] Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 determines the display order on the coupon screen for the specific retailer for the coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in steps S103, S104, S106, and S107 (step S108). At this time, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 determines the display order so that the first coupon, the third coupon, the fourth coupon, and the fifth coupon have the highest display order in this order. Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 obtains an HTML document template for the coupon screen for the specific retailer from the storage unit 14 as an example of coupon screen information (step S109). Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 adds information about the retailer to the HTML document for the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S110). For example, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may add the name of the retailer or the name of the business type. Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 generates information indicating the display content in the coupon display area 100 for each coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102 (step S111). For example, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate information including the URL of the image data of the issuer icon 110, the URL of the image data of the coupon image 120, the coupon name 130, coupon availability retailer information 140 corresponding to the coupon availability condition information, and the number of earnable points 150 corresponding to the benefit information. The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may also determine whether or not acquired coupon information, including a combination of the user ID of the user of the user terminal 6 that has transmitted the coupon screen request for the specific retailer and the coupon ID of each coupon, is stored in the acquired coupon DB 14d, thereby determining whether or not to display the acquire button 160 or the acquired information 170. The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may generate information for each coupon based on the result of this determination. Next, the screen information sending unit 1103 adds the generated information of each coupon to the HTML document of the coupon screen for the specific retailer so that the coupons are displayed in the display order determined in step S108 (step S112). Next, the screen information sending unit 1103 adds information for the user terminal 6 to send a bulk coupon grant request to the coupon service server 1 in response to the operation of the bulk acquisition button 330 to the HTML document of the coupon screen for the specific retailer.For example, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may obtain the coupon ID of each coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102 from the coupon information of that coupon. The coupon identifying unit 1102 may add a list including the obtained coupon IDs to the HTML document, associating it with the "Get All at Once" button 330. Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 transmits the HTML document of the coupon screen for the specific retailer to the user terminal 6 (step S114), and the coupon screen information transmitting process ends. The user terminal 6 displays the coupon screen for the specific retailer based on this HTML document.

[0102] 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon bulk granting process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, when the user terminal 6 is displaying a coupon screen for a specific retailer, the user operates the bulk acquisition button 330. In response to this operation, the user terminal 6 transmits a coupon bulk granting request to the coupon service server 1. The coupon bulk granting request includes a list of coupon IDs associated with the bulk acquisition button 330 and the user ID of the user. The system control unit 11 may execute the coupon bulk granting process in response to receiving the coupon bulk granting request transmitted from the user terminal 6.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 15, the coupon granting unit 1105 acquires a list of coupon IDs from the coupon batch grant request (step S201). Next, for each coupon ID included in the list, the coupon granting unit 1105 searches the acquired coupon DB 14d for acquired coupon information including a combination of the coupon ID and the user ID of the user terminal 6 that sent the coupon batch grant request (step S202). As a result of the search, the coupon granting unit 1105 generates acquired coupon information for coupon IDs included in the list whose acquired coupon information is not stored in the acquired coupon DB 14d (step S203). For example, the coupon granting unit 1105 may generate acquired coupon information including the coupon ID, the user ID of the user terminal 6 that sent the coupon batch grant request, an expiration date indicating a predetermined time in a predetermined number of days, and usage information indicating that the coupon has not been used. Next, the coupon granting unit 1105 stores each generated acquired coupon information in the acquired coupon DB 14d (step S204). Next, the coupon granting unit 1105 transmits an instruction to display a coupon bulk acquisition result window and an instruction to change the Acquire button display to the user terminal 6 (step S205), and the bulk coupon granting process ends. The instruction to display a coupon bulk acquisition result window is information indicating an instruction to display the coupon bulk acquisition result window. The instruction to display a coupon bulk acquisition result window may include the number of coupons the user has acquired this time. The instruction to change the Acquire button display is information indicating an instruction to display acquired information 170 in place of the Acquire button 160 displayed in the coupon display area 100 of the coupon acquired this time by the user on the coupon screen 300 for the specific retailer. The user terminal 6 displays the coupon bulk acquisition result window in accordance with the instruction to display a coupon bulk acquisition result window, and erases the Acquire button 160 and displays acquired information 170 in accordance with the Acquire button display change instruction.

[0104] As described above, according to this embodiment, the coupon service server 1 may receive a request for a coupon screen for a specific retail store from the user terminal 6. Furthermore, based on the coupon information stored in the storage unit 14, the coupon service server 1 may identify, from among multiple coupons, a first coupon issued by the business operator of the specific retail store and a second coupon issued by a manufacturer that produces products available at the store and that can be used at the specific retail store. Furthermore, the coupon service server 1 may transmit coupon screen information to the user terminal 6 that displays a screen including the first coupon and the second coupon. Based on the coupon screen information, the user terminal 6 displays a coupon screen for the specific retail store. In addition to the first coupon, the second coupon is displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retail store. The second coupon is a coupon that is set to be usable at the specific retail store. Therefore, even if a coupon is issued by a business operator other than the retail store, it is possible to present a coupon that is set to be usable at that store.

[0105] Here, the coupon service server 1 may transmit coupon screen information that causes the first coupon to be displayed in a higher position than the position where the second coupon is displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retail store. In this case, of the identified coupons, the coupon that is more relevant to the specific retail store can be displayed in the higher position.

[0106] The coupon service server 1 may also determine whether a coupon can be used at a specific retail store based on coupon usage store condition information included in the coupon information. In this case, one of the conditions of the second coupon, whether the coupon can be used at a specific retail store, can be determined based on the coupon usage store condition information.

[0107] The coupon service server 1 may also identify, as one of the second coupons, a third coupon that includes the specific retailer in the retail stores designated as retail stores at which the coupon can be used. The coupon service server 1 may also identify, as one of the second coupons, a fourth coupon that includes the type into which the specific retailer is classified in the retail store types designated as retail store types at which the coupon can be used. The coupon service server 1 may also identify, as one of the second coupons, a fifth coupon that does not specify either a retailer or a retail store type. The coupon service server 1 may also transmit coupon screen information that causes the third coupon to be displayed in a position higher than the position at which the fourth coupon is displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer. The coupon service server 1 may also transmit coupon screen information that causes the fourth coupon to be displayed in a position higher than the position at which the fifth coupon is displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer. In this case, among coupons issued by the manufacturer, a coupon that is more closely related to the specific retailer can be displayed in the higher position.

[0108] Alternatively, the coupon service server 1 may transmit coupon screen information that displays a coupon screen for a specific retail store that can accept operations for acquiring the first coupon and the second coupon at the same time. In this case, the user does not need to perform operations for acquiring the first coupon and the second coupon separately. This reduces the operational burden on the user.

[0109] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. Except for the points described below, the second embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment.

[0110] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the system control unit 11 in the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 16, the same elements as those in Fig. 5 are assigned the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig. 16, the system control unit 11 functions as a store screen request receiving unit 1101 to a coupon usage control unit 1106, and may also function as a handling information acquisition unit 1107 and a handling determination unit 1108.

[0111] The handling information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire handling information. The handling information may be information indicating the handling status of a product at a retail store. For example, the handling information may include information indicating that, for at least one retail store and at least one product, the product was currently or previously available at that retail store. If the handling information is stored in a predetermined handling information storage means, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the handling information from the handling information storage means. If the handling information is generated by the coupon service server 1, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the handling information by generating the handling information. If the handling information is stored in a predetermined device other than the coupon service server 1 or if the handling information is generated by that device, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the handling information from that device.

[0112] The handling information acquired by the handling information acquisition unit 1107 may include, for example, transaction information. The transaction information may correspond to purchase information indicating a record of a product purchase at a retail store. The retail store ID included in the transaction information indicates the retail store where the product was purchased. The retail store ID included in the transaction information indicates the retail store where the product was purchased. The product ID included in the transaction information indicates the purchased product. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between transaction information and product handling at a retail store. As shown in Figure 17, the retail store ID and product ID included in certain transaction information indicate retail store B and product C, respectively. Therefore, product C was purchased by someone at retail store B. This transaction information indicates that product C was being handled at retail store B at the time indicated by the transaction date and time included in the transaction information. This means that product C was in a state of being handled at retail store B before the time indicated by the transaction date and time.

[0113] As described above, the transaction information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire transaction information by generating transaction information in response to a receipt request from a user. Also, as described above, the transaction information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire transaction information by receiving transaction information from the electronic payment server 3 or the point card server 4. Alternatively, the transaction information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire transaction information stored in the transaction DB 14e. In this case, the storage unit 14 or the transaction DB 14e may be an example of a transaction information storage means.

[0114] The handling determination unit 1108 may determine, based on the handling information acquired by the handling information acquisition unit 1107, whether the product identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 for which the second coupon can be used is likely to be available at a specific retailer. The product for which the second coupon can be used is a product manufactured by the manufacturer that is the issuer of the second coupon. If the issuer has specified the products for which the second coupon can be used among the products manufactured by the issuer, the product for which the second coupon can be used is a product identified by the coupon-usable product ID included in the coupon information among the products manufactured by the manufacturer that is the issuer of the second coupon.

[0115] If the handling information indicates that a product for which the second coupon can be used is available at a specific retailer, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the product is likely to be available at the specific retailer. If the handling information does not indicate that a product for which the second coupon can be used is available at a specific retailer, this does not necessarily mean that the product is not available at the specific retailer. However, it does not determine that the product is likely to be available at the specific retailer.

[0116] When the transaction information indicates that a product for which the second coupon can be used was purchased at a specific retailer, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the handling information indicates that the product is available at the specific retailer. In other words, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the product is likely to be available at the specific retailer.

[0117] The handling determination unit 1108 may make the above-described determination using transaction information for a specific retail store that includes a transaction date and time indicating any date and time after a predetermined length of time before the present. The more recent the date and time at which a product was purchased at a retail store, the higher the probability that the product is still being handled at that retail store. Examples of the predetermined length of time include one day, one week, one month, and three months.

[0118] If the specified retail store is a store group, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the handling information indicates that the product is available at the specified retail store if the product has been purchased at at least one store among the multiple stores included in the store group. Alternatively, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the handling information indicates that the product is available at the specified retail store if the product has been purchased at a predetermined rate or more among the multiple stores included in the store group.

[0119] The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit to the user terminal 6 coupon screen information that displays a screen including second coupons, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102, that have been determined by the handling determining unit 1108 to have the possibility of being available at the specified retailer for a product for which the second coupon can be used. In other words, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit to the user terminal 6 coupon screen information that displays a screen including second coupons, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102, whose handling information indicates that a product for which the second coupon can be used is available at the specified retailer. In this case, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 displays on the user terminal 6 the first coupon, and also displays on the user terminal 6 only those second coupons for which a product for which the coupon can be used has been available at the specified retailer in the past. Because second coupons that can be used for a product that has been available at the specified retailer are displayed, the possibility that the user can use the second coupon at the specified retailer can be increased.

[0120] As described above, the handling information includes transaction information. The screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information that displays a screen including a second coupon, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102, in which the transaction information indicates that a product for which the second coupon can be used was purchased at a specific retail store.

[0121] 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 18, the same processes as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 18, steps S101 to S107 are first executed. Next, for each second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in steps S104, S106, and S107, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 searches the transaction DB 14e for transaction information including the retail store ID of the specified retail store, including product IDs of products for which the second coupon can be used (step S121). For example, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 acquires coupon-usable product IDs from the coupon information for each second coupon. The handling information acquisition unit 1107 may also search the transaction DB 14e for transaction information including the retail store ID of the specified retail store, including product IDs that match the coupon-usable product IDs. Next, the handling determination unit 1108 determines, from among the second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102, the second coupon for which matching transaction information was found in step S121 as the second coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specified retail store (step S122). Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 determines the display order on the coupon screen for the specific retailer for the first coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102 and the second coupon determined as the coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S123). Next, steps S109 and S110 are executed. Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 generates information indicating the display content in the coupon display area 100 for each of the first coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102 and the second coupon determined as the coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S124). Except for the coupon for which information is to be generated, step S124 may be the same as step S111 shown in FIG. 14. Next, steps S112 to S114 are executed, and the coupon screen information transmitting process ends.

[0123] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to display coupons that are more likely to satisfy the condition for using a second coupon, i.e., purchasing a product manufactured by the issuer, at a specific retail store.

[0124] Furthermore, if it is necessary to purchase a product designated by the issuer from among the products manufactured by the issuer in order to use the second coupon, a coupon that is more likely to satisfy the condition for using the second coupon, that is, purchasing the designated product, at a specific retail store can be displayed.

[0125] 3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 22. Except as described below, the second embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far.

[0126] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment. In Fig. 19, the same elements as those in Fig. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig. 19, the communication system S may include one or more retail store servers 7 in addition to including a coupon service server 1 to a user terminal 6. The retail store servers 7 are connected to a network NW.

[0127] The retail store server 7 may be a server device managed by a retail store operator that can issue coupons. The retail store server 7 may also be a server device that manages information about the retail store of the operator that manages the retail store server 7. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the retail store server 7. As shown in FIG. 20, the retail store server 7 may store a database such as an inventory DB 71. The inventory DB 71 may store inventory information indicating the inventory status of products at the retail store for each combination of a store and a product belonging to the retail store. The inventory status indicated by the inventory information may include, for example, the status of in-store inventory and the status of inventory in the store's warehouse. For example, the inventory DB 71 may store a store ID, a product ID, and a stock quantity in association with each other as inventory information. The stock quantity may indicate how many units of the product indicated by the product ID the store indicated by the store ID has in stock.

[0128] As described above, the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 may function as a store screen request receiving unit 1101 to a coupon use control unit 1106, and may also function as a handling information acquiring unit 1107 and a handling determining unit 1108.

[0129] The handling information acquired by the handling information acquisition unit 1107 may include inventory information stored in the retail store server 7. In this case, the retail store server 7 may be an example of a handling information storage means. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between inventory information and product handling at a retail store. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the inventory DB 71 stored in the retail store server 7 of retail store B includes inventory information for product C. If the inventory quantity included in the inventory information indicates a number greater than or equal to 1, retail store B has product C in stock. This indicates that retail store B is currently handling product C. This means that product C was previously in stock at retail store B. If the inventory quantity indicates 0, or if there is no inventory information for product C, retail store B may not have product C in stock. In this case, retail store B may not handle product C.

[0130] For example, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 may transmit the product ID of a product for which the second coupon can be used to the retail store server 7 of the specified retail store, thereby acquiring inventory information including the product ID from the inventory information stored in the inventory DB 71. The handling determination unit 1108 may acquire inventory information from the retail store server 7 for products for which the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 can be used, each time a request for a coupon screen for a specified retail store is received. Alternatively, the handling determination unit 1108 may acquire inventory information in advance from each retail store server 7 for products for which each manufacturer coupon can be used, at predetermined intervals. The handling determination unit 1108 may make a determination based on the inventory information acquired in advance in response to receiving a request for a coupon screen for a specified retail store.

[0131] Alternatively, the handling determination unit 1108 may inquire of the retail store server 7 about the availability of a product in stock by transmitting the product ID of the product for which the second coupon can be used to the retail store server 7. If the retail store server 7 finds inventory information including the product ID and a stock quantity indicating a number greater than or equal to 1, the retail store server 7 may transmit information indicating that the product is in stock to the coupon service server 1 as the inventory information for that product. If the retail store server 7 finds no inventory information including the product ID and a stock quantity indicating a number greater than or equal to 1, the retail store server 7 may transmit information indicating that the product is out of stock to the coupon service server 1 as the inventory information for that product. If the retail store server 7 finds no inventory information including the product ID, the retail store server 7 may transmit information indicating that the product is out of stock to the coupon service server 1 as the inventory information for that product.

[0132] The handling determination unit 1108 of this embodiment may also determine, based on the handling information, whether a specific retailer is likely to handle a product for which the second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 can be used. For example, if the inventory information indicates that the specific retailer has in stock a product for which the second coupon can be used, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the handling information indicates that the product is available at the specific retailer.

[0133] If the specified retail store is a store group, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the handling information indicates that the product is available at the specified retail store if the product is in stock at at least one of the multiple stores included in the store group. Alternatively, the handling determination unit 1108 may determine that the handling information indicates that the product is available at the specified retail store if the product is in stock at a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple stores included in the store group.

[0134] The screen information transmitting unit 1103 of this embodiment may also transmit to the user terminal 6 coupon screen information that displays a screen including a second coupon, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102, for which the handling determination unit 1108 has determined that the specific retailer may handle a product for which the second coupon can be used. In other words, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit to the user terminal 6 coupon screen information that displays a screen including a second coupon, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102, for which the handling information indicates that the specific retailer has the product for which the second coupon can be used in stock. In this embodiment, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit coupon screen information that displays a screen including a second coupon, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102, for which the inventory information indicates that the specific retailer has the product in stock for which the second coupon can be used.

[0135] 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 22, the same processes as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 22, steps S101 to S107 are first executed. Next, for each second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in steps S104, S106, and S107, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 acquires inventory information of products for which the second coupon can be used from the retail store server 7 of the specified retail store (step S141). For example, the handling information acquisition unit 1107 acquires a coupon-usable product ID from the coupon information for each second coupon. The handling information acquisition unit 1107 may acquire inventory information by transmitting the acquired coupon-usable product ID to the retail store server 7. Next, the handling determination unit 1108 determines, from among the second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102, the second coupon for which the inventory information indicates that the specified retail store has in stock a product for which the second coupon can be used, as the second coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specified retail store (step S142). Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 determines the display order on the coupon screen for the specific retailer for the first coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102 and the second coupon determined as the coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S143). Next, steps S109 and S110 are executed. Next, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 generates information indicating the display content in the coupon display area 100 for each of the first coupon identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102 and the second coupon determined as the coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S144). Except for the coupon for which information is to be generated, step S144 may be the same as step S111 shown in FIG. 14. Next, steps S112 to S114 are executed, and the coupon screen information transmitting process ends.

[0137] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to display coupons that are more likely to satisfy the condition for using a second coupon, i.e., purchasing a product manufactured by the issuer, at a specific retail store.

[0138] Furthermore, if it is necessary to purchase a product designated by the issuer from among the products manufactured by the issuer in order to use the second coupon, a coupon that is more likely to satisfy the condition for using the second coupon, that is, purchasing the designated product, at a specific retail store can be displayed.

[0139] [4. Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Except as described below, the second embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far.

[0140] The screen information transmitting unit 1103 of this embodiment may transmit coupon screen information that displays a screen for a specific store that includes, of the second coupons identified by the coupon identifying unit 1102, second coupons for which a predetermined period of time has not yet elapsed since the date of issue of the second coupon. In this case, the screen information transmitting unit 1103 causes the user terminal 6 to display the first coupon, and also causes the user terminal 6 to display only those second coupons for which a predetermined period of time has not yet elapsed since the date of issue. This allows relatively new coupons to be displayed. The issue date of the coupon is indicated by the issue date and time indicated in the coupon information. Examples of the length of the period include one week, one month, three months, and six months.

[0141] 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a coupon screen information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the coupon service server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 23, the same processes as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 23, steps S101 to S107 are first executed. Next, for each second coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 in steps S104, S106, and S107, the screen information transmission unit 1103 obtains the issue date and time from the coupon information stored in the coupon DB 14c for that second coupon (step S161). Next, the screen information transmission unit 1103 determines, among the second coupons identified by the coupon identification unit 1102, a second coupon that has not yet been issued within a predetermined period of time since the issue date indicated by the issue date and time, as the second coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S162). Next, the screen information transmission unit 1103 determines the display order on the coupon screen for the specific retailer of the first coupon identified by the coupon identification unit 1102 and the second coupons determined to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retailer (step S163). Next, steps S109 and S110 are executed. Next, screen information transmitting unit 1103 generates information indicating the display content in coupon display area 100 for each of the first coupon identified by coupon identifying unit 1102 and the second coupon determined to be the coupon to be displayed on the coupon screen for the specific retail store (step S164). Except for the coupon for which information is to be generated, step S144 may be the same as step S111 shown in Figure 14. Next, steps S112 to S114 are executed, and the coupon screen information transmitting process ends.

[0143] As described above, according to this embodiment, newer second coupons can be displayed.

[0144] (Supplementary Note 1) A coupon information providing device comprising: a receiving means for receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use coupons; an identification means for, when the request is received from the terminal device, identifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means for storing coupon information that can identify, for each of a plurality of coupons, the issuer of the coupon and the settings for the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specific store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer different from the business operator of the specific store that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specific store; and a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device coupon screen information that causes the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon.

[0145] (Appendix 2) The coupon information providing device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the first coupon at a position higher than the position at which the second coupon is displayed on the screen.

[0146] (Appendix 3) The coupon information providing device described in Appendix 1 or 2 is characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information for coupons whose issuer is the manufacturer includes coupon usable store condition information indicating conditions specified by the manufacturer as conditions for stores where the coupon can be used, and the identification means determines whether the coupon can be used at the specified store based on the coupon usable store condition information included in the coupon information.

[0147] (Appendix 4) The coupon information providing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3 is characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of coupons issued by the manufacturer may include coupon available store information indicating available stores designated as stores where the coupon can be used, the identification means identifies, as the second coupon, a coupon that includes the specified store in its available stores and a coupon for which the available store is not designated, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the coupon that includes the specified store in its available stores at a position higher on the screen than the position at which the coupon for which the available store is not designated is displayed.

[0148] (Appendix 5) The coupon information providing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4 is characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of coupons issued by the manufacturer may include coupon available type information indicating an available type designated as a type of store at which the coupon can be used, the identification means identifies, as the second coupon, a coupon whose available type includes a type to which the specified store is classified, and a coupon for which the available type is not designated, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the coupon whose available type includes a type to which the specified store is classified, at a position higher on the screen than the position at which the coupon for which the available type is not designated is displayed.

[0149] (Appendix 6) The coupon information stored in the storage means, of coupons issued by the manufacturer, may include at least one of coupon available store information indicating available stores designated as stores where the coupon can be used and coupon available type information indicating available types designated as types of stores where the coupon can be used; the identification means identifies as the second coupon a third coupon that includes the specified store in its available stores, a fourth coupon that includes in its available types the type to which the specified store is classified, and a fifth coupon that has neither the available store nor the available type specified; and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the third coupon at a position higher on the screen than the position at which the fourth coupon is displayed, and that displays the fourth coupon at a position higher on the screen than the position at which the fifth coupon is displayed.

[0150] (Appendix 7) A coupon information providing device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that in order to use a coupon issued by the store operator, it is required to conduct a transaction at the store of the issuer, and in order to use a coupon issued by the manufacturer, it is required to purchase a product manufactured by the issuer.

[0151] (Appendix 8) A coupon information providing device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 7, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring handling information indicating the status of product handling at a store, wherein the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the identified second coupon, where the acquired handling information indicates that a product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon is available at the identified store.

[0152] (Appendix 9) The coupon information providing device described in Appendix 8 is characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of coupons issued by the manufacturer includes coupon-available product information indicating products specified by the manufacturer, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupon, among the identified second coupons, whose previous handling information indicates that the product indicated by the coupon-available product information included in the coupon information is available at the specified store.

[0153] (Appendix 10) The coupon information providing device described in Appendix 8 or 9, characterized in that the acquired handling information includes purchase information indicating a record of a product purchase at the store, and the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including, of the identified second coupons, a second coupon whose purchase information indicates that the product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon was purchased at the identified store.

[0154] (Appendix 11) The coupon information providing device described in any one of Appendices 8 to 10, characterized in that the acquired handling information includes inventory information indicating the inventory status of the product at the store, and the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the identified second coupon, the second coupon whose inventory information indicates that the product manufactured by the manufacturer is in stock at the identified store.

[0155] (Appendix 12) The coupon information providing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 11 is characterized in that, among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information for coupons issued by the manufacturer includes issue date information indicating the issue date of the coupon, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including, among the identified second coupons, second coupons that have not yet been issued for a predetermined period of time since the issue date.

[0156] (Appendix 13) A coupon information providing device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 12, characterized in that it is defined that the user can use the coupons that the user has acquired from the plurality of coupons, and the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen that can accept operations to acquire the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon at the same time.

[0157] (Appendix 14) A coupon information providing method executed by a computer, comprising: a receiving step of receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use coupons; an identifying step, when the request is received from the terminal device, of identifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means that stores coupon information that can identify, for each of a plurality of coupons, the issuer of the coupon and the setting for the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specific store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer that is different from the business operator of the specific store and that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specific store; and a transmitting step of transmitting to the terminal device coupon screen information that causes the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon.

[0158] (Appendix 15) A coupon information providing program that causes a computer to function as: a receiving means that receives from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use coupons; an identification means that, when the request is received from the terminal device, identifies, based on coupon information stored in a storage means that stores coupon information that can identify, for each of a plurality of coupons, the issuer of the coupon and the settings for the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is the business operator of the specific store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer different from the business operator of the specific store that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specific store; and a transmission means that transmits to the terminal device coupon screen information that causes the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon.

[0159] (Appendix 16) A coupon information providing device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring purchase information indicating a record of a product purchase at a store, wherein the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the identified second coupon, the second coupon whose purchase information indicates that the product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon was purchased at the identified store.

[0160] (Appendix 17) The coupon information providing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5 further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring inventory information indicating the inventory status of a product at a store, and the transmission means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the identified second coupon, the second coupon whose inventory information indicates that the product manufactured by the manufacturer is in stock at the identified store. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 1 Coupon service server 2. Store terminal 3. Electronic payment server 4 Point card server 5. Coupon setting terminal 6 User terminals 7 Retail Server 11 System control section 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interface 14 Storage section 15 Communications Department 14a Retailer DB 14b Issuer DB 14c Coupon DB 14d Acquired Coupon DB 14e Transaction DB 71 Inventory DB 1101 Store screen request receiving unit 1102 Coupon Identification Section 1103 Screen information transmission unit 1104 Coupon grant request receiving unit 1105 Coupon Granting Department 1106 Coupon usage control unit 1107 Handling Information Acquisition Department 1108 Handling Judgment Department NW Network S Communication System

Claims

1. a receiving means for receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use a coupon; when the request is received from the terminal device, an identification means for identifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means for storing coupon information that can identify the issuer of each of a plurality of coupons and the setting of the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specified store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer that is different from the business operator of the specified store and that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specified store; a transmitting means for transmitting coupon screen information to the terminal device, the coupon screen information causing the terminal device to display the screen including the specified first coupon and the specified second coupon; A coupon information providing device comprising:

2. The coupon information providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the first coupon at a position higher than the position at which the second coupon is displayed on the screen.

3. Among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon whose issuer is the manufacturer includes coupon availability store condition information indicating conditions specified by the manufacturer as conditions for stores where the coupon can be used, 3. The coupon information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying means determines whether the coupon can be used at the specified store based on the coupon use store condition information included in the coupon information.

4. Among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer may include coupon available store information indicating a store designated as a store where the coupon can be used, The specifying means specifies, as the second coupon, a coupon that includes the specified store as one of the available stores and a coupon that does not specify the available store; The coupon information providing device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the coupon that includes the specified store as one of the available stores at a position higher than the position on the screen where the coupon that does not specify the available store is displayed.

5. Among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer may include coupon availability type information indicating an availability type designated as a type of store at which the coupon can be used, The specifying means specifies, as the second coupon, a coupon whose available type includes a type to which the specific store is classified, and a coupon whose available type is not specified; The coupon information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the coupons whose available types include the type into which the specific store is classified, at a position higher than the position on the screen where the coupons whose available types are not specified are displayed.

6. Among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer may include at least one of coupon available store information indicating a store designated as a store where the coupon can be used, and coupon available type information indicating an available type designated as a type of store where the coupon can be used, The specifying means specifies, as the second coupon, a third coupon that includes the specified store in the available stores, a fourth coupon that includes the type into which the specified store is classified in the available types, and a fifth coupon that does not specify either the available store or the available type; The coupon information providing device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the third coupon at a position higher than the position at which the fourth coupon is displayed on the screen, and that displays the fourth coupon at a position higher than the position at which the fifth coupon is displayed on the screen.

7. It is stipulated that in order to use a coupon issued by a store operator, the transaction must be made at the store of the issuer, 3. The coupon information providing device according to claim 1, wherein in order to use a coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer, it is required to purchase a product manufactured by the issuer.

8. The store further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring handling information indicating the handling status of the product in the store, The coupon information providing device of claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupon, of the identified second coupon, the second coupon for which the acquired handling information indicates that the product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon is available at the specified store.

9. Among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer includes coupon applicable product information indicating a product designated by the manufacturer, The coupon information providing device of claim 8, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupon, the second coupon whose handling information indicates that the product indicated by the coupon-available product information included in the coupon information is available at the specified store.

10. The acquired transaction information includes purchase information indicating a record of purchases of products at the store; The coupon information providing device described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupon, of the identified second coupon, the purchase information of which indicates that the product manufactured by the issuer of the second coupon was purchased at the specified store.

11. The acquired handling information includes inventory information indicating the inventory status of the product at the store, The coupon information providing device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupon, among the identified second coupons, whose inventory information indicates that the product manufactured by the manufacturer is in stock at the identified store.

12. Among the coupon information stored in the storage means, the coupon information of a coupon issued by the manufacturer includes issue date information indicating an issue date of the coupon, The coupon information providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen including the second coupons among the identified second coupons that have not yet passed a predetermined period of time since the date of issue.

13. It is determined that the user can use a coupon that the user has acquired from among the plurality of coupons, The coupon information providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the coupon screen information that displays the screen capable of accepting operations for obtaining the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon at the same time.

14. A computer-implemented coupon information providing method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where the user can use the coupon; when the request is received from the terminal device, a specifying step of specifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means for storing coupon information that can specify the issuer of each of a plurality of coupons and the setting of the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon of the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specified store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer that is different from the business operator of the specified store and that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specified store; a transmitting step of transmitting coupon screen information to the terminal device, the coupon screen information causing the terminal device to display the screen including the identified first coupon and the identified second coupon; A coupon information providing method comprising:

15. Computer, a receiving means for receiving from a terminal device a request for a screen for a specific store among stores where a user can use a coupon; when the request is received from the terminal device, an identification means for identifying, based on coupon information stored in a storage means for storing coupon information that can identify the issuer of each of a plurality of coupons and the setting of the store where the coupon can be used, a first coupon among the plurality of coupons whose issuer is a business operator of the specified store and a second coupon whose issuer is a manufacturer that is different from the business operator of the specified store and that produces products that can be purchased at the store, and which is set to be usable at the specified store; a transmitting means for transmitting, to the terminal device, coupon screen information for causing the terminal device to display the screen including the specified first coupon and the specified second coupon; A coupon information providing program characterized by causing the program to function as a coupon information providing program.

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