Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for storing a user's terminal ID when the number of users having visited a service facility such as a restaurant does not exceed an upper-limit number.SOLUTION: In a check-in benefit granting system, an information processing device 100 comprises: storage means for storing the upper-limit number of times code information is read from a medium 300 installed on each table of a service facility; communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of user terminals 200A, 200B, 200C, and so on; and control means which, when visit information is received from a user terminal having read the code information from the medium 300, including the code information and a terminal ID to identify the user terminal, determines whether or not the number of times the code information has been read exceeds the upper-limit number and stores the terminal ID in association with the code information when it is determined that the upper-limit number is not exceeded. The upper-limit number differs depending on the number of persons who can seat in each table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a user terminal, an information processing method, and a program that can control a user's check-in process at a service facility such as a restaurant and a process for granting corresponding privilege information. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, when a user visits a service facility such as a restaurant, an electronic stamp is given to the user via a user terminal as a special benefit instead of a stamp on a conventional paper stamp card.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a check-in privilege granting method that uses a check-in privilege granting means that has short-range wireless communication capabilities and is small enough to be held in the hand of the user or the service provider at the service facility to grant an electronic stamp to an electronic stamp card displayed on the user's mobile terminal, thereby displaying the electronic stamp on the electronic stamp card, thereby allowing the user to easily recognize that an electronic stamp has been granted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-106286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the above technology, if a user carrying a mobile terminal with the above electronic stamp card comes to a store in a group that includes other users, the electronic stamp will not be given to those other users, and the other users will have to prepare separate electronic stamp cards for their own mobile terminals.This is not only inconvenient for the other users, but also poses a problem for the service facility in that it does not encourage the collection of user information, including that of the group.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a user terminal, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user who visits a service facility to easily share benefits granted to the user with other users who visit the facility, and that enable the service facility to obtain visit information of more users by group. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a communication means and a control means. The communication means is capable of communicating with a first user terminal and a second user terminal. When the control means receives check-in information from a first user terminal that has accepted a predetermined check-in operation for a service facility from the first user terminal, the control means stores the first terminal ID in association with predetermined privilege information. The control means also transmits check-in identification information that is readable for a predetermined first time period from the time of receiving the check-in information to the first user terminal. When the control means receives check-in shared information from a second user terminal that has read the check-in identification information, the control means stores the second terminal ID in association with the privilege information, and also stores the first terminal ID and the second terminal ID in association with one group ID.

[0008] This allows the information processing device to not only grant a corresponding benefit when a user checks in at a service facility using a user terminal, but also transmit check-in identification information to be read by other user terminals, allowing the user to easily share the benefit granted to the visiting user with other users who visit together and allowing the store to obtain visit information for more users by group. Here, the first time period may be, for example, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc., but is not limited thereto. The check-in operation may be an operation for contacting or communicating with a check-in device installed at the facility, or an operation in which the user terminal reads a check-in code installed at the facility. In this case, the check-in device may be, for example, a capacitive electronic stamp device that has a predetermined stamp pattern that is different for each service facility and that can be recognized by the user terminal by touching the touch panel of the user terminal. The check-in identification information may be, for example, but is not limited to, an image of an electronic stamp corresponding to the stamp pattern.

[0009] When the control means receives check-in information including the facility ID and the second terminal ID from the second user terminal, but does not receive the check-in shared information from the second user terminal, the control means may store the second terminal ID in association with the bonus information.

[0010] This allows the information processing device to grant a benefit when the user of the second user terminal also checks in by performing a check-in operation, provided that the check-in information has not been shared with the user of the first user terminal, thereby preventing duplicate granting of benefits to one user.

[0011] Furthermore, the control means may, when receiving the check-in shared information from the second user terminal within a second hour that is longer than the first time after receiving the check-in information from the second user terminal, store the first terminal ID and the second terminal ID in association with the group ID without storing the second terminal ID in association with the bonus information.

[0012] As a result, when the information processing device receives check-in shared information via the first user terminal from the second user terminal after the second user terminal has checked in itself, the information processing device does not grant duplicate benefits to the second user terminal, but can associate the user of the first user terminal and the user of the second user terminal as users of the same group. Here, the second time may correspond to an average stay time of users at the service facility, such as, but not limited to, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.

[0013] A user terminal according to another aspect of the present invention includes a communication means capable of communicating with a server, a display means, and a control means. When the control means receives a predetermined check-in operation for a service facility from a user, the control means transmits check-in information to the server, the check-in information including a facility ID identifying the service facility and a terminal ID identifying the user terminal. The control means further receives check-in identification information from the server, the check-in identification information being readable for a predetermined period of time after the server receives the check-in information, and displays the check-in identification information on the display means. Based on the check-in information received from the user terminal and check-in shared information received from other user terminals that have read the check-in identification information, the server stores the terminal IDs of the user terminal and the other user terminals in association with predetermined benefit information and one group ID.

[0014] This allows the user terminal to not only grant the user a corresponding benefit when checking in to a service facility, but also receive check-in identification information, so that the user can have another user terminal read it, allowing the benefit granted to the visiting user to be easily shared with other users who visit together, and allowing the store to obtain visit information for more users by group.

[0015] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes: when receiving check-in information including a facility ID for identifying the service facility and a first terminal ID for identifying the first user terminal from a first user terminal that has accepted a predetermined check-in operation to the service facility from the user, storing the first terminal ID in association with predetermined benefit information; transmitting check-in identification information to the first user terminal that is readable for a predetermined first time period from the time of receiving the check-in information; When check-in shared information including a second terminal ID that identifies the second user terminal and the first terminal ID is received from the second user terminal that reads the check-in identification information, the second terminal ID is stored in association with the benefit information, and the first terminal ID and the second terminal ID are stored in association with one group ID.

[0016] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for executing the following on an information processing device: when receiving check-in information including a facility ID for identifying the service facility and a first terminal ID for identifying the first user terminal from a first user terminal that has accepted a predetermined check-in operation to the service facility from a user, storing the first terminal ID in association with predetermined benefit information; transmitting check-in identification information to the first user terminal, the check-in identification information being readable for a predetermined first time period from the time of receiving the check-in information; When check-in shared information including a second terminal ID that identifies the second user terminal and the first terminal ID is received from the second user terminal that reads the check-in identification information, the step of storing the second terminal ID in association with the benefit information and storing the first terminal ID and the second terminal ID in association with one group ID is executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, a benefit given to a user who visits a service facility can be easily shared with other users who visit the facility together, and the service facility can obtain visit information of a larger number of users for each group. However, this effect does not limit the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a check-in privilege granting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a restaurant information providing server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a database included in a restaurant information providing server according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a check-in privilege granting process performed by the restaurant information providing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a check-in privilege granting process performed by the restaurant information providing server according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a check-in privilege award system according to this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in the figure, this system includes a restaurant information providing server 100 on the Internet 50, a plurality of user terminals 200, and a check-in device 300.

[0022] The restaurant information providing server 100 is a web server that operates a portal site that lists information about restaurants. The restaurant information providing server 100 is connected to a plurality of user terminals 200 via the Internet 50.

[0023] The restaurant information providing server 100 provides a restaurant information search system for users of the user terminals 200 on the portal site. Specifically, the restaurant information providing server 100 searches for restaurant information that matches search conditions based on a search request from the user terminal 200, generates a web page listing the search results, and transmits it to the user terminal 200. The restaurant information providing server 100 also manages information related to each user's restaurant visit (check-in) history and benefits granted to the user in response to the visit.

[0024] User terminal 200 (200A, 200B, 200C...) is a terminal used by a user, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a desktop PC, etc. User terminal 200 accesses restaurant information providing server 100, receives the web page, and displays it on a screen using a browser or the like.

[0025] The user terminal 200 determines search conditions for restaurants based on user operation, and transmits a restaurant search request based on the search conditions to the restaurant information providing server 100. In this embodiment, the user of the user terminal 200 can transmit a search request by selecting pre-set search conditions such as the restaurant's location area (nearest station), genre, price range, etc. Then, based on user operation, the user terminal 200 can transmit a reservation request for any of the restaurants displayed as the search results to the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0026] The check-in device 300 is installed at each restaurant (for example, at the checkout counter of each restaurant) and is a device that accepts check-in operations using the user terminal 200 by users who visit the restaurant.

[0027] The check-in device 300 is a portable electronic stamp device that can be picked up by the user and used to stamp the display of the user terminal 200. The electronic stamp device has a predetermined stamp pattern (multiple convex portions) that differs for each restaurant on its bottom surface, and when the stamp pattern comes into contact with the display (touch panel) of the user terminal 200, the stamp pattern is recognized by the user terminal 200, and an electronic stamp image S corresponding to the stamp pattern is displayed on the display of the user terminal 200 as a check-in identification image. The electronic stamp image identifies the user's check-in.

[0028] A benefit is, for example, an electronic coupon that functions as a discount coupon or a voucher for delivery of a specific product, or individual check-in count identification information that functions as the electronic coupon when a predetermined number of such coupons are collected. The benefit may be granted immediately after a user checks in once, or may be granted on the condition that the user checks in two or more times. In the former case, the electronic stamp image also functions as an image that identifies the benefit granted to the user.

[0029] In this embodiment, the restaurant information providing server 100 communicates with the user terminal 200 of a user who visits a restaurant, and grants the user a benefit in response to the user's check-in at the restaurant, and can further allow the benefit to be shared with other users who visit the restaurant with the user.

[0030] [Hardware configuration of restaurant information server] 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the restaurant information providing server 100. As shown in the figure, the restaurant information providing server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface 15, and a bus 14 connecting these components to one another.

[0031] The CPU 11 accesses the RAM 13 and other memory as needed, and performs various arithmetic processing while controlling all blocks of the restaurant information providing server 100. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory that permanently stores firmware such as the OS, programs, and various parameters to be executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is used as a working area for the CPU 11, and temporarily stores the OS, various applications currently being executed, and various data currently being processed.

[0032] The input / output interface 15 is connected to a display unit 16, an operation reception unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like.

[0033] The display unit 16 is a display device that uses, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

[0034] The operation reception unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other input device. When the operation reception unit 17 is a touch panel, the touch panel can be integrated with the display unit 16.

[0035] The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory (solid state drive (SSD)), or other solid-state memory. The storage unit 18 stores the OS, various applications, and various data.

[0036] In particular, in this embodiment, storage unit 18 stores restaurant information for each restaurant, user information for the user of each user terminal 200, reservation information from the user terminal 200, etc., and also stores applications and other programs that use this data for restaurant information providing server 100 to execute check-in privilege granting processing. As will be described later, storage unit 18 has databases containing such data, including a restaurant information database, a user information database, a privilege information database, and an electronic stamp information database.

[0037] The communication unit 19 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) for Ethernet or various modules for wireless communication such as wireless LAN, and is responsible for communication processing with the user terminal 200.

[0038] [Hardware configuration of user terminal] 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 200. As shown in the figure, the basic hardware configuration of the user terminal 200 is the same as the hardware configuration of the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0039] That is, the user terminal 200 has a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an input / output interface 25, a bus 24 connecting these components to one another, and a display unit 26, an operation reception unit 27, a storage unit 28, and a communication unit 29 connected to the bus 24. The display unit 26 is integrally configured with a touch panel device that supports multi-touch by the electronic stamp device. Various types of touch panel devices can be used, such as a capacitive type and a resistive film type.

[0040] Under the control of the CPU 21, the communication unit 29 communicates with the restaurant information providing server 100, and the display unit 26 (touch panel) detects contact with the check-in device 300 and displays the electronic stamp image S.

[0041] In addition, an application (hereinafter referred to as the check-in application) that operates in cooperation with the check-in benefit granting process by the restaurant information providing server 100 is installed on the user terminal 200, and the memory unit 28 stores the programs and data necessary for executing the check-in application.

[0042] [Database configuration of restaurant information server] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a database included in the restaurant information providing server 100. As shown in FIG.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the restaurant information providing server 100 has a restaurant information database 41, a user information database 42, a benefit information database 43, and an electronic stamp information database 44 in the storage unit 18.

[0044] The restaurant information database 41 stores, for each restaurant, the name and location information of the restaurant, an ID (facility ID) that identifies the restaurant, as well as information about the restaurant's business type and service category, content introducing the restaurant, i.e., information indicating the characteristics of the service facility such as promotional text for the service facility, information about events held by the restaurant, information about the area in which the restaurant is located, the restaurant's address (location information), telephone number, image data related to the restaurant (introducing the restaurant), menu information related to the menu offered by the restaurant, business hours, website URL, and other information.

[0045] The menu information corresponds to the menus posted on the website of each restaurant on the portal site, and stores the names of multiple menu items that each restaurant can offer for each restaurant. The menu information may be stored by menu category, such as appetizer / main course, lunch / dinner / course, etc. Furthermore, if the image data corresponds to a menu, the image data is stored in association with the menu information.

[0046] The area information may be stored in prefecture units, for example, but information may also be stored in smaller units such as cities, wards, towns, and villages. The category information may include main categories such as Japanese cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Italian cuisine, French cuisine, and yakiniku, as well as more detailed subcategories such as yakitori and tempura in Japanese cuisine, and pasta and pizza in Italian cuisine.

[0047] The user information database 42 stores information about users who own user terminals 200 and are users (members) of the restaurant information service provided by the restaurant information providing server 100 via the portal site. Specifically, the user information database 42 stores information such as a user ID, password, name, email address, telephone number, address, age (group), gender, and birthday for each user.

[0048] The privilege information database 43 stores, for each restaurant, information about privileges (e.g., coupons) granted to users who visit and check in at each restaurant. Specifically, the privilege information database 43 stores information about privileges to be granted to users in the future, such as what privileges will be granted to which restaurants and how many times the same user checks in, and stores information about privileges already granted to users in association with user IDs. Each privilege is assigned a privilege ID that identifies it, and at least this privilege ID is associated with the user ID. The privilege ID may include a timestamp indicating the date and time when the privilege was granted to the user (the date and time when the user checked in using the check-in device 300, or the date and time when the check-in information was shared with other users).

[0049] The electronic stamp information database 44 stores information relating to stamp patterns for electronic stamp devices set for each restaurant and corresponding electronic stamp images S, in association with the store ID.

[0050] These databases are mutually referenced as necessary during the check-in privilege granting process by restaurant information providing server 100, which will be described later.

[0051] [Operation of the restaurant information server] Next, we will explain the operation of the restaurant information providing server 100 configured as above. The operation is performed by cooperation between hardware such as the CPU 11 and communication unit 19 of the restaurant information providing server 100 and software stored in the storage unit 18. For convenience, in the following explanation, the CPU 11 is the subject of operation.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a check-in privilege granting process at a restaurant by restaurant information providing server 100.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the CPU 11 of the restaurant information providing server 100 first determines whether or not check-in information has been received from the user terminal 200 (first user terminal) that has checked in to the restaurant (step 51).

[0054] The check-in information includes a store ID that identifies the restaurant and a first terminal ID that identifies the first user terminal that has checked in. In this embodiment, check-in is performed when a user who has visited the restaurant starts the check-in application on the user terminal 200, picks up the check-in device 300 (electronic stamp device) installed in the restaurant, and touches (stamps) the bottom surface of the device to (the electronic stamp imprinting area displayed by the check-in application) on the display unit 26.

[0055] When the electronic stamp device comes into contact with the user terminal 200, the check-in application of the user terminal 200 recognizes the stamp pattern of the electronic stamp device, recognizes the store ID from the stamp pattern, and transmits this as check-in information together with the first terminal ID of the user terminal 200 to the restaurant information providing server 100. However, instead of the check-in application recognizing the store ID from the stamp pattern, the check-in application may transmit the stamp pattern information directly to the restaurant information providing server 100, and the restaurant information providing server 100 may recognize the corresponding store ID from the stamp pattern.

[0056] If it is determined that check-in information has been received from the user terminal 200 (first user terminal) (Yes), the CPU 11 identifies the shop ID and the first terminal ID from the check-in information (step 52).

[0057] Next, the CPU 11 associates the first terminal ID with the benefit information corresponding to the check-in and stores it in the benefit information database 43 (step 53). The benefit information may be an electronic coupon, or individual check-in frequency identification information that becomes an electronic coupon when a predetermined number of such information is collected. The benefit information is assigned a benefit ID including the timestamp information as described above.

[0058] Next, the CPU 11 transmits to the user terminal (first user terminal) a check-in identification image (electronic stamp image S) that is readable for a time T1 from the time of receiving the check-in information (step 54). The time T1 is, for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0059] The user of the user terminal 200 (first user terminal) that receives the electronic stamp image S can share check-in information with other users by having the electronic stamp image S read by a reader (camera) or the like on the user terminal 200 (second user terminal) of another user who visited the store with the user while the electronic stamp image S is displayed on the display unit 26.

[0060] Specifically, when another user terminal 200 (second user terminal) reads the electronic stamp image S, the second user terminal transmits check-in shared information to the restaurant information providing server 100. The check-in shared information includes a second terminal ID for identifying the second user terminal and the first terminal ID.

[0061] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the check-in shared information has been received from the second user terminal (step 55).

[0062] If it is determined that check-in shared information has been received from the second user terminal (Yes), the CPU 11 identifies the second terminal ID that identifies the second user terminal and the first terminal ID that identifies the first user terminal that is the sharer from the check-in shared information (step 56).

[0063] Next, the CPU 11 associates the second terminal ID with the benefit information (benefit ID) and stores them in the benefit information database 43 (step 57).

[0064] Then, the CPU 11 stores the first terminal ID and the second terminal ID in the user information database 42 or the benefit information database 43 in association with the same group ID as user terminals belonging to the same group (step 58).

[0065] This allows the restaurant information providing server 100 to manage the user of the first user terminal and the user of the second user terminal as users belonging to the same group, that is, as a group of users who often act together or have similar tastes. Therefore, the restaurant information providing server 100 can encourage groups to visit restaurants by, for example, simultaneously transmitting restaurant information and coupons specialized in a specific category (genre, service time, etc.) to the user terminals 200 of users belonging to the same group.

[0066] In this embodiment, it is conceivable that not only the user of the first user terminal, but also the user of the second user terminal who has come to the store together with the first user terminal, may perform a check-in operation by themselves using the check-in device 300.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of check-in privilege granting processing by the eating and drinking establishment information providing server 100 when check-in information is received from the user of the second user terminal.

[0068] As shown in the figure, the CPU 11 of the restaurant information providing server 100 first determines whether or not check-in information has been received from the second user terminal 200 (step 61). The check-in information includes a store ID that identifies the restaurant and a second terminal ID that identifies the second user terminal that has checked in.

[0069] If it is determined that check-in information has been received from the second user terminal 200 (Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether or not benefit information has been associated with the second terminal ID from the time of reception until time T2 ago (step 62). That is, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the benefit information granted to the user of the first user terminal 200 has already been granted to the user of the second user terminal 200 by receiving check-in shared information from the second user terminal 200 until time T2 ago via the check-in identification image based on the check-in of the first user terminal 200.

[0070] Here, time T2 is a time longer than the time T1 and may correspond to the average length of time a user stays at a restaurant, such as, but not limited to, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc. Furthermore, CPU 11 determines whether or not benefit information was associated before time T2 based on, for example, a timestamp included in the benefit ID of the associated benefit information.

[0071] Here, the reason why the time T2 is set as the judgment condition is to prevent the user of the second user terminal from performing multiple check-in operations or performing a check-in shared operation in addition to a check-in operation during a single visit, which would result in the user of the second user terminal being awarded multiple benefits for a single visit. In other words, if benefit information is associated with the second terminal ID from the time of receipt of the check-in information until before time T2 (Yes in step 62), the user of the second user terminal is deemed to have performed multiple check-in operations or both a check-in operation and a check-in shared operation during a single stay at the restaurant, and the CPU 11 does not perform any further processing to award a benefit to the user of the second user terminal, and ends the processing.

[0072] On the other hand, if it is determined that the second terminal ID has not been associated with any bonus information by the time T2 (No in step 62), the check-in operation by the user of the second user terminal is assumed to be the first check-in operation since arriving at the store, and the CPU 11 associates the second terminal ID with the bonus information and stores it in the bonus information database 43 (step 63).

[0073] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not check-in shared information has been received from the second user terminal 200 within a time T2 from the time of receiving the check-in information (step 64).

[0074] If it is determined that check-in shared information has been received from the second user terminal 200 within time T2 (Yes), the CPU 11 identifies the ID of the user terminal that is the sharer (in this example, the first terminal ID) from the check-in shared information, as in step 56 of Figure 5 above, and stores the first terminal ID and second terminal ID in association with the same group ID in the user information database 42 or the bonus information database 43 (step 65).

[0075] However, since the second terminal ID has already been associated with the benefit information in step 63, the CPU 11 does not execute a process of associating the second terminal ID with the benefit information again.

[0076] Through the above processing, when the restaurant information providing server 100 receives check-in shared information from the second user terminal 20 via the first user terminal 200 after the second user terminal 200 has checked in itself, the restaurant information providing server 100 does not grant duplicate benefits to the second user terminal 200, but can associate the user of the first user terminal 200 and the user of the second user terminal 200 as users of the same group.

[0077] [summary] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a user checks in to a restaurant using a user terminal 200, not only is an appropriate benefit granted, but by transmitting a check-in identification image to be read by another user terminal 200, the benefit granted to the visiting user can be easily shared with other users who visit together, and the restaurant can obtain visit information for more users by group.

[0078] Furthermore, the sharing of check-in information can be accomplished simply by having another user terminal read the check-in identification image, so the restaurant does not need to prepare any new equipment to share the check-in information.

[0079] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, when the restaurant information providing server 100 receives check-in information from each user terminal 200 by a user of the first user terminal 200 or the second user terminal 200 performing a check-in operation while staying at a restaurant, and then receives check-in information again from one of the user terminals 200 after the time T1 has elapsed, the restaurant information providing server 100 may transmit to each user terminal 200 a new check-in identification image that is valid for the time T1 from that point. Alternatively, the restaurant information providing server 100 may transmit an update signal that updates the check-in identification image so as to extend the expiration date of the check-in identification image already transmitted by the time T1. In this way, if a user performs a check-in operation again even after the time T1 has elapsed since check-in, the user is given an opportunity to share their check-in information with other users. However, in this case, because each user has already been granted privilege information, the restaurant information providing server 100 does not associate the terminal ID of each user terminal 200 with the privilege information.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, an electronic stamp device that contacts the user terminal 200 is used as the check-in device, but the check-in device is not limited to an electronic stamp device. For example, the check-in device may be a device that can transmit check-in identification information to the user terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication. Furthermore, instead of using a check-in device, for example, when the user terminal 200 reads a two-dimensional code on a check-in sticker installed at each restaurant, the user terminal 200 may transmit check-in information to the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, a check-in identification image is used as the check-in identification information that is transmitted to be read by the second user terminal 200 when the restaurant information providing server 100 receives check-in information from the first user terminal 200. However, the check-in identification information is not limited to an image and may be, for example, characters or symbols.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a case where a corresponding benefit is granted when the user checks in at a restaurant using the user terminal 200. However, when the user of the user terminal 200 visits the restaurant, the check-in process and the corresponding benefit granting process are not required. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic stamp image S is a time-limited image that can be read only for a time T1, but such time-limited processing is not required.

[0084] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a process for realizing mobile ordering at a restaurant. That is, when a user of user terminal 200 visits a restaurant, a first user terminal may read a two-dimensional barcode placed on each table, enabling mobile ordering (permitting access to a mobile ordering page). In this case, once the two-dimensional code on each table has been read by one user terminal, it may not be read by other user terminals until the transaction for that table is completed (as long as the two-dimensional barcode is linked to the terminal ID of the first user terminal). That is, when a first user terminal reads a two-dimensional barcode and restaurant information providing server 100 receives restaurant visit information including the two-dimensional barcode information and the terminal ID of the first user terminal from the first user terminal, restaurant information providing server 100 invalidates the two-dimensional barcode even if any other user terminal subsequently reads it, and denies access to the mobile ordering page.

[0085] In addition, a second user terminal of another user at the same table as the user of the first user terminal may read and share the 2D code read by the first user terminal, thereby linking the terminal ID of the second user terminal to the 2D barcode and the terminal ID of the first user terminal, making it possible to place a mobile order from the second user terminal as well.

[0086] In this case, the restaurant information providing server 100 may group the terminal IDs of the first user terminal and the second user terminal by associating them with the same group ID and storing them, thereby identifying and managing the customers at each table. In this case, the shared information of the two-dimensional barcode may be transmitted to the restaurant information providing server 100 from the second user terminal that read the two-dimensional barcode, as in the above-described embodiment, or from the first user terminal that received the barcode. In the latter case, when the two-dimensional barcode is read, the first user terminal may obtain the terminal ID from the second user terminal, for example, by short-range wireless communication, and transmit the obtained terminal ID together with its own terminal ID and two-dimensional barcode information to the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0087] That is, in this case, the restaurant information providing server 100 may function as an information processing device as follows. A communication means capable of communicating with a first user terminal and a second user terminal; when receiving store visit information including the code information and a first terminal ID identifying the first user terminal from the first user terminal that has read the code information from a medium installed in the service facility, storing the first terminal ID in association with the code information; Transmitting visit identification information readable by other user terminals to the first user terminal; a control means for storing, when receiving store visit shared information including a second terminal ID for identifying a second user terminal and the first terminal ID from a first user terminal from which the store visit identification information has been read or a second user terminal from which the store visit identification information has been read, the first terminal ID and the second terminal ID in association with one group ID; An information processing device comprising:

[0088] With this configuration, restaurant information providing server 100 can prevent customers of different groups at different tables in a restaurant from reading the same code information (two-dimensional barcode). Also, mobile ordering is possible not only for users of the first user terminal but also for users of the second user terminal at the same table, and customer information for each table can be obtained and managed and recorded as a group.

[0089] In addition, in the system that realizes the above-mentioned mobile ordering, the upper limit on the number of times that the two-dimensional barcode installed on each table can be read may be set to the maximum number of people that can be seated at that table (for example, four times for a four-seater table, six times for a six-seater table, etc.).

[0090] That is, restaurant information providing server 100 sets the number of times the two-dimensional code of each table can be read to the maximum number of people that can be seated at each table and stores the set number, and each time the two-dimensional barcode of each table is read by user terminal 200, it receives the information of the read two-dimensional barcode together with the terminal ID as restaurant visit information from user terminal 200. Restaurant information providing server 100 then counts the number of times the two-dimensional barcode has been read (the number of times two-dimensional barcode information has been received), and if it determines that the number does not exceed the set upper limit, it stores the terminal ID in association with the two-dimensional barcode information, and if it determines that the upper limit has been exceeded, it disables reading of the two-dimensional barcode, denies access to the mobile order page, and sends notification information to user terminal 200 that the number of times the barcode has been read has exceeded the upper limit.

[0091] In this case, as long as the upper limit of the number of times the barcode can be read is not exceeded, two-dimensional barcode information can be linked to the terminal IDs of multiple different user terminals 200. That is, each user seated at the same table can read the two-dimensional barcode (once each) with their respective user terminal 200 and place a mobile order with their respective user terminal 200. In this case, the restaurant information providing server 100 groups the terminal IDs of the user terminals 200 at the same table that have read the two-dimensional barcode (transmitted the same two-dimensional barcode information) and stores them in association with one group ID.

[0092] This allows each user seated at the same table to use the mobile ordering system, while also preventing users who are not seated at that table from accidentally or intentionally reading the two-dimensional barcode on the table and using the mobile ordering system.

[0093] The upper limit of the number of times the ID can be read does not have to be the same as the maximum number of people that can sit at each table, but may be different depending on the number of people that can sit at each table. For example, the upper limit of the number of times the ID can be read may be set to half the maximum number of people that can sit at each table, or the maximum number of people that can sit at each table minus one.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, restaurants are given as an example of service facilities, but service facilities are not limited to restaurants. The present invention can also be applied to various other service facilities, such as accommodation facilities such as hotels and inns, various sports facilities such as tennis and golf, and entertainment facilities such as karaoke and bowling.

[0095] Among the inventions described in the claims of this application, the invention described as an "information processing method" is one in which each step is automatically performed by at least one device such as a computer through software-based information processing, and is not performed by a human using a device such as a computer. In other words, the "information processing method" is an information processing method using computer software, and is not a method in which a human operates a computing tool called a computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 11, 21...CPU 18, 28...Storage section 19, 29…Communications Department 26…Display section 41...Restaurant information database 42...User information database 43...Benefits information database 44...Electronic stamp information database 100...Restaurant information server 200...User terminal 300...Check-in device

Claims

1. a storage means for storing an upper limit of the number of times code information including table identification information associated with the seating capacity of each table is read from a medium installed at each table in the service facility; A communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of user terminals; a control means for determining whether or not the number of times the code information has been received from a user terminal having a different terminal ID exceeds the upper limit when receiving store visit information including the code information and a terminal ID for identifying the user terminal from the user terminal that has read the code information from the medium, and for storing the terminal ID in association with the code information in a table corresponding to the code information, thereby permitting the ordering of a service from the user terminal having the terminal ID to the service facility; Equipped with The upper limit number is stored in association with the number of people who can sit so that it varies depending on the number of people who can sit. Information processing device.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The upper limit number is the number of people who can sit. Information processing device.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control means stores a plurality of different terminal IDs received together with the same code information as the store visit information in association with one group ID. Information processing device.

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, When the control means determines that the number of times the code information has been received exceeds the upper limit, the control means transmits information to the user terminal that is the source of the code information, indicating that the number of times the code information has been read exceeds the upper limit. Information processing device.

5. storing an upper limit number of times that code information including table identification information associated with the number of people that can be seated at each table is read from a medium installed at each table in the service facility; When receiving store visit information including the code information and a terminal ID that identifies the user terminal from a user terminal that reads the code information from the medium, determining whether the number of times the code information has been received from user terminals with different terminal IDs exceeds the upper limit; When it is determined that the upper limit number is not exceeded, the terminal ID is stored in association with the code information, thereby permitting an order for a service from the user terminal having the terminal ID to the service facility in the table corresponding to the code information.

1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: The upper limit number is stored in association with the number of people who can sit so that the upper limit number varies depending on the number of people who can sit. Information processing methods.

6. In the information processing device, a step of storing an upper limit number of times that code information including table identification information associated with the number of people that can be seated at each table from a medium installed at each table in the service facility is read; a step of determining whether or not the number of times the code information has been received from a user terminal having a different terminal ID exceeds the upper limit when store visit information including the code information and a terminal ID that identifies the user terminal is received from the user terminal that has read the code information from the medium; when it is determined that the upper limit number is not exceeded, storing the terminal ID in association with the code information, thereby permitting an order for a service from the user terminal having the terminal ID to the service facility in a table corresponding to the code information; A program for executing The upper limit number is stored in association with the number of people who can sit so that it varies depending on the number of people who can sit. program.

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