Questionnaire survey system and method

Abstract

To present, in a real-time manner when a cashless settlement is made, questionnaires provided by an affiliated store to a customer, and to obtain questionnaire answers from the customer.SOLUTION: A system server is connected to, via a network, a settlement terminal placed at an affiliated store, supports an affiliated store management work, and conducts a questionnaire survey to members via the affiliated store. In the system server, questionnaire information managing means manages questionnaire information to be transmitted to the settlement terminal, and distribution operation controlling means distributes the questionnaire information to the settlement terminal. In the settlement terminal, questionnaire display controlling means displays, on a display and input screen, the questionnaire information received from the system server, and evaluation collection information controlling means transmits, to the system server, questionnaire answer information input from the display and input screen. In the system server, evaluation collection information managing means manages the questionnaire answer information collected from the settlement terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a questionnaire survey service for affiliated stores that enter into an affiliated store contract with an affiliated store management company that has a handling contract with a cashless payment brand. More specifically, the present invention relates to a questionnaire survey system and method that utilizes payment terminals and the like installed in such affiliated stores. [Background technology]

[0002] In various industries, affiliated stores that have concluded affiliate agreements with affiliated store management companies that have already signed contracts with cashless payment brands use all-in-one terminals that can handle various payment processes as a payment method to support customers' use of cashless payment when processing retail sales. Some of these payment terminals are equipped with an operation panel function consisting of two screens: one for customers and one for the store.

[0003] This type of payment terminal allows both the customer and the store to visually and audibly confirm payment details during the two-way payment process. As an all-in-one terminal, it can efficiently perform various payment procedures, including contactless reading of various IC (Integrated Circuit) cards or smartphones using near-field communication (NFC), contactless reading of one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes, electronic signature input, PIN input, and receipt printing.

[0004] In addition, various application distribution services and data transmission services are being developed between the payment terminal and the affiliated store management organization system to support store transaction processing, and as a result, such payment terminals are also being used as distribution media for store advertisements.

[0005] There is a system that presents survey information to customers in real time when they make a payment using their cashless card. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when making a payment by credit card at an affiliated store, an email is sent to the customer's mobile information terminal to notify them of card use as needed to prevent fraudulent use. This notification service involves creating, sending, and collecting surveys about stores, products, etc.

[0006] There is also a system for collecting evaluation information about stores from customers when making online payments using their smartphones. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that evaluation information about stores and services, etc. is acquired when customers enter their card information into the payment screen displayed on their smartphones when making payments with their credit cards at affiliated stores. The evaluation information collected in this way is analyzed in various ways, and the results are used as performance information provided by card payment users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-188312 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-71580 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-181331 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the questionnaire system disclosed in Patent Document 1, although users who make card payments receive a notification email immediately, they are not always able to respond immediately depending on their convenience, and if they respond to the questionnaire after the fact, their impression of the product, service, etc. often fades over time.

[0009] Furthermore, the affiliated store information provision system disclosed in Patent Document 2 allows customers to input evaluation information from the payment screen displayed on their smartphones, and since it is possible to correct evaluations or change comments after the fact by accessing the affiliated store information site, there is a concern that the evaluation information will change and become smoothed over time.

[0010] Therefore, there was a problem in that it was not possible to sufficiently guarantee the freshness and reliability of information when collecting or storing survey results about stores, products, services, etc. from users who made card payments in real time at the time of payment. Also, due to the instability of the survey results, there was a problem in that it was not possible to fully implement discount deductions at the time of payment or the provision of digital incentives (electronic money, electronic coupons, point awards, etc.).

[0011] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a payment terminal configured with a store screen and a customer screen each as a touch screen. This payment terminal allows store staff and customers to perform various operations related to cashless payment through these two display screens.

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a questionnaire survey system and method that presents survey questions provided by affiliated stores contracted with cashless payment brands or external survey companies to customers in real time at the time of cashless payment, enables survey responses to be obtained from customers, and enables the setting and redemption of incentives to be presented to customers based on the freshness and reliability of the survey responses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, as one aspect of the present invention, a questionnaire survey system is provided for conducting a questionnaire survey of members who have entered into membership contracts with a payment brand, via an affiliated store management company that has entered into a handling contract with the payment brand, and affiliated stores that have entered into affiliated store contracts with the affiliated store management company, and the system comprises the following components: (1) A system server installed at the affiliated store management company that supports processes related to the management of affiliated stores; (2) A plurality of payment terminals that are individually installed at member stores, connected to a system server via a network, and receive payment results for transaction contracts between member stores and members from the payment institution of the payment brand based on member identification information entered by the member.

[0014] The system server (1) includes the following components: (1-1) a survey information management means for managing survey question information transmitted to a plurality of payment terminals; (1-2) Evaluation collection information management means for managing questionnaire survey response information collected from multiple payment terminals; and (1-3) A distribution operation control means for distributing questionnaire survey question information to multiple payment terminals.

[0015] The multiple payment terminals (2) each include the following components: (2-1) A display / input screen for presenting the settlement result to the member, displaying the questionnaire survey question information, and receiving the questionnaire survey response information; (2-2) a questionnaire display control means for displaying the questionnaire question information received from the system server on the display input screen; and (2-3) Evaluation collection information control means for transmitting the questionnaire survey response information entered from the display input screen to the system server.

[0016] As one aspect of the present invention, a questionnaire survey method in a questionnaire survey system is for conducting a questionnaire survey of members who have entered into membership contracts with a payment brand, via an affiliated store management company that has entered into a handling contract with the payment brand, and affiliated stores that have entered into affiliated store contracts with the affiliated store management company, and includes the following components: (1) A system server that is connected via a network to a plurality of payment terminals individually installed at member stores and supports processes related to the management operations of the member stores, and a survey information management means manages the survey question information to be sent to the plurality of payment terminals; (2) a step of distributing questionnaire survey question information to a plurality of payment terminals by a distribution operation control means in the system server; (3) At one of the plurality of payment terminals, a step of displaying, by a questionnaire display control means, questionnaire question information received from the system server on a display input screen for presenting to the member the payment results received from the payment institution of the payment brand regarding the transaction contract between the member store and the member based on the member identification information input by the member; (4) transmitting the questionnaire survey response information entered on the display input screen to the system server by the evaluation collection information control means of one of the plurality of payment terminals; and (5) A step of managing the questionnaire response information collected from the plurality of payment terminals by the evaluation collection information management means in the system server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, when making a cashless payment, survey questions provided by affiliated stores contracted with the cashless payment brand or external research companies can be presented to customers in real time, and survey responses can be obtained from the customers. Furthermore, incentives can be set and redeemed based on the freshness and reliability of the survey responses. Furthermore, by confirming in-depth customer insights that combine data obtained through payments and other member information, efficient survey questions with a reduced number of response items can be set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] A more detailed understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein can be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a connection configuration of various systems related to a questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a system server on the side of an affiliated store management company in a questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are a top view and a side view showing the appearance of a merchant payment terminal in a questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a merchant payment terminal in the questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5A] 1 is a flowchart showing a survey transition process in a survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention, at the time of pre-setting, when the survey start time arrives, and immediately before payment when a customer visits the store. [Figure 5B] 10 is a flowchart showing a questionnaire transition process when a customer visits a store to make a payment and after the customer leaves the store in the questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5C]10 is a flowchart showing a survey transition process at the time of individual distribution to a customer and after the survey deadline in the survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] This is an integration diagram showing the flow of various data, items, and operations / displays between various systems included in the survey transition process at the time of pre-setting, when the survey start time arrives, and just before payment when the customer visits the store in a survey survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] This is an integration diagram showing the flow of various data, items, and operations / displays between various systems included in the survey transition process when a customer visits the store to make a payment and after the customer leaves the store in a survey survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6C] This is an integration diagram showing the flow of various data, objects, and operations / displays between various systems included in the survey transition process during individual distribution to customers and after the survey deadline in a survey survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pre-payment questionnaire content displayed on the customer's touch screen of the affiliated store's payment terminal, and an example of a post-payment questionnaire content displayed on the display of the customer's information device from the questionnaire site system, in a questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a printed receipt and an example of a digital signage display output from the member store payment terminal in the questionnaire survey system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0020] [Connections between various systems] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing the connection of various systems related to a questionnaire survey system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 illustrates a scenario in which, at an affiliated store 160 that has a handling contract with at least one of various cashless payment brands, a customer 110 who is a member of that cashless payment brand enters into a purchase transaction contract for a product or service in the store, and the customer 110, following instructions from a staff member of the affiliated store 160, performs a payment operation on an affiliated store payment terminal 170, which is a client device of an affiliated store management company system server 150.

[0021] Here, it is further assumed that before and after payment, the customer's screen of the affiliated store payment terminal 170 will display the contents of the advertisements and questionnaires that have been registered in the affiliated store management company's system server 150 by the person in charge of the affiliated store 160 or the external research company system 190. The affiliated store payment terminal 170 is communicably connected via the communication line 100 to the system server 150 and the external research company system 190, as well as the payment agency system 130, affiliated store information equipment 165, and questionnaire site system 180, which will be described later. The questionnaire survey system 140 is made up of these various systems as components.

[0022] 1, communication line 100 communicatively connects each component constituting questionnaire survey system 140, payment agency system 130, external survey company system 190, and customer-side information equipment 120 (described later). Note that communication line 100 may be, for example, a public line network that realizes telephone communications and data communications, or may include as part of a dedicated line network that connects only specific systems so that only specific systems can communicate with each other.

[0023] Information device 120 present on the customer 110 side uses various applications including a mailer and a web browser to receive the information email distributed from affiliated store management company system server 150, and presents the survey question content provided from survey site system 180 to customer 110 by accessing the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) link included in the email. Information device 112 includes a general-purpose personal computer (PC), tablet computer, smartphone, etc., and is equipped with various applications that enable the sending and receiving of telephone calls, emails, and short messages.

[0024] In the payment agency system 130, the payment agency has a contract with a payment institution belonging to at least one of various cashless payment brands, and performs one end of the payment flow between the customer 110 and the affiliated store management company system server 150 via the affiliated store payment terminal 170. In response to a payment request received from the payment terminal 170, this payment agency system 130 transmits the result of the payment processing by the relevant payment institution to the payment terminal 170.

[0025] In the affiliated store management company's system server 150, the affiliated store management company has a handling contract with at least one of various cashless payment brands, and the other end of the payment flow is carried out between the payment agency system 130 and the affiliated store 160 via the affiliated store's payment terminal 170. In response to the payment result received from the payment agency system 130, this system server 150 transmits the sales settlement result for the sales transaction from the relevant affiliated store to the payment terminal 170.

[0026] The types of cashless payments assumed here include card payments, electronic money payments, and code payments. In card payments, the card itself or information device, etc., based on a customer's credit card, prepaid card, debit card, etc., is read on the payment terminal 170. In electronic money payments, an IC card or information device, etc., including a balance charge, is read on the payment terminal 170. In code payments, a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code displayed on an information device, etc., corresponding to a credit card, debit card, balance charge, bank account, etc., is read on the payment terminal 170.

[0027] For example, in the case of credit card payments, the affiliated store management company's system server 150 cooperates with the payment agency system 130, which has a contract with the issuer, as an acquirer for the affiliated store contracting company, and provides card payment services between the customer 110 and the affiliated store 160. It is possible for an affiliated store management company to serve as both an issuer and an acquirer. Here, questionnaires based on the research motive at the affiliated store management company may include, for example, surveys on the parties who visit to conclude sales transaction contracts in a specific industry, and surveys aimed at preventing affiliated stores from abandoning their businesses and generating new revenue.

[0028] The affiliated store payment terminal 170 is installed at an affiliated store 160 that has entered into an affiliated store agreement with the affiliated store management company. It is an all-in-one payment terminal that supports various cashless payment processes and supports payments for purchases of goods, services, etc. by customers 110 during the accounting process for retail sales transactions conducted within the store. The payment terminal 170 is equipped with a dual-screen operation panel function, with a customer screen and a store screen, and the customer screen in particular is capable of displaying various advertising content or survey questions. Motivation-based surveys conducted by the affiliated store 160 may include, for example, customer satisfaction surveys, collecting evaluations of new products, presenting information to encourage future visits, and cost reduction surveys.

[0029] Information device 165 present on the affiliated store 160 side uses various applications including a mailer and a web browser to request questionnaire and advertisement distribution settings from affiliated store management company system server 150, and receives the registration results from affiliated store management company system server 150. Information device 165 includes a general-purpose PC or tablet terminal, and is equipped with various applications that enable sending and receiving emails, short messages, and the like. Examples of uses for information device 165 also include the following: (1) Creation of survey questions (disclosure timing, selection of questions, etc.), (2) Creation of incentives (start date, selection of target, etc.), (3) Acquisition and confirmation of data for individual distribution of survey questions, and (4) Managing the results of collected survey responses.

[0030] Survey site system 180 is a system that operates a website on communication line 100 for displaying advertisements or collecting questionnaires, and makes the managed website available to customers 110 who have been granted usage rights in advance. Various data on advertisements or questionnaires presented on this website is registered in the affiliated store management company's system server 150 by the affiliated store management company, each affiliated store 160, or an external research company, and then stored as content in survey site system 180. When survey site system 180 receives a reference request from customer-side information device 120, it transmits content based on the selection of customer 110 to customer-side information device 120, based on the usage rights of customer 110.

[0031] External research company system 190 is an external research company that has an individual contract with a cashless payment brand or an affiliated store management company, and registers survey question information based on various motives as content in affiliated store management company system server 150, and receives analysis results of collected survey responses from this system server 150. Here, surveys based on the research motives conducted by external research companies may include, for example, surveys on parties who visit to conclude sales transaction contracts in a specific industry, and surveys aimed at promoting the sales of specific survey tools.

[0032] [Internal configuration of the affiliated store management company's system server] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the affiliated store management company's system server 150 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the system server 150 is configured similarly to a computer for general server use, and supports processing functions related to affiliated store management operations. More specifically, in the server of the system server 150, a control unit 210, a main memory unit 212, an input unit 214, an output unit 216, a communication IF (Interface) 218, and an auxiliary memory unit 220 are connected to each other via a system bus 200 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0033] The auxiliary storage unit 220 contains application programs for processing various types of data, including an affiliated store information management unit 230, a customer information management unit 232, a payment information management unit 234, an incentive information management unit 236, a delivery setting management unit 238, a delivery operation control unit 240, an advertising information management unit 242, a survey information management unit 244, an impression information management unit 246, an email delivery control unit 248, an evaluation collection information management unit 250, and an evaluation analysis information management unit 252. The programs held in these components are loaded into the main storage unit 212 based on a call instruction from the control unit 210, and perform various calculation processes.

[0034] Furthermore, auxiliary storage unit 220 includes a member store information storage unit 260, a customer information storage unit 262, a usage history information storage unit 264, an incentive information storage unit 266, a delivery information storage unit 268, an advertisement data storage unit 270, a questionnaire data storage unit 272, an impression data storage unit 274, an evaluation collection information storage unit 276, and an evaluation analysis information storage unit 278, which are subsystems that each manage data and programs in the form of files / databases. The data and programs stored in these components are loaded into main storage unit 212 based on a call instruction from control unit 210, and are used for various calculation processes.

[0035] The control unit 210 functions as a central processing unit (CPU) and controls the operations of individual system components and performs data calculations, and in particular loads data and programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 220 into the main storage unit 212 to perform various calculations. The main storage unit 212 functions as a main memory and stores various data and programs input from the input unit 214, communication IF unit 218, and auxiliary storage unit 220 based on instructions from the control unit 210, as well as computer-executable instructions, and saves data after calculations have been performed on these.

[0036] The input unit 214 provides an interface for accepting various commands and data (e.g., various master and table data) input by a system operator. The output unit 216 generates output data for displaying various processed data to an operator and output data for printing the data.

[0037] The communication IF unit 218 provides an interface that functions when sending and receiving various data between the customer-side information equipment 120, the payment agency system 130, the affiliated store-side payment terminal 170, the survey site system 180, the external survey company system 190, and other internal systems and devices.

[0038] Here, the embodiment of the server configuration of the affiliated store management company system server 150 may be one that functions as a single system configuration entity. Therefore, as an example of an embodiment, it may be placed inside a single server computer, or it may be configured by distributing each system component in parallel as a plurality of units, or it may be configured by combining a plurality of server computers to share data and programs.

[0039] More specifically, the affiliated store information management unit 230 manages information registered with a cashless payment brand by each affiliated store that has signed a contract with that cashless payment brand, and stores this registered information in the affiliated store information storage unit 260. Such registered information includes, for example, the affiliated store ID (Identification), name, address, representative, type of business, business hours, transportation access, and HP (Home Page) site information.

[0040] The customer information management unit 232 manages information registered with a cashless payment brand by each customer who enters into a membership contract with that cashless payment brand, and stores this registration information in the customer information storage unit 262. Such registration information includes, for example, customer ID, name, address, telephone number, email address, gender, date of birth, debit account, occupation, job title, annual income, and family composition.

[0041] The payment information management unit 234 manages sales handling data of the affiliated store 160 corresponding to the payment result issued by the payment agency system 130 that accepted the payment request from the affiliated store payment terminal 170, and stores this payment information in the usage history information storage unit 264. Such registered information includes, for example, a payment ID, an affiliated store ID, a customer ID, a payment brand ID, the date and time of payment, the payment method, the payment amount, and a breakdown of the transaction items.

[0042] The incentive information management unit 236 manages incentive information (electronic money, electronic coupons, points, etc.) registered to present digital incentives to the customer 110 at the time of purchase payment at the affiliated store payment terminal 170, and stores this registered information in the incentive information storage unit 265. Such registered information includes, for example, an incentive ID, validity period, eligible affiliated store conditions, eligible customer conditions, incentive usage timing setting (at the time of this payment, at the time of the next payment, etc.), and available terminal setting (all affiliated stores, limited affiliated stores, etc.).

[0043] The distribution setting management unit 238 manages information registered for distribution of each piece of advertisement and survey question data presented by the affiliated store 160 to the customer 110 to the affiliated store payment terminal 170, the survey site system 180, or the customer information device 120, and stores this registered information in the distribution information storage unit 268. Such registered information includes a distribution ID, distribution period, target affiliated store conditions, target customer conditions, advertisement ID, and survey question ID.

[0044] The distribution operation control unit 240 controls the handling of designated distribution targets for designated distribution destinations during the distribution period based on the registration information stored in the distribution information storage unit 268. An example of such control is, with respect to specific distribution information, validating each piece of advertisement or survey data to be distributed to the affiliated store payment terminal 170 or customer information device 120 of the distribution destination at the start of distribution, and invalidating each piece of advertisement or survey data that has already been distributed at the end of distribution.

[0045] The advertising information management unit 242 manages advertising data that the affiliated store management company or affiliated stores 160 wish to handle, and stores this data in the advertising data storage unit 270. Such registration information includes, for example, an advertising ID, a validity period, target affiliated store conditions, target customer conditions, billing settings, advertising content, and available terminal settings (all affiliated stores, limited affiliated stores, etc.).

[0046] The survey information management unit 244 manages survey question data that the affiliated store management company, each affiliated store 160, or external research companies, etc., desire to handle, and stores this data in the survey data storage unit 272. Such registration information includes, for example, the survey question ID, validity period, target affiliated store conditions, target customer conditions (such as extraction conditions for those to whom responses are requested), billing settings, survey question content, and available terminal settings (such as all affiliated stores, or limited affiliated stores, etc.).

[0047] The impression information management unit 246 manages impression data received from the affiliated store payment terminal 170 or the survey site system 180 when the customer 110 accesses the survey questions, and stores this data in the impression data storage unit 274. Such registered information includes, for example, the impression ID, acquisition date and time, affiliated store ID, customer ID, and number of impressions.

[0048] The impression information management unit 246 sets the conditions for generating impression data (such as the number of accesses by the same customer) to be generated when a customer 110 accesses a survey question or advertisement before the survey is distributed, and transmits these conditions for generation to the affiliated store payment terminal 170 and the survey site system 180.

[0049] Based on a delivery instruction from the delivery operation control unit 240, the email delivery control unit 248 sends an individual delivery email to the email address of the customer 110, which is the specified delivery destination, and includes in the body of the email either the advertising content, which is the specified delivery target, or a URL link to the survey site system 180. The email delivered in this manner is received by the customer-side information device 120, which handles the email address of the customer 110.

[0050] The evaluation collection information management unit 250 manages the survey response data received from the affiliated store payment terminal 170 or the survey site system 180 as a result of the customer 110 inputting responses to the survey questions, and stores this data in the evaluation collection information storage unit 276. Such registered information includes, for example, a survey response ID, response date and time, affiliated store ID, customer ID, survey question ID, and survey response content.

[0051] The evaluation analysis information management unit 252 stores the results of compiling and analyzing the questionnaire response data stored in the evaluation collection information storage unit 276 in the evaluation analysis information storage unit 278, and transmits the results to the payment terminal 170 of the member store 160 that requested service or to the external research company system 190. Alternatively, the evaluation analysis results are set to be publicly available to customers 110 who have access rights in the questionnaire site system 180. Note that such compilation and analysis may use, as classification items, profile information of the member store 160 or customer 110 stored in the member store information storage unit 260 or customer information storage unit 262, or payment performance information of the member store 160 and customer 110 stored in the usage history information storage unit 264, etc.

[0052] Based on the evaluation analysis information stored in the evaluation analysis information storage unit 278 in this way, the affiliated store management company can provide each affiliated store 160 with analysis data on the store visit behavior of customers 110, and can provide each affiliated store 160 with new services that support the development of products and services that reflect the intentions of customers 110. Furthermore, when generating this evaluation analysis information, by extracting and evaluating in-depth customer insights that are combined with data obtained through payments and other member information, it is possible to set efficient survey questions that can maintain quality by reducing the number of answer items.

[0053] Examples of items that may no longer need to be collected in the form of responses to survey questions are as follows: (1) Member attributes: Attribute information held by issuers of credit cards and other credit cards that have contracts with cashless payment brands, such as gender (male or female), age group, living area, whether or not you have a family (including whether or not you have children), home address, and place of work. (2) Member preferences: Hobbies, preferences, and frequency of outings inferred from frequently purchased items, and (3) Member's VIP (Very Important Person) level: Frequency of visits to affiliated stores, average purchase amount, purchasing power (monthly spending range), and credit card grade, etc.

[0054] [External configuration of merchant payment terminal] Figure 3 is a top view (a) and a side view (b) showing the appearance of the affiliated store payment terminal 170 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the payment terminal 170 installed in the affiliated store 160 has various input / output devices to support various cashless payment methods. In particular, a relatively large touchscreen 300 and a relatively small touchscreen 310 are installed facing each other on both the store side and the customer side.

[0055] In this embodiment, the member store payment terminal 170 has a hardware configuration that is partially similar to that disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, but the hardware configuration is not limited to this. It is desirable for the payment terminal according to the present invention to have touch screens on both the store side and the customer side, but it is sufficient if there is at least a display / input screen on the customer side that allows the display of survey questions and the input of survey responses, and that allows various operations related to cashless payment to be performed using this.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), on the customer side, the customer-side touchscreen 310, operated by the customer 110, has the functions of displaying various payment information, inputting electronic signatures and PIN numbers, and functioning as a contactless IC card reader using near-field communication (NFC), thereby enabling card payments and electronic money payments. The contact IC card reader slot 320 is equipped with a reading function for IC cards that do not support contactless reading, enabling card payments. The bidirectional magnetic card reader slot 330 is equipped with a dual head that can simultaneously read both the front and back of a magnetic card, enabling card payments. In addition, the code reading camera 340 enables code payments by capturing an image of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code displayed on the information device 120.

[0057] Meanwhile, on the store side, the store side touch screen 300 supports the accounting process of retail sales mainly based on software functional operations by being equipped with functions including display, decision, and output for various payments, as well as functions for setting up distribution of advertisements and questionnaires, on the premise that it will be operated by staff of the affiliated store 160. The printer with an autocutter built into the main body of the payment terminal 170 ejects receipt paper printed as the settlement result from the printer outlet 350, and automatically cuts and outputs the paper for each transaction.

[0058] [Internal configuration of merchant payment terminal] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the affiliated store payment terminal 170 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, in order to support functions specialized for retail sales transaction processing, the payment terminal 170 is internally configured similarly to a computer for specialized client use. More specifically, in the payment terminal 170, a control unit 410, a main memory unit 412, an input unit 414, a display unit 416, a printing unit 418, an output unit 420, a communication IF 4222, and an auxiliary memory unit 430 are connected to each other via a system bus 400 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0059] The auxiliary storage unit 430 contains application programs that handle various types of data processing, including a payment processing control unit 440, an incentive information control unit 442, a delivery setting management unit 444, an advertisement display control unit 446, a questionnaire display control unit 448, an impression acquisition control unit 450, an email delivery setting unit 452, an evaluation collection information control unit 454, and an evaluation analysis information management unit 456. The programs held in these components are loaded into the main storage unit 412 based on a call instruction from the control unit 410, and perform various calculation processes.

[0060] Furthermore, the auxiliary storage unit 430 includes an incentive information storage unit 460, a distribution information storage unit 462, an advertisement data storage unit 464, a questionnaire data storage unit 466, an evaluation collection information storage unit 468, and an evaluation analysis information storage unit 470, which are subsystems that each manage data and programs in the form of files / databases. The data and programs stored in these components are loaded into the main storage unit 412 based on a call instruction from the control unit 410, and are used for processing various calculations.

[0061] The control unit 410 functions as a central processing unit (CPU) and controls the operations of individual system components and performs data calculations, and in particular loads data and programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 430 into the main storage unit 412 to perform various calculations. The main storage unit 412 functions as a main memory and stores various data and programs input from the input unit 414, communication IF unit 422, and auxiliary storage unit 430 based on instructions from the control unit 410, as well as computer-executable instructions, and saves data after calculations have been performed on these.

[0062] The input unit 414 provides an interface for accepting various commands or data input from the store-side touch screen 300, the customer-side touch screen 310, the contact IC card reader slot 320, the bidirectional magnetic card reader slot 330, and the code reading camera 340. The communication IF unit 422 provides an interface that functions when sending and receiving various data between the customer-side information device 120, the payment agency system 130, the affiliated store management company system server 150, the questionnaire site system 180, and other internal systems and devices.

[0063] The display unit 416 displays data on the store touchscreen 300 or the customer touchscreen 310 that presents information that the customer 110 or affiliated store 160 needs to confirm for various payments. The printing unit 318 outputs the payment result data to the built-in printer as the print target, and receipts showing accounting details and payment results are ejected from the printer outlet 350 as paper separated for each transaction. The output unit 420 provides an interface for generating output data to be presented to the customer 110 or affiliated store 160 as various processed data other than for display or printing.

[0064] The payment processing control unit 440 accepts a payment request input by the customer 110 from each input interface of the payment terminal 170, transmits this payment request to the payment agency system 130, and then outputs the payment result received from the payment agency system 130 from each output interface of the payment terminal 170. In this way, the payment processing control unit 440 handles one part of the payment processing established between the customer 110 and the cashless payment brand.

[0065] The incentive information control unit 442 manages the incentive information received from the affiliated store management company system server 150 and stores this registered information in the incentive information storage unit 460. With regard to the incentive information stored in the incentive information storage unit 460, when the customer 110 makes a payment using the payment terminal 170, the incentive information control unit 442 displays the incentive information corresponding to the payment status on the customer's touch screen 310 and reflects it in the change of the payment amount depending on the customer's 110 selection of whether to deduct the discount or not. Note that it is possible to apply point processing (awarding or redemption) as an incentive at the time of payment.

[0066] The distribution setting management unit 444 transmits to the affiliated store management company's system server 150 information required to distribute each piece of advertisement and questionnaire question data presented by the affiliated store 160 to the customer 110 to the survey site system 180 or the customer's information device 120. Here, the person in charge of the affiliated store 160 who enters the distribution setting information is limited to related parties who have been authenticated at the time of system login by an authentication function provided by the system server 150. In addition, the distribution setting management unit 444 stores the approved distribution information received from the system server 150 in the distribution information storage unit 462.

[0067] The advertisement display control unit 446 transmits information necessary for the affiliated store 160 to present advertising content to the customer 110 to the affiliated store management company's system server 150, and stores the approved advertising data received from the system server 150 in the advertisement data storage unit 464. Such registration information includes, for example, an advertisement ID, validity period, distribution deadline, output time period, distribution terminal conditions, target affiliated store conditions, target customer conditions, billing settings, as well as advertisement still images and receipt editing settings (various settings such as the content to be written and whether or not to output).

[0068] With regard to the advertising data stored in the advertising data storage unit 464, the advertising display control unit 446 displays advertising data corresponding to waiting advertisements, pre-payment advertisements, or post-payment advertisements, etc., on the customer's touch screen 310 or the store's touch screen 300 before and after the customer 110 makes a payment at the payment terminal 170.

[0069] The survey display control unit 448 transmits information necessary for the affiliated store 160 to present survey question content to the customer 110 to the affiliated store management company's system server 150, and stores the approved survey data received from the system server 150 in the survey data storage unit 466. Such registered information includes, for example, the survey question ID, validity period, distribution deadline, output time zone, distribution terminal conditions (such as the type of payment terminal or information device), target affiliated store conditions, target customer conditions, and billing settings, as well as survey still images, survey question content (such as the number of questions, question content, answer options, question branching settings, and number of required answers), and a survey site URL link (two-dimensional code).

[0070] Regarding the survey data stored in the survey data storage unit 466, the survey display control unit 448 displays each data of the survey questions corresponding to the pre-payment survey or the post-payment survey, etc. on the customer's touch screen 310 or the store's touch screen 300 before and after the customer 110 makes a payment at the payment terminal 170.

[0071] The impression acquisition control unit 450 specifies that when the survey display control unit 448 generates survey question content on the customer's touch screen 310 based on the impression data generation conditions received from the affiliated store management company's system server 150, setting information for acquiring impression data is embedded in the content.

[0072] The email distribution setting unit 452 transmits the specified response target extraction conditions to the affiliated store management company's system server 150, and data-links the email distribution information, which sets the email address of the customer 110 as the destination included in the inquiry result received from the system server 150, to the affiliated store's distribution tool. The body of the distribution email contains the specified advertising content to be distributed, or a URL link to the survey site system 180. The destination where the affiliated store's distribution tool is installed is not limited to the affiliated store's payment terminal 170, and it may alternatively be set in the affiliated store's information device 165.

[0073] The evaluation collection information control unit 454 stores the pre-payment questionnaire responses entered from the customer-side touch screen 310 as evaluation collection information in the evaluation collection information storage unit 468, and transmits this to the affiliated store management company-side system server 150. The evaluation analysis information management unit 456 stores the evaluation analysis information received from the system server 150 in the evaluation analysis information storage unit 470 as the analysis results of the questionnaire responses. Based on the evaluation analysis information stored in the evaluation analysis information storage unit 470 in this way, the person in charge at the affiliated store 160 can analyze the customer's store visit behavior and develop products and services that reflect the customer's intentions.

[0074] The evaluation analysis information management unit 456 makes it possible to cross-check various types of information such as payments, attributes, questionnaires, impressions, etc., using the foreign key items present in each corresponding table as collation keys. The evaluation analysis information management unit 456 also makes it possible to output the stored evaluation analysis information so that it can be displayed on an external BI (Business Intelligence) function, and to download the evaluation analysis information via the questionnaire site system 180 to personnel (who have been granted viewing rights in advance) of the member store management company, each member store that has a contract with the member store management company, and external research companies that have a contract with the member store management company.

[0075] [Questionnaire survey system process flow] Figures 5A to 5C are flowcharts showing the survey transition process in the survey system 140 shown in Figure 1. Figures 6A to 6C are integration diagrams showing the flows of various data, objects, and operations / displays across various systems included in the survey transition processes shown in Figures 5A to 5C, respectively. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pre-payment survey displayed on the customer-side touchscreen 310 of the affiliated store payment terminal 170 and an example of a post-payment survey displayed on the display of the customer-side information device 120 from the survey site system 180. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printed receipt and an example of a digital signage display output from the affiliated store payment terminal 170.

[0076] (When pre-configured) 5A and 6A, in step 500, when a person in charge at affiliated store 160 executes advertisement and questionnaire distribution setting operation 700 on affiliated store information device 165, information device 165 transmits advertisement and questionnaire distribution request 702 to affiliated store management company system server 150. Next, in step 502, system server 150 stores advertisement and questionnaire distribution request 702 received from information device 165 in distribution information storage unit 258 as distribution setting information.

[0077] Alternatively, in step 504, when external research company system 190 transmits advertisement and questionnaire distribution request 702 to affiliated store management company side system server 150, in step 506 system server 150 stores advertisement and questionnaire distribution request 704 received from external research company system 190 as distribution setting information in distribution information storage unit 258. It is also possible for the affiliated store management company itself to store advertisement and questionnaire distribution setting information in distribution information storage unit 258.

[0078] (When the survey distribution period begins) Next, when the start time of the validity period, i.e., the distribution start time, arrives for at least one piece of distribution setting information stored in distribution information storage unit 258 in affiliated store management company system server 150, in step 510, system server 150 transmits advertisement and questionnaire distribution data 710 to affiliated store payment terminal 170. Next, in step 512, payment terminal 170 stores the questionnaire question data and advertisement data in advertisement data storage unit 464 and questionnaire data storage unit 466, respectively, based on the advertisement and questionnaire distribution data 710 received from system server 150.

[0079] Next, in step 514, when the person in charge at the affiliated store 160 executes an operation 712 for setting up individual distribution of advertisements and questionnaires to customers on the affiliated store payment terminal 170, the payment terminal 170 sends an individual distribution request 714 for advertisements and questionnaires to the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Subsequently, in step 516, the system server 150 stores the individual distribution request 714 received from the payment terminal 170 as distribution setting information in the distribution information storage unit 258, extracts customer information (including email addresses, etc.) that meets the response request target extraction conditions included in this distribution setting information from the customer information storage unit 262, and extracts URL information of the survey site system 180 where the survey questions are set from the distribution information storage unit 268, and sends distribution destination / setting source data 716 including these data to the payment terminal 170.

[0080] Next, in step 518, the affiliated store payment terminal 170 stores the customer information of the individual recipients and the access information of the survey site system 180 that set the survey questions as individual delivery setting information in the delivery information storage unit 462 based on the delivery destination / setting source data 716 received from the affiliated store management company system server 150. Note that a delivery tool application that is individually managed by each affiliated store 160 has already been installed in the payment terminal 170, and the individual delivery setting information stored in the delivery information storage unit 462 is linked to this delivery tool application. This situation will be described later with reference to Figures 5C and 6C.

[0081] (Before the customer pays when they visit the store) Next, when the customer 110 is visiting the affiliated store 160 but before the time of payment for the purchase transaction of goods or services, etc., in step 520, if the affiliated store's payment terminal 170 is not currently processing a transaction for another customer, the standby advertisement display 720 continues to be displayed on the customer's touch screen 310 so that it can be viewed by the customer 110.

[0082] Next, when the customer 110 makes a purchase transaction for a product or service at the affiliated store 160, in step 522, the customer 110 or a staff member at the affiliated store 160 accesses (by directly touching a body part, etc.) the "Start Survey" button displayed along with a waiting advertisement on the customer-side touch screen 310 of the affiliated store-side payment terminal 170 as a pre-payment survey start operation 722 or 724, and the payment terminal 170 accepts the display of the pre-payment survey questions. Here, an example of the display of the pre-payment survey is configured as shown in Figure 7(a). In particular, the survey display includes a two-dimensional code that presents a link to the survey site system 180.

[0083] Next, in step 528, the payment terminal 170 generates impression data 726 based on the generation conditions embedded in advance in the content of the pre-payment questionnaire questions, and transmits this to the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Subsequently, in step 526, the system server 150 stores the impression data 726 received from the payment terminal 170 in the impression data storage unit 274.

[0084] Next, in step 528, the affiliated store payment terminal 170 displays the contents of the pre-payment questionnaire as a pre-payment questionnaire display 728 on the customer's touch screen 310 in place of the waiting advertisement. Next, when the customer 110 performs a pre-payment questionnaire response operation 730 on the customer's touch screen 310 to answer the pre-payment questionnaire questions, the payment terminal 170 stores the pre-payment questionnaire response contents in the questionnaire data storage unit 466 in step 530. At this time, if the customer 110 is unfamiliar with touch screen operations, a staff member of the affiliated store 160 may perform a response assistance operation on the store's touch screen 300 as a pre-payment questionnaire supplement operation 732.

[0085] Next, when the customer 110 accesses the "Send" button displayed on the customer-side touch screen 310, in step 532 the affiliated store payment terminal 170 displays the label "Thank you" on the customer-side touch screen 310 as a thank you for responding message 734. Next, in step 532, the payment terminal 170 stores the pre-payment questionnaire response content in the evaluation collection information storage unit 468 and transmits it to the affiliated store management company's system server 150 as pre-payment questionnaire response data 736.

[0086] Next, in step 536, the affiliated store management company system server 150 stores the pre-payment questionnaire response data 736 received from the affiliated store payment terminal 170 in the evaluation collection information storage unit 276. Next, in step 538, if the questionnaire response operation corresponds to the issuance of an incentive, the payment terminal 170 displays on the customer's touch screen 310 that the questionnaire response is eligible for incentive use, or outputs a receipt printing the issuance of the incentive, thereby letting the customer 110 know that the incentive can be used. For example, if the issuance of a coupon is set as the incentive, the coupon usage details are displayed.

[0087] Next, in step 540, the payment amount reflects the result of the incentive use based on the customer's 110 decision. For example, if coupon issuance is set as an incentive, when the customer 110 or a staff member of the affiliated store 160 accesses the "Use Coupon" button displayed on the customer's touch screen 310 or the store's touch screen 300, the affiliated store's payment terminal 170 displays the discount determination result based on the coupon settings on the touch screens 300 and 310, reflecting the coupon reading operation 742. At this time, the customer 110 can recognize the payment amount 744 after deducting the discount. Depending on the incentive settings, the discount deducted payment amount 744 may be automatically presented to the customer 110 from the beginning, without displaying the use of the coupon on the touch screen 300 or 310 of the payment terminal 170.

[0088] Next, in step 542, the merchant payment terminal 170 starts displaying the advertisement content as a pre-payment advertisement display 746 on the customer touch screen 310, and the customer 110 is made aware of the pre-payment advertisement content.

[0089] (When customers pay at the store) 5B and 6B, in step 548, when the customer 110 offers to make a payment to the staff of the affiliated store 160, the staff of the affiliated store 160 accesses the "Start Payment" button displayed on the store-side touch screen 300 of the affiliated store-side payment terminal 170 as a payment start operation 750, and prompts the customer 110 to input cashless payment information. In response, the customer 110 displays the desired cashless payment method (smartphone, various cards, etc.) on the corresponding input interface of the payment terminal 170 as a cashless payment input operation 752. The payment terminal 170 reads the internal information of the cashless payment method (member identification information, etc.) and sends a payment application request 754 to the payment agency system 130.

[0090] Next, in step 550, the payment agency system 130 requests payment processing from the payment processing institution corresponding to the payment details, based on the payment application request 754 received from the affiliated store payment terminal 170. Next, in step 552, the payment agency system 130 transmits payment result data 756 received from the payment processing institution to the affiliated store payment terminal 170.

[0091] Next, in step 554, the affiliated store payment terminal 170 displays the cashless payment result on the store touch screen 300 and the customer touch screen 310, respectively, based on the payment result data 756 received from the payment agency system 130, and both the customer 110 and the staff of the affiliated store 160 view a payment result display 758. The payment terminal 170 also transmits sales handling data 760 to the affiliated store management company system server 150 based on the payment result.

[0092] Next, in step 556, the affiliated store management company system server 150 stores the sales handling data 760 received from the payment terminal 170 in the usage history information storage unit 264. Here, the registered information in the usage history information storage unit 264 may include a survey response ID as a unique key for extracting survey responses, in the form of a link to the survey responses.

[0093] Next, in step 558, the payment terminal 170 displays a post-payment advertisement display 762 on the customer-side touch screen 310 or a digital signage device installed in the store, allowing the customer to view the post-payment advertisement content. For example, the post-payment advertisement display is configured as shown in Figure 8(a). In particular, this advertisement display includes a two-dimensional code that displays a link to the survey site system 180.

[0094] Furthermore, the payment terminal 170 outputs a paper receipt 764 with the payment details printed on it from the printer outlet 350, and the customer 110 receives the receipt 764, which has been picked up by a staff member of the affiliated store 160. For example, the receipt display is configured as shown in FIG. 8(b). In particular, the receipt display includes a two-dimensional code that provides a link to the survey site system 180. A unique key that identifies the customer 110 is attached to this link.

[0095] (After the customer leaves the store) Next, in step 560, when the customer 110 who has left the affiliated store 160 captures an image of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code in the received receipt using the customer's information device 120 as a receipt reading operation 770, the information device 120 sends an authentication request 772 to the survey site system 180 corresponding to the URL information indicated by this code.

[0096] Next, in step 562, the survey site system 180 generates impression data 774 based on the generation conditions embedded in advance in the content of the post-payment survey questions, and transmits this to the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Subsequently, in step 564, the system server 150 stores the impression data 774 received from the survey site system 180 in the impression data storage unit 274.

[0097] Next, the survey site system 180 sends an email authentication request 776 to the customer-side information device 120 as consent to the survey response handling conditions. Subsequently, in step 568, the information device 120 prompts the customer 110 to input an email address that has already been handled by the information device 120, based on the email authentication request 776 received from the survey site system 180. When the customer 110 inputs the relevant email address into the information device 120 as an address input operation 778, the information device 120 sends address data 780 to the survey site system 180.

[0098] Next, in step 570, the survey site system 180 sends an authentication email 782 addressed to the address data 780 received from the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 572, the information device 120 presents the authentication email 782 received from the survey site system 180 to the customer 110. This email includes a URL link that permits the customer 110 to access the survey site system 180. Subsequently, when the customer 110 accesses this URL link as a link access operation 784, the information device 120 sends a connection request 786 to the survey site system 180. Note that the implementation of such email address authentication can be made optional depending on the survey distribution settings conditions set by the affiliated store 160.

[0099] Next, in step 574, the survey site system 180 transmits post-payment survey data 788 to the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 576, the information device 120 presents the post-payment survey question contents to the customer 110 based on the post-payment survey data 788 received from the survey site system 180. For example, the display of the post-payment survey is configured as shown in FIG. 7(b). Subsequently, when the customer 110 inputs the post-payment survey responses into the information device 120 as a post-payment survey response operation 790, the information device 120 transmits post-payment survey response data 792 to the survey site system 180.

[0100] Next, in step 578, the survey site system 180 stores the post-payment survey response data 792 received from the customer-side information device 120 in the survey data storage unit 466, and transmits response response thank you data 794 to the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 580, the information device 120 presents the label "Thank you" to the customer 110 based on the response response thank you data 794 received from the survey site system 180.

[0101] Next, in step 582, the survey site system 180 transmits the post-payment survey response content to the affiliated store management company's system server 150 as post-payment survey response data 795. Subsequently, in step 584, the system server 150 stores the post-payment survey response data 795 received from the survey site system 180 in the evaluation collection information storage unit 276.

[0102] Next, in step 586, the survey site system 180 transmits post-survey response advertising data 798 to the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 588, the information device 120 presents post-survey response advertising content to the customer 110 based on the post-survey response advertising data 798 received from the survey site system 180.

[0103] Next, in step 590, the survey site system 180 generates impression data 800 based on the generation conditions embedded in advance in the content of the post-survey advertisement, and transmits this to the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Subsequently, in step 592, the system server 150 stores the impression data 800 received from the survey site system 180 in the impression data storage unit 274.

[0104] Next, in step 594, the affiliated store management company's system server 150 sends a coupon provision email 802 to the customer's information device 120. Subsequently, in step 596, based on the coupon provision email 802 received from the system server 150, the information device 120 notifies the customer 110 of the details of the coupon (with an expiration date, etc.) that will be provided based on the customer's response to the post-payment questionnaire or access to the advertisement.

[0105] (When distributed individually to customers) 5C and 6C, in step 600, a person in charge at the affiliated store 160 instructs the affiliated store payment terminal 170 to start distribution by performing an individual distribution start operation 810. Next, in step 602, the affiliated store payment terminal 170 uses a distribution tool managed by the affiliated store 160 to send an individual distribution email 812, which includes the registered individual distribution destination email addresses and a URL link to the survey site system 180, based on the individual distribution setting information stored in the distribution information storage unit 462.

[0106] Next, in step 604, the information device 120 presents the individual delivery email 812 received from the delivery tool of the affiliated store 160 to the customer 110. This email includes a URL link that allows the customer 110 to access the survey site system 180. When the customer 110 subsequently accesses this URL link as a link access operation 814, the information device 120 transmits a connection request 816 to the survey site system 180.

[0107] Next, in step 606, the survey site system 180 generates impression data 818 based on the generation conditions embedded in advance in the content of the individual survey questions, and transmits this to the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Subsequently, in step 608, the system server 150 stores the impression data 774 received from the survey site system 180 in the impression data storage unit 274.

[0108] Next, in step 610, the survey site system 180 transmits the individual survey data 820 to the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 612, the information device 120 presents the content of the individual survey questions to the customer 110 based on the individual survey data 820 received from the survey site system 180. Subsequently, when the customer 110 inputs the individual survey responses to the information device 120 as an individual survey response operation 822, the information device 120 transmits the individual survey response data 824 to the survey site system 180.

[0109] Next, in step 614, the survey site system 180 stores the individual survey response data 824 received from the customer-side information device 120 in the survey data storage unit 466, and transmits response response thank you data 826 to the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 616, the information device 120 presents the label "Thank you" to the customer 110 based on the response response thank you data 826 received from the survey site system 180.

[0110] Next, in step 618, the questionnaire site system 180 transmits the individual questionnaire response contents to the affiliated store management company's system server 150 as individual questionnaire response data 828. Subsequently, in step 620, the system server 150 stores the individual questionnaire response data 828 received from the questionnaire site system 180 in the evaluation collection information storage unit 276.

[0111] Next, in step 622, the survey site system 180 transmits post-survey response advertising data 830 to the customer-side information device 120. Subsequently, in step 624, the information device 120 presents post-survey response advertising content to the customer 110 based on the post-survey response advertising data 830 received from the survey site system 180.

[0112] Next, in step 626, the survey site system 180 generates impression data 832 based on the generation conditions embedded in advance in the content of the post-survey advertisement, and transmits this to the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Subsequently, in step 628, the system server 150 stores the impression data 832 received from the survey site system 180 in the impression data storage unit 274.

[0113] Next, in step 630, the affiliated store management company's system server 150 sends a coupon provision email 834 to the customer's information device 120. Subsequently, in step 632, the information device 120 notifies the customer 110 of the coupon provision details (with an expiration date, etc.) based on the coupon provision email 834 received from the system server 150, based on the customer's response to the post-payment questionnaire or access to the advertisement. At this point, the processing flow returns to step 520 above, and continues with the process when the customer visits the store.

[0114] (After the survey distribution deadline has passed) 5C and 6C, when the expiration date of at least one of the distribution setting information stored in the distribution information storage unit 258 of the affiliated store management company's system server 150, i.e., the distribution completion date, arrives, in step 640, the system server 150 tallys up the evaluation collection information (including pre-payment, post-payment, and individual survey response contents) stored in the evaluation collection information storage unit 276 by survey question ID and performs an analysis for each affiliated store 160. Next, the system server 150 stores the analysis results in the evaluation analysis information storage unit 278 and transmits them to the affiliated store's payment terminal 170 or the external research company system 190, respectively.

[0115] Next, in step 642, the external research company system 190 receives the questionnaire analysis result data 840 received from the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Then, in step 644, the affiliated store's payment terminal 170 stores the questionnaire analysis result data 842 received from the system server 150 in the evaluation analysis information storage unit 470 as evaluation analysis information.

[0116] Next, in step 646, the affiliated store management company's system server 150 generates survey billing information for the external research company and affiliated store 160 based on the impression data, evaluation collection information, and evaluation analysis information already stored in the impression data storage unit 274, evaluation collection information storage unit 276, and evaluation analysis information storage unit 278. Next, the system server 150 stores this survey billing information in the survey data storage unit 272 and transmits it to the affiliated store's payment terminal 170 or the external research company system 190, respectively.

[0117] Next, in step 648, the external research company system 190 receives the survey billing data 844 received from the affiliated store management company's system server 150. Then, in step 650, the affiliated store's payment terminal 170 stores the survey billing data 846 received from the system server 150 in the survey data storage unit 466.

[0118] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, survey information provided by affiliated stores contracted with cashless payment brands or external research companies can be presented to customers in real time during cashless payments, and survey responses can be obtained from customers. Furthermore, incentives can be set and redeemed based on the freshness and reliability of the survey responses. Furthermore, by confirming in-depth customer insights that combine data obtained through payments and other member information, efficient survey questions with a reduced number of response items can be set.

[0119] Although the principles of the present invention have been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in configuration and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms, for example, as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 100 communication lines 110 customers (payment brand members) 120 Customer side information equipment 130 Payment agency system 140 Questionnaire Survey System 150 Member store management company system server 160 affiliated stores (payment brand handling stores) 165 Member store information equipment 170 Merchant payment terminal 180 Survey Site System 190 External Research Company System 200 System Bus 210 Control Unit 212 Main memory 214 Input section 216 Output section 218 Communication IF Section 220 Auxiliary storage 230 Affiliated store information management department 232 Customer Information Management Department 234 Payment Information Management Department 236 Incentive Information Management Department 238 Distribution Settings Management Department 240 Distribution Operation Control Unit 242 Advertising Information Management Department 244 Survey Information Management Department 246 Impression Information Management Department 248 Mail delivery control section 250 Evaluation Collection Information Management Department 252 Evaluation and Analysis Information Management Department 260 Member store information storage section 262 Customer information storage unit 264 Usage history information storage unit 266 Incentive information storage unit 268 Distribution information storage unit 270 Advertising data storage unit 272 Questionnaire data storage unit 274 Impression data storage unit 276 Evaluation collection information storage unit 278 Evaluation and analysis information storage unit 300 Store-side touch screen 310 Customer-facing touch screen 320 Contact IC card reader slot 330 Bidirectional magnetic card reader slot 340 Code reading camera 350 Printer outlet with autocutter 400 System Bus 410 Control Unit 412 Main memory 414 Input section 416 Display section 418 Printing Department 420 Output Section 422 Communication IF section 430 Auxiliary storage 440 Payment processing control unit 442 Incentive Information Control Unit 444 Distribution Settings Management Unit 446 Advertisement display control section 448 Questionnaire display control section 450 Impression acquisition control section 452 Email delivery settings section 454 Evaluation and Collection Information Management Department 456 Evaluation and Analysis Information Management Department 460 Incentive information storage unit 462 Distribution information storage unit 464 Advertising data storage unit 466 Questionnaire data storage unit 468 Evaluation collection information storage unit 470 Evaluation and analysis information storage unit

Claims

1. A questionnaire survey system for conducting a questionnaire survey to members who have entered into a membership contract with a payment brand, via an affiliated store management company that has entered into a handling contract with the payment brand and an affiliated store that has entered into a membership contract with the affiliated store management company, a system server installed at the affiliated store management company to support processes related to the management operations of the affiliated stores; a plurality of payment terminals that are individually installed in the member stores, connected to the system server via a network, and receive payment results relating to a transaction contract between the member store and the member from a payment institution of the payment brand based on member identification information input by the member; a questionnaire site system configured as a website connected to the system server and the plurality of payment terminals via the network, presenting question information for the questionnaire survey to information devices operated by the members who have been granted usage rights before accessing the site, and collecting response information for the questionnaire survey from the information devices; Equipped with The system server a survey information management means for managing the survey question information transmitted to the plurality of payment terminals and the survey site system; an evaluation collection information management means for managing the questionnaire survey response information collected from the plurality of payment terminals and the information devices via the questionnaire site system; a distribution operation control means for distributing the questionnaire survey question information to the plurality of payment terminals and the questionnaire site system; an incentive information management means for managing setting information for presenting incentives to the member in response to input of answers to pre-payment question information before payment of the transaction contract and post-payment question information after payment of the transaction contract as question information for the questionnaire survey, and in response to input of answers to individual question information for the questionnaire survey in the questionnaire site system, wherein the pre-payment question information, the post-payment question information, and the individual question information are question information for the questionnaire survey at the member's access stages to the affiliated store, respectively, before payment upon visiting the store, after payment upon visiting the store, and after leaving the store; Including, The plurality of payment terminals include: a display input screen for presenting the settlement result to the member, displaying question information of the questionnaire survey, and receiving input of answer information of the questionnaire survey by contacting a body part of the member; a questionnaire display control means for displaying the pre-payment question information and the post-payment question information on the display input screen as the questionnaire survey question information received from the system server; an incentive information control means for applying a discount to the settlement amount of the transaction contract, or for granting or using points, based on the incentive setting information received from the system server; an evaluation collection information control means for transmitting the questionnaire survey response information input from the display input screen to the system server; Each contains A questionnaire survey system comprising:

2. The system server further includes an advertising information management means for managing advertising information transmitted to the plurality of payment terminals, the distribution operation control means distributes the advertising information to the plurality of payment terminals; The payment terminal further includes an advertisement display control means for displaying the advertisement information received from the system server on the display input screen.

2. The questionnaire survey system according to claim 1, wherein:

3. 2. The questionnaire survey system according to claim 1, wherein the system server individually distributes the questionnaire survey question information together with a URL link to the questionnaire site system to an email address handled by the information device.

4. The questionnaire survey system described in claim 1, characterized in that the questionnaire survey question information displayed on the display input screen of the payment terminal includes a code indicating URL information for the questionnaire site system.

5. the payment terminal further includes a printer for outputting a receipt that prints out the contents of the transaction agreement; 2. The questionnaire survey system according to claim 1, wherein the printed information on the receipt output from the printer includes a code indicating URL information for the questionnaire site system.

6. A questionnaire survey method in a questionnaire survey system for conducting a questionnaire survey to members who have entered into a membership contract with a payment brand, via an affiliated store management company that has entered into a handling contract with the payment brand and an affiliated store that has entered into a membership contract with the affiliated store management company, comprising: a system server connected via a network to a plurality of payment terminals individually installed in the affiliated store and to a questionnaire site system configured as a website for presenting questionnaire survey question information to information devices operated by the members who have been granted usage rights before accessing the site and collecting questionnaire survey response information from the information devices, and supporting processing related to management operations of the affiliated store, wherein the system server manages the questionnaire survey question information sent to the plurality of payment terminals and the questionnaire site system by a questionnaire information management means; a step of managing setting information for presenting incentives to the member by an incentive information management means in the system server in response to input of answers to pre-payment question information before settlement of a transaction contract between the member and the affiliated store and post-payment question information after settlement of the transaction contract, as question information for the questionnaire survey, and in response to input of answers to individual question information for the questionnaire survey in the questionnaire site system, the pre-payment question information, the post-payment question information, and the individual question information being question information for the questionnaire survey at the member's access stages to the affiliated store, before settlement when visiting the store, after settlement when visiting the store, and after leaving the store, respectively; a step of distributing the questionnaire survey question information to the plurality of payment terminals and the questionnaire site system by a distribution operation control means in the system server; a step of displaying, by a questionnaire display control means, the questionnaire survey question information received from the system server on a display input screen for presenting to the member, based on the member identification information input by the member, the payment result received from the payment institution of the payment brand regarding the transaction contract between the affiliated store and the member, the questionnaire survey question information including the pre-payment question information and the post-payment question information; a step of transmitting the questionnaire survey response information input from the display input screen to the system server by an evaluation collection information control means of one of the plurality of payment terminals; a step of transmitting the questionnaire response information input from the information device to the system server by the questionnaire site system; A step of applying a discount deduction to the settlement amount of the transaction contract, or awarding or using points, based on the incentive setting information received from the system server; managing the questionnaire survey response information collected from the plurality of payment terminals and the questionnaire site system by an evaluation collection information management means in the system server; A questionnaire survey method comprising:

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