Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve the convenience of benefits. [Solution] An information processing device comprising: a generation unit that generates a benefit that can be used at a member store in an electronic payment service based on instructions from the member store of the electronic payment service; and a control unit that displays the benefit in a first content provided by the electronic payment service that is displayed on the display unit of a user's terminal device, wherein the generation unit receives a hidden setting from the member store that prevents the benefit generated by the member store from being displayed in the first content, and the control unit does not display the hidden benefit, which is a benefit that has been set to hidden, in the first content.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been disclosed a coupon providing device that provides a user with a coupon that can be used in an electronic payment service (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-93651 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the prior art, the use of special offers such as coupons has not been sufficiently considered, which has resulted in low convenience of the special offers.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience of benefits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a generation unit that generates a benefit that can be used at a member store in an electronic payment service based on instructions from the member store of the electronic payment service; and a control unit that displays the benefit in a first content provided by the electronic payment service that is displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal device, wherein the generation unit receives a hidden setting from the member store that prevents the benefit generated by the member store from being displayed in the first content, and the control unit does not display the hidden benefit, which is the benefit that has been set to hidden, in the first content. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience regarding benefits. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining generation of a display coupon. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining generation of a hidden coupon. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of coupon information 178. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining provision of access destination information by a member store. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interface screen for acquiring a hidden coupon. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100 and the member store interface 72. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a whitelist 180. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF10 for setting information on the original access destination. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interface screen including an indicator. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of coupon information 178 of a coupon ID associated with a plurality of pieces of access information. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 illustrates an interface screen including indicators for each access information of a hidden coupon. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described. Various devices, such as the "server" mentioned below, that provide services to users or perform internal analysis may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and each device may be operated by a different business. Furthermore, the owner of the device hardware (the cloud server provider) and the business that actually operates the device may also be different. An application program and a payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment app. An electronic payment service is a service that supports payments for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (real-world store) that exists in real space, but may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. A virtual store may also include a store provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In such a case, when paying for purchases at the virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and when a purchase is made at a store, processing such as payment is primarily conducted between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be conducted between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system in which an electronic payment service is realized. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. An electronic payment system that realizes the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and the payment server 100. These devices communicate via, for example, a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, etc.

[0011] Some or all of the functional components included in the electronic payment system may be distributed across multiple devices in any form, or may be integrated into any device. For example, some or all of the functional components of the payment server 100 may be included in another device.

[0012] [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input acceptance function, and a program execution function. In the following description, components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a central processing unit (CPU), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment app 20, which operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to users. The payment app 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc. Mini apps may also run on the user terminal device 10. The mini app is an application program that runs within the payment app 20. The mini app is, for example, a mini app that provides various services related to rewards. The mini app, for example, sends or receives rewards, or displays a list of sent or received rewards.

[0013] [First store terminal device] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0014] [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. An interface for affiliated stores 72 runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface for affiliated stores 72 may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface for affiliated stores 72 accepts coupon settings and the like from the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0015] [Payment server] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, this distinction will not be made and it is assumed that payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0016] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

[0017] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which store identification information has been added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described below). The payment application 20 sends first payment information including the store URL and account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described below) using the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and store name information (S3), and sends this to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the affiliated store name and store name (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 makes the electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment app 20 (S8), and the payment app 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include information on the payment amount in addition to the store URL. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0018] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, the payment app 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, at the automatic update timing (e.g., every minute), and at other timings (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image, such as a QR code or barcode, generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first in-store terminal device 50, and the first in-store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first in-store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode, manually entering it, etc. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs electronic payment (S17). Then, the payment server 100 sends a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Note that electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuing a one-time code may be omitted in store scanning, and the payment application 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In this case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment server functional configuration] 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an information processing unit 150, a coupon generation unit 160, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an SOC (System On Chip), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device. One or both of the content providing unit 120 and the information processing unit 150 are examples of a "control unit." The coupon generating unit 160 is an example of a "generating unit."

[0021] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, content information 174, affiliated store / shop information 176, and coupon information 178 (details of which will be described later).

[0022] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW, and is, for example, a network interface card.

[0023] The content providing unit 120 has, for example, a web server function, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10 or the second store terminal device 70. The content providing unit 120 reads out necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. The above content may be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content providing unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with information necessary for generating the content.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0025] [User information] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. User information 172 is an example of user registration information. User information 172 includes, for example, a user URL, account ID, telephone number, and password, as well as associated information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit card payment settings, credit card limit, credit card payment amount, available credit card payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. Registration of a telephone number and password is required when registering for an electronic payment service. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID can be set by the user (or does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth can be set by the user (or do not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user's instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance indicates the balance of electronic money set by the user by transferring funds to the account in advance. Transfer methods include transfers from a designated bank's ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether the settings for electronic credit payment have been completed and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed." The credit payment limit is the monthly credit payment limit. The credit payment amount is the amount of credit payment already used in the current month. The available credit payment amount is the amount of credit payment available in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the figure shows only one credit payment limit, in reality, there may also be daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be discussed later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will currently make electronic payments using the charge balance or by credit payment. The bank account and credit card number are information on the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user's previous transfers to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that indicates the breakdown of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.). The account ID in the user information 172 may be associated with a one-time code issued to the user (for example, the most recently issued one-time code).

[0027] If a user has a benefit such as a coupon, the benefit identification information is associated with the user identification information. When electronic payment is made, the payment server 100 refers to the user information 172 and coupon information 178 (described later) to determine whether the user has a benefit that can be used. If the user has a benefit that can be used, the payment server 100 makes electronic payment using the benefit.

[0028] [Affiliated store / store information] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. The affiliated store / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store ID is associated with an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above), and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store name. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 176 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0029] [Electronic Payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 references the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance," the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds. The item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds is not used as electronic money itself, for example. Instead, the amount corresponding to the item value of the sales proceeds is transferred to a bank account in accordance with a cycle agreed upon between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service. The affiliated store may receive the sales proceeds as electronic money. In this case, the payment server 100 manages the account (wallet) corresponding to the affiliated store ID, the account's electronic money balance, and the sales proceeds history for each payment method in association with each other.

[0030] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payments for users whose "setting information" is set to "credit payment" as follows. Credit payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and allows electronic payments within the credit payment limit and independent of the charge balance. To receive the credit payment service, a user may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The payment processing unit 130 adds the payment amount to the credit payment amount in the user information 172 and subtracts the payment amount from the available credit payment amount. If the payment amount exceeds the available credit payment amount, an error notification is returned to the payment app. The amount used for credit payment is settled, for example, for one month in a lump sum on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debit from a bank account. This processing is performed by the operator of the credit card company.

[0031] The information management unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices and terminal devices. The information management unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds new records to, edits, deletes, etc., the user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176.

[0032] The information processing unit 150 processes information provided by other server devices or terminal devices, and provides information stored in the storage unit 170 to the user terminal device 10 .

[0033] The coupon generation unit 160 generates coupons (benefits) that can be used at affiliated stores of the electronic payment service based on instructions from the affiliated stores of the electronic payment service.

[0034] In this embodiment, coupons are described as an example of the object of processing, but instead of (or in addition to) this, benefits that can benefit users, such as gift certificates (vouchers), may also be the object of processing.

[0035] [Show coupon] Affiliated stores can use the affiliated store interface 72 to create coupons that users can use in electronic payments at affiliated stores. Users can acquire coupons by performing a predetermined operation in the first content provided by the electronic payment service. Acquisition means that coupon identification information is associated with the user identification information in the user information 172. Users can use the coupons when making electronic payments at affiliated stores where the coupons can be used.

[0036] The first content is content provided in the electronic payment service. The first content displays benefits created by each affiliated store of the electronic payment service. Examples of the first content include the payment app homepage displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 in cooperation between the payment server 100 and the payment app 20, a coupon list screen displaying coupons from each affiliated store, an affiliated store or brand screen, and a payment completion screen. The payment server 100 cooperates with the payment app 20 used in the electronic payment service to display, in the first content, coupons (benefits) from the affiliated store that are not set to hidden (closed function is turned on) or coupons (benefits) from other affiliated stores that are not set to hidden. Hereinafter, coupons displayed in the first content will be referred to as "display coupons," and coupons not displayed in the first content will be referred to as "hidden coupons."

[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the generation of a display coupon. The affiliated store operates the affiliated store interface 72 to display interface screen IF1 on the display unit. Interface screen IF1 is a screen for generating coupons. The affiliated store sets the target users of the coupon, the return rate, the coupon budget, etc. on interface screen IF1. Furthermore, the affiliated store can set whether the coupon is a hidden coupon or a displayed coupon on interface screen IF1.

[0038] When the display coupon is set and the affiliated store sets the coupon to be published or distributed, the content provider 120 displays the generated display coupon on the coupon list screen (first content) (e.g., IF2 in FIG. 7). Users of the electronic payment service can obtain the display coupon by operating the payment application 20.

[0039] As described above, member stores can encourage users of electronic payment services to use the member stores by providing coupons to users of the electronic payment service.

[0040] [Hidden coupon] Affiliated stores may want to manage their own customers and provide coupons to those customers using a medium other than that of the electronic payment service. Affiliated stores may want to provide coupons to users through a medium that suits their marketing strategy. For example, they may not provide coupons through the electronic payment service, but may want to provide coupons using their own medium. To improve the convenience of using coupons in this way, affiliated stores can generate hidden coupons.

[0041] The coupon generation unit 160 receives a non-display setting from the affiliated store to not display the benefit generated by the affiliated store in the first content. The content providing unit 120 does not display the non-display benefit, which is a benefit that has been set to not be displayed, in the first content.

[0042] 8 is a diagram for explaining the generation of a hidden coupon. The affiliated store operates the affiliated store interface 72 to display the interface screen IF1 on the display unit. The affiliated store sets a coupon as a hidden coupon on the interface screen IF1.

[0043] If a hidden coupon is set, the content provider 120 does not display the generated hidden coupon on the coupon list screen (first content). Users of the electronic payment service cannot obtain hidden coupons in the electronic payment service because hidden coupons are not made public in the electronic payment service. For example, a hidden coupon generated by affiliated store A on interface screen IF1 (e.g., a hidden coupon for affiliated store A) is not displayed on interface screen IF2#, which is the first content. When generating a displayed coupon, it is necessary to set the target user to whom the coupon will be provided; however, when generating a hidden coupon, setting the target user may be omitted.

[0044] As described above, a member store can encourage users to use the member store by providing coupons to users using the member store's media, as described below, rather than providing coupons to users in electronic payment services.

[0045] In addition to setting whether a coupon is a hidden coupon or a displayed coupon on the interface screen IF1, the payment server 100 may set an item for inputting information about the medium through which the affiliated store intends to distribute the coupon (for example, its own app, website, SNS, flyers, etc.). When the affiliated store sets the coupon as a hidden coupon, the content provider 120 may provide an area on the interface screen IF1 where the affiliated store can input the distribution medium through which the coupon is to be distributed. When the affiliated store inputs the distribution medium and a hidden coupon is generated, the payment server 100 may display various indicators of the hidden coupon (for example, a view indicator, an acquisition indicator, a use indicator) in association with the distribution medium input by the affiliated store (see FIG. 16 described below). When referring to the various indicators, the affiliated store can easily understand the distribution medium through which the hidden coupon was distributed, and the affiliated store can eliminate the need to manage the distribution medium, improving convenience.

[0046] [Access Information] The coupon generation unit 160 generates access information for the user to access the second content to obtain a hidden coupon provided by the electronic payment service. The affiliated store that generated the hidden coupon distributes the access information to the user (user terminal device 10). The payment server 100 displays the second content on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 in response to the user terminal device 10 accessing the access information. When the user performs an operation to obtain the hidden coupon displayed in the second content, the payment server 100 cooperates with the payment application 20 of the user terminal device 10 to associate the coupon with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, thereby allowing the user to obtain a benefit.

[0047] When a coupon is generated as described above, the coupon generation unit 160 provides access information to the affiliated store. The access information is information about the access destination that the user accesses to obtain the coupon. The access information is, for example, a domain or code information in which the domain is encoded (a barcode or a QR code). The access information is provided to the affiliated store via the affiliated store interface 72.

[0048] The access information may be provided not only when a hidden coupon is generated but also when a displayed coupon is generated. The access information may be automatically issued when a hidden coupon is generated, or may be issued based on the settings of the affiliated store when a displayed coupon is generated.

[0049] [Coupon Information] When a coupon is created, the coupon generation unit 160 generates coupon information 178. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon information 178. The coupon information 178 is information in which, for example, for a coupon ID, information indicating coupon attributes such as the target user, return rate, budget, non-display setting (display coupon or non-display coupon), and information on available affiliated stores is associated with access information corresponding to the coupon.

[0050] [Access information provided by affiliated stores] The affiliated store provides the access information to the desired medium. Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining the provision of access destination information by the affiliated store. Interface screen IF3 is an interface screen provided by the payment server 100 to the affiliated store interface 72. The access information is encoded in the QR code on interface screen IF3.

[0051] The affiliated store provides the access information, such as the QR code or the provided domain, to the user via a desired medium. As shown in the figure, the access information may be displayed on the screen of the affiliated store's app or in the content of the service provided by the affiliated store. The affiliated store may also provide the access information to the user using paper media such as a flyer. Furthermore, the access information may be provided in content operated by the affiliated store on a service such as a social networking service (SNS).

[0052] [Access to Access Information by Users] When a user accesses the access information using the user terminal device 10, a screen for acquiring a hidden coupon is displayed. When the access information is accessed, the web browser of the payment app 20 on the user terminal device 10 uses a function such as deep link to display an interface screen for acquiring a hidden coupon. For example, if a browser on a device on which the payment app 20 is not installed accesses the access information, the hidden coupon can be acquired by logging in to the electronic payment service using the user's identification information for the electronic payment service. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen for acquiring a hidden coupon. When a user performs an operation to acquire a hidden coupon, the payment app and payment server 100 work together to share the identification information of the user who performed the operation and associate the hidden coupon with the user's identification information in the user information 172. In this way, the user acquires the coupon.

[0053] When a user performs an operation to acquire a hidden coupon, the hidden coupon may be associated with the user's identification information in the user information 172, and access information may also be associated with the hidden coupon. When a user accesses access information (e.g., a URL or an identifier) ​​to acquire a hidden coupon, the payment server 100 associates the access information used to acquire the hidden coupon with the user's identification information and the hidden coupon and stores them in the storage unit 170 (e.g., coupon information 178). By associating the access information as described above, for example, if a single hidden coupon can be acquired from multiple access destinations of access information, the payment server 100 can identify from which access information the hidden coupon was acquired. The payment server 100 provides this information to the affiliated store via the affiliated store interface 72, etc., allowing the affiliated store to easily analyze the distribution medium effective for acquiring the hidden coupon. Note that, instead of (or in addition to) the access information, a preset name of the access information (e.g., a name set by the affiliated store) may be associated and provided. This makes it easier to recognize from which distribution medium the hidden coupon was acquired.

[0054] The interface screen for acquiring the displayed coupon includes a share button so that users of the electronic payment service can share the coupon. When the share button is operated, information for accessing the interface screen can be posted to a desired application program designated by the user, or information for accessing the interface screen can be sent to other users.

[0055] The content providing unit 120 restricts the sharing of the interface screen (second content) for acquiring a hidden coupon with other application programs or other users. The content providing unit 120 does not restrict the sharing of the interface screen (first content) for acquiring a normal coupon (display coupon) with other application programs or other users, but imposes the above restriction on the interface screen (second content) for acquiring a hidden coupon. A share button is displayed on the interface screen for acquiring a normal coupon, but, for example, the share button is not displayed on the interface screen for acquiring a hidden coupon. For example, the interface screen for acquiring a hidden coupon may restrict the above sharing operation or restrict copying of links or images on the interface screen. This is because hidden coupons are intended to be provided to users selected by affiliated stores, and sharing with other users would be contrary to their purpose.

[0056] [flowchart] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100 and the member store interface 72. First, the payment server 100 receives an instruction to create a coupon from the member store interface 72 operated by the member store (S100). Next, the payment server 100 creates a coupon and provides access information to the member store interface 72 (S102). The access information is provided for both a display coupon and a non-display coupon, for example.

[0057] The interface for member stores 72 displays the access information on the display unit (S200). The member store provides the access information to the desired user.

[0058] Next, the payment server 100 determines whether the created coupon is a non-display coupon (S106). If it is a non-display coupon, the processes of S106 and S108 are omitted.

[0059] If it is not a hidden coupon (if it is a displayed coupon), the payment server 100 displays the displayed coupon in the first content (S106). Next, the payment server 100 grants the coupon to the user in response to the user's operation to acquire the displayed coupon in the first content (S108). The displayed coupon is granted to the user as described above.

[0060] The granting of a hidden coupon will now be described. When the user terminal device 10 accesses the access information, the payment server 100 cooperates with the payment application 20 of the user terminal device 10 to provide the user terminal device 10 with a coupon acquisition screen (for example, the aforementioned FIG. 11) (S110). Next, the payment server 100 grants a coupon to the user in response to the user's operation to acquire a hidden coupon on the coupon acquisition screen (S112). The hidden coupon is granted to the user as described above.

[0061] As described above, the display coupon and the non-display coupon are generated, and the display coupon and the non-display coupon are given to the user.

[0062] Since the identification information of the coupon given to the user is associated with whether it is a displayed coupon or a hidden coupon, when an electronic payment is made using a coupon, the payment server 100 can manage the identification information of the used coupon (whether the used coupon is a displayed coupon or a hidden coupon).

[0063] [Whitelist] When the user terminal device 10 accesses the access information, the payment server 100 obtains information on the original access destination (e.g., the URL of the transition source) that the user terminal device 10 accessed before accessing the access information, and if the information on the original access destination is information on an acceptable original access destination set based on the access information, the payment server 100 displays the second content on the display unit.

[0064] The payment server 100 refers to a list (e.g., a whitelist) prepared in advance and determines whether the information of the original access is information set in the list. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the whitelist 180. The whitelist 180 is stored in the storage unit 170. The whitelist 180 is information in which, for example, a coupon ID, information of the original access destination, and access information are associated with each other.

[0065] [Whitelist setting interface screen] The original access destination information in the whitelist 180 is, for example, information set by the affiliated store by operating the affiliated store interface 72. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF10 for setting the original access destination information. The interface screen IF10 is a screen for setting a whitelist for hidden coupon "001." The affiliated store can set the whitelist, for example, by entering the desired whitelist in the input field of the interface screen IF10 and operating the setting button.

[0066] When the input field is filled in and the setting button is operated, the payment server 100 generates a whitelist 180 including the information of the input original access destination. When the second content is accessed from the information of the original access destination included in the whitelist, the payment server 100 displays the second content on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0067] The information on the original access destination included in the whitelist is, for example, information on the access destination of the service provided by the affiliated store, such as the URL of the application program provided by the affiliated store or the URL of the website provided by the affiliated store. For example, if the access information for accessing the second content is shared with a user who has not been provided with a coupon, it is possible to prevent the user who has not been provided with the coupon from obtaining the coupon by accessing the access information and accessing the second content.

[0068] It should be noted that a blacklist may be set instead of (in addition to) the whitelist, and access from information on the access destinations in the blacklist may be restricted.

[0069] [flowchart] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. First, the payment server 100 (information processing unit 150) determines whether or not there is access to the second content (S300). If there is access to the second content, the payment server 100 acquires information on the original access destination (S302). The information on the original access destination is acquired by a known method. A program for acquiring information on the transition source (information on the original access destination) is associated with the access information, and when an attempt is made to access the access information, the program may instruct the payment server 100 to provide information on the transition source (URL of the transition source).

[0070] Next, the payment server 100 determines whether the information of the original access destination corresponds to the whitelist 180 (S304). If the information does not correspond to the whitelist 180, the payment server 100 transmits an error notification to the user terminal device 10 (S306).

[0071] If the information corresponds to the whitelist 180, the payment server 100 displays the second content for obtaining a coupon on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 (S308). In the above process, if the information of the accessed destination is accessed or if the information corresponds to the whitelist, the payment server 100 may grant a coupon to the user. This ends the processing of one routine of this flowchart.

[0072] [Coupon-related indicators] The payment server 100 displays an indicator of whether a hidden coupon has been acquired and an indicator of whether a coupon displayed in the first content (display coupon) has been used on the interface for affiliated stores 72. The payment server 100 manages a view indicator (an indicator indicating the degree to which the second content has been accessed) indicating the degree to which the coupon has been viewed, an acquisition indicator indicating the degree to which the coupon has been acquired, a usage indicator indicating the degree to which the coupon has been used, etc. The payment server 100 displays an interface screen including the managed indicators on the interface for affiliated stores 72 based on an instruction from the affiliated store.

[0073] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen including indicators. The interface screen including indicators displays the view indicator, acquisition indicator, and usage indicator of the displayed coupon, as well as the view indicator, acquisition indicator, and usage indicator of the hidden coupon. This allows the affiliated store to recognize the effectiveness of the displayed coupon and the hidden coupon. In the above interface screen, either the indicator of the displayed coupon or the indicator of the hidden coupon may be omitted, or some of the indicators may be omitted.

[0074] As described above, when an affiliated store creates a hidden coupon and inputs information about the intended distribution medium into the interface screen for coupon creation, the payment server 100 manages information about the distribution medium (the name of the distribution medium) in association with the hidden coupon (coupon ID). Furthermore, the payment server 100 manages indicators (view indicator, acquisition indicator, and usage indicator) for each hidden coupon and distribution medium. The payment server 100 displays these indicators along with the name of the distribution medium in the affiliated store interface 72. This allows the affiliated store to easily grasp the indicators of the hidden coupon for each distribution medium and easily analyze the effectiveness of the distribution of the hidden coupon on the distribution medium.

[0075] [Providing multiple access information] The payment server 100 generates multiple pieces of access information for a hidden coupon created by the affiliated store so that the affiliated store that created the hidden coupon can distribute each piece of access information to users using different media. For example, when the affiliated store issues an instruction to generate multiple pieces of access information (a predetermined number) on an interface screen for creating a coupon, the payment server 100 generates multiple pieces of access information.

[0076] For example, the payment server 100 generates coupon information 178 in which multiple pieces of access information are associated with one coupon ID. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of coupon information 178 for a coupon ID to which multiple pieces of access information are associated. As shown in Fig. 17, three pieces of access information are associated with the coupon ID "001".

[0077] [Indicators of hidden coupons with multiple access points] The payment server 100 displays an indicator of whether a hidden coupon has been acquired on the terminal device of the affiliated store for each of the multiple access information of the hidden coupon. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an interface screen including an indicator for each access information of the hidden coupon. The interface screen of Figure 18 may also include an indicator of the displayed coupon.

[0078] As shown in Figure 18, the view index, acquisition index, and usage index for each of the multiple access information are displayed. For example, assume that the affiliated store provides access information "1" to the user via the affiliated store's app and access information "2" via the affiliated store's webpage. By providing different access information for each medium in this way, the affiliated store can easily recognize the view index, acquisition index, and usage index for each medium. This makes it easy to recognize the effectiveness of each medium. The payment server 100 may display the name of the distribution medium instead of (or in addition to) the access information. The payment server 100 manages each access information in association with the name of the distribution medium expected by the affiliated store corresponding to the access information, and displays each index linked to the name of the distribution medium on the affiliated store interface 72. The payment server 100 manages the names of the access information (distribution medium names A, B, C) associated by the affiliated store with each piece of access information (access information A, B, C). The settlement server 100 may display some or all of the indicators of viewed, acquired, and used hidden coupons together with the names of the access information (distribution medium names A, B, C) on the affiliated store interface 72. This makes it easy to recognize which distribution medium the indicators refer to.

[0079] According to the other embodiment described above, the payment server 100 generates a benefit that can be used at a member store of an electronic payment service in the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store, and displays the benefit in first content provided by the electronic payment service that is displayed on the display unit of the user's terminal device. The payment server 100 accepts a hide setting from the member store that prevents the benefit generated by the member store from being displayed in the first content, and does not display the hidden benefit, which is a benefit that has been set to hide, in the first content. This improves the convenience of the benefit.

[0080] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 120 Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Information Processing Department 160 Coupon Generation Unit 180 Whitelist

Claims

1. a generation unit that generates a benefit that can be used at a member store of the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store of the electronic payment service; a control unit that displays the benefit on the first content provided by the electronic payment service that is displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal device; the generation unit receives, from the member store, a non-display setting that prevents the benefit generated by the member store from being displayed in the first content; the control unit does not display the hidden benefit, which is the benefit set to be hidden, in the first content; the generation unit generates access information for the user to access second content for acquiring the non-displayed benefit provided by the electronic payment service; The affiliated store that generated the non-displayed benefit distributes the access information to the user; In response to the terminal device of the user accessing the access information, the control unit causes the display unit of the terminal device of the user to display the second content. Information processing device.

2. a generation unit that generates a benefit that can be used at a member store of the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store of the electronic payment service; a control unit that displays the benefit on the first content provided by the electronic payment service that is displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal device; the generation unit stores in a storage unit correspondence information associating the benefit with information indicating whether the benefit is set to be hidden or displayed, in response to an operation by the affiliated store on an interface screen that accepts a non-display setting that prevents the benefit generated by the affiliated store from being displayed in the first content and a display setting that displays the benefit generated by the affiliated store in the first content; the control unit refers to the correspondence information and does not display the non-displayed benefit, which is the benefit set to be hidden, in the first content. Information processing device.

3. the first content is content that displays benefits created by each of the member stores of the electronic payment service; The control unit In the first content, the hidden benefit is not displayed, and a benefit of the affiliated store that is not set to be hidden or a benefit of another affiliated store that is not set to be hidden is displayed.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. the control unit, when the user performs an operation to acquire the non-displayed benefit displayed in the second content, allows the user to acquire the benefit by associating the benefit with identification information of the user managed by the electronic payment service in cooperation with an electronic payment application of the terminal device of the user; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the control unit restricts sharing of the second content with other application programs or other users. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The control unit The first content including the benefit that is not set to be hidden is not restricted from being shared with other application programs or other users; The restriction is imposed on the second content. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The control unit displaying a share button for sharing the first content; not displaying the share button in the second content; The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. The control unit Refer to the name of the access information associated with the access information stored in the storage unit, displaying some or all of the indicators of the non-displayed benefit being viewed, the indicators of the acquired benefits, and the indicators of the utilized benefits together with the name of the access information on a display unit of a terminal device of the affiliated store; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. When the user's terminal device accesses the access information, The control unit acquiring information on the original access destination that the user's terminal device accessed before accessing the access information; When the information of the original access destination is information of an allowed original access destination set based on the access information, the second content is displayed on the display unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. the control unit causes the terminal device of the affiliated store to display an indicator that the non-displayed benefit has been acquired and an indicator that the benefit displayed in the first content has been used.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

11. The control unit generating a plurality of pieces of access information for the non-displayed benefits created by the affiliated store, so that the affiliated store can distribute each of the plurality of pieces of access information to users using different media; 3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

12. the control unit causes the terminal device of the affiliated store to display some or all of the indicators of the non-displayed benefit being viewed, the indicators of the non-displayed benefit being acquired, and the indicators of the non-displayed benefit being used for each of the plurality of pieces of access information; The information processing device according to claim 11.

13. The control unit Refer to the name of the access information associated with the access information stored in the storage unit, displaying, on the terminal device of the affiliated store, some or all of the indicators of the non-displayed benefit being viewed, the indicators of the acquired benefit, and the indicators of the utilized benefit in association with the names of the plurality of pieces of access information, respectively; The information processing device according to claim 11.

14. The computer Generate a benefit that can be used at a member store in the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store of the electronic payment service; Displaying the benefit on the first content provided by the electronic payment service displayed on a display unit of the user's terminal device; receiving, from the affiliated store, a non-display setting that prevents the benefit generated by the affiliated store from being displayed on the first content; The hidden benefit, which is the benefit set to be hidden, is not displayed in the first content, generating access information for the user to access second content for acquiring the non-displayed benefit provided by the electronic payment service; The affiliated store that generated the non-displayed benefit distributes the access information to the user; displaying the second content on a display unit of the terminal device of the user in response to the terminal device of the user accessing the access information; Information processing methods.

15. On the computer, A process of generating a benefit that can be used at a member store in the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store of the electronic payment service; a process of displaying the benefit on the first content provided by the electronic payment service displayed on a display unit of a terminal device of the user; a process of receiving, from the affiliated store, a non-display setting that prevents the benefit generated by the affiliated store from being displayed on the first content; a process of not displaying the hidden benefit, which is the benefit set to be hidden, in the first content; a process of generating access information for the user to access second content for acquiring the non-displayed benefit provided by the electronic payment service; The affiliated store that generated the non-displayed benefit distributes the access information to the user; a process of displaying the second content on a display unit of the terminal device of the user in response to the terminal device of the user accessing the access information; A program that executes the following.

16. The computer Generate a benefit that can be used at a member store in the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store of the electronic payment service; Displaying the benefit on the first content provided by the electronic payment service displayed on a display unit of the user's terminal device; storing correspondence information in a storage unit that associates the benefit with information indicating whether the benefit is set to be hidden or displayed, in response to an operation by the affiliated store on an interface screen that accepts a non-display setting that prevents the benefit generated by the affiliated store from being displayed in the first content and a display setting that displays the benefit generated by the affiliated store in the first content; By referring to the correspondence information, the non-displayed benefit, which is the benefit set to be hidden, is not displayed in the first content. Information processing methods.

17. On the computer, A process of generating a benefit that can be used at a member store in the electronic payment service based on an instruction from the member store of the electronic payment service; a process of displaying the benefit on the first content provided by the electronic payment service displayed on a display unit of a terminal device of the user; a process of storing in a storage unit correspondence information associating the benefit with information indicating whether the benefit is set to be hidden or displayed, in response to an operation by the affiliated store on an interface screen that accepts a non-display setting that prevents the benefit generated by the affiliated store from being displayed in the first content and a display setting that displays the benefit generated by the affiliated store in the first content; a process of not displaying the non-displayed benefit, which is the benefit set to be hidden, in the first content by referring to the correspondence information; A program that executes the following.

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