Information processing method, system, and program

Abstract

To enable processing such as member authentication and coupon utilization to be easily and rapidly executed in a service station.SOLUTION: An information processing method includes the steps of: receiving user transmission information including user identification information for identifying a user and positional information on a service station (SS) at which the user terminal 30 is located, transmitted from the user terminal 30; generating a one-time ID that satisfies predetermined conditions; transmitting the one-time ID to the user terminal 30; receiving a transmission ID and SS identification information for identifying a SS including a shop terminal 40, transmitted from the shop terminal 40; determining that the received SS identification information and identification information on the SS specified by the positional information match and the transmission ID and the one-time ID match; and if they match, transmitting privilege information associated with the user identification information on the user terminal 30 having transmitted the one-time ID to the shop terminal 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for generating and providing a one-time ID that can be temporarily used for a user (customer) at a service station (gas station) that provides a refueling service. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, service stations (gas stations) that provide refueling services for automobiles and the like encourage users (customers) to register as members in order to encourage continued use while offering various benefits such as discounts to users. In the past, in full service stations (SS) where a member card was issued and an employee (store clerk) provided the fuel service, the user would hand the card to the SS employee, who would then read and verify the user's membership registration by reading the information recorded on the card using a card reader such as a POS (Point of Sales) terminal.

[0003] In recent years, with the spread of mobile phones and smartphones, instead of the membership cards described above, users are now registering as members, authenticating members, using coupons, etc., through smartphone applications (smartphone apps). Specifically, users download and install a membership registration app on their smartphones and enter the necessary registration information, such as their name, phone number, email address, credit card information, and fuel type information.When receiving fueling services at a full gas station, they present the app screen on their smartphone to an employee, who then reads the QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the app using a POS terminal or other device to authenticate their membership and use coupons.

[0004] However, in full service stations, the POS terminals that handle member authentication and payment processing are generally not located in a location where users can operate them without getting out of their cars. Therefore, when performing member authentication via a smartphone app, users must hand their smartphones over to an employee. This poses a risk that the employee may drop or damage the smartphone, and some users are reluctant to hand over their smartphones to an employee or have them touched. In such cases, to perform member authentication without an employee having custody of the user's smartphone, the employee can use a portable code reader that reads QR codes (registered trademark), or the employee can memorize or write down the identification information for member authentication (e.g., 10-digit alphanumeric information) displayed on the user's smartphone or app and manually enter it into the POS terminal.

[0005] However, introducing a portable code reader solely for member authentication is not practical from the standpoint of cost and management burden. It is also difficult for employees to correctly memorize the identification information used for member authentication for each user. Furthermore, accurately writing down such identification information and manually entering it into a POS terminal is extremely cumbersome and unrealistic. For this reason, there is a demand for technology to support member authentication, etc., taking into account the unique nature of full SS, in which the user and the POS terminal are located in different locations.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an "information processing method" in which a user can use a coupon by displaying the coupon they hold on the screen of a smartphone or other device and having the coupon read by a reader installed in a store. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-013406 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, with previous technologies for user authentication and coupon usage support using smartphone apps, including the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it was difficult or even impossible to address the issues specific to full SS, such as those described above. In other words, previous methods of user authentication via smartphone apps, including the method of Patent Document 1, were based on the premise that the user, who is the owner of the smartphone, would hold the smartphone directly over a POS terminal or code reader, and did not anticipate the above-mentioned issues with full SS, which assume that the user carrying the smartphone is located away from the POS terminal, etc.

[0009] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide technology at service stations that can easily and quickly perform member authentication and coupon usage processes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first receiving procedure for receiving user transmission information transmitted from a user terminal, the user transmission information including user identification information for identifying a user using the user terminal and location information where the user terminal is located; a generating procedure for generating a one-time ID that satisfies a predetermined condition; a first transmitting procedure for transmitting the generated one-time ID to the user terminal that transmitted the user transmission information; a second receiving procedure for receiving a transmission ID and SS identification information for identifying a service station that includes the store terminal, transmitted from the store terminal; a determining procedure for determining that the SS identification information received in the second receiving procedure matches identification information of a service station specified by the location information and that the transmission ID matches the one-time ID; and a second transmitting procedure for transmitting, when it is determined by the determining procedure that there is a match, bonus information associated with the user identification information of the user operating the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID to the store terminal that transmitted the SS identification information. and a service station identification step of identifying the service station where the user operating the user terminal is located based on the received service station identification information, wherein the generation step generates a list of one-time IDs generated for one or more users who use the identified service station, the first transmission step transmits the list of one-time IDs to the shop terminal of the identified service station, and the second reception step receives the transmission ID and SS identification information selected from the list of one-time IDs. A method is provided.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is configured as a system or apparatus for executing the above-described method. Furthermore, another aspect of the present disclosure provides a program for causing a system or apparatus to execute the above-described method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, member authentication and coupon usage processes can be performed simply and quickly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a system (the present system) that executes a one-time ID providing method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each part in the system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data stored in a database (storage unit) in the present system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic flow of a one-time ID provision method in this system. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a series of processing steps according to an embodiment of a one-time ID providing method in the present system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of display screens displayed on a user terminal in this system. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the display screen displayed on the user terminal in this system, following FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a series of processes according to another embodiment of the one-time ID providing method in the present system. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a store terminal in another embodiment of the one-time ID providing method in the present system. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server device, a user terminal, and a store terminal in the present system. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each part in still another embodiment of the present system. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data stored in a database (storage unit) in the present system. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the present system. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a user terminal in the present system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of a one-time ID providing method and system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, each device in the system (this system) for implementing the one-time ID provision method of the present disclosure described below is realized by processes, means, and functions executed by a computer in accordance with instructions from a program (software). The program can send commands to each component of the computer to cause it to perform the processes, functions, etc. described below according to the present disclosure. In other words, each process, means, and function in the present disclosure is realized by specific means in which the program and the computer work together.

[0015] The program may be provided in whole or in part on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or the like, and the program may be read from the recording medium, installed on a computer, and executed. Alternatively, the program may be loaded directly into a computer via a communication line and executed without using a recording medium. The system is also configured by a group of devices consisting of multiple information processing devices, and the system is equipped with a "server" and a "user terminal" (to be described later), such as a smartphone, a POS terminal, or a PC, which serves as a "store terminal." However, any of the information processing devices in the group of devices that make up the "system" may be the same (a single or common device).

[0016] As shown in Figure 10, each information processing device included in the device group constituting this system is composed of hardware including a CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, HDD 304, input device 305, display device (display) 306, and communication IF 307. These components are connected by a system bus, through which data is exchanged. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, also known as the central processing unit, is the central processing unit of the computer, controlling each device and calculating and processing data. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 302 is a type of memory device that allows data to be erased and rewritten. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 303 is a type of memory device that uses semiconductors or other materials. Data is written only once during manufacturing and can only be read during use. The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304 is an auxiliary storage device that uses the properties of magnetic materials to record and read information. The input device 305 is used by the user to give operating instructions to the computer or to input characters, etc., and specifically consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc. The display device 306 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display. Each device in this system may be equipped with a device having a touch panel function in which the input device 305 and the display device 306 are integrated. It may also be equipped with a communication function (communication IF 307) that enables communication with other terminals, information processing devices, etc. The communication IF (Interface) is a device for communicating with other devices in accordance with a predetermined communication standard, and includes, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card).

[0017] [System Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a one-time ID provision system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the system 1") according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a server 10, one or more user terminals 30 (30-1 to 30-n), and a store terminal 40 (40-1 to 40-n). The server 10, the user terminal 30, and the store terminal 40 are connected to one another via the Internet 100, which includes networks such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and a WAN (Wide Area Network), and are capable of mutual data communication. In addition, the user terminal 30 calculates its magnetic position (coordinates on the Earth) using GPS signals received by a GPS receiver via a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite 200, and generates information indicating the location of each user terminal 30.

[0018] Here, in this system 1, the targets of one-time ID provision are service stations (SS) that provide refueling services to automobiles, etc., and the users (customers) of those SSs, especially member users who have registered as members of the SS. The gas station to which this system 1 is applied is a gas station (full gas station) that provides full service, where employees provide refueling services to users who visit the store. In other words, this system 1 provides technology that allows a user who visits a full service station, where the user carrying the user terminal 30 and the store terminal 40 (for example, a POS terminal or a mobile terminal carried by a staff member at the service station) are located at different locations, to easily and quickly perform member authentication and coupon usage processes without having to hand over their smartphone to the staff member.

[0019] In addition, in this system 1, the server 10, the user terminal 30, and the store terminal 40 are realized by information processing devices installed and operated by different organizations or companies, etc. In this case, for example, the server 10 is configured by an information processing device operated by a company that provides this system 1 as a service to customers, the user terminal 30 is configured by a mobile phone terminal owned by a user who receives a service using a one-time ID through this system 1, and the store terminal 40 is configured by an information processing device provided in each company, organization, group, etc. that provides a one-time ID service to customers through this system 1. On the other hand, in this system, the server 10 and the store terminal 40 may be configured by information processing devices installed and operated by the same organization or company, for example.

[0020] [server] The server 10 is an information processing device that serves as the core of the system 1 and provides a one-time ID to a user at a gas station that provides a refueling service. In this embodiment, the server 10 is described as a single information processing device, but may be configured by two or more information processing devices. For example, the server 10 may be realized by a server computer, a personal computer, or a server system consisting of one or two or more virtual servers built on a cloud computing service.

[0021] The server 10 has installed thereon predetermined programs (referred to as server programs) such as an OS (Operating System), a DBMS (DataBase Management System), and application programs. The server 10 publishes and provides available applications to one or more user terminals 30 and store terminals 40 via a network such as the Internet 100 in the form of, for example, an API (Application Programming Interface).

[0022] 2, the server 10 according to this embodiment includes a user information receiving unit 11, an extraction unit 12, an identification unit 13, a one-time ID transmitting unit 14, a bonus information transmitting unit 15, a generation unit 16, a store information receiving unit 17, a determination unit 18, and a storage unit 20. In a state in which the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 10 is executing a server program, the CPU 301 is an example of the extraction unit 12 and the identification unit 13, the CPU 301 and the communication IF 307 are an example of the user information receiving unit 11, the one-time ID transmitting unit 14, and the bonus information transmitting unit 15, and at least one of the RAM 302 and the HDD 304 is an example of the storage unit 20.

[0023] The user terminal 30 also includes a reception unit 31, a transmission unit 32, a display unit 33, and a reception unit 34. The user terminal 30 includes the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 10 described above. In a state in which the CPU 301 shown in Fig. 10 is executing a program (referred to as a client program) that runs on the user terminal 30, the CPU 301 and the communication IF 307 are an example of the transmission unit 32 and the reception unit 34, the CPU 301 and the input device 305 are an example of the reception unit 31, and the CPU 301 and the display 306 are an example of the display unit 33.

[0024] The store terminal 40 also includes a reception unit 41, a transmission unit 42, a display unit 43, and a reception unit 44. The store terminal 40 includes the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 10 described above. When the CPU 301 shown in Fig. 10 is executing a program (referred to as a store program) that runs on the store terminal 40, the CPU 301 and the communication IF 307 are an example of the transmission unit 42 and the reception unit 44, the CPU 301 and the input device 305 are an example of the reception unit 41, and the CPU 301 and the display 306 are an example of the display unit 43.

[0025] A further description will be given of the storage unit 20 of the server 10. The storage unit 20 stores predetermined information required for the operation of the system 1. The storage unit 20 stores, as various information resources, registration information for identifying each user to be managed in the system 1, information for identifying an SS, etc. The storage unit 20 also stores information for identifying a one-time ID transmitted to each user terminal 30 (described later) and transmitted via the store terminal 40, in association with information indicating the corresponding user and information indicating the SS (see FIG. 3).

[0026] The storage unit 20 also stores drawing data required for generating and displaying a display screen (see Figures 6, 7, and 8) that is displayed on a display means such as a display of a user terminal 30 or a store terminal 40, which will be described later. As the system 1 operates, necessary information is read out, added, or updated from time to time. 2 and 3, the storage unit 20 includes a customer DB 21 and a one-time ID management DB 22. The storage unit 20 stores data necessary for the one-time ID provision process in the present system 1 as a database.

[0027] [User information receiving section] The user information receiving unit 11 is a means for receiving user transmission information transmitted from a user terminal 30 operated by a user, including identification information of the user terminal 30 and identification information of the SS where the user terminal 30 is located. This user information receiving unit 11 functions as the first receiving procedure or first receiving means (first receiving unit) of the present disclosure. The user information receiving unit 11 receives user-transmitted information transmitted from the user terminal 30, the user information including user identification information identifying the user using the user terminal 30 and location information indicating the location of the user. The user identification information is, for example, information indicating an app member ID that identifies the user set in an application program (hereinafter referred to as an app) installed in the user terminal 30. The location information, which will be described in detail later, is either (A) information indicating a location generated by the GPS receiver of the user terminal 30, or (B) information indicating an SS selected by the user and in which the user is present (in other words, where the user terminal 30 is located) (for example, information indicating the location of the SS or the base number of the SS). The location information can also be referred to as location information indicating the location of the user terminal 30 operated by the user. The user-transmitted information may also include information indicating a coupon selected by the user. This allows the server 10 to identify which registered user is trying to receive a refueling service or the like at which SS.

[0028] [Extraction part] The extraction unit 12 is a means for extracting, based on the generated one-time ID, benefit information that is applicable to the user who operates the user terminal 30. The extraction unit 12 functions as the extraction procedure or extraction means of the present disclosure. Based on the generated one-time ID, the extraction unit 12 refers to the storage unit 20 and extracts user registration information such as the user's app member name, coupon ID, coupon information, etc. that is stored in association with the one-time ID. Specifically, when the determination results of determination unit 18 indicate a match, extraction unit 12 extracts the application member ID stored in association with the one-time ID and the SS location number (see FIG. 3(b)). Furthermore, extraction unit 12 extracts, as benefit information stored and managed in association with the extracted application member ID, a coupon ID and coupon information indicating, for example, discount information on a refueling service provided at the SS (see FIG. 3(a)). This allows the server 10 to identify the registered user and transmit the necessary information to the store terminal 40 of the SS. In addition, if the user-transmitted information includes information indicating a coupon, the extraction unit 12 may extract the benefit information stored in association with the information indicating the coupon transmitted together with the extracted app member ID.

[0029] [Specific part] The identification unit 13 is a means for identifying the SS where the user operating the user terminal 30 is located, based on identification information such as the base number of the SS transmitted from the user terminal 30. This identification unit 13 functions as the SS identification procedure or SS identification means of the present disclosure. Specifically, the identification unit 13 refers to the storage unit 20 based on the SS location number from the user terminal 30 to identify the corresponding SS. In addition, if the location information included in the user-transmitted information is not the SS base number but information indicating the location of the SS (e.g., longitude and latitude), the identification unit 13 may identify the SS by referring to information indicating the location of the SS (not shown) stored in association with the SS base number. This allows the server 10 to identify the SS where the user is currently located, and to transmit necessary information such as the above-mentioned user registration information to the store terminal 40 of the SS.

[0030] [Generation part] The generation unit 16 is a means for generating a one-time ID that satisfies predetermined conditions, and functions as the generation procedure or generation means of the present disclosure. Specifically, the generation unit 16 uses a predetermined function to generate a unique character string that is valid only for a predetermined period (for example, five minutes) as a one-time ID (also called a one-time code or one-time password) for each SS identified by the identification unit 13. The one-time ID is a character string consisting of at least either letters or numbers that is easy for employees to memorize and input. Specifically, the one-time ID is a two- to four-digit number. The generation unit 16 registers the generated one-time ID in the one-time ID management DB 22 of the memory unit 20 together with the date and time of generation (issue date and time), information indicating the SS identified by the identification unit 13 (SS location number), and the application member ID included in the user transmission information.

[0031] [One-time ID sending section] The one-time ID transmission unit 14 is a means for transmitting the one-time ID generated by the generation unit 16 to the user terminal 30 that transmitted the user transmission information. This one-time ID transmission unit 14 functions as the first transmission procedure or first transmission means (first transmission unit) of the present disclosure. The sent one-time ID is displayed on the smartphone app of the user terminal 30, and the user can present it to the staff of the SS. By using such a one-time ID, if it is a number of, for example, two to four digits, the employee can remember what is displayed on the user terminal 30 without any errors and can enter it correctly into the store terminal 40. This means that users receiving refueling services at full gas stations can receive membership authentication and coupon usage services simply by showing the one-time ID displayed on the user terminal 30, without having to hand over their smartphone to an employee.

[0032] The one-time ID is a short number of about two to four digits so that the staff at the service station who receives it from the user can remember it and input it into the store terminal 40 without making any mistakes. In addition, even if multiple users visit the store at the same time, the number can be three digits (999 people), two digits (99 people), or at most four digits (9999 people) so that each user can be uniquely identified and specified. However, the one-time ID can include not only numbers but also letters and symbols, as long as it is an ID, code, password, etc. that the SS employee who receives it from the user can remember and enter without error, and the number of digits or characters can be one digit or five or more digits depending on the number of users who visit the store at the same time.

[0033] Furthermore, the validity period of the one-time ID is not limited to the aforementioned "5 minutes," and other validity periods can be adopted, as long as it is within the time required to complete the response to users who visit the store at the same time. Furthermore, in the present system 1, if "preferred fueling settings" such as "full tank of regular gasoline" or "full tank of premium gasoline" are registered as functions of the smartphone app on the user terminal 30, it is preferable to carry over these functions. This reduces the operational burden on the SS staff. However, from the perspective of accident prevention, etc., these functions may be set not to be carried over.

[0034] The one-time ID transmitting unit 14 can also transmit the one-time ID described above together with the user terminal 30 to a shop terminal 40 provided in the SS where the user terminal 30 is located. Specifically, the one-time ID sending unit 14 can send, on an SS-by-SS basis, the one-time ID generated and sent to one or more users who use the SS, for example, in the form of list data to the store terminal 40 of the corresponding SS (see Figures 8 and 9 described below). In this way, an SS employee who receives a one-time ID via the user terminal 30 can identify the user by checking and selecting the corresponding one-time ID from the list of one-time IDs received and displayed on the store terminal 40, further reducing the possibility of memory errors or input errors, and enabling the provision of faster and smoother refueling services. This will be further discussed below with reference to FIGS.

[0035] [Store Information Receiving Unit] The store information receiving unit 17 receives the transmission ID transmitted from the store terminal 40 and the SS identification information that identifies the service station equipped with the store terminal 40. This store information receiving unit 17 functions as the second receiving procedure or second receiving means (second receiving unit) of the present disclosure. Specifically, the store information receiving unit 17 receives the one-time ID entered into the store terminal 40 by an employee as a transmission ID, along with the SS base number that identifies the service station equipped with the store terminal 40 into which the one-time ID was entered.

[0036] [Judgment section] The determination unit 18 functions as the determination procedure or determination means of the present disclosure. Specifically, the determination unit 18 determines that the following (A) and (B) match: (A) Identification information of the service station specified by the SS location number received by the store information receiving unit 17 and the location information received by the user information receiving unit 11 (B) The transmission ID received by the store information receiving unit 17 and the one-time ID generated by the generating unit 16

[0037] [Bonus Information Transmission Department] The privilege information transmitting unit 15 is a means for transmitting the privilege information extracted by the extracting unit 12 to the store terminal 40 when the determination result by the determining unit 18 indicates a match. This privilege information transmitting unit 15 functions as the second transmission procedure or second transmission means (second transmitting unit) of the present disclosure. Specifically, the privilege information sending unit 15 sends the privilege information extracted by the extraction unit 12 to the store terminal 40 of the SS used by the user who holds the application member ID stored in association with the privilege information. This benefit information is then sent to the corresponding store terminal 40, and the SS employee can check the coupon information held by the member user simply by entering the one-time ID and sending a transmission instruction, and can provide the user with predetermined discount services, etc.

[0038] Here, the coupon information or coupon ID that constitutes the benefit information can be any benefit information that benefits users who use the SS, such as a free car wash service or a free oil change service, in addition to discounts on refueling services, and can be the target of this system 1. Furthermore, if the user has multiple coupon information that can be used, it can be possible to select which of them to use based on input operations to the user terminal 30 or the store terminal 40. Furthermore, if multiple coupon information can be used simultaneously, such use can also be selected.

[0039] [Storage] The storage unit 20 is a storage means for managing information on users and SSs to be managed by the present system 1 as a database. This storage unit 20 stores in advance information for identifying the users and SSs to be managed, and data is added and updated as needed depending on the daily usage and business status of each user and SS. Furthermore, information is transmitted to the storage unit 20 from each user terminal 30 and store terminal 40 via a network such as the Internet 100, and data is added and updated as needed in accordance with this information.

[0040] The information stored in the memory unit 20 includes information about each user and SS as described above that are managed by the system 1, and includes, for example, various information stored in the customer DB 21 and one-time ID management DB 22, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Note that the information stored in the memory unit 20 shown below is an example of information to be processed in the present system 1, and is not limited to the information shown below. It goes without saying that the present system 1 can add, delete, change, etc. any information required.

[0041] Specifically, the customer DB 21 and the one-time ID management DB 22 may have the following configurations, for example. [Customer DB] 1: App member ID 2: App member name 3: Coupon ID 4: Coupon information [One-time ID management DB] 1: One-time ID 2: App member ID 3: SS base number 4: Issue date and time

[0042] Based on the data stored in the storage unit 20 as described above, the processing operations of the units shown in FIG. 2 are executed, and a one-time ID is provided to the target user. Specific functions and operations of the server 10 according to this embodiment will be described later with reference to examples of display screens displayed on the user terminal 30 and the store terminal 40 (see FIGS. 4 to 9).

[0043] [User device] The user terminal 30 (30-1 to 30-n) can be configured as one or more information processing devices, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or notebook PC, which can be connected to the server 10 via a network such as the Internet 100 and is operated by a user (customer) who is to be managed by the system 1. Through such a user terminal 30, a user of the SS using the user terminal 30 can access the server 10 via the Internet 100 and send or receive various necessary information, such as the one-time ID and bonus information mentioned above, and output or display it.

[0044] Each component of the user terminal 30 will now be described. The receiving unit 31 receives an operation signal indicating an operation by a user, such as a signal indicating an operation to start an application or an input operation for the application. The transmitting unit 32 transmits various information to the server 10 based on the operation signal received by the receiving unit 31. Specifically, the transmitting unit 32 transmits user transmission information. The display unit 33 generates and displays a screen based on the operation signal received by the reception unit 31. For example, the display unit 33 displays a store selection screen for selecting the SS where the user is located in response to an input operation by the user. Also, for example, the display unit 33 displays benefits that can be used at the store selected by the user. The receiving unit 34 receives the one-time ID transmitted from the server 10. The receiving unit 34 also has, for example, a GPS receiver function, which allows it to acquire information indicating a location based on a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite 200.

[0045] [Store terminal] The store terminals 40 (40-1 to 40-n) can be configured as one or more information processing devices, such as a POS terminal, desktop PC, tablet terminal, or smartphone, which can be connected to the server 10 via a network such as the Internet 100 and are operated by employees or managers of the SSs managed by this system 1. Through such a store terminal 40, employees or staff of a service station, for example, who use the store terminal 40, can access the server 10 via the Internet 100 and send, receive, and display various necessary information, such as the one-time ID and bonus information mentioned above.

[0046] Each part of the store terminal 40 will be described. The reception unit 41 receives an operation signal indicating an operation by an employee of the SS, for example, a signal indicating a start-up operation of a POS terminal or an input operation to the POS terminal. The transmitting unit 42 transmits various information to the server 10 based on the operation signal received by the receiving unit 41. Specifically, the one-time ID input to the store terminal 40 is transmitted as a transmission ID together with the SS base number of the SS where the store terminal 40 where the one-time ID was input is installed. The display unit 43 generates and displays a screen based on the operation signal received by the reception unit 41. For example, the display unit 43 displays a payment processing screen on a POS terminal in response to an input operation by an employee of the SS. Also, for example, the display unit 43 displays benefits that can be used at the SS and that are transmitted from the server 10. The receiving unit 44 receives the special benefit information transmitted from the server 10.

[0047] [Operation] Next, specific processing and operations (implementation of the one-time ID providing method) in the present system 1 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In this system 1, a series of processing operations are executed in each of the above-mentioned parts, so that a one-time ID is sent to a user who visits a full SS, and processing such as coupon use is performed for the user based on that one-time ID, ensuring that refueling services at full SS are carried out quickly and smoothly.

[0048] First, with reference to FIG. 4, the overall flow of processing in the present system 1, from when the user arrives at the gas station until the completion of refueling, will be outlined. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic flow of the one-time ID provision method in the present system 1. As a premise, a user of the present system 1 operates his / her own user terminal 30, and an employee of a service station operates a store terminal 40 to access the present system 1. On the user terminal 30, for example, a user can log in to the present system 1 by starting an app and entering a login ID and password registered in the app. Then, programs stored in the server 10, the user terminal 30, and the store terminal 40 are started via the system 1, and the functions provided by the system 1 can be executed and used as follows.

[0049] (1) Entering a SS As shown in FIG. 4, first, a user who wants to refuel drives his / her car and enters a full-service gas station for which he / she has registered as a member. (2) Lane guidance When a user enters the store by car, a full-service station employee will guide and direct the user to the lane for the designated refueling space. (3) Confirmation of app usage and explanation of operation The employee who guides the user to the fuel lane will check with the user whether or not they are using the member-only app, and if the user wishes to use the app, will explain how to operate the app. (4) Launch the app and select a coupon The user operates his / her user terminal 30 to start the application of the present system 1, and if there are coupons available, selects the desired coupon.

[0050] (5) Fuel order After launching the app, the user verbally orders the type of fuel and quantity to be filled from the employee, for example, by saying "a full tank of regular gasoline." (6) Store confirmation and check-in Thereafter, the user operates the user terminal 30 to search for store information of the SS where the user is currently located, and executes a process for requesting generation of a one-time ID (check-in). This check-in process causes one-time ID generation request information to be sent to the server 10, and a one-time ID consisting of, for example, three-digit numeric information is generated and sent to the user terminal 30 as a response to the request.

[0051] (7) Show the sent data to an employee and tell them your order The transmission data (one-time ID: for example, a three-digit number) sent from the server 10 to the user terminal 30 is displayed on the application execution screen of the user terminal 30. The user shows the transmission data to the employee and tells them the order. If the above-mentioned "preferred fuel setting" has been registered, the employee will be informed of this; if not, the employee will be informed of the order. At this time, the employee will confirm with the user the type of fuel to be filled, the quantity, and the price. (8) Confirm the transmitted data and move to POS. When the employee is shown the transmitted data by the user, they confirm and store the data. If the employee is informed of an order by the user, they also store the order. After confirming the transmitted data (one-time ID), the employee moves to a position where they can input the information into the store terminal 40 installed at the SS. (9) Enter and send the one-time ID to the POS The employee moves to the POS terminal and inputs the one-time ID that he / she has confirmed and memorized by operating the numeric keypad of the POS terminal, etc. As a result, the one-time ID is transmitted from the store terminal 40 to the server 10 together with the store's identification information (SS base number, etc.).

[0052] (10) User Identification The server 10 identifies the user who sent the one-time ID based on the one-time ID and SS base number sent from the store terminal 40. Then, the server 10 extracts the registration information of the identified user and sends the extracted information (e.g., application member ID, name, applicable coupon information) to the store terminal 40. (11) Pump designation The store terminal 40 receives the user's registration information, coupon information, etc. sent from the server 10. Furthermore, the employee selects a payment method, inputs the ordered oil type, quantity, and price into the POS, and specifies the pump to fill up with fuel. (12) Start refueling The employee operates the designated pump to refuel the user's car. Thereafter, payment processing and the like are carried out using the coupon information transmitted from the server 10, and the fuel supply service at the SS is completed.

[0053] Next, a specific flow of data processing by the present system 1 in the refueling service performed according to the above flow will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a series of processes according to one embodiment of the one-time ID providing method in the present system 1. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of display screens displayed on the user terminal 30 in the present system 1. FIG.

[0054] 5, first, a user who requests a refueling service at a full gas station operates his / her user terminal 30 to launch the application of the present system 1 (step S501). When the application of the present system 1 is launched, a home screen such as that shown in FIG. 6(a) is generated and displayed on the user terminal 30. In this application, in response to an input operation on the user terminal 30, the home screen transitions to a SS store selection screen, allowing the user to select a desired SS store (step S502).

[0055] Specifically, a selection screen for SSs registered in "My Stores" and selectable SSs, such as that shown in Figure 6(b), is generated and displayed on the user terminal 30, and the SS desired by the user is determined based on input operations. In addition, for SSs other than the selection candidates, a store search screen such as that shown in Figure 6(c) is generated and displayed, and SSs located around or near the user's current location are displayed as selection candidates based on the GPS signal from the GPS satellite 200 (see Figure 1) acquired by the user terminal 30, and the user can select the SS they want based on their input operations. Furthermore, the user terminal 30 may automatically select the SS where the user is located based on the acquired GPS signal. For example, the user terminal 30 may select information indicating the SS located a predetermined distance from the user's location (the location of the user terminal) identified based on the GPS signal.

[0056] Depending on the user's current location, a message such as "Selection candidates: 0" may be displayed. Also, if the user terminal 30 is set not to receive GPS signals, a store search may not be performed. In such a case, an SS is selected from the selection candidate screen as shown in FIG. 6(a). Furthermore, for the SS selected by the store search, a "my store" registration screen such as that shown in FIG. 6(d) is generated and displayed, and any SS can be registered as a "my store."

[0057] When a SS store is selected, coupons that can be used at the selected SS are selected in response to an input operation on the user terminal 30 (step S503). Thereafter, in response to the user's input operation, the user terminal 30 generates a request information for a one-time ID, and transmits it to the server 10 as user transmission information together with the user's identification information (app member ID), information indicating the SS used by the user (SS location number), and information indicating the coupon selected in step S503 (step S504: transmission unit 32).

[0058] The server 10 receives the user-transmitted information transmitted from the user terminal 30. Specifically, the server 10 receives the request information for the one-time ID transmitted together with the application member ID (step S505: user information receiving unit 11). The server 10 references the registration information of the corresponding user (see FIG. 3) based on the received application member ID, and confirms that the received application member ID is registered. The server 10 also identifies the SS used by the user based on the received SS location number (step S506: identification unit 13). Note that, as described above, if the location information included in the user-transmitted information is not the SS location number but information indicating the location of the SS (e.g., longitude and latitude), the server 10 may reference information indicating the location of the SS (not shown) stored in association with the SS location number to identify the SS. Then, the server 10 generates a one-time ID consisting of, for example, three-digit numeric information (step S507: generation unit 16).Then, the server 10 transmits the generated one-time ID to the user terminal 30 that transmitted the user transmission information (the user terminal 30 that transmitted the generation request) (step S508: one-time ID transmission unit 14).

[0059] The one-time ID data (three-digit number) transmitted from the server 10 is received by the user terminal 30 (step S509: receiving unit 34) and displayed on the display of the app (step S510: display unit 33). The user can then present the user terminal 30 to an employee at the service station who provides a refueling service or the like, thereby transmitting the one-time ID to the employee. Specifically, a one-time ID consisting of a three-digit number such as those shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) is generated and displayed on the user terminal 30. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the user terminal 30 can also display one or more coupon information items that can be used together with the one-time ID in a selectable manner.

[0060] The SS employee who receives the one-time ID from the user confirms and memorizes the one-time ID, then proceeds to the store terminal 40, which is a POS terminal or the like installed at the SS, and accepts the one-time ID by operating the numeric keypad or the like of the POS terminal (step S511: acceptance unit 41). The accepted one-time ID is transmitted from the store terminal 40 to the server 10 (step S512: transmission unit 42). As a result, the one-time ID is transmitted from the store terminal 40 to the server 10 together with the store's identification information (SS base number, etc.).

[0061] The server 10 receives the one-time ID and SS base number information transmitted from the store terminal 40 (step S513: store information receiving unit 17). The server 10 determines that the following (A) and (B) match (step S514: determining unit 18): (A) The SS location number received in step S505 and the SS location number received in step S513 (B) The one-time ID received in step S513 and the one-time ID generated in step S507 Thereafter, if the determination result in step S514 is that the above (A) matches and (B) matches, the server 10 extracts the benefit information (step S515: extraction unit 12). The server 10 transmits the application member ID and name together with the extracted benefit information (such as relevant coupon information) to the store terminal 40 (step S516: benefit information transmission unit 15). When the store terminal 40 receives the user's benefit information sent from the server 10 (step S517: receiving unit 44), it executes the refueling service and its payment processing, etc., while providing discount services, etc. based on the received coupon information (step S518).

[0062] As described above, according to the present system 1, the server 10 can register the user as a member and identify coupon information using the one-time ID requested and displayed on the user terminal 30 operated by the user, as shown in Figure 5. Then, the staff of the service station can execute the coupon redemption process simply by memorizing the three-digit or two-digit number presented by the user and entering it into the store terminal 40. Therefore, SS employees can easily and quickly authenticate users as app members and use coupons without having to take their smartphones or other devices from them.

[0063] [Other embodiments] Next, a specific flow of data processing in another embodiment of the present system 1 shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a series of processes according to another embodiment of the one-time ID providing method in the present system 1. The other embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 up to steps S801 to S810 (steps S501 to S510).

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the processing shown in FIG. 5, the server 10 (one-time ID sending unit 14) not only sends the one-time ID to the user terminal 30 (step S808), but also sends the same one-time ID as that sent to the user terminal 30 to the store terminal 40 provided in the SS where the user terminal 30 is located (step S812). Specifically, in this embodiment, the generation unit 16 of the server 10 generates, for each SS, one-time IDs generated for each of the multiple users who use the SS in, for example, a data format for displaying a list (referred to as list data) (step S811).Then, the one-time ID transmission unit 14 transmits the generated list data to the store terminal 40 of the corresponding SS (step S812).

[0065] The list data of one-time IDs transmitted from the server 10 is received by the receiving unit 44 of the store terminal 40 (step S813) and displayed on the display unit 43 of the store terminal 40 (step S814). The store terminal 40 may output the list data from a printer or the like (not shown). FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen that is generated and transmitted by the server 10 and output at the store terminal 40 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the list data of one-time IDs transmitted from the server 10 is displayed in the form of list data on the display of the store terminal 40 for one or more users who have requested the generation of one-time IDs at the SS equipped with the store terminal 40 that received the list data, with the generated and transmitted one-time IDs and user names being displayed. The SS employee is then able to select any of the users displayed on the store terminal 40, and one user is selected in response to an input operation.

[0066] Therefore, when the employee receives the one-time ID displayed on the user terminal 30 (step S809) from the user, the employee confirms and memorizes the one-time ID, and then moves it to the POS terminal or starts up the portable terminal that the employee carries with them, and selects the memorized one-time ID from the list data displayed on the store terminal 40. The one-time ID selected in this way is accepted by the store terminal 40 (step S815). For example, the employee selects the corresponding one-time ID ("021: Yamada Taro" in FIG. 9) by operating the input device (keyboard, touch panel, etc.) of the POS terminal. The selected one-time ID accepted by the store terminal 40 is transmitted from the store terminal 40 to the server 10 (step S816).

[0067] The subsequent steps S817 to S822 are the same as steps S513 to S518 shown in FIG. As described above, in another embodiment shown in Figure 8, when a gas station employee receives a one-time ID from a user, they can identify the user by checking and selecting the corresponding one-time ID from the list of one-time IDs received and displayed on the store terminal 40, which further reduces the possibility of memory errors, input errors, etc., and enables faster and smoother refueling services to be provided.

[0068] As described above, according to the present system 1, a user who visits an SS to receive a refueling service can operate the user terminal 30 to generate and display a one-time ID, and can then simply present the displayed simple one-time ID to an SS employee to register the user as a member and identify and authenticate coupon information. Therefore, SS employees do not need to take smartphones from users in order to identify app members, etc., there is no risk of employees dropping or damaging smartphones, and there is no need for employees to touch users' smartphones with their hands.

[0069] Therefore, according to this system 1, particularly in full-service gas stations where the POS terminal that handles member authentication and payment processing is installed in an office or the like away from the fueling lane where the user receives fuel, the user can simply show their smartphone to an employee and easily and quickly receive services such as member authentication and coupon usage processing. This will enable gas stations that provide fuel services to easily and quickly provide various discount services via smartphone apps, lock in users, and collect and manage customer information. Users receiving fuel services will also be able to easily use and enjoy the fuel services and coupon usage services available at full gas stations via smartphone apps. Therefore, the present system 1 can support and realize an attractive refueling service that offers great benefits to both full service stations and users.

[0070] Next, still another embodiment of the present system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 14. In the embodiment described below, it is assumed that a payment method (a payment method) is associated with an application member ID and registered in advance in the present system 1. The payment method may be in any form, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that payment using a credit card is registered as payment information. Fig. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each unit in the present system 1. Components having the same functions as those shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the server 10 further includes a processing unit 19, and the store terminal 40 further includes a payment unit 45. In addition, a payment management DB 23 is further stored in the memory unit 20 of the server 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the payment management DB23 is a database that stores application member IDs and payment information in association with each other. Payment information is information used for user payments. The payment information includes, for example, a payment ID and a payment token. A payment token is information that can be used for user payments, such as information obtained by tokenizing a credit card number. A payment ID is an ID that identifies the owner of a credit card. The payment information may include the credit card number itself, or may include information that is an encrypted credit card number. The payment information may also include the expiration date of the credit card, etc.

[0071] The processing unit 19 performs authentication of the user's payment based on the payment information. Specifically, the processing unit 19 performs authentication processing of the credit card by transmitting the payment information to an external authentication server (not shown) that authenticates the credit card. Since credit card authentication is performed using a common method, detailed description will be omitted. During this authentication, the server 10 and the store terminal 40 may transmit and receive necessary information. Then, the extraction unit 12 transmits the authentication result of the payment to the store terminal 40 via the benefit information transmission unit 15. Here, the authentication result of the payment indicates the result of authentication of the payment information identified by the payment token included in the payment information, which is obtained by transmitting the payment token to the external authentication server. The settlement unit 45 is a means for making a settlement using the settlement information. Specifically, when the authentication result indicates that authentication has been completed, the settlement unit 45 makes a settlement based on the settlement information.

[0072] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the system 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 13 shows processing after the end of the processing up to step S510 in Fig. 5. Note that, of the processing in Fig. 13, the same steps as in Fig. 5 are given the same reference numerals. Steps S511 to S514 in Fig. 13 are the same processing as in Fig. 5. As described above, if the determination result in step S514 shows that the location numbers and one-time IDs match, extraction unit 12 of server 10 references payment management DB 23 using the application member ID stored in association with the one-time ID, and extracts payment information associated with the application member ID (step S1301). Specifically, server 10 extracts the payment token linked to the application member ID from payment management DB 23.

[0073] Thereafter, the one-time ID transmission unit 14 of the server 10 transmits an inquiry to the user terminal 30 that transmitted the one-time ID in step S508, asking whether or not it is OK to make the payment using the registered details (step S1302). The reception unit 34 of the user terminal 30 then receives this inquiry (step S1303). This inquiry includes information for displaying an inputtable object, such as an "Approve" button, on the display unit 33 of the user terminal 30, along with a message asking whether or not it is OK to make the payment. When the user gives an instruction indicating that it is OK to make the payment (for example, by pressing the "Approve" button), the reception unit 31 of the user terminal 30 receives the instruction (step S1304), and the transmission unit 32 transmits the input instruction to the server 10 as a response to the inquiry (step S1305).

[0074] The user information receiving unit 11 of the server 10 receives the response to the inquiry (step S1306). If the response indicates that payment is permitted, the processing unit 19 of the server 10 performs authentication processing by requesting authentication for payment from an authentication server (not shown) using the extracted payment token (step S1307). If the authentication result indicates that authentication has been completed, the extraction unit 12 extracts benefit information, as in step S515.

[0075] Next, the privilege information transmitter 15 of the server 10 transmits (1) the authentication result regarding the payment and (2) the extracted privilege information to the store terminal 40 that transmitted the application member ID (step S1308). The receiving unit 44 of the store terminal 40 receives the authentication result and the benefit information transmitted from the server 10 (step S1309). Then, the payment unit 45 of the store terminal 40 executes payment processing using the received authentication result and benefit information (step S1310).

[0076] As described above, according to the present system 1, the server 10 can not only register the user and identify coupon information, but also perform payment using pre-registered payment information, using the one-time ID requested and displayed on the user terminal 30 operated by the user, as shown in Figure 5. Then, the staff of the SS can execute the payment process simply by memorizing the two- to four-digit number presented by the user and entering it into the store terminal 40. Therefore, SS employees can easily and quickly authenticate users as app members, use coupons, and even make payments without having to take their smartphones or other devices from the users. Furthermore, security can be enhanced by allowing the server 10 to make a payment only when an instruction indicating that payment may be made is received from the user terminal 30 to which the one-time ID was sent, For example, if a user other than the user who owns the user terminal 30 to which the one-time ID was sent misreads the one-time ID displayed on his / her own user terminal 30, or if a third party gives an employee an assumed number, and this misread one-time ID or assumed number matches the one-time ID displayed on the user terminal 30 of the user, it is possible to prevent anyone other than the user whose payment information is registered from making a payment using the payment information by making an inquiry to the user terminal 30 to which the one-time ID was sent.

[0077] Note that the pre-registered payment information described in this embodiment may be configured so that the user can select in advance whether or not to use it. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the user terminal 30. For example, the user terminal 30 may display a home screen as shown in FIG. 14 instead of the home screen as shown in FIG. 6(a). In FIG. 14, an area 901 includes a switch button 902 that can switch whether or not to use the pre-registered payment information in response to an input operation on the user terminal 30, and an area 903 that displays the result of the user's selection. In the example of FIG. 14, when the switch button 902 is positioned on the "Use" side, a message indicating that the payment information will be used is displayed in the area 903.

[0078] 14, if information indicating whether or not pre-registered payment information can be used (usability information) is selectable, the user terminal 30 transmits the usability information together with the user transmission information in step S504. Then, the server 10, having received the user transmission information, associates the usability information with the generated one-time ID and stores it in the one-time ID management DB 22 or the storage area of ​​the storage unit 20. Thereafter, in step S514 or step S818, the server 10 determines whether the location numbers and one-time IDs match, and also determines whether the usability information stored in association with the matched one-time ID indicates that payment information is to be used. If the usability information indicates that payment information is not to be used, the system 1 proceeds to the processing from step S515 onwards in Fig. 5 or the processing from step S819 onwards in Fig. 8. If the usability information indicates that payment information is to be used, the system 1 proceeds to the processing from step S1301 onwards in Fig. 13.

[0079] As described above, even if payment information has been registered in advance, if the user wishes to make payment using a credit card other than the registered credit card or if the user wishes to pay in cash, the payment method can be changed with a simple operation according to the present system 1. With this mechanism, the present system 1 can provide the user with a fueling service that is easier to use and more convenient.

[0080] Although the one-time ID has been described as being a two- to four-digit character string, the more digits and character types there are, the better for security. On the other hand, since a complex and long character string may lead to input errors, the server 10 may determine the length of the character string and the character types according to security needs. For example, if payment information is not associated with the app member ID or if the user specifies that payment information is not to be used, the generation unit 16 may generate a one-time ID consisting of a three-digit number, and if the user specifies that payment information is to be used, the generation unit 16 may generate a one-time ID consisting of a four-digit number. In this case, in step S514 or step S818, the server 10 may determine whether the location numbers and one-time IDs match, as described above, and also determine whether the payment information is to be used based on the number of digits of the one-time ID. This eliminates the need to store the usability information in the storage unit 20, allowing the server 10 to reduce access to the storage unit 20 and increase the processing speed.

[0081] Although the present invention has been described above by showing preferred embodiments thereof, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gas station to which this disclosure applies was described as a full gas station where employees perform refueling operations, etc., but it is of course also possible to apply this disclosure to a gas station that has a self-service gas station where users perform refueling. For example, when refueling at a self-service gas station using a smartphone app, if the store terminal 40 is unable to properly read the code displayed on the app, the same processing as when the code is read may be performed using the one-time ID of this system 1. The code displayed on the app cannot be read properly if, for example, the smartphone screen is cracked or dirty, or if there is a problem with the code reader that reads the code on the store terminal 40.

[0082] In such cases, in order to receive the same service as the one used with the code displayed on the app, the user must launch or remove a separate app or membership card to receive the benefits, or a separate app or medium to make the payment. In this situation, when receiving a refueling service, performing multiple operations or removing the medium is very cumbersome and may in some cases result in dropping the smartphone or membership card. However, by using this system 1, it is possible to provide the user with the same services as if the code had been read, through simple operations on the same app screen. This allows the user to easily and quickly perform member authentication and coupon usage processes without having to launch or remove a separate app or membership card to receive benefits, or a separate app or medium to make payments.

[0083] Furthermore, this disclosure can also be applied to operations or business types other than SSs in situations or environments where member authentication or benefit granting services are performed via a smartphone app and the smartphone and the terminal device that reads the smartphone app screen are located apart, and its application is not limited to SSs only. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the user has selected a coupon, but the user need not necessarily select a coupon. For example, the extraction unit 12 may extract coupon information stored in association with the app member ID and automatically apply it at the time of payment. Furthermore, if there are multiple coupons available for the user to use, the benefit information transmission unit 15 may transmit information about the multiple coupons, and one or more coupons selected by an operation on the store terminal 40 may be applied to the payment. Furthermore, although the present system 1 has been described as being configured with a plurality of information processing devices, it may also be configured with a single information processing device (for example, one personal computer). [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 One-time ID provision system 10 Servers 11 User information receiving unit (first receiving unit) 12 Extraction part 13 Specific section 14 One-time ID transmission unit (first transmission unit) 15. Special information transmission unit (second transmission unit) 16 Generation part 17 Store information receiving unit (second receiving unit) 18 Judgment section 20 Memory section 21 Customer DB 22 One-time ID management DB 30 User terminals 40 Store terminals

Claims

1. a first receiving step of receiving user transmission information transmitted from a user terminal, the user transmission information including user identification information for identifying a user using the user terminal and location information indicating the location of the user terminal; A generation procedure for generating a one-time ID that satisfies predetermined conditions; a first transmission step of transmitting the generated one-time ID to the user terminal that transmitted the user transmission information; a second receiving step of receiving a transmission ID and SS identification information for identifying a service station equipped with the store terminal, the transmission ID and the SS identification information being transmitted from the store terminal; a determination step of determining whether the SS identification information received in the second receiving step matches the identification information of the service station specified by the location information, and whether the transmission ID matches the one-time ID; a second transmission step of transmitting, when it is determined by the determination step that the one-time ID matches, bonus information associated with the user identification information of the user operating the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID to the store terminal that transmitted the SS identification information; a service station identification procedure for identifying the service station where the user operating the user terminal is located based on the received service station identification information; In the generating step, a list of one-time IDs generated for one or more users who use the identified service station is generated; In the first transmission step, the list of the one-time IDs is transmitted to the shop terminal of the identified service station; In the second receiving procedure, the transmission ID and SS identification information selected from the list of one-time IDs are received.

1. An information processing method comprising:

2. a first receiving step of receiving user transmission information transmitted from a user terminal, the user transmission information including user identification information for identifying a user using the user terminal and location information indicating the location of the user terminal; A generation procedure for generating a one-time ID that satisfies predetermined conditions; a first transmission step of transmitting the generated one-time ID to the user terminal that transmitted the user transmission information; a second receiving step of receiving a transmission ID and SS identification information for identifying a service station equipped with the store terminal, the transmission ID and the SS identification information being transmitted from the store terminal; a determination step of determining whether the SS identification information received in the second receiving step matches the identification information of the service station specified by the location information, and whether the transmission ID matches the one-time ID; a second transmission step of transmitting, when it is determined by the determination step that there is a match, bonus information associated with the user identification information of the user operating the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID to the store terminal that transmitted the SS identification information; Payment information associated with the user identification information is registered, When it is determined that there is a match by the determination procedure, it is determined whether or not to use the payment information for payment processing at the store terminal based on the number of digits of the one-time ID, and when it is determined that the payment information will be used, it further includes a processing procedure of authenticating the payment information associated with the user identification information of the user operating the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID, In the second transmission step, a result of the authentication is transmitted; If the result of the authentication indicates that the authentication has been completed, the payment information is used in a payment process at the store terminal.

1. An information processing method comprising:

3. The one-time ID is a character string consisting of at least one of letters and numbers that is easy to memorize and input.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The one-time ID is a two- to four-digit number.

4. The information processing method according to claim 3.

5. The benefit information is discount information for a fuel service provided at the service station.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second inputs are input to the first and second inputs.

6. an extraction step of extracting the benefit information stored in association with the user operating the user terminal based on the one-time ID generated in the generation step; The benefit information transmitted to the store terminal in the second transmission step is reflected in the payment processing at the store terminal.

6. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein:

7. In the first receiving step, the special information is received together with the user transmission information; In the extraction step, the received special benefit information is extracted, the special benefit information being associated with the user who operates the user terminal and stored.

7. The information processing method according to claim 6,

8. Among the benefit information transmitted to the store terminal in the second transmission step, benefit information selected at the store terminal is reflected in the payment process at the store terminal.

7. The information processing method according to claim 6,

9. Payment information associated with the user identification information is registered, a processing procedure for authenticating the payment information associated with the user identification information of the user operating the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID when it is determined that the one-time ID matches the payment information by the determination procedure, In the second transmission step, a result of the authentication is transmitted; If the result of the authentication indicates that the authentication has been completed, the payment information is used in a payment process at the store terminal.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1,

10. In the first receiving step, information indicating whether or not the payment information has been used is further received; In the determination step, inquiry information regarding the use of the payment information is sent to the user terminal, and whether or not to use the payment information is further determined based on response information to the inquiry information received from the user terminal; When it is determined that the payment information is to be used, the payment information is authenticated in the processing procedure.

10. The information processing method according to claim 9.

11. a first receiving means for receiving user transmission information transmitted from a user terminal, the user transmission information including user identification information for identifying a user using the user terminal and location information of the user terminal; A generating means for generating a one-time ID that satisfies a predetermined condition; a first transmitting means for transmitting the generated one-time ID to the user terminal that transmitted the user transmission information; a second receiving means for receiving a transmission ID and SS identification information for identifying a service station having the store terminal, the transmission ID and SS identification information being transmitted from the store terminal; a determination means for determining whether the SS identification information received by the second receiving means matches the identification information of the service station specified by the location information, and whether the transmission ID matches the one-time ID; a second transmitting means for transmitting, to the store terminal, bonus information associated with the user identification information of the user who operates the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID when the determination procedure determines that the one-time ID matches; a service station identification means for identifying the service station where the user operating the user terminal is located based on the received service station identification information; the generating means generates a list of one-time IDs generated for one or more users who use the identified service station; the first transmitting means transmits the list of one-time IDs to the shop terminal of the identified service station; The second receiving means receives the transmission ID and SS identification information selected from the list of one-time IDs. A system characterized by:

12. On the computer, a first receiving means for receiving user transmission information transmitted from a user terminal, the user transmission information including user identification information for identifying a user using the user terminal and location information of the user terminal; A generating means for generating a one-time ID that satisfies a predetermined condition; a first transmitting means for transmitting the generated one-time ID to the user terminal that transmitted the user transmission information; a second receiving means for receiving a transmission ID and SS identification information for identifying a service station having the store terminal, the transmission ID and SS identification information being transmitted from the store terminal; a determination means for determining whether the SS identification information received by the second receiving means matches the identification information of the service station specified by the location information, and whether the transmission ID matches the one-time ID; a second transmitting means for transmitting, to the store terminal, bonus information associated with the user identification information of the user who operates the user terminal that transmitted the one-time ID when the determination procedure determines that the one-time ID matches; a service station identification means for identifying the service station where the user operating the user terminal is located based on the received service station identification information; causing the generating means to generate a list of one-time IDs generated for one or more users who use the specified service station; causing the first transmitting means to transmit the list of one-time IDs to the shop terminal of the specified service station; The second receiving means receives the transmission ID and SS identification information selected from the list of one-time IDs. A program characterized by:

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