Information processing system and information processing method

Abstract

To support a sales promotion activity of a transaction object provider.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a giving unit. The acquisition unit acquires user information on the actions of a user who settles a transaction object. The determination unit references the user information and determines a prescribed privilege given to the user on the basis of action contents of the user for transaction objects identical to or similar to the transaction object to be settled. The giving unit gives the prescribed privilege determined by the determination unit to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to information processing system 、 and information processing methods In the law .

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the spread of communication networks has advanced, and services via communication networks are being actively provided. For example, a service is being developed that provides a predetermined privilege to an end user by distributing a coupon or the like to the end user who browses an EC (Electric Commerce) site or the like and purchases a transaction target such as a product or service.

[0003] For example, as a technology for providing a privilege to an end user, a technology has been proposed for distributing various coupons to a terminal device possessed by a user based on a user context indicating the user's situation from the server side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has room for improvement in supporting the promotional activities of the provider of the transaction target. For example, when the provider of the transaction target examines users who may become royalty users in the future and selects a target for granting a privilege such as a coupon, there is a limit to the selection of the target relying on the information accumulated by itself.

[0006] This application has been made in view of the above, and is an information processing that can support the promotional activities of the provider of the transaction target system 、 and Information Processing Method Law The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device according to the present application comprises an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a granting unit. The acquisition unit acquires user information relating to the actions of a user who settles a transaction. The determination unit refers to the user information and determines a predetermined benefit to be granted to the user based on the user's actions toward a transaction that is identical or similar to the transaction. The granting unit grants the predetermined benefit determined by the determination unit to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is possible to support the promotional activities of the trading partner provider. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the information provision process according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a specific example (part 1) of the information provision process according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a specific example (part 2) of the information provision process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the benefit-granting process according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the reward granting process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the disclosure setting process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a store terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an overview of the payment history information stored in the payment history storage unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an overview of the user information stored in the user information storage unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an overview of information regarding usage history stored in a history information storage unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a diagram showing an overview of disclosure settings information stored in a disclosure settings storage unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of information providing processing executed by an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of profit granting processing executed by a store terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of reward granting processing executed by a store terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an overview of information processing according to a modification example. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a store terminal according to a modification example. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus according to a modification example. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a diagram showing an overview of certification information stored in a certification information storage unit according to a modification example. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of an information processing apparatus and a store terminal according to an embodiment and a modification example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out information processing according to the present application system , and information processing method Law (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, according to this embodiment, information processing according to the present application system , and information processing method The lawThe embodiments are not limited to these. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not inconsistent. In addition, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each of the following embodiments, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] [1. System configuration according to the embodiment] First, the configuration of the information processing system SYS-A according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system SYS-A according to the embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system SYS-A according to this embodiment includes a user terminal 10, a store terminal 20, a payment server 30, and an information processing device 100. The user terminal 10, store terminal 20, payment server 30, and information processing device 100 are connected to a network N such as the Internet (see, for example, Figures 7 and 10). The user terminal 10, store terminal 20, payment server 30, and information processing device 100 can communicate with each other through the network N. Furthermore, the store terminal 20 and the information processing device 100 can communicate with each other through the network N. Note that the configuration of the information processing system SYS-A shown in Figure 1 is just an example, and it may include more user terminals 10 and store terminals 20 than shown in Figure 1.

[0013] The user terminal 10 is an information processing terminal used by user U1, who is a service user of various online services operated by the administrator of the information processing device 100 as a platform provider. For example, the user terminal 10 can be implemented as a smartphone, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet device, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). User U1 can access the information processing device 100 and view web pages and application content of various online services displayed by a browser.

[0014] Furthermore, in the following explanation, user terminal 10 may be referred to as user U1. That is, user U1 can be read as user terminal 10. Also, store terminal 20 may be referred to as store operator U2. That is, store operator U2 can be read as store terminal 20.

[0015] The store terminal 20 is an information processing device deployed in facilities that provide a specified service or in stores that handle a specified product. For example, the store terminal 20 can be implemented as a smartphone, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet device, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The store terminal 20 accesses the information processing device 100 and displays the information obtained from the information processing device 100 via a browser. The store terminal 20 also has the function of processing payments related to the specified service or product. In addition, the store terminal 20 records the payment history for each user (for example, user U1) who has used a specified service or purchased a product in connection with the payment processing, and manages the recorded payment history for each user.

[0016] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 can perform processing related to cashless payments in addition to cash payments. Cashless payments include credit card payments as well as various electronic payment methods. The store terminal 20 can also be equipped with communication functions that support NFC (Near Field Communication) standards, etc. This allows the store terminal 20 to perform processing of electronic payments (IC card payments) using contactless IC card technology. Specifically, when user U1 uses a service or purchases goods using user terminal 10, the store terminal 20 can perform processing such as storing the history of service usage and purchases of goods in user terminal 10, or reading the service usage history and purchase history of goods held by user terminal 10.

[0017] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 can process electronic payments (code payments) using 2D codes by concluding a service agreement with a payment service provider that operates an electronic payment service using 2D codes. A store (or payment service provider) that concludes a service agreement for an electronic payment service and purchases code payments may be referred to as a merchant. Code payments are realized by the store terminal 20 or the user terminal 10 cooperating with a payment server 30 operated by the payment service provider. Code payments include a store scan method in which the store terminal 20 is the primary operator of the payment, and a user scan method in which the user terminal 10 is the primary operator of the payment.

[0018] First, to explain the store scan method, the store terminal 20 installs a designated store application (hereinafter referred to as the "store app") distributed by the payment service provider when using code payment. The store scan payment processing described below is realized by the functions of this store app. First, the store terminal 20 reads user identification information (hereinafter referred to as the "payment service user ID" for convenience of explanation) used to identify user U1 in the electronic payment service from the code information displayed on the user terminal 10. Next, the store terminal 20 sends transaction information, including the read payment service user ID, the payment amount, and store identification information that identifies the store where the store terminal 20 is installed, to the payment server 30. As a result, the payment server 30 executes payment processing based on the transaction information.

[0019] Next, regarding the user scan method, the user terminal 10 installs a predetermined payment service application (hereinafter referred to as the "payment app") distributed by the payment service provider when using code payment. The payment processing of the user scan method described below is realized by this payment app. First, the user terminal 10 takes a picture of a 2D code installed at a store that has introduced code payment (hereinafter referred to as "store X" for the sake of explanation). This 2D code contains store identification information. Next, the user terminal 10 displays a screen for entering the price of the transaction and accepts the payment amount from user U1 or a store employee at store X. Next, the user terminal 10 sends transaction information, including the payment service user ID that identifies user U1, the store identification information, and the payment amount, to the payment server 30.

[0020] Furthermore, store operator U2, which operates store X, can provide predetermined benefits such as coupons to users (for example, user U1) who use the aforementioned code payment method when paying for services or goods, through the payment app. For example, store operator U2 can access the payment server 30 by operating the store terminal 20, and input coupon information and set detailed information such as the coupon's application conditions through a predetermined settings screen (user interface) provided by the payment server 30. As a result, the store terminal 20 can provide coupons to users who pay using code payment through the payment app (payment server 30). Store operator U2 can also provide predetermined benefits such as coupons to users who make payments using payment methods other than code payment through its own independently operated store system.

[0021] The payment server 30 is an information processing device operated by a payment service provider that operates an electronic payment service using a two-dimensional code. The payment server 30 performs various processes related to code payments. The payment server 30 may be implemented as a mainframe or workstation. Furthermore, the payment server 30 may be implemented as a single server device, or as a cloud system in which multiple server devices and multiple storage devices work together.

[0022] For example, when the payment server 30 receives transaction information from the user terminal 10 or the store terminal 20, it executes the payment processing corresponding to the transaction information. For example, the payment server 30 transfers electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from the money wallet associated with user U1, indicated by the payment service user ID included in the transaction information, to the money wallet associated with the store identification information included in the transaction information. The payment server 30 then sends a notification to the user terminal 10 or the store terminal 20 that the transaction has been completed. The payment server 30 also executes the coupon distribution process according to the applicable conditions set by the store operator U2.

[0023] The information processing device 100 is an information processing device that provides various online services to user U1. The information processing device 100 is typically a server device, but may also be implemented as a mainframe or workstation. Furthermore, if the information processing device 100 is implemented as a server device, it may be implemented as a single server device, or as a cloud system in which multiple server devices and multiple storage devices work together.

[0024] The various online services provided by the information processing device 100 may include internet access, search services, SNS (Social Networking Service), e-commerce services, electronic payment services, online games, online banking services, online trading services, hotel reservation services, ticket reservation services, video streaming services, music streaming services, news streaming services, map information services, route search services, route guidance services, route information services, train operation information services, and weather information services. Furthermore, these various online services may also include API (Application Programming Interface) services corresponding to various applications.

[0025] The information processing device 100, when providing various online services, creates a user account for each service user that includes user identification information to identify the service user. This user account includes user identification information (hereinafter referred to as "online service user ID" for convenience of explanation) assigned to user U1 when registering to use the online service. The information processing device 100 records the online service usage history (an example of "behavioral history") linked to the user account of each service user (for example, user U1), and manages the recorded usage history for each service user. The information processing device 100 can also distribute a predetermined application to each user for using the portal site of various online services.

[0026] As described above, the store terminal 20 manages the payment history (information linked to the user's offline behavior) of users who visit the store and make a payment (for example, user U1). On the other hand, the information processing device 100 manages the online service usage history (information linked to the user's online behavior) for each service user. Conventionally, store operators U2 can only conduct promotional activities such as issuing coupons based on the information recorded in the store terminal 20 or information obtainable from the linked payment server 30, and have no way of utilizing information from various online services (information linked to the user's online behavior). Thus, conventionally, it has been difficult to further utilize online information (information linked to the user's online behavior) for promotional activities. Therefore, in the embodiment described below, we propose an example of information processing that organically links information linked to the end user's offline behavior and information linked to the end user's online behavior to provide useful information that can be used as a reference when considering the provision of benefits to end users.

[0027] [2. Information Processing in the Property] (2-1. Overview of Information Provision Processing) The information provision process according to the embodiment will be explained below with reference to Figure 1. In the following explanation, the information provision process will be described when the payment method used by user U1 to pay for the goods is code payment.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, user U1 operates the user terminal 10 and presents code information for code payment to the store (step S01). In addition, user U1 of the user terminal 10 can present coupons applicable to the transaction prior to the payment of the transaction. This coupon is obtained by user U1 from various online services provided by the information processing device 100 when settling the transaction. Specifically, regarding the operation of the user terminal 10, user U1 accesses the website of a designated online service or the content of a designated application for using the online service. Subsequently, user U1 verbally informs the store of their intention to use the coupon and displays the coupon information (for example, a 2D code such as a barcode) posted on the website or content on the user terminal 10 and presents it to the store. Then, user U1 makes the payment for the transaction using their preferred payment method.

[0029] In this way, the information processing device 100 can link user U1's payment at the store (information linked to the user's online behavior) with user U1's service usage history on the online service (information linked to the user's online behavior) by having user U1 use a coupon distributed through the online service.

[0030] The store terminal 20 reads the code information displayed on the user terminal 10 (step S02). Then, the store terminal 20 transmits transaction information, including the user identification information read from the code information, to the settlement server 30 (step S03).

[0031] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 sends an inquiry to the information processing device 100 regarding user U1 who will make payment for product A, which is the subject of the transaction (step S04). For example, the store terminal 20 sends an inquiry to determine whether user U1 is interested in product A, and an inquiry to determine the user profile of user U1 who will make payment for product A. In addition, if the store terminal 20 reads the coupon information presented by user U1 prior to the presentation of code information, it can include the online service user ID contained in the coupon information as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. If coupon information is not presented and user U1 presents code information, the store terminal 20 can include the payment service user ID as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. Furthermore, the store terminal 20 can include information indicating the type of inquiry that shows the content of the inquiry in the inquiry.

[0032] When the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry regarding user U1 from the store terminal 20, it performs a verification process to confirm user information regarding user U1's interests in the transaction subject, based on the usage history of online services associated with user U1 (step S05). Then, the information processing device 100 transmits the result of the verification process to the store terminal 20 (step S06).

[0033] As described above, when user U1 adopts code payment as the payment method for the transaction, the store terminal 20 can read the payment service user ID from the code information displayed on the user terminal 10 and send the read payment service user ID to the information processing device 100 as part of an inquiry. In response, the information processing device 100 can obtain the online service usage history associated with user U1 based on the payment service user ID included in the inquiry received from the store terminal 20. Specifically, the information processing device 100 has in advance table information showing the correspondence between payment service user IDs and online service user IDs. When the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry from the store terminal 20, it refers to this table information to identify the online service user ID corresponding to the payment service user ID included in the inquiry, thereby obtaining the online service usage history associated with user U1. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can verify user accounts by matching personal information (such as name, age, address, and telephone number) associated with the payment service user ID with personal information associated with the online service user ID, and can pre-generate table information showing the correspondence between the payment service user ID and the online service user ID. In addition, when generating the table information, the information processing device 100 obtains the payment service user ID and user U1's registration information from the payment server 30 with the user U1's approval.

[0034] Store operator U2 can use the results of the verification process provided by the information processing device 100 as reference information when considering granting predetermined benefits to user U1. For example, the information processing according to the above embodiment enables the following user experience. For example, when a user who has previously searched for "product A" using the search service visits a store and pays for "product A," a discount coupon for "product A" is automatically applied, allowing them to purchase "product A" at a discount.

[0035] (2-1-1. Specific Examples of Information Processing (Part 1)) The following describes a specific example (Part 1) of the information provision processing according to the embodiment. Figure 2 shows an overview of the specific example (Part 1) of the information provision processing according to the embodiment. In the following, we will describe an example in which the store terminal 20 inquires whether user U1 is interested in the product to be traded, and the information processing device 100 responds with the result of that inquiry.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, user U1 operates the user terminal 10 to present coupon information corresponding to product A, which is the subject of the transaction, and also presents code information for code payment to the store (step S11).

[0037] The store terminal 20 reads the coupon information and code information displayed on the user terminal 10 (step S12). Then, the store terminal 20 sends transaction information, including the user ID for the payment service read from the code information, to the payment server 30 (step S13).

[0038] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 sends an inquiry to the information processing device 100 regarding user U1's interest in product A, which is the subject of the transaction (step S14). In addition, if the store terminal 20 reads the coupon information presented by user U1 prior to the presentation of code information, it can include the online service user ID contained in the coupon information as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. If coupon information is not presented and user U1 presents code information, the store terminal 20 can include the payment service user ID as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. Furthermore, the store terminal 20 can include information indicating the type of inquiry, which is an inquiry about whether or not the user is interested in product A, in the inquiry sent to the information processing device 100.

[0039] When the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry from the store terminal 20, it performs a confirmation process to determine whether user U1 is interested in product A, the subject of the transaction, based on the user's online service usage history associated with user U1 (step S15). For example, the information processing device 100 uses a trained model that estimates the degree of interest in the transaction to determine whether user U1 is interested in product A, the subject of the transaction. Specifically, the information processing device 100 obtains information from the database that manages the online service usage history for each service user, corresponding to the online service user ID or payment service user ID included in the inquiry and product A associated with the coupon code. Next, the information processing device 100 inputs the obtained information into the trained model, and if the score indicating the degree of interest obtained from the trained model exceeds a predetermined threshold, it derives a determination result that user U1 is interested in product A, the subject of the transaction. Then, as a result of the confirmation process, the information processing device 100 transmits information to the store terminal 20 indicating whether user U1 is interested in product A, the subject of the transaction (step S16).

[0040] The information that the information processing device 100 provides to user U1 indicating whether or not U1 is interested in product A, which is the subject of the transaction, may be information indicating interest (interested) or information indicating no interest (not interested), or it may be information indicating the degree of interest (for example, a score output from a trained model).

[0041] (2-1-2. Specific Examples of Information Processing (Part 2)) The following describes a specific example (part 2) of the information provision processing according to the embodiment. Figure 3 shows an overview of the specific example (part 2) of the information provision processing according to the embodiment. The following describes an example in which the store terminal 20 makes an inquiry regarding the user profile of user U1, and the information processing device 100 responds with the result of that inquiry.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, user U1 operates the user terminal 10 to present coupon information corresponding to product A, which is the subject of the transaction, and also presents code information for code payment to the store (step S21).

[0043] The store terminal 20 reads the coupon information and code information displayed on the user terminal 10 (step S22). Then, the store terminal 20 transmits transaction information, including the user ID for the payment service read from the code information, to the payment server 30 (step S23).

[0044] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 sends an inquiry to the information processing device 100 regarding the user profile of user U1 who will make payment for product A, which is the subject of the transaction (step S24). In addition, if the store terminal 20 reads the coupon information presented by user U1 prior to the presentation of code information, it can include the online service user ID contained in the coupon information as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. If coupon information is not presented and user U1 presents code information, the store terminal 20 can include the payment service user ID as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. Furthermore, the store terminal 20 can include information indicating the type of inquiry in the inquiry, showing that the content of the inquiry is an inquiry about the user profile of a user who will make payment for product A.

[0045] When the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry from the store terminal 20, it performs a verification process to confirm whether user U1 has an interest in product A, which is the subject of the transaction, based on the usage history of online services associated with user U1, and generates persona information that reflects the results of the verification process (step S25). For example, the information processing device 100 obtains information from the database that manages the usage history of online services for each service user, corresponding to the online service user ID or payment service user ID included in the inquiry and product A associated with the coupon code. Next, the information processing device 100 refers to the obtained information and performs a verification process to confirm user information regarding user U1's interest in product A, and generates persona information that represents a hypothetical user profile that reflects the results of the verification process. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the persona information generated by the information processing device 100 may consist of information on "attributes," "behavior," and "interests" that represent the user profile. Then, as a result of the verification process, the information processing device 100 transmits the generated persona information to the store terminal 20 (step S26).

[0046] Furthermore, when generating persona information, the information processing device 100 may generate persona information in accordance with the attributes of the store where user U1 makes a payment (for example, the types of products handled or the target user group). For example, if the store where user U1 makes a payment is a restaurant, the information processing device 100 may include information indicating family structure in the user profile attribute items, information indicating the number of times the user eats out per month in the behavior items, and information indicating preferred food trends (such as liking Japanese food or Western food) in the interests and preferences items.

[0047] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 is not limited to generating persona information based on information corresponding to user U1. For example, the information processing device 100 may use information associated with user U1 and a group of users consisting of other users with similar characteristics to user U1 to generate persona information that represents a common denominator of a hypothetical user profile that is representative of each user included in the user group.

[0048] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may provide user information regarding user U1's interests in product A as persona information.

[0049] (2-3. Profit Granting Process) The benefit granting process according to the embodiment will be described below. Figure 4 shows an overview of the benefit granting process according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, user U1 operates the user terminal 10 and presents coupon information corresponding to product A, which is the subject of the transaction, and also presents code information for code payment to the store (step S31).

[0050] The store terminal 20 reads the coupon information and code information displayed on the user terminal 10 (step S32). Then, the store terminal 20 transmits transaction information, including the user ID for the payment service read from the code information, to the payment server 30 (step S33).

[0051] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 sends an inquiry to the information processing device 100 regarding user U1, who will make payment for product A, which is the subject of the transaction (step S34). For example, the store terminal 20 sends an inquiry to obtain user information regarding the user's interest in product A, which is the subject of the transaction. Also, if the store terminal 20 reads the coupon information presented by user U1 prior to the presentation of code information, it can include the online service user ID contained in the coupon information as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. If coupon information is not presented and user U1 presents code information, the store terminal 20 can include the payment service user ID as user U1's identification information in the inquiry.

[0052] When the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry regarding user U1 from the store terminal 20, it performs a verification process to confirm user information regarding user U1's interests in the transaction subject, based on the usage history of online services associated with user U1 (step S35). Then, as a result of the verification process, the information processing device 100 transmits the user information to the store terminal 20 (step S36).

[0053] When the store terminal 20 receives user information from the information processing device 100 as a result of the verification process, it refers to the received user information and determines a predetermined benefit to be granted to user U1 (step S37). For example, the store terminal 20 refers to the user information and determines whether or not user U1 has an interest in product A, based on user U1's actions toward products identical or similar to product A. If the store terminal 20 determines that user U1 has an interest in product A, it decides to grant user U1 a coupon that can be used when settling for product A. This allows the store operator U2 to retain user U1. On the other hand, if the store terminal 20 determines that user U1 does not have an interest in product A, it decides to grant user U1 a coupon that can be used when making other payments after settling for product A. This allows the store operator U2 to increase the likelihood of user U1 returning to the store. The store terminal 20 then grants the predetermined benefit to user U1 (step S38).

[0054] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 may offer not only coupons, but also discounts on the price of the transaction, dynamic pricing, and other benefits as predetermined perks to user U1.

[0055] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may grant predetermined benefits to other users who have a predetermined relationship with user U1. For example, when granting a coupon to user U1 as a predetermined benefit, the information processing device 100 refers to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 25b (see, for example, Figure 7) and identifies the related user ID associated with user U1's user ID. The information processing device 100 then grants coupons to other users identified by the related user ID in the same way as to user U1. Note that when the granting unit 26e grants predetermined benefits to other users who have a predetermined relationship with user U1, it does not have to grant the predetermined benefits to user U1. In other words, for example, the granting unit 26e may transfer the coupon that it was planning to grant to user U1 to other users.

[0056] (2-4. Reward Granting Process) The benefit granting process according to the embodiment will be described below. Figure 5 shows an overview of the reward granting process according to the embodiment. The information processing system SYS-A shown in Figure 5 has referrer terminals 11a and 11b.

[0057] Referrer terminal 11a is an information processing terminal used by referrer U3-1 (an example of a "referer") who introduces web advertisements in response to a request from store operator U2 to deliver performance-based web advertisements (an example of "predetermined referral information"). Referrer terminal 11b is an information processing terminal used by referrer U3-2 (an example of a "referer") who introduces web advertisements in response to a request from store operator U2 to deliver performance-based web advertisements. In the following explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish between referrer terminal 11a and referrer terminal 11b, they will be collectively referred to as "referrer terminal 11". Also, in the following explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish between referrer U3-1 and referrer U3-2, they will be collectively referred to as "referrer U3". Furthermore, in the following explanation, it is assumed that referrer U3 is a user of the online service provided by the information processing device 100.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, referrer U3 uses referrer terminal 11 to post web advertisements provided by advertiser store operator U2 on their own blog or social media, thereby promoting the web advertisements (step S41).

[0059] Furthermore, user U1 operates the user terminal 10 to present coupon information corresponding to product A, which is the subject of the transaction, and also presents code information for code payment to the store (step S42).

[0060] The store terminal 20 reads the coupon information and code information displayed on the user terminal 10 (step S43). Then, the store terminal 20 transmits transaction information, including the user ID for the payment service read from the code information, to the payment server 30 (step S44).

[0061] Furthermore, the store terminal 20 sends a request for information regarding user U1 (an example of a "user to be processed") who will make payment for product A, which is the subject of the transaction (step S45). In addition, if the store terminal 20 reads the coupon information presented by user U1 prior to the presentation of code information, it may include the online service user ID contained in the coupon information as user U1's identification information in the information request. If coupon information is not presented and user U1 presents code information, the store terminal 20 may include the payment service user ID as user U1's identification information in the information request.

[0062] When the information processing device 100 receives an information request from the store terminal 20, it obtains the usage history of online services associated with user U1 (step S46). The information processing device 100 then transmits the obtained online service usage history to the store terminal 20 (step S47). Alternatively, the information processing device 100 may perform a verification process to confirm user information regarding user U1's interests in the transaction target based on the online service usage history associated with user U1, and transmit the result of the verification process to the store terminal 20.

[0063] When the store terminal 20 receives the online service usage history of user U1 from the information processing device 100, it refers to the received online service usage history and performs an identification process to identify the actions caused by the web advertisement introduced to user U1 (step S48). If the store terminal 20 identifies the actions caused by the web advertisement, it grants a predetermined reward to the referrer U3 who introduced the web advertisement, corresponding to user U1's actions (step S49).

[0064] For example, the store terminal 20 identifies actions taken by user U1 within a certain period after viewing a web advertisement for product A introduced by referrer U3, specifically actions taken by user U1 towards a store linked to the web advertisement or product A listed in the web advertisement, as actions caused by the advertisement. For example, if user U1 visits a store linked to the web advertisement within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement, the store terminal 20 identifies the visit to the store linked to the web advertisement as an action caused by the web advertisement. If the store terminal 20 confirms a visit to a store linked to the web advertisement, it may award a predetermined reward to referrer U3. Furthermore, if user U1 visits a store linked to the web advertisement and purchases a product listed in the web advertisement within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement, the store terminal 20 identifies the visit to the store linked to the web advertisement and the purchase of a product listed in the web advertisement as actions caused by the web advertisement. In this case, the store terminal 20 may award referrer U3 a larger reward than if only a visit were confirmed. Furthermore, the store terminal 20 may change the content of the predetermined reward given to referrer U3 depending on whether product A advertised on the web advertisement is purchased or whether a product other than product A advertised on the web advertisement is purchased.

[0065] (2-5. Disclosure setting process) The disclosure setting process according to the embodiment will be described below. Figure 6 shows an overview of the disclosure setting process according to the embodiment. The information processing device 100 may receive in advance a setting from user U1, who is a service user using the online service, regarding whether or not to provide user information concerning behavior or interests to a third party. This enables information disclosure in accordance with the requests of user U1 (an example of an "end user").

[0066] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the information processing device 100 sends an information disclosure confirmation request to the user terminal 10 when registering to use an online service (step S51).

[0067] When the user terminal 10 receives an information disclosure confirmation request from the information processing device 100, it displays the information disclosure confirmation request (step S52). The user terminal 10 also accepts disclosure settings from user U1 through a predetermined settings screen or the like (step S53). The user terminal 10 then transmits the disclosure setting information to the information processing device 100 (step S54).

[0068] When the information processing device 100 receives disclosure setting information from the user terminal 10, it registers the disclosure setting information in association with the online service user ID corresponding to user U1 (step S55).

[0069] Furthermore, in conjunction with the disclosure setting process described above, the information processing device 100 refers to the disclosure setting information corresponding to user U1 among the user information included in the results of the confirmation process and provides the store that sent the inquiry regarding user U1 with the information that is permitted to be disclosed to a third party. In addition, the information processing device 100 may provide user U1 with a notification requesting permission to disclose information that is not permitted to be disclosed to a third party, but is subject to a high number of inquiries. In this case, the information processing device 100 may also provide user U1 with a notification that includes information on a predetermined reward that can be obtained in exchange for permission to disclose the information subject to a high number of inquiries.

[0070] [3. Others] It should be noted that the table information showing the correspondence with the user ID for the online service mentioned above is not necessarily required. For example, if a user performs a search while not logged in, or if the user has authorized the provision of their information, the search history of the user may be obtained from clients of various domains using information from various tracking technologies (such as cookies) authorized by the user, and based on the obtained search history, it may be estimated whether the user is eligible to be granted the prescribed benefits. In other words, if the information providing device 100 can obtain the user's past behavioral history, it can obtain the behavioral history obtained by any method and determine from the obtained behavioral history whether the user is a user who meets the various conditions.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 100 may, in addition to coupons, determine whether a user meets various conditions in the provision of various arbitrary services and provide the determination results to the store terminal 20 and other various terminals. For example, the information processing device 100 may, in relation to the provision of insurance services, determine whether a user meets various conditions and provide the determination results to the store terminal 20 and other various terminals. To give a more specific example, when a car accident occurs, the information processing device 100 may determine whether the user who was driving the car meets various conditions (such as whether they performed a predetermined search, whether they drove according to the location history, or whether they visited a store where alcohol is permitted within a predetermined period) and provide the determination results to allow the user to make decisions regarding whether or not to pay the insurance premium, whether to reduce or increase the insurance premium, whether to calculate the monthly insurance premium, or whether to change the grade of insurance.

[0072] Furthermore, the specific example of information provision processing shown in Figure 2 is merely an example and is not limited to it. For example, the information processing device 100 only needs to be able to make a decision on whether to distribute coupons, and it can decide whether to provide benefits such as coupons or discounts depending on whether the user U1 meets various arbitrary conditions in addition to interests. As a result of such processing, when the information processing device 100 receives information from the user or the store the user has used, it can provide the user with various discounts or other benefits as compensation.

[0073] Furthermore, in the example described above, the information providing device 100 received inquiries about the user from the store terminal 20. However, the embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the information providing device 100 may also receive inquiries about the user from the user terminal 10. For example, when a user performs various payments or transactions, the user terminal 10 may make the various inquiries described above to the information providing device 100 and provide the inquiry results to the store terminal 20 by displaying the results of the inquiries obtained from the information providing device 100. For example, the user terminal 10 may provide the inquiry results to the store terminal 20 by displaying persona information or a QR code (registered trademark) indicating interests.

[0074] The user terminal 10 may also store the results of various inquiries as a cache. For example, the user terminal 10 may, in accordance with user operations, acquire persona information and interest information in advance from the information provision device 100 and store it as a cache. Then, when conducting a transaction, the user terminal 10 can provide the information stored as a cache to the store terminal 20, thereby allowing the user to receive various coupons and discounts.

[0075] [4. Configuration of each device according to the embodiment] (4-1. Store terminal configuration) First, an example of the configuration of a store terminal according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a store terminal 20 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the store terminal 20 according to the embodiment has an input unit 21, an output unit 22, a sensor unit 23, a communication unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a control unit 26.

[0076] The input unit 21 receives various operation information from the user (for example, the store operator U2 shown in Figure 1). For example, the input unit 21 may receive various operations from the user via a touch sensor on a display surface (for example, the output unit 22). Alternatively, the input unit 21 may receive various operations from buttons on the store terminal 200, or from a keyboard or mouse connected to the store terminal 200. The input unit 21 passes information regarding the various operations that have been input to the control unit 26.

[0077] The output unit 22 outputs various types of information. For example, the output unit 22 is composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 22 may also be composed of an audio output unit such as a speaker, in which case it can output various types of audio.

[0078] Furthermore, when the input unit 21 and the output unit 22 are integrally configured by a touchscreen display, the store terminal 20 receives input from the user via the display screen of the display that constitutes the output unit 22 and outputs information to the user via the display screen. For example, the input unit 21 and the output unit 22 can display the website of an electronic payment service or the screen of a store application in response to an operation from the store operator U2, and can receive operations from the user via these websites or screens.

[0079] The sensor unit 23 acquires various types of information. For example, the sensor unit 23 may be configured to include a digital camera that acquires image information. The digital camera includes optical elements and an image sensor. Optical elements are elements that constitute an optical system, such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, and filters. An image sensor is an element that converts light incident through the optical elements into an image signal, which is an electrical signal. Examples of image sensors include CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensors. For example, the sensor unit 23 acquires (reads) code information displayed on the user terminal 10 and passes the acquired code information to the control unit 26.

[0080] The communication unit 24 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 24 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection. The store terminal 20 sends and receives information to and from other devices such as the user terminal 10, the payment server 30, and the information processing device 100 via the network N. For example, the communication unit 24 transmits transaction information related to payments using code payment to the payment server 30.

[0081] The storage unit 25 stores various types of information. The storage unit 25 can be implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs. For example, the storage unit 25 may have a payment history storage unit 25a and a user information storage unit 25b.

[0082] The payment history storage unit 25a stores information regarding the payment history at the store where the store terminal 20 is installed. Figure 8 shows an overview of the payment history information stored in the payment history storage unit 25a according to this embodiment.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, the payment history information stored in the payment history storage unit 25a has multiple items, such as "History ID," "User ID," "Payment Date and Time," "Payment Method," "User ID for Payment Service," and "Coupon Information (User ID for Online Service / Coupon Code)." These items in the payment history information are interconnected.

[0084] The "History ID" field stores the history ID, which is identification information used to identify the payment history. The "User ID" field stores the user ID, which is identification information used to identify the user who is a party to the payment (for example, the purchaser of the transaction). This user ID may be, for example, identification information such as a card ID (member number) uniquely assigned to a membership point card distributed by the store to the user, or identification information such as an application ID (member number) uniquely assigned to a specific membership application distributed by the store to the user.

[0085] The "Payment Date and Time" field stores information indicating the date and time the payment was made at the store. The "Payment Method" field stores information indicating the payment method used. If the information stored in the "Payment Method" field is "Smartphone," it refers to smartphone-based code payments or contactless IC payments. The "Payment Service User ID" field stores the payment service user ID read by the store terminal 20 if store scan payment using code payment is adopted as the payment method. The "Coupon Information (Online Service User ID / Coupon Code)" field stores the online service user ID and coupon code read by the store terminal 20 if a coupon was presented by the user prior to payment.

[0086] The user information storage unit 25b stores user information about the store's customers. Figure 9 shows an overview of the user information stored in the user information storage unit 25b according to this embodiment.

[0087] As shown in Figure 9, the user information storage unit 25b has a "User ID" field and a "Related User ID" field. These fields in the user information are interconnected.

[0088] The "User ID" field stores a user ID, which is identification information used to identify the user who is a party to the payment (for example, the purchaser of the transaction). This user ID may be the same as the information stored in the "User ID" field in the payment history information. The "Related User ID" field stores a user ID, which is identification information used to identify other users to whom predetermined benefits, such as coupons, granted to the user identified by the user ID can be transferred. The user ID stored in the "Related User ID" field may be the same type of information as the user ID stored in the "User ID" field. For example, it may be identification information such as a card ID (member number) uniquely assigned to a membership point card, or identification information such as an application ID (member number) uniquely assigned to a predetermined application for members distributed by the store to the user.

[0089] The control unit 26 is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in the internal memory of the store terminal 20 using RAM as the working area. Alternatively, the control unit 26 can be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0090] As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 26 includes an inquiry unit 26a, an acquisition unit 26b, a determination unit 26c, a specification unit 26d, and an assignment unit 26e. Each of these units realizes or executes the information processing functions and operations described below.

[0091] The inquiry unit 26a transmits an inquiry regarding the user performing the settlement of the transaction to the information processing device 100 via the communication unit 24. Furthermore, if the inquiry unit 26a reads the coupon information presented by the user prior to the presentation of code information, it can include the online service user ID contained in the coupon information as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. If the store terminal 20 does not receive coupon information but receives code information from user U1, it can include the payment service user ID as user U1's identification information in the inquiry. Additionally, the inquiry unit 26a can include information indicating the inquiry type in the inquiry.

[0092] The acquisition unit 26b acquires user information regarding the actions of users who make payments for transactions. For example, the acquisition unit 26b acquires user information regarding the interests of a user by sending an inquiry to the information processing device 100 via the communication unit 24 regarding the user who makes payments for transactions (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 4).

[0093] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 26b acquires the online service usage history (online activity history) of the user to be processed. For example, the acquisition unit 26b acquires the online service usage history of the user in question by sending a request for information about the user who will be making the settlement for the transaction (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 5) to the information processing device 100 via the communication unit 24.

[0094] The decision unit 26c determines a predetermined benefit to be granted to the user based on the user information obtained by the acquisition unit 26b. For example, the decision unit 26c refers to the user information and determines whether the user has an interest in the product being traded, based on the user's actions toward products identical or similar to the product being traded. If the decision unit 26c determines that the user has an interest in the product being traded, it decides to grant the user a coupon that can be used when settling the transaction. On the other hand, if the decision unit 26c determines that the user does not have an interest in the product being traded, it grants the user a coupon that can be used when making other payments after the settlement of the product being traded.

[0095] Furthermore, the coupons provided to the user by the decision unit 26c may be coupons independently granted by the store operator U2 of the store providing the transaction item (see, for example, Figure 1) to the store's members, or coupons granted by the payment server 30 during the payment processing of the code payment used by the user to settle the transaction item. The granting of coupons from the payment server 30 to the user is achieved by the store operator U2 setting the applicable conditions in advance for the payment server 30.

[0096] The identification unit 26d refers to the user's activity history to identify actions resulting from predetermined promotional information introduced to the user. For example, when the identification unit 26d receives the online service usage history of the user to be processed (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 5) via the communication unit 24, it refers to the received online service usage history to attempt to identify actions resulting from viewing a web advertisement provided to user U1. Specifically, the identification unit 26d identifies actions taken by the user within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement, such as visits to stores linked to the web advertisement or actions related to transactions listed in the web advertisement, as actions resulting from the advertisement. For example, if user U1 visits a store linked to the web advertisement within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement, the identification unit 26d identifies the visit to the store linked to the web advertisement as an action resulting from the web advertisement. Furthermore, if user U1 visits a store linked to the web advertisement and purchases a product advertised in the web advertisement within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement, the specific unit 26d identifies the visit to the store linked to the web advertisement and the purchase of the product advertised in the web advertisement as actions caused by the web advertisement.

[0097] The granting unit 26e grants the user (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 4) a predetermined benefit determined by the determination unit 26c. For example, the granting unit 26e grants the user a benefit that can be applied at the time of settlement of the transaction. Specifically, the granting unit 26e grants user U1 a coupon that can be used when settling product A, which is the transaction. Also, for example, the granting unit 26e grants the user a benefit that can be applied at other settlements that take place after the settlement of the transaction. Specifically, the granting unit 26e grants the user a coupon that can be used at other settlements that take place after the settlement of the transaction.

[0098] Furthermore, if the awarding unit 26e identifies an action resulting from predetermined guidance information (for example, a web advertisement) by the identification unit 26d, it awards a predetermined reward to the referrer who introduced the predetermined guidance information (for example, referrer U3 shown in Figure 5) according to the user's action (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 5). For example, if the awarding unit 26e identifies an action by the identification unit 26d in which the user's action is directed towards at least one of a store or a transaction target as an action resulting from a web advertisement, it may award a predetermined reward to the referrer. In addition, the awarding unit 26e may change the content of the predetermined reward awarded to the referrer depending on whether the product advertised in the web advertisement is purchased or whether a product different from the product advertised in the web advertisement is purchased.

[0099] (4-2. Configuration of Information Processing Devices) The following describes an example configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 10 shows an example configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0100] (Regarding Communications Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection. The information processing device 100 transmits and receives information with other devices such as the user terminal 10, the store terminal 20, and the payment server 30 via the network N.

[0101] (Regarding memory unit 120) The storage unit 120 stores programs and data for realizing or executing the functions and operations of information processing by the information processing device 100. The storage unit 120 can be implemented, for example, by semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or by storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs. For example, the storage unit 120 has a history information storage unit 121, a model storage unit 122, a correspondence table storage unit 123, and a disclosure setting storage unit 124.

[0102] (History information storage unit 121) The history information storage unit 121 stores information regarding the usage history of online services by each service user. Figure 11 shows an overview of the usage history information stored in the history information storage unit 121 according to this embodiment.

[0103] As shown in Figure 11, the usage history information stored in the history information storage unit 121 according to this embodiment has multiple items, such as "User ID," "Search History," "Movement History," "Purchase History," and "Browsing History." These items in the usage history information are interconnected.

[0104] The "User ID" field stores the online service user ID, which is user identification information assigned to user U1 when registering for the online service.

[0105] The "Search History" field stores information showing the user's search history on online services. The "Movement History" field stores information showing the user's movement history on online services. The "Purchase History" field stores information showing the user's purchase history on online services. The "Browsing History" field stores information showing the user's browsing history on online services.

[0106] (Model memory unit 122) The model memory unit 122 stores information about a trained model that estimates the degree of interest in the transaction target. For example, the trained model stored in the model memory unit 122 is an estimation model that takes a pair of impression information about the transaction target and a predetermined action towards the transaction target as input data and estimates a score corresponding to the input data.

[0107] Perceptional information regarding the transaction target is obtained from responses to questionnaires about products advertised. Furthermore, predetermined actions towards the transaction target are pre-set to infer interest in the target; for example, the number of times a specific search query is entered or the number of times a specific website is viewed are conceivable as data samples. For instance, training data to be used as ground truth data can be prepared from the online service usage history associated with each service user who responded "interested" or "not interested" in the transaction target.

[0108] A trained model is generated by machine learning using any learning method. Examples of learning methods include deep learning, RNN (Recurrent Neural Network), and LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory). Furthermore, in the training process of the estimation model, the information processing device 100 can train the estimation model using any machine learning model, such as a neural network, as the training model. When a neural network is used as the training model, the information processing device 100 performs a learning process to adjust the values ​​of the weights (connection coefficients) that are considered when scores (values) are propagated between the nodes of each layer that make up the neural network. For example, the information processing device 100 trains the estimation model by correcting the parameters (connection coefficients) using any method such as backpropagation so that the error between the output from the training model and the correct answer (correct data) corresponding to the input is reduced. Furthermore, when the information processing device 100 uses the backpropagation method, it can correct the parameters (connection coefficients) so that the error between the output from the training model and the correct answer (correct data) corresponding to the input is reduced by performing a training process to minimize a predetermined loss function.

[0109] (Correspondence table storage unit 123) The correspondence table storage unit 123 stores information indicating the correspondence between the user ID for the payment service and the user ID for the online service, which is obtained in advance from the payment server 30, with the consent of the service user. The correspondence table storage unit 123 may also store the correspondence between the card ID (member number) related to the point card of the store used by the service user and the user ID for the online service, with the consent of the service user. Furthermore, the correspondence table storage unit 123 may also store the correspondence between the application ID (member number) uniquely assigned to a predetermined application for members distributed by the store to the user and the user ID for the online service.

[0110] (Disclosure setting storage unit 124) The disclosure setting storage unit 124 stores information that is pre-set for each user to be processed, and which indicates whether or not user information regarding the user's behavior or interests can be disclosed to a third party. Figure 12 shows an overview of the disclosure setting information stored in the disclosure setting storage unit 124 according to this embodiment.

[0111] As shown in Figure 12, the information regarding disclosure settings stored in the disclosure setting storage unit 124 has multiple items, such as the "User ID" item and the "Disclosure Setting" item. These items in the information regarding disclosure settings are interconnected.

[0112] The "User ID" field stores the online service user ID, which is user identification information assigned to service users when they register to use the online service.

[0113] The "Disclosure Settings" section contains multiple items, such as "Search History," "Movement History," "Purchase History," "Browsing History," "Registration Information," and "Attribute Information." These items in the "Disclosure Settings" section store information indicating whether the service user is permitted to disclose information to third parties. The "Search History," "Movement History," "Purchase History," and "Browsing History" items correspond to the items in the usage history information stored in the history information storage unit 121.

[0114] The "Registration Information" field stores information registered by the service user when they registered to use the online service. This field stores information corresponding to demographic attributes such as the service user's name, age, gender, address, and family structure. The "Attribute Information" field stores information corresponding to psychographic attributes such as the service user's interests, preferences, and lifestyle.

[0115] (Regarding the control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is implemented, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in the memory device inside the information processing device 100 using RAM as the working area. The control unit 130 can also be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0116] As shown in Figure 10, the control unit 130 has a receiving unit 131, a confirmation processing unit 132, and a providing unit 133, and each of these units realizes or executes the information processing functions and operations described below. The control unit 130 may have multiple internal configurations divided into processing units that realize or execute the information processing functions and operations described below. Furthermore, the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 10, and may have other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described later.

[0117] (Reception desk 131) The reception unit 131 receives inquiries from stores providing the transaction items via the communication unit 110 regarding users who will make payments for the transaction items (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 1). The reception unit 131 then passes the received inquiries to the confirmation processing unit 132.

[0118] Furthermore, the reception unit 131 receives in advance from the user to be processed (for example, from a user of an online service) whether or not to disclose user information regarding the user's behavior or interests to a third party. For example, when registering to use an online service, the reception unit 131 sends an information disclosure confirmation request to the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 110. Through the information disclosure confirmation request, the reception unit 131 can receive from the user whether or not to disclose their usage history to a third party, for example, on a per-item basis of the user's usage history. In addition, the reception unit 131 can receive from the user whether or not to disclose the user's registration information and attribute information to a third party through the information disclosure confirmation request.

[0119] Furthermore, the reception unit 131 receives disclosure setting information from the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 110 as a response to the information disclosure request. The reception unit 131 also registers the disclosure setting information received from the user for each user via the communication unit 110. For example, the reception unit 131 registers the disclosure setting information in association with the user ID for the online service corresponding to the user.

[0120] Furthermore, the reception unit 131 may receive inquiries from stores regarding specific behaviors among the user information. The reception unit 131 may also manage the number of inquiries regarding specific behaviors for each user. The reception unit 131 also passes the inquiry count information to the provision unit 133.

[0121] (Verification processing unit 132) When an inquiry is received by the reception unit 131, the confirmation processing unit 132 obtains user information regarding the user's interests in the transaction item from the user's activity history associated with the user making the payment for the transaction item, and executes a confirmation process to verify the obtained user information.

[0122] For example, when an inquiry is received by the reception unit 131, the confirmation processing unit 132 retrieves the usage history of the online service associated with the online service user ID or payment service user ID included in the inquiry (an example of "behavioral history") from the history information storage unit 121.

[0123] Furthermore, the confirmation processing unit 132 determines the content of the inquiry based on the type of inquiry included in the inquiry. For example, if the content of the inquiry is an inquiry about the user's interest in the transaction item, the confirmation processing unit 132 performs a confirmation process to determine whether the user is interested in the transaction item based on the online service usage history. Specifically, the confirmation processing unit 132 performs a confirmation process to determine whether the user is interested in the transaction item using a trained model that estimates the degree of interest in the transaction item based on the usage history. For example, the confirmation processing unit 132 obtains information from the usage history recorded in the history information storage unit 121, which manages the online service usage history for each user, that corresponds to the online service user ID or payment service user ID included in the inquiry and the product associated with the coupon code. Subsequently, the confirmation processing unit 132 inputs the obtained information into the trained model, and if the score indicating the degree of interest obtained from the trained model exceeds a predetermined threshold, it derives a determination result that the user is interested in the product that is the transaction item.

[0124] Furthermore, if the inquiry concerns the user profile of a user making a payment for the transaction, the confirmation processing unit 132 performs a confirmation process to determine whether the user has an interest in the transaction based on the user's behavioral history associated with the user making the payment for the transaction, and generates persona information that reflects the results of the confirmation process. Specifically, the confirmation processing unit 132 retrieves information from the usage history recorded in the history information storage unit 121, which manages the usage history of online services for each user, that corresponds to the online service user ID or payment service user ID included in the inquiry and the product associated with the coupon code. Subsequently, the confirmation processing unit 132 refers to the retrieved information and performs a confirmation process to verify the user information regarding the user's interest in the transaction product, and generates persona information that represents a hypothetical user profile that reflects the results of the confirmation process. For example, the persona information generated by the confirmation processing unit 132 may consist of information on "attributes," "behavior," and "interests" that represent the user profile (see, for example, Figure 3).

[0125] Furthermore, when the confirmation processing unit 132 generates persona information, it may generate the persona information in accordance with the attributes of the store where the user makes a payment (for example, the type of products handled or the target user group). For example, if the store where the user makes a payment is a restaurant, the confirmation processing unit 132 may include information indicating family structure in the user profile attribute items, information indicating the number of times the user eats out per month in the behavior items, and information indicating preferred food trends (such as liking Japanese food or Western food) in the interests and preferences items.

[0126] (Provider 133) The provisioning unit 133 provides the store that is the source of the inquiry regarding the user with the results of the verification process performed by the verification processing unit 132. The provisioning unit 133 also provides the store that is the source of the inquiry regarding the user with the persona information generated by the verification processing unit 132.

[0127] Furthermore, when the provision unit 133 provides user information included in the results of the confirmation processing by the confirmation processing unit 132 to the store that is the source of the inquiry regarding user information, it refers to the disclosure setting information corresponding to the user and provides the store that is the source of the inquiry regarding user information with information that the user is permitted to disclose to a third party.

[0128] Furthermore, the service provider 133 may provide the user with a notification requesting permission to disclose information that has been inquired about more than a predetermined number of times, among user information that is not permitted to be disclosed to third parties. For example, the service provider 133 sends the above notification to the user terminal 10 when the user uses the online service. In this case, the service provider 133 may also provide the user with a notification that includes information on a predetermined reward that can be obtained in exchange for permission to disclose the information that has been inquired about more than a predetermined number of times.

[0129] [5. Processing procedure according to the embodiment] (5-1. Information Provision Processing) The following describes the procedure for information provision processing performed by the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 13 shows an example of the procedure for information provision processing performed by the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The procedure shown in Figure 13 is executed by the control unit 130 of the information processing device 100. The procedure shown in Figure 13 is repeatedly executed while the information processing device 100 is running.

[0130] As shown in Figure 13, when the confirmation processing unit 132 receives an inquiry from the reception unit 131, it retrieves the usage history of the online service associated with the online service user ID or payment service user ID included in the inquiry from the history information storage unit 121 (step S101).

[0131] Furthermore, the confirmation processing unit 132 determines the content of the inquiry based on the type of inquiry included in the inquiry (step S102). If, as a result of the determination in step S102, the confirmation processing unit 132 determines that the content of the inquiry is an inquiry about the user's interest in the transaction target, it uses a trained model based on the online service usage history obtained in step S101 to perform a confirmation process to determine whether or not the user has an interest in the transaction target (step S103).

[0132] Furthermore, as a result of the confirmation process in step S103, the providing unit 133 provides information indicating whether or not the user is interested in the transaction item (step S104), and then terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 13.

[0133] Furthermore, if the confirmation processing unit 132 determines, as a result of the determination in step S102, that the content of the inquiry is an inquiry about the user profile of the user who will settle the transaction, it generates persona information that reflects the result of the confirmation process of whether or not the user has an interest in the transaction (step S105).

[0134] Furthermore, the providing unit 133 provides the persona information generated in step S105 as a result of the confirmation process in step S105 (step S106), and terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 13.

[0135] (5-2. Profit Allocation Processing) The following describes the procedure for the profit-granting process performed by the store terminal 20 according to the embodiment. Figure 14 shows an example of the procedure for the profit-granting process performed by the store terminal 20 according to the embodiment. The procedure shown in Figure 14 is performed by the control unit 26 of the store terminal 20. The procedure shown in Figure 14 is repeatedly performed while the store terminal 20 is in operation.

[0136] As shown in Figure 14, the acquisition unit 26b acquires user information regarding the interests of the user who is making the settlement of the transaction (step S201).

[0137] Furthermore, the decision unit 26c determines whether or not the user is interested in the transaction target based on the user information obtained in step S201 (step S202).

[0138] If the decision unit 26c determines that the user is interested in the transaction item (step S202; Yes), it decides to grant the user a coupon that can be used when settling the transaction item (step S203), and then terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 14.

[0139] On the other hand, if the decision unit 26c determines that the user has no interest in the transaction item (step S202; No), it grants the user a coupon that can be used for other transactions that take place after the settlement of the transaction item (step S204), and then terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 14.

[0140] (5-3. Reward Granting Process) The procedure for reward granting performed by the store terminal 20 according to this embodiment will be described below. Figure 15 shows an example of the procedure for reward granting performed by the store terminal 20 according to this embodiment. The procedure shown in Figure 15 is executed by the control unit 26 of the store terminal 20. The procedure shown in Figure 15 is executed repeatedly while the store terminal 20 is in operation.

[0141] As shown in Figure 15, the acquisition unit 26b acquires the online service usage history of the user to be processed (step S301).

[0142] The identification unit 26d refers to the user's online service usage history obtained in step S301 and identifies actions resulting from web advertisements introduced to the user (step S302).

[0143] The identification unit 26d refers to the identification result of step S302 and determines whether a customer visited a store associated with the web advertisement within a certain period of time after viewing the web advertisement (step S303).

[0144] The identification unit 26d, referring to the identification result in step S302, determines if a customer has visited a store associated with the web advertisement within a certain period of time after viewing the web advertisement (step S303; Yes), and if so, determines whether a customer has purchased a product advertised in the web advertisement within a certain period of time after viewing the web advertisement (step S304).

[0145] If the identification unit 26d determines that a purchase of a product advertised in a web advertisement occurred within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement (step S304; Yes), the granting unit 26e grants the person who introduced the web advertisement a predetermined reward corresponding to the visit to the store associated with the web advertisement and the purchase of the product (step S305), and then terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 15.

[0146] If the identification unit 26d determines that no purchase of the product advertised in the web advertisement was made within a certain period after viewing the web advertisement (step S304; Yes), the granting unit 26e grants a predetermined reward corresponding to a visit to the store associated with the web advertisement (step S306), and terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 15.

[0147] In step S303 described above, if the identification unit 26d determines that no customer visited the store associated with the web advertisement within a certain period of time after viewing the web advertisement (step S303; No), it terminates the processing procedure shown in Figure 15.

[0148] [6. Variant] (6-1. Overview of information processing related to modified examples) The information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program relating to this application may be implemented in various different forms other than the embodiments described above. Modifications of the embodiments will be described below. The modification described below describes an example of information processing in which the information processing device 500, in response to an application from an online service user, provides an endorsement (guarantee) for a product strongly related to the service user (favorite product) and assigns certification information that can be presented to a third party. Figure 16 shows an overview of the information processing relating to the modification.

[0149] As shown in Figure 16, the modified information processing system SYS-B includes a user terminal 10, a store terminal 200, and an information processing device 500. The store terminal 200 of the information processing system SYS-B corresponds to the store terminal 20 of the information processing system SYS-A according to the embodiment. Furthermore, the information processing device 500 of the information processing system SYS-B corresponds to the information processing device 100 of the information processing system SYS-A according to the embodiment.

[0150] User U1 operates the user terminal 10 to send a request for certification information to the information processing device 500 to prove that a product is strongly associated with them (step S61). For example, the request for certification information includes the user ID for online services owned by user U1.

[0151] When the information processing device 500 receives a request for certification information from the user terminal 10, it executes a certification information registration process (step S62). For example, the information processing device 500 obtains the usage history of online services associated with user U1 based on the online service user ID included in the certification information request. Subsequently, the information processing device 500 refers to the obtained online service usage history and identifies products (favorite products) that are inferred to have a strong association with user U1.

[0152] For example, the information processing device 500 attempts to identify products that are strongly associated with user U1 based on information such as the number of search queries entered relatively frequently compared to other service users, information on frequently visited locations, information on frequently viewed websites, and information on frequently purchased products. The following specifically describes how to identify products strongly associated with the applicant user U1 using the number of search query entries. First, the information processing device 500 calculates the median number of entries by all service users for the search queries to be processed from among the search queries entered by the applicant user U1. Next, if the number of entries by the applicant user U1 is higher than the calculated median, the information processing device 500 determines that the entry of the search queries to be processed by the applicant user U1 is a characteristic behavior compared to other service users, and identifies the products associated with the search queries to be processed as products strongly associated with the applicant user U1. The information processing device 500 may also take into account the number of entries for search queries similar to the search queries to be processed when identifying products that are strongly associated with user U1.

[0153] Next, the information processing device 500 assigns certification information to the identified product that guarantees the strength of its association with the applicant user U1, and registers it in association with the online service user ID owned by the applicant user U1. Then, the information processing device 500 provides the certification information to user U1 (step S63). The certification information provided by the information processing device 500 is provided encrypted with a predetermined public key, for example, in order to prove its authenticity.

[0154] Furthermore, the information processing device 500 may evaluate the strength of the relationship between the service user who is the applicant for the certification information and the transaction object, and may change the content of the certification information according to the evaluation result. For example, the information processing device 500 may evaluate the strength of the relationship with the transaction object according to what percentage of the distribution of the number of times the search query to be processed is entered by each service user. Then, the information processing device 500 assigns certification information corresponding to the evaluation result for each transaction object according to the evaluation result of the strength of the relationship with the transaction object.

[0155] When user U1 makes a payment for a transaction using code payment, user U1 operates the user terminal 10 and presents the code information for code payment to the store (step S64). At this time, prior to presenting the code information, user U1 can have the authentication information provided by the information processing device 500 displayed on the user terminal 10 and present the authentication information displayed on the user terminal 10 to the store.

[0156] When user U1 presents authentication information using user terminal 10, store terminal 20 reads the authentication information displayed on user terminal 10 and sends a request for verification information of the authentication information to information processing device 500 (step S65).

[0157] When the information processing device 500 receives a request for verification information from the store terminal 20, it sends the public key for decrypting the certificate information to the store terminal 20 as verification information (step S66).

[0158] When the store terminal 20 receives verification information from the information processing device 500, it uses the received verification information to perform verification processing of the certificate information (step S67). For example, the store terminal 20 uses the public key received as verification information to decrypt the certificate information read from the user terminal 10. Then, the store terminal 20 grants a predetermined benefit to user U1 according to the verification result (step S68).

[0159] In this way, user U1 can receive predetermined benefits from the store by presenting the verification information provided by the information processing device 100 to the store when making a payment, thereby improving usability. Furthermore, by receiving the verification information from the user at the time of payment, the store can obtain useful information that can be used as a reference when considering granting benefits to user U1.

[0160] (6-2. Configuration of each device in the modified example) (6-2-1. Store terminal configuration) The following describes an example of the configuration of a modified store terminal 200. Figure 17 shows an example of the configuration of a modified store terminal 200. As shown in Figure 17, the modified store terminal 200 has an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a sensor unit 230, a communication unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a control unit 260. The modified store terminal 200 basically has the same configuration as the store terminal 20 according to the embodiment.

[0161] In other words, the input unit 210, output unit 220, sensor unit 230, communication unit 240, storage unit 250, and control unit 260 of the modified store terminal 200 correspond to the input unit 21, output unit 22, sensor unit 23, communication unit 24, storage unit 25, and control unit 26 of the store terminal 20 according to the embodiment. Furthermore, the payment history storage unit 250a and user information storage unit 250b of the storage unit 250 correspond to the payment history storage unit 25a and user information storage unit 25b of the storage unit 25, respectively. Also, the inquiry unit 260a, acquisition unit 260b, determination unit 260c, identification unit 260d, and assignment unit 260e of the control unit 260 correspond to the inquiry unit 26a, acquisition unit 26b, determination unit 26c, identification unit 26d, and assignment unit 26e of the control unit 26, respectively.

[0162] Furthermore, the modified store terminal 200 differs from the store terminal 20 in the embodiment in that the control unit 260 includes a verification unit 260f as a function for executing the information processing related to the modified version.

[0163] The verification unit 260f performs verification processing to verify the authenticity of the certification information provided by user U1. For example, the verification unit 260f reads the certification information displayed on the user terminal 10. Alternatively, for example, the verification unit 260f sends a request for verification information of the certification information to the information processing device 500 via the communication unit 240. Alternatively, for example, when the verification unit 260f obtains verification information from the information processing device 500 via the communication unit 240, it uses the obtained verification information to perform verification processing of the certification information read from the user terminal 10. For example, the verification unit 260f decrypts the certification information read from the user terminal 10 using the public key obtained as verification information.

[0164] (6-2-2. Configuration of Information Processing Devices) The following describes an example configuration of the modified information processing device 500. Figure 18 shows an example configuration of the modified information processing device 500. As shown in Figure 18, the modified information processing device 500 has a communication unit 510, a storage unit 520, and a control unit 530. The modified information processing device 500 basically has the same configuration as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0165] In other words, the communication unit 510, storage unit 520, and control unit 530 of the modified information processing device 500 correspond to the communication unit 110, storage unit 120, and control unit 130 of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, respectively. Furthermore, the history information storage unit 521, model storage unit 522, correspondence table storage unit 523, and disclosure setting storage unit 524 of the storage unit 520 correspond to the history information storage unit 121, model storage unit 122, correspondence table storage unit 123, and disclosure setting storage unit 124 of the storage unit 120, respectively. Furthermore, the reception unit 531, confirmation processing unit 532, and provision unit 533 of the control unit 530 correspond to the reception unit 131, confirmation processing unit 132, and provision unit 133 of the control unit 130, respectively.

[0166] Furthermore, the modified information processing device 500 differs from the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment in that, as functions for executing the information processing according to the embodiment, the storage unit 520 includes a certification information storage unit 525, and the control unit 530 includes a certification processing unit 534.

[0167] The certification information storage unit 525 stores the certification information provided to the service user of the online service. Figure 19 shows an overview of the certification information stored in the certification information storage unit 525 in the modified example.

[0168] As shown in Figure 19, the certification information stored in the certification information storage unit 525 in the modified example has multiple items, such as a "User ID" item, a "Favorite Products" item, and a "Certification Information" item, and these items are interconnected.

[0169] The "User ID" field stores the online service user ID, which is user identification information assigned to user U1 when registering for the online service. The "Favorite Products" field stores information indicating products that are strongly related to the service user.

[0170] The "Proof Information" field stores proof information corresponding to the products stored in the "Favorite Products" field. For example, the proof information stored in the "Proof Information" field is assigned according to the evaluation result of the strength of the relationship with the transaction item.

[0171] In the example shown in Figure 19, "Product EX111" is stored as a favorite product of the service user identified by user ID: "User Y#01," and "Rainbow Trophy" is stored as the corresponding proof information for "Product EX111." In the same example shown in Figure 19, "Product EX112" is stored as a favorite product of the service user identified by user ID: "User Y#01," and "Gold Trophy" is stored as the corresponding proof information for "Product EX112." Comparing the proof information "Rainbow Trophy" and "Gold Trophy," the Rainbow Trophy indicates a stronger association with the service user. In other words, the association between the service user and "Product EX111" is stronger than the association between the service user and "Product EX112." The ranking of the strength of association of the proof information exemplified in Figure 19 is as follows: "Rainbow Trophy" (first), "Gold Trophy" (second), "Silver Trophy" (third), and "Bronze Trophy" (fourth).

[0172] The certification processing unit 534 performs various processes, such as providing certification information to service users, in response to requests from service users of the online service (for example, user U1 shown in Figure 16).

[0173] For example, when the certification processing unit 534 receives a certification information application sent from the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 510, it retrieves the usage history of online services associated with user U1 based on the online service user ID included in the certification information application. The certification processing unit 534 also refers to the retrieved online service usage history to identify products (favorite products) that are strongly associated with user U1.

[0174] Specifically, the certification processing unit 534 attempts to identify products that are strongly associated with a service user based on information such as the number of search queries entered relatively frequently compared to other service users, information on frequently visited locations, information on frequently viewed websites, and information on frequently purchased products. The following describes in detail how to identify products strongly associated with the applicant service user using the number of search query entries. First, the certification processing unit 534 calculates the median number of entries by all service users for the search queries to be processed among the search queries entered by the applicant service user. Next, if the number of entries by the applicant service user is higher than the calculated median, the certification processing unit 534 determines that the entry of the search queries to be processed by the applicant service user is a characteristic behavior compared to other service users, and identifies the products associated with the search queries to be processed as products strongly associated with the applicant service user.

[0175] Furthermore, the certification processing unit 534 assigns certification information to the identified product that guarantees the strength of its connection to the service user of the applicant, and registers it in association with the online service user ID owned by the service user of the applicant. The certification processing unit 534 also provides the certification information to the service user by transmitting it to the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 510.

[0176] Furthermore, the certification processing unit 534 may evaluate the strength of the relationship between the service user who is the applicant for the certification information and the transaction item, and may change the content of the certification information according to the evaluation result. For example, the certification processing unit 534 may evaluate the strength of the relationship with the transaction item according to what percentage of the distribution of the number of times the search query to be processed is entered by each service user. Then, the certification processing unit 534 assigns certification information corresponding to the evaluation result for each transaction item according to the evaluation result of the strength of the relationship with the transaction item.

[0177] For example, if the number of entries for the search query to be processed falls within the top 10%, the certification processing unit 534 selects a rainbow trophy as the certification information to be assigned to the product associated with that search query. Also, for example, if the number of entries for the search query to be processed falls within the range of top 10% to less than 20%, the certification processing unit 534 selects a gold trophy as the certification information to be assigned to the product associated with that search query. Also, for example, if the number of entries for the search query to be processed falls within the range of top 20% to less than 30%, the certification processing unit 534 selects a silver trophy as the certification information to be assigned to the product associated with that search query. Also, for example, if the number of entries for the search query to be processed falls within the range of top 30% to less than 50%, the certification processing unit 534 selects a bronze trophy as the certification information to be assigned to the product associated with that search query.

[0178] Furthermore, the certification processing unit 534 may evaluate the strength of the relevance to the transaction target by combining other indicators, such as the number of purchases, in addition to the number of times the search query has been entered. For example, if the number of times the search query has been entered is within the top few percent and the number of purchases of the product associated with the search query is also within the top few percent, the certification processing unit 534 will select a rainbow trophy as the certification information to be assigned to the product associated with this search query.

[0179] Furthermore, the modified information processing device 500 is not limited to evaluating the strength of the relevance to the transaction object, but may also evaluate, for example, the weakness of the relevance (degree of indifference) to the transaction object. In this case, the information processing device 500 may assign proof information indicating the weakness of the relevance to the transaction object to each transaction object based on the evaluation result.

[0180] [7. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, the information processing device and store terminal according to the embodiments and modified examples described above are implemented by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 20. Figure 20 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of the information processing device and store terminal according to the embodiments and modified examples.

[0181] Computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output interface 1060, an input interface 1070, and a network interface 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0182] The arithmetic unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and the secondary storage device 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device where data used by the arithmetic unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD, flash memory, etc.

[0183] The output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010, such as monitors and printers, and is implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and scanners, and is implemented using, for example, USB.

[0184] The input device 1020 may also be a device that reads information from, for example, an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the input device 1020 may be an external storage medium such as a USB memory stick.

[0185] Network IF1080 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to the arithmetic unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic unit 1030 to other devices via network N.

[0186] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0187] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the same functions as the control unit 130 by executing a program (for example, an information processing program) loaded on the primary storage device 1040. That is, the arithmetic unit 1030 realizes the processing by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment in cooperation with the program (for example, an information processing program) loaded on the primary storage device 1040.

[0188] Furthermore, for example, if the computer 1000 functions as the modified information processing device 500, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 will perform the same functions as the control unit 530 by executing a program (for example, an information processing program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040. In other words, the arithmetic unit 1030 will perform processing by the modified information processing device 500 in cooperation with the program (for example, an information processing program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040.

[0189] Furthermore, for example, when the computer 1000 functions as a store terminal 20 according to the embodiment, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the same functions as the control unit 26 by executing a program (for example, an information processing program) loaded on the primary storage device 1040. In other words, the arithmetic unit 1030 realizes the processing by the store terminal 20 according to the embodiment through cooperation with the program (for example, an information processing program) loaded on the primary storage device 1040.

[0190] Furthermore, for example, if the computer 1000 functions as a modified store terminal 200, the arithmetic unit 1030 of the computer 1000 will perform the same functions as the control unit 260 by executing a program (for example, an information processing program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040. In other words, the arithmetic unit 1030 will perform processing by the modified store terminal 200 in cooperation with the program (for example, an information processing program) loaded onto the primary storage device 1040.

[0191] [8. Other] In the above-described embodiment or modification, the information processing performed in the store terminal 20 may be performed in cooperation with the store terminal 20 and the payment server 30, or it may be performed by the payment server 30 alone.

[0192] Of the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified.

[0193] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0194] Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not contradictory.

[0195] [9. Effects] The store terminal 20 according to this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 26b, a determination unit 26c, and a granting unit 26e. The acquisition unit 26b acquires user information relating to the actions of a user who makes a payment for a transaction. The determination unit 26c refers to the user information and determines a predetermined benefit to be granted to the user based on the user's actions toward a transaction that is the same as or similar to the transaction. The granting unit 26e grants the predetermined benefit determined by the determination unit 26c to the user.

[0196] Furthermore, if the decision unit 26c determines, based on the user's actions, that the user is interested in the transaction item, it decides to grant a predetermined benefit, which can be applied at the time of settlement of the transaction item.

[0197] Furthermore, if the decision unit 26c determines, based on the user's actions, that the user has no interest in the transaction item, it decides to grant a predetermined benefit, which can be applied to other transactions that take place after the transaction item has been settled.

[0198] Furthermore, the specified benefits include coupons usable by users, discounts on the price of the items being traded, and dynamic pricing.

[0199] Thus, the store terminal 20 according to this embodiment can select targets to whom benefits will be awarded based on information useful for target selection, through the processing performed by each of the above-described parts, or any combination of each of the parts, and can support the sales promotion activities of the store operator U2.

[0200] Although embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to several drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure section of the invention.

[0201] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" mentioned above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, a control unit can be replaced with a control means or a control circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0202] N Network SYS-A, SYS-B Information Processing Systems 10. User terminals 20,200 store terminals 21, 210 Input section 22, 220 Output section 23, 230 Sensor section 24, 240 Communications Department 25, 250 storage section 25a, 250a Payment history storage unit 25b, 250b User information storage unit 26, 260 Control Unit 26a, 260a Inquiry Department 26b, 260b acquisition part 26c, 260c decision section 26d, 260d specific part 26e, 260e attachment section 260f Verification Department 100, 500 Information Processing Devices 110, 510 Communications Department 120, 520 storage section 121, 521 History Information Storage Unit 122, 522 Model Memory Unit 123, 523 Corresponding Table Storage Unit 124, 524 Disclosure setting storage unit 525 Certification Information Storage Unit 130, 530 Control Unit 131, 531 Reception Department 132, 532 Verification Processing Unit 133, 533 Providing Department 534 Certification Processing Unit

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a store terminal that performs processing related to the settlement of a transaction, and an information processing device that provides online services to service users, The aforementioned store terminal is An acquisition unit obtains user information regarding the user's interests by sending an inquiry to the information processing device asking whether a user who makes a payment for the transaction at the store is interested in the transaction. Based on user information relating to the user's interests acquired by the acquisition unit, a determination unit determines whether or not the user is interested in the transaction subject to the settlement, and determines a predetermined benefit to be granted to the user based on the determination result. A granting unit grants the predetermined benefit determined by the determination unit to the user. It has, The aforementioned information processing device is When the aforementioned inquiry is received from the aforementioned store terminal, a confirmation processing unit performs a confirmation process to determine whether the user is interested in the transaction item based on the usage history of online services associated with the user. As a result of the verification process by the verification processing unit, the user information regarding the user's interests is transmitted to the store terminal, thereby providing the information to the store that made the inquiry. An information processing system characterized by having the following features.

2. The aforementioned determination unit, Based on user information relating to the user's interests, if it is determined that the user is interested in the transaction item, the system will decide to grant the user a predetermined benefit applicable to the current settlement of the transaction item. The information processing system according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned determination unit, If, based on user information relating to the user's interests, it is determined that the user has no interest in the transaction item, the system will decide to grant the user a predetermined benefit that can be applied to other transactions made after the settlement of the transaction item. The information processing system according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned specified benefits are, This includes coupons usable by the user, discounts on the price of the transaction item, and dynamic pricing. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned attachment unit, The aforementioned user shall be granted the aforementioned predetermined benefits to other users who have a predetermined relationship with the aforementioned user. The information processing system according to feature 1.

6. An information processing method performed by an information processing system including a store terminal that performs processing related to the settlement of a transaction and an information processing device that provides online services to a service user, The aforementioned store terminal An acquisition step in which user information regarding the user's interests is obtained by sending an inquiry to the information processing device asking whether a user who makes a payment for the transaction at the store is interested in the transaction; Based on the user information relating to the user's interests obtained in the acquisition step, a determination step is made to determine whether or not the user is interested in the transaction subject to the settlement, and based on the determination result, a predetermined benefit to be granted to the user is determined. A granting step in which the predetermined benefit determined in the determination step is granted to the user. Includes, The aforementioned information processing device When the aforementioned inquiry is received from the aforementioned store terminal, a confirmation process is performed to confirm whether the user is interested in the transaction item based on the usage history of online services associated with the user. As a result of the verification process in the aforementioned verification process, user information regarding the user's interests is transmitted to the store terminal, thereby providing the information to the store that made the inquiry. An information processing method characterized by including

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