Incentive granting device, incentive granting method, and incentive granting program

Abstract

To provide an incentive application device, an incentive application method and an incentive application program for easily applying an incentive.SOLUTION: An incentive application device comprises: an identification information acquisition unit which acquires an individual identification information image being image data of individual identification information applied to a packaging material that has different feature point information for each packaging material and can identify the individual packaging material, and personal identification information indicating personal information of a user; an incentive storage unit which stores an incentive database in which the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image is previously associated with an incentive determined according to a material constituting the packaging material; and an incentive application unit which applies the incentive determined on the basis of the incentive database and the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image acquired by the identification information acquisition unit to the user indicated by the personal identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an incentive granting device, an incentive granting method, and an incentive granting program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, recycling raw materials by collecting packaging materials or materials constituting packaging materials has been carried out. In the recycling process, a resource tag including an ID for each packaging material (resource item) is attached, and by reading the resource tag, it is proposed to individually track the packaging material or to read the resource tag when the packaging material is collected and give points to the user according to the weight of the resource item or the like (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, it is possible to trace each individual packaging material by attaching a tag having a unique identification ID such as RFID or printing a code such as a two-dimensional barcode including unique information (for example, a unique QR code (registered trademark)) to each packaging material and reading the tag or unique QR at each step in the supply chain. However, attaching such a tag or printing a code to a low-cost packaging material involves a large burden on the cost of RFID itself and the attachment cost, as well as digital devices for newly issuing unique QRs, making it extremely difficult to spread. The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an incentive granting device, an incentive granting method, and an incentive granting program for easily granting incentives such as points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Furthermore, an incentive granting device according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: an identification information acquisition unit that acquires individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to packaging materials and which have different feature point information for each packaging material and are capable of identifying each individual packaging material, and personal identification information indicating the personal information of a user; an incentive storage unit that stores an incentive database in which feature point information extracted from the individual identification information images is pre-associated with incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material; and an incentive granting unit that grants an incentive determined based on the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information images acquired by the identification information acquisition unit and the incentive database to the user indicated by the personal identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit.

[0006] Furthermore, an incentive granting method according to one aspect of this disclosure involves generating an incentive database in which feature point information extracted from individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to packaging materials and have different feature point information for each packaging material, and incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material are pre-associated. The individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to packaging materials, and personal identification information indicating the user's personal information are acquired. The incentive to be granted is determined based on the feature point information extracted from the acquired individual identification information images and the incentive database, and the incentive is granted to the user indicated by the personal identification information.

[0007] Furthermore, an incentive granting program according to one aspect of this disclosure generates an incentive database that pre-associates feature point information extracted from individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to packaging materials and have different feature point information for each packaging material, with incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material; acquires individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to packaging materials, and personal identification information indicating the user's personal information; determines the incentive to be granted based on the feature point information extracted from the acquired individual identification information images and the incentive database; and grants the incentive to the user indicated by the personal identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an incentive granting device, an incentive granting method, and an incentive granting program that enable the simple granting of incentives such as points. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the functions and operation of an incentive granting system including an incentive granting device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an incentive database in an incentive granting device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing another example of an incentive database in an incentive granting device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a personal information management database in an incentive granting device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the incentive provision method according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6A]This is a block diagram showing one example of a modified configuration of an incentive-granting device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] This block diagram shows another configuration example of a modified example of the incentive-granting device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the functions and operation of an incentive granting system including an incentive granting device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an incentive database in an incentive granting device according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an incentive database in an incentive granting device according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the functions and operation of an incentive granting system including an incentive granting device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an incentive database in an incentive granting device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a personal information management database in an incentive granting device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the functions and operation of an incentive granting system including an incentive granting device according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an incentive database in an incentive granting device according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 15] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the functions and operation of an incentive granting system including an incentive granting device according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 16A] This is a schematic diagram showing a magnified portion of the individual identification information when printed using offset printing. [Figure 16B]A schematic diagram showing an enlarged part of the individual identification information when printed by offset printing. [Figure 16C] A schematic diagram showing an enlarged part of the copied individual identification information.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly described below. The present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications <for example, combining each embodiment> without departing from the gist thereof.

[0011] 1. First Embodiment Hereinafter, an incentive giving device according to the first embodiment will be described. First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6B, the basic configuration and functions of each part of the incentive giving device 10 according to the first embodiment, and an incentive giving system 1 including the incentive giving device 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of an incentive giving system 1 including the incentive giving device 10.

[0012] (1.1) Incentive Giving System First, referring to FIG. 1, after describing the packaging material 20 and the terminal 30 held by the user who receives the incentive, and the recovery device 40 of the packaging material 20 constituting the incentive giving system 1, the incentive giving device 10 will be described.

[0013] [Packaging Material] The packaging material 20 is a container for holding contents of various forms such as liquids, powders, and solids, and is formed from, for example, a resin bottle, resin package, paper container, or pouch. A pouch is composed of, for example, a front base material printed with the product name, a bottom base material, and a back base material. The base material is a film made by laminating one or more layers of materials according to the specifications, and is formed into a bag shape by laminating the front base material, bottom base material, and back base material. Resin bottles and resin packages are formed from one or more types of resin materials into a desired packaging material shape such as a bottle, and may have a resin film (shrink film) printed with the product name, etc., wrapped around the outside. The packaging material 20 may be made from any material and have any shape as long as it can hold contents inside, and may be a shape or material other than the resin bottle, resin package, pouch, and paper container described above. Each such packaging material 20 is assigned individual identification information 21 that has different characteristic point information and can identify each individual packaging material 20.

[0014] (Individual Identification Information) Individual identification information 21 is, for example, information that is assigned to the packaging material 20 and has different feature point information for each piece of packaging material 20, making it possible to identify each piece of packaging material 20. Individual identification information 21 may be, for example, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode like a JAN code printed on the packaging material 20, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), or a picture or special code other than these codes. Individual identification information 21 may also be a three-dimensional pattern such as an uneven pattern or random pattern on the surface of the packaging material 20. In other words, individual identification information 21 is information that allows the unique feature point information of the packaging material 20 to be identified from an image generated by capturing the individual identification information 21. If individual identification information 21 is a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, it is printed on the packaging material 20 (an example of assignment), and if individual identification information 21 is a three-dimensional pattern, it is assigned to the surface of the packaging material 20 as an uneven shape.

[0015] More specifically, in this embodiment, "feature points" refer to features unique to individual images that cannot be distinguished by the human eye or code reading units such as scanners. For example, characteristic pattern shapes for each individual identification information 21 differ depending on the information contained in the individual identification information 21. Specifically, feature points refer to information such as edge linearity at the edges of the individual identification information 21, contrast between light and dark areas, differences in patterns (extra dark areas), partial printing blurring, aspect ratio of the outline, placement position and pattern size.

[0016] The feature point information extraction unit 121 focuses on the feature points described above and converts each feature into numerical feature point information. Individual identification information 21 has minute differences due to the 4M+E factors during the manufacturing of the packaging material 20, such as the materials (type of ink, lot, manufacturer, etc.), machinery (type of forming device, manufacturer, etc.), method (vibration of the device, forming speed, precision of the device, etc.), people (operator, skill level, etc.), and environment (temperature, humidity). Although such differences are difficult to see with the human eye, they can be recognized by analyzing the feature points using image recognition technology. Feature point data is information specific to each individual and uniquely identifies that individual. Therefore, by analyzing the individual identification information image 41, which is an image of the individual identification information 21 attached to the packaging material 20, it is possible to distinguish each product manufactured using the packaging material 20 and identify incentives such as providing them to users by collecting the packaging material 20 to which the individual identification information 21 has been attached.

[0017] The incentive granting device 10 is equipped with an incentive database (DB) 131 (details of which will be described later) in which stored feature point information and incentives such as points to be awarded to the user in response to the collection of packaging material 20 are associated. Therefore, the incentive granting device 10 can determine the incentive to be awarded by comparing the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41 with the incentive DB 131. The incentive DB 131 can associate feature point information with incentives awarded for the collection of packaging material 20 and other information related to packaging material 20. Therefore, various information necessary for the incentive granting process can be extracted from the feature point information of the individual identification information 21.

[0018] Furthermore, the individual identification information 21 may be a two-dimensional code or the like that contains information about incentives determined according to the material of the packaging material 20. In other words, the incentive granting device 10 may directly read the incentive to be awarded, such as points, from the individual identification information 21 and determine the incentive.

[0019] [Terminal] Terminal 30 is equipped with a display unit 32 capable of displaying personal identification information 31, including personal information of the user using terminal 30. To receive an incentive when collecting packaging materials 20, users operate terminal 30 to register as a member on a web page for incentive distribution or install a dedicated application on terminal 30 to register their personal identification information. The user's personal information is stored in the personal information management unit 16 of the incentive distribution device 10. Personal identification information 31 can be any information that can be displayed on the display unit 32, and may be, for example, one-dimensional codes such as barcodes like JAN codes and two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademarks), or other images or special codes, similar to individual identification information 21. Personal identification information 31 may also be characters, alphanumeric characters, etc. that represent the user.

[0020] A web page or application for providing incentives has a function to display personally identifiable information 31, including personally identifiable information, on the display unit 32 of a terminal 30, for example. When a user places the packaging material 20 into the collection device 40, the personally identifiable information 31 is displayed on the display unit 32 of the terminal 30 and read by the imaging unit of the collection device 40, thereby identifying the user to whom the incentive will be given. In addition, attributes of the user's personal information, such as gender, age, and place of residence, may be associated with the information of the packaging material 20. This makes it possible to use information indicating the attributes of users who cooperated in recycling when analyzing the recycling status.

[0021] [Recovery device] The collection device 40 includes an imaging unit that captures information such as individual identification information 21 attached to the packaging material 20 and personal identification information 31 displayed on the terminal 30 to generate images (individual identification information image 41, personal identification information image 42), and a storage unit that temporarily stores the collected packaging material 20. The collection device 40 also includes a communication unit that transmits a personal identification information image 42, which includes the personal identification information of users who cooperated in collecting the packaging material 20, to the incentive granting device 10 via a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the collection device 40 may transmit the read personal identification information itself instead of the personal identification information image 42. Furthermore, the individual identification information 21 and personal identification information 31 attached to the packaging material 20 may be read using a reading device provided separately from the collection device 40, or personal identification information may be read by holding the user's terminal 30 over an IC card reader or the like. In other words, the incentive granting system 1 only needs to be able to generate the individual identification information image 41 and acquire personal identification information, and devices other than the collection device 40 may be used. The following description explains a configuration in which a personal identification information image 42 is transmitted to the incentive granting device 10.

[0022] (1.2) Incentive-granting device The following describes in detail an incentive-granting device 10 that provides incentives such as points to users who cooperate in the collection of packaging materials 20 to which such individual identification information 21 has been attached. The incentive granting device 10 extracts the user's personal information from the personal identification information image 42 and grants an incentive to the user. Here, "incentive" refers to, for example, cash, electronic money, or coupons, or points that can be exchanged for cash, electronic money, prizes, or other points, but is not limited to these. Here, "points" may be unique points set independently by the specific site granting the incentive, or they may be common points that are awarded to purchasers for purchasing goods at e-commerce sites or physical stores and can be used in common across multiple sites or stores. Also, "coupon" refers to discount vouchers or exchange vouchers for the same or other products that use the collected packaging material 20.

[0023] The incentive-granting device 10 may grant incentives to all packaging materials to which individual identification information 21 has been assigned, or it may grant incentives only to specific products, such as sustainable packaging, which is packaging material formed with consideration for its environmental impact. Furthermore, the incentive-granting device 10 may grant different incentives to each packaging material 20 to which individual identification information 21 has been assigned. The incentive-granting device 10 is installed for management and operation by businesses that sell products and components using the packaging material 20, or by other businesses commissioned by such businesses.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the incentive granting device 10 includes an identification information acquisition unit 11, an image analysis unit 12, an incentive storage unit 13, an incentive determination unit 14, an incentive granting unit 15, and a personal information management unit 16. The following describes each part.

[0025] <Identification Information Acquisition Unit> The identification information acquisition unit 11 is connected to the collection device 40 via a network such as the Internet, and acquires individual information transmitted from the collection device 40. Specifically, the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires individual identification information images 41, which are image data of individual identification information 21 that is attached to the packaging material 20, has different feature point information for each packaging material 20, and can identify each individual packaging material 20, and personal identification information images 42, which are image data of personal identification information 31 that shows the user's personal information. As mentioned above, the identification information acquisition unit 11 may acquire the personal identification information itself instead of the personal identification information image 42.

[0026] In this embodiment, the incentive granting device 10 performs a process to grant an incentive when the packaging material 20 is collected. For this reason, the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the individual identification information image 41 for granting collection incentives from the collection device 40, along with the personal identification information image 42, when the individual identification information 21 of the packaging material 20 is captured in the collection device 40 and an individual identification information image 41 is generated, and the packaging material 20 is placed in the collection device 40. The identification information acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired individual identification information image 41 and personal identification information image 42 to the image analysis unit 12.

[0027] <Image Analysis Department> The image analysis unit 12 has the function of performing image analysis of the individual identification information image 41 and the personal identification information image 42 acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11, and includes a feature point information extraction unit 121 and a personal information extraction unit 122.

[0028] (Feature point information extraction unit) The feature point information extraction unit 121 performs image analysis of the individual identification information image 41 and extracts feature point information from the individual identification information image 41. In other words, the feature point information extraction unit 121 is provided as a functional unit of the image analysis unit 12. Feature point information extraction involves analyzing the individual identification information image 41 and extracting feature point information of the individual identification information 21 displayed in the individual identification information image 41 using image recognition technology. The feature point information extraction unit 121 performs preprocessing, such as rotating the image to align the top, bottom, left, and right directions of the code to a predetermined direction, removing noise, correcting image distortion, and adjusting saturation and brightness, before extracting feature point information. This makes it possible to identify the packaging material 20 from the feature point information, allowing for the determination of the materials and layer configuration (materials constituting each layer and the lamination configuration of each layer) that make up the packaging material 20 when the packaging material 20 is collected. The feature point information extraction unit 121 outputs the extracted feature point information to the incentive determination unit 14.

[0029] (Personal information extraction department) The personal information extraction unit 122 performs image analysis of the personal identification information image 42 and extracts the user's personal information (an example of user information) from the personal identification information image 42. In other words, in a configuration in which the incentive granting device 10 acquires the personal identification information image 42, the personal information extraction unit 122 is provided as a functional unit of the image analysis unit 12.

[0030] If the personal identification information 31 is a code such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, the personal information extraction unit 122 extracts the user's personal information using methods conventionally used for analyzing one-dimensional codes or two-dimensional codes. If the personal identification information 31 is a character, alphanumeric character, etc. that identifies the user, the personal information extraction unit 122 extracts personal identification information that identifies the user, such as a user ID, from the personal identification information image 42 using optical character recognition (OCR). The personal information extraction unit 122 outputs the extracted personal identification information, such as user IDs, to the incentive determination unit 14. Furthermore, if the incentive granting device 10 acquires the personal identification information itself instead of the personal identification information image 42, the personal information extraction unit 122 is not provided, and for example, the personal identification information is output directly from the identification information acquisition unit 11 to the personal information management unit 16.

[0031] <Incentive Memory Unit> As shown in Figure 2, the incentive memory unit 13 stores an incentive DB 131 in which feature point information is associated with incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material 20. Here, Figure 2 shows an example of the incentive DB 131 when the incentive is a numerical value in points.

[0032] The incentives included in the incentive DB131 are set for each material of the packaging material 20, for example, as identified by feature point information. If the packaging material 20 is made of a single material, the incentive DB131 may associate an incentive corresponding to that single material with the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 assigned to the packaging material 20. For example, a uniform incentive may be associated with packaging material 20 made of polypropylene. Furthermore, if the packaging material 20 is currently a laminate of multiple materials, such as a pouch, but each layer of the laminate is manufactured from a single material (monomaterial), the incentive may be set higher than when the packaging material 20 is made from a mixed material formed by kneading multiple materials, in order to promote recycling and collection. In this case, the separation of each material contained in the packaging material 20 becomes easier, and the contribution to recycling is higher.

[0033] Furthermore, incentive DB131 may set higher incentives for materials that are more important or for which recovery efforts are desired. This is because materials that are more important or for which recovery efforts are desired contribute more to recycling. In incentive DB131, the incentive may be set higher for materials that have a smaller environmental impact, taking into consideration their impact on the environment. For example, a higher incentive may be set for packaging material 20 made from biomass material than for packaging material 20 made from petrochemical material. In the case of packaging material 20 that uses both petrochemical material and biomass material, for example, a higher incentive may be set for packaging material 20 laminated with a weight ratio of 10:90 than for packaging material 20 laminated with a weight ratio of 90:10. This is because purchasing packaging material 20 made from materials that have a smaller environmental impact contributes more to environmental protection.

[0034] Furthermore, even if the material of the packaging material 20 is the same, a higher incentive may be set for a greater weight. For example, an incentive may be set based on a per-unit incentive set according to the material and the weight of the packaging material 20, but it is sufficient that the incentive is set higher for a greater weight, and the incentive does not have to be proportional to the weight. In this case as well, a greater weight means that more material is recovered and the contribution to recycling is greater. It is preferable that the weight of the packaging material 20 is calculated in advance from the design data of the packaging material 20 or is a value obtained by actually measuring a sample of the packaging material 20. Furthermore, if the packaging material 20 is formed of multiple materials, such as having a laminated structure, it is preferable that the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 assigned to the packaging material 20 has an incentive pre-set, for example, according to the weight ratio of the multiple materials.

[0035] Incentive DB 131, new information (stored feature point information and incentives) is added each time a product using packaging material 20 is shipped. Note that the "new information" mentioned above only needs to be registered before the product using packaging material 20 becomes available for purchase by consumers, and is not limited to addition at the time of shipment. Therefore, the incentive granting device 10 periodically acquires information on products using packaging material 20, for example, via the internet. Furthermore, the incentive DB 131 may also store feature point information and incentives for individual identification information attached to new packaging material 20 via the internet, etc., by the manufacturer of the product using packaging material 20. As a result, the incentive storage unit 13 acquires the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 and the incentives attached upon collection of the packaging material 20, and updates the information stored in the incentive storage unit 13 by adding the new information.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, instead of the incentive DB 131, an incentive DB 132 may be used, which associates information indicating that incentives have been processed with the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 for which incentives have been granted to the user. This makes it possible to prevent incentives from being granted for the second and subsequent collections when the same packaging material 20 is collected by the collection device 40 multiple times.

[0037] <Incentive Determination Department> The incentive determination unit 14 has a feature point information matching unit 141 that compares feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41 acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 with feature point information contained in the incentive DB 131. The incentive determination unit 14 compares the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41 with the feature point information contained in the incentive DB 131 in the feature point information matching unit 141, and extracts the incentive corresponding to the matching feature point information from the incentive DB 131, thereby determining the incentive to be given to the user identified by the extracted user ID, etc. The incentive determination unit 14 transmits the determined incentive to the incentive granting unit 15.

[0038] <Personal Information Management Department> As shown in Figure 4, the personal information management unit 16 stores a personal information management database (DB) 161 in which user information such as user ID, user name, and address is associated with incentives that have been granted to the user, and incentives are managed for each user. In this case, the "incentives granted to the user" managed in the personal information management DB 161 refers to the cumulative total of points, cash, and electronic money (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "points, etc.") that have been granted to each user so far, if the incentive is points, cash, and electronic money, and if the incentive is coupons, it refers to all coupons that have been granted to each user so far.

[0039] <Incentive Granting Department> The incentive granting unit 15 grants the incentive determined by the incentive determination unit 14 to the user indicated by the personal identification information image 42. More specifically, the incentive granting unit 15 adds the incentive determined by the incentive determination unit 14 to the previously granted incentives extracted from the personal information management DB 161. That is, if the incentive is points, the incentive granting unit 15 adds the points corresponding to the feature point information to the cumulative total of points for the specific user extracted from the personal information management DB 161 to obtain the new cumulative total of points for the specific user. Also, if the incentive is a coupon, the incentive granting unit 15 adds the coupon corresponding to the feature point information to the coupons for the specific user stored in the personal information management DB 161. The incentive granting unit 15 then stores the updated previously granted incentives in the personal information management DB 161.

[0040] As described above, the incentive distribution device 10 can provide an incentive to a user who cooperated in the collection of the packaging material 20 when the packaging material 20 is collected. Users can exchange the incentive for cash, electronic money, prizes, etc., by operating the terminal 30 and accessing a web page or application for incentive distribution. For example, users can receive the incentive by having cash equivalent to the exchange points deposited into their bank account, electronic money equivalent to the points added to their electronic money balance, having prizes mailed to their home, or exchanging the points for other points.

[0041] (1.3) Method of providing incentives The incentive granting method according to this embodiment will be described below. The incentive granting device 10 according to this embodiment causes a computer to execute an incentive granting method according to a pre-stored incentive granting program and performs the incentive granting process.

[0042] The incentive provision method will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1-4 and Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the incentive provision method according to this embodiment. First, as shown in Figure 5, the incentive granting device 10 generates an incentive DB 131 which defines the incentives to be given to the user in response to the collection of the packaging material 20 (step S11). In step S11, when the packaging material 20 or a product using the packaging material 20 is manufactured, an imaging device (not shown) installed in the factory or elsewhere reads the individual identification information 21 of all the packaging material 20 and generates an individual identification information image 41. The incentive granting device 10 extracts feature point information from the individual identification information image 41 acquired from the factory or elsewhere, and generates an incentive DB 131 by associating the feature point information with incentives corresponding to the configuration (material, layer structure, thickness) of the packaging material 20.

[0043] Next, the incentive-granting device 10 acquires the individual identification information image 41 transmitted from the collection device 40 when the packaging material 20 is collected, and the user's personal identification information (step S12). The incentive-granting device 10 also acquires, for example, the personal identification information image 42 displayed by the user on the terminal 30. Next, the incentive granting device 10 compares the feature point information extracted from the acquired individual identification information image 41 with the incentive DB 131 to determine the incentive to be given to the user (step S13). Finally, the incentive granting device 10 grants an incentive to the user indicated by the personal identification information (step S14). The incentive granting device 10 grants an incentive by, for example, adding or supplementing an incentive determined based on the feature point information to an incentive already granted to the user extracted from the personal information management DB 161.

[0044] (1.4) Incentive Program The incentive granting program executed by the incentive granting device 10 according to this embodiment will now be described. The incentive granting device 10 grants incentives according to a program that causes a computer to perform at least the following operations (A) to (D). The following program is non-temporarily recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk drive or memory, or on an optical disc such as a DVD or Blu-ray®. The following program may also be distributed via the Internet. Furthermore, the following program may be recorded on a cloud server and executed via the Internet. Such incentive programs may be offered as a Software Development Kit (SDK).

[0045] (A) To generate an incentive database in which feature point information extracted from individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information assigned to each packaging material and have different feature point information for each packaging material, and incentives determined according to the materials that make up the packaging material are pre-associated. (B) To obtain an individual identification information image, which is image data of individual identification information attached to the packaging material, and personal identification information that indicates the user's personal information. (C) Determining the incentive to be given based on the feature point information extracted from the acquired individual identification information image and the incentive database. (D) Providing incentives to users identified by personal identification information.

[0046] (1.5) Variant As described above, the incentive granting device 10 according to this embodiment grants incentives based on an incentive DB 131 stored in an incentive storage unit 13 provided within the incentive granting device 10 using information acquired via the Internet or the like, and feature point information extracted from the packaging material 20. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 6A, in the incentive granting system 1A, the incentive storage unit 13A and the incentive determination unit 14A may be located in an incentive server 90A outside the incentive granting device 10A. The incentive server 90A is connected to the incentive granting device 10A via the internet or the like. In this case, the incentive granting device 10A transmits the acquired feature point information to the incentive server 90A via the internet or the like, and the incentive server 90A outputs the result of the incentive determination to be granted to the incentive granting unit 15 via the internet.

[0047] Furthermore, for example, the incentive storage unit 13A or the incentive determination unit 14 may be provided outside the incentive granting device and connected to the incentive granting device via the internet or the like. For example, as shown in Figure 6B, the incentive granting system 1B shows an example configuration in which the incentive storage unit 13A is provided within the incentive server 90B connected to the incentive granting device 10B.

[0048] (1.6) Effects of this embodiment The incentive-granting device according to this embodiment has the following effects. (1) The incentive granting device according to this embodiment extracts feature point information from individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information having different feature point information for each packaging material, and determines the incentive to be given to the user when the packaging material is collected, based on an incentive database in which the feature point information and incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material are associated. Individual identification information has different feature point information for each packaging material due to minute differences in materials, machinery, methods, people, and environmental factors, including, for example, vibrations of the forming apparatus that naturally occur when two-dimensional codes of the same shape are printed on the surface of the packaging material. Therefore, in the incentive application device according to this embodiment, when distinguishing individual packaging materials in the incentive application process, individual identification information having different feature point information can be easily assigned to each packaging material, enabling accurate incentive application processing and promoting recycling. Furthermore, the incentive-giving device according to this embodiment can be configured to prevent multiple incentives from being awarded for the collection of a single piece of packaging material.

[0049] (2) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, feature point information extracted from individual identification information images is compared with an incentive database, and if the feature point information matches feature point information included in the incentive database, an incentive associated with the matching feature point information is granted. This allows the incentive-distributing device to identify each individual packaging material and reliably provide incentives according to the material of the packaging material.

[0050] (3) The incentive granting device according to this embodiment includes a personal information management database in which user information and incentives already granted to the user are associated, and the device manages the cumulative total of new incentives for each user by adding the incentive to be granted this time to the incentives already granted to the user. This allows the incentive distribution device to reliably provide incentives to each user according to the material of the packaging material.

[0051] (4) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, an incentive corresponding to the material of the packaging material is granted based on an individual identification information image of the packaging material that is generated when the packaging material is collected. Therefore, the incentive-granting device can award points or other rewards for recycling after the packaging materials have been reliably collected.

[0052] (5) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, individual identification information of the packaging material is captured in the collection device for collecting the packaging material and an individual identification information image is generated, and when the packaging material is placed in the collection device, the individual identification information image for granting the incentive is acquired from the collection device. Therefore, the incentive-granting device can award points or other rewards for recycling after the packaging materials have been reliably collected.

[0053] 2. Second Embodiment The incentive provision device according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating the basic configuration and functions of each part of the incentive provision system 2, including the incentive provision device 110 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the incentive DB 133 referenced in this embodiment, and Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the incentive DB 134 referenced in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the incentive granting system 2 comprises an incentive granting device 110 and a collection device 40. The incentive granting device 110 is characterized in that it grants the incentive that is given when the packaging material 20 is purchased, not only after the packaging material 20 has been collected, but also at the time after the product has been purchased. The collection device 40 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0054] The incentive granting device 110 comprises an identification information acquisition unit 11, an image analysis unit 12, an incentive storage unit 113, an incentive determination unit 14, an incentive granting unit 15, and a personal information management unit 16. Each unit, except for the incentive storage unit 113, is the same as the unit described in the first embodiment, except that the processing in each unit described in the first embodiment is also performed at the time after the purchase of the product. Figure 7 shows an example configuration in which the incentive granting device 110 acquires a personal identification information image 42, but the configuration is not limited to this. When the incentive granting device 110 acquires the personal identification information itself, the personal information extraction unit 122 is not provided in the image analysis unit 12, and the personal identification information may be output directly from the identification information acquisition unit 11 to the personal information management unit 16. The incentive storage unit 113 in this embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0055] (2.1) Incentive-granting device <Incentive Memory Unit> The incentive storage unit 113 stores incentive DB 133 instead of incentive DB 131 or 132 as described in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the incentive DB133 associates the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 with a collection incentive, which is an incentive given for collecting the packaging material 20, and a purchase incentive, which is an incentive given for purchasing products using the packaging material 20. The collection incentive is the same incentive described in the first embodiment. The purchase incentive is set up with points, etc., similar to the incentive described in the first embodiment. The purchase incentive is given, for example, as a reward for purchasing products using recyclable packaging material 20.

[0056] Furthermore, the incentive storage unit 113 may store incentive DB 134 instead of incentive DB 131 or incentive DB 132 or incentive DB 133 as described in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, in the incentive DB134, user information (e.g., user ID) of users who purchased products using the packaging material 20 is associated with feature point information. This associates the purchaser's information with each individual packaging material 20. Therefore, the number of times the packaging material 20 is used During collection, it becomes possible to provide purchasers with an incentive to return the packaging material 20 without obtaining personally identifiable information such as the personally identifiable information image 42 containing user information.

[0057] After a product using packaging material 20 is purchased, the user uses terminal 30 or a terminal installed in the store (not shown) to capture an image of the individual identification information 21 attached to the packaging material 20. This generates an individual identification information image 41, which is then transmitted to the incentive granting device 110 via a network such as the internet. Furthermore, when the incentive granting device 110 acquires the individual identification information image 41, it may instruct the purchaser to capture both the individual identification information 21 of the packaging material 20 and the purchase certificate of the product together to generate the individual identification information image 41. Here, "purchase certificate" refers to a receipt issued at the time of purchase of the product, or a delivery note or invoice issued by an e-commerce site. If the individual identification information image 41 includes an image of the purchase certificate, it can be determined that the individual identification information image 41 is an image generated by capturing the individual identification information 21 attached to the packaging material 20 of a purchased product. For this reason, the incentive granting device 110 can only grant an incentive if the individual identification information 21 of the packaging material 20 and the purchase certificate of the product are captured together.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, an incentive may be given only when the individual identification information image 41 is transmitted via a point-of-sale (POS) terminal at the store where the product using the packaging material 20 was purchased. In this case, since the individual identification information image 41 is transmitted in association with the point-of-sale information of the purchasing store, it can be determined that the individual identification information image 41 is the individual identification information 21 of the packaging material 20 of the purchased product. The system described above is constructed by providing each store's cash register, etc., with a reader (camera, etc.) for reading the individual identification information 21 and the purchaser's personal identification information (for example, a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the terminal).

[0059] After this, the image analysis unit 12, incentive determination unit 14, and incentive granting unit 15 each perform processing for granting incentives based on the information stored in the incentive storage unit 113 and the personal information management unit 16. As described above, the incentive-granting device 110 can provide an incentive to the user for the collection and disposal of the packaging material 20.

[0060] (2.2) Variant (2.2.1) Variation 1 In this embodiment, the incentive-granting device 110 provides an incentive to the user for collecting and gathering the packaging material 20, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the incentive-giving device 110 may provide an incentive to the user only for the collection of the packaging material 20.

[0061] (2.2.2) Variation 2 Furthermore, in the incentive-granting device 110 of this embodiment, a purchase incentive is given to the user after the purchase of a product using the packaging material 20, and a collection incentive is given to the user when the packaging material 20 is collected. However, the device is not limited to this configuration. For example, the purchase incentive for purchasing the product may be provisionally registered until the collection of the packaging material 20 is completed, and the purchase incentive and the collection incentive may be added together after the collection of the packaging material 20.

[0062] (2.2.3) Variation 3 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the incentive granting device 110 acquires the purchaser's personal identification information (personal identification information image 42) only after the purchase of a product using the packaging material 20, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the incentive-granting device 110 may acquire personal identification information after the purchase of a product using the packaging material 20, and may also acquire personal identification information again when the packaging material 20 is collected.

[0063] (2.3) Effects of this embodiment In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the incentive-granting device according to this embodiment has the following effects.

[0064] (6) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, a purchase incentive determined based on an individual identification information image generated after the packaging material has been purchased is granted to the user. As a result,

[0065] (7) The incentive-granting device according to this embodiment may grant an incentive when it is determined that a product using packaging material has been purchased. For example, an incentive may be granted only when individual identification information is captured together with a purchase certificate for the product to generate an individual identification information image, or when the individual identification information image is transmitted via a point-of-sale information management terminal at the store where the product was purchased. This prevents incentives from being given to users who have not purchased the product.

[0066] 3. Third Embodiment The incentive granting device according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Figure 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating the basic configuration and functions of each part of the incentive granting system 3, including the incentive granting device 210 according to the third embodiment. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the incentive DB 135 referenced in this embodiment. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the personal information management DB 162 referenced in this embodiment.

[0067] The incentive granting system 3 comprises an incentive granting device 210 and a collection device 40. The incentive granting device 210 is characterized by its ability to grant incentives according to detailed information of the packaging material 20, such as the material, weight, lamination structure, product name, and manufacturer of the product in which the packaging material 20 is used. The incentive granting device 210 is also characterized by its ability to grant incentives according to historical information such as the collection history of the packaging material 20 and the incentive granting history for each user. The collection device 40 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0068] The incentive granting device 210 includes an identification information acquisition unit 11, a feature point information extraction unit 121 and a personal information extraction unit 122 constituting the image analysis unit 12, an incentive storage unit 213, an incentive determination unit 214, an incentive granting unit 15, and a personal information management unit 216. The units other than the incentive storage unit 213, the incentive determination unit 214, and the personal information management unit 216 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore their description is omitted. The incentive-granting device 210 will be described in detail below.

[0069] (3.1) Incentive-granting device <Incentive Memory Unit> The incentive storage unit 213 stores incentive DB 135 instead of incentive DB 131 or 132 as described in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the incentive DB135 includes feature point information of the individual identification information 21 assigned to the packaging material 20 and detailed information of the packaging material 20 associated with the incentive, such as the material of the packaging material 20, weight, laminated structure, product name of the product using the packaging material 20, and manufacturer. Here, A / B / A in "Laminated Structure" shown in Figure 11 indicates that the layers formed of material A, material B, and material A are laminated in that order. Also, X2 / Y1 / X3 in "Weight" shown in Figure 11 indicates that Y1 is the weight of the layer formed of material B in the laminated structure A / B / A, and X2 and X3 are the respective weights of the layers formed of material A.

[0070] By acquiring and storing detailed information about the packaging material 20 in a database before shipping products using the packaging material 20, it becomes possible to correctly assign predetermined incentives or to provide bonus incentives according to the detailed information about the packaging material 20. For example, by acquiring and storing the weight of the materials of the packaging material 20 in a database, the accuracy of material identification can be improved, and predetermined incentives can be correctly assigned.

[0071] <Personal Information Management Department> The personal information management unit 216 stores the personal information management DB 162 in place of or together with the personal information management DB 161 described in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the personal information management DB162 is a database that manages historical information such as the collection history of packaging materials 20 and the history of incentive provision for each user.

[0072] <Incentive Determination Department> The incentive determination unit 214 can grant incentives based on at least one of the collection history of the packaging material 20 and the incentive granting history. When determining the incentive to be awarded, the incentive determination unit 214 compares the incentive DB 135 with the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 of the packaging material 20 and obtains the incentive associated with the feature point information. At this time, the incentive determination unit 214 obtains detailed information of the packaging material 20 from the incentive DB 135. The incentive determination unit 214 can multiply the incentive predetermined in the incentive DB 135 by a coefficient corresponding to the detailed information of the packaging material 20, or add a bonus incentive.

[0073] For example, if the packaging material 20 is made of a specific material or has a specific lamination structure, or if the product using the packaging material 20 is made by a specific manufacturer, an incentive can be added. This allows the incentive-granting device 210 to provide a high incentive for the collection of packaging material 20 made of a material for which collection efforts are to be strengthened. Furthermore, as part of a manufacturer's sales promotion activities, the incentive-granting device 210 can provide a high incentive for the purchase and collection of packaging material 20 from a specific manufacturer or product, or it can provide a high incentive to users who repeatedly purchase from a specific manufacturer or product based on their collection history.

[0074] Furthermore, when determining the incentive to be awarded, the incentive determination unit 214 refers to the user's history information in the personal information management DB 162. At this time, the incentive determination unit 214 can award a higher incentive to the user according to the user's history information. For example, the incentive determination unit 214 can refer to the user's collection history and provide a higher incentive to users who frequently collect the packaging material 20. Furthermore, the incentive determination unit 214 can also provide a higher incentive to users who frequently collect the packaging material 20, with the aim of improving the frequency of collection in the future.

[0075] (3.2) Variant In the incentive granting device 210 described above, the incentive determination unit 214 is configured to refer to both the incentive DB 135, which contains detailed information about the packaging material 20, and the personal information management DB 162, which contains history information for each user. However, the device is not limited to this configuration. The incentive distribution device 210 may determine the incentive by referring to either the incentive DB 135 or the personal information management DB 162.

[0076] (3.3) Effects of this embodiment (8) The incentive-giving device according to this embodiment can provide incentives according to detailed information about the packaging material 20 (for example, the material of the packaging material 20, the laminated structure, the product name of the product using the packaging material 20, the manufacturer, etc.). This allows for the provision of higher incentives depending on the packaging material 20.

[0077] (9) The incentive granting device according to this embodiment can grant incentives according to the user's history information (recovery information of packaging material 20, incentive granting history, etc.). This allows for the provision of higher incentives based on the user's history information.

[0078] 4. Fourth Embodiment The incentive granting device according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the incentive granting system 4, including the incentive granting device 310, and the functions of each part. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the incentive DB 136 referenced in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, the incentive granting system 4 comprises an incentive granting device 310 and a collection device 40. The incentive granting device 310 is characterized by granting incentives in proportion to the environmental burden caused by the delivery of goods using packaging material 20, based on the delivery distance and delivery method of the goods. In other words, the incentive granting device 310 grants higher incentives the smaller the environmental burden. The collection device 40 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0079] The incentive granting device 310 includes an identification information acquisition unit 11, an image analysis unit 12, an incentive storage unit 313, an incentive determination unit 314, an incentive granting unit 15, and a personal information management unit 16. The incentive granting unit 15 and the personal information management unit 16 have the same configuration as the units described in the first embodiment, so their description is omitted. The image analysis unit 312, incentive storage unit 313, and incentive determination unit 314 in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0080] (4.1) Incentive-granting device After a product using packaging material 20 is purchased, the user uses terminal 30 or a terminal installed in the store (not shown) to capture an image of the individual identification information 21 attached to the packaging material 20 and generate an individual identification information image 41. Terminal 30 transmits the generated individual identification information image 41 to the identification information acquisition unit 11. At this time, location information of the location where the individual identification information image 41 was taken is added to the individual identification information image 41 as attribute information. If the individual identification information image 41 is generated by a terminal (not shown) installed in the store where the purchase was made, the ID of the terminal that generated the individual identification information image 41, the location information of the terminal, and information indicating the store where the terminal is located may also be added as attribute information. Such location information, terminal ID or store information where the terminal is located to identify the imaging location are used as information indicating the sales location of the product using packaging material 20. In addition, the terminal 30 transmits the user's personal identification information image 42 via a web page or dedicated application for awarding incentives.

[0081] <Image Analysis Department> The image analysis unit 312 includes a feature point information extraction unit 121 and a personal information extraction unit 122. Each unit extracts feature point information from the individual identification information image 41 and user information from the personal identification information image 42. The image analysis unit 312 transmits the extracted feature point information to the incentive determination unit 314 and the extracted user information to the personal information management unit 16. Furthermore, the image analysis unit 312 also includes a sales location information extraction unit 323. The sales location information extraction unit 323 obtains or calculates location information from the attribute information attached to the individual identification information image 41. The image analysis unit 312 transmits the location information obtained from the individual identification information image 41 as location information indicating the sales location of the product to the incentive determination unit 314.

[0082] <Incentive Memory Unit> The incentive storage unit 313 stores incentive DB 136 instead of incentive DB 131 as described in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, the incentive DB 136 has pre-associated feature point information of the individual identification information 21 with incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material 20 (referred to as "basic incentives" in this embodiment) and manufacturing location information of products using the packaging material 20. In addition, if the means of delivery of the product, such as truck transport or air freight, is predetermined, the incentive DB 136 may also associate the delivery means information with the feature point information and manufacturing location information of the product. The manufacturing location information of the product using the packaging material 20 is used in conjunction with the sales location information to determine the incentive in the incentive determination unit 314.

[0083] <Incentive Determination Department> The incentive determination unit 314 includes a feature point information matching unit 341 that compares feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41 acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 with feature point information contained in the incentive DB 136. The incentive determination unit 314 also includes a calculation unit 342 that extracts manufacturing location information associated with a single feature point from the incentive DB 136 and calculates an incentive to be given to the user.

[0084] (Feature Point Information Matching Unit) Similar to other embodiments, the feature point information matching unit 341 compares the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41 acquired after the purchase of the product with the feature point information contained in the incentive DB 136. If the feature point information matches, the feature point information matching unit 341 extracts the basic incentive associated with that feature point information from the incentive DB 136 and transmits it to the calculation unit 342.

[0085] (Calculation section) The calculation unit 342 determines incentives so that the smaller the environmental impact of transporting goods, the greater the incentive given to the user. For example, the calculation unit 342 determines that shorter delivery distances result in lower greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller environmental impact, and decides to provide a greater incentive. The calculation unit 342 may also provide a greater incentive if the delivery method is an EV (Electric Vehicle) / FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) or if the fuel is derived from renewable energy. The same applies to fuels such as aircraft and trains.

[0086] For example, the calculation unit 342 extracts product manufacturing location information from the incentive DB 136. The calculation unit 342 also obtains sales location information from the sales location information extraction unit 323. Based on the distance between the product's manufacturing location and sales location, as indicated by the manufacturing location information and sales location information, the calculation unit 342 sets a coefficient that increases as the distance decreases. The calculation unit 342 multiplies the basic incentive set according to the material of the packaging material 20 with the coefficient based on the distance between the product's manufacturing location and sales location, so that the incentive increases as the distance between the manufacturing location and sales location decreases.

[0087] Furthermore, if the incentive DB136 includes delivery method information, the calculation unit 342 can change the distance calculation method according to the delivery method indicated by the delivery method information. For example, if the delivery method is a truck, the calculation unit 342 calculates the distance between the manufacturing location and the sales location of the product using road distance. If the delivery method is an aircraft, the calculation unit 342 may also calculate the distance between the manufacturing location and the sales location as the straight-line distance between the nearest airports to the manufacturing location and the sales location, or as the flight distance along the route. Furthermore, if the delivery method is a ship, the calculation unit 342 may also calculate the distance between the manufacturing location and the sales location as the shortest distance at sea between the nearest ports to the manufacturing location and the sales location, or as the sailing distance along the route. If multiple delivery methods are combined, the calculation unit 342 may also calculate the distance between the manufacturing location and the sales location of the product by adding up the distances for each delivery method. Conventional route search algorithms can be used to calculate these distances. Furthermore, the functions of the calculation unit 342 may be located outside the incentive granting device 310 (for example, on a third-party server that performs route searches).

[0088] Furthermore, if the incentive DB136 includes information on delivery methods, a coefficient related to environmental impact may be defined for each delivery method. For example, even in the case of delivery by truck, the coefficient for using gasoline vehicles should be lower than the coefficient for using electric vehicles. By multiplying the basic incentive determined according to the materials by coefficients corresponding to the distance between the manufacturing site and the sales site and coefficients corresponding to the type of delivery method, which are indicators of environmental impact, it becomes possible to calculate an incentive that more accurately reflects the degree of environmental impact. Furthermore, the indicators related to environmental impact are not limited to the aforementioned indicators such as "distance between the manufacturing site and the sales site" and "means of delivery."

[0089] After this, the incentive granting unit 15 performs the processing for granting the incentive based on the incentive determined by the incentive determination unit 14. As described above, the incentive-granting device 310 can provide an incentive to the user for the collection and disposal of the packaging material 20.

[0090] (4.2) Variations In this embodiment, the incentive granting device 310 determined the sales location based on attribute information such as location information attached to the individual identification information image 41, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, in the incentive granting device 310, the sales location may be the user's place of residence, that is, the user's address stored in the personal information management unit 16.

[0091] (4.3) Effects of this embodiment In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the incentive-granting device according to this embodiment has the following effects.

[0092] (10) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, the incentive database includes manufacturing location information for products using packaging materials, and the incentive granting unit grants an incentive determined based on the distance between the manufacturing location and the sales location of the product. This allows for higher incentives to be offered for actions that have a smaller environmental impact.

[0093] (11) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, the incentive granting unit grants an incentive determined using the distance calculated using the user's place of residence extracted from the personal identification information image, the location information of the individual identification information image, or the address of the store from which the individual identification information image was read as the sales location. This allows for higher incentives to be offered for actions that have a smaller environmental impact.

[0094] (12) In the incentive granting device according to this embodiment, the incentive granting unit grants an incentive determined according to the distance and the means of delivery of the goods, or the distance and the means of delivery. This allows for providing higher incentives for projects with a smaller environmental impact.

[0095] 5. Fifth Embodiment The incentive granting system 5 according to the fifth embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15 is a block diagram showing one example configuration of the incentive granting system 5, including the incentive granting device 410.

[0096] (5.1) Basic configuration of the incentive system As shown in Figure 15, the incentive granting system 5 comprises an identification information acquisition unit 11, an image analysis unit 12, an incentive storage unit 13, an incentive determination unit 14, an incentive granting unit 15, and a copy discrimination unit 56. In other words, the incentive granting system 5 differs from the incentive granting system 1 in that it includes a copy discrimination unit 56 and determines whether or not the individual identification information image 41 acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 is a copy. The replication discrimination unit 56 will be described in detail below. Furthermore, the units from the identification information acquisition unit 11 to the incentive granting unit 15 are the same as those in the incentive granting system 1, so their descriptions will be omitted.

[0097] (duplication determination unit) The duplication discrimination unit 56 determines whether the individual identification information 21 is duplicated individual identification information. Specifically, the duplication discrimination unit 56 has a forming method discrimination unit 561 that determines the method of applying the individual identification information 21 to the packaging material 20 (e.g., printing method) based on the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41 by the image analysis unit 12.

[0098] For example, Figures 16A and 16C show enlarged views of individual identification information printed using different printing methods. Figures 16A and 16B show portions of individual identification information printed by offset printing, while Figure 16C shows a portion of the individual identification information from Figure 16A copied using a laser copier. Although the individual identification information printed by offset printing in Figures 16A and 16B shows blurring of different shapes within the dark areas, the edge linearity at the edges of the individual identification information is high in both cases. Furthermore, although Figures 16A and 16B are examples of individual identification information printed by offset printing, there are minute individual differences in each individual identification piece. This is because even with the same printing method, differences in the printing environment and conditions prevent the individual identification information from being printed exactly the same. This individual difference makes it possible to distinguish between different items, even if they are the same product. On the other hand, the individual identification information in Figure 16C, which is a copy of the individual identification information in Figure 16A using a laser copier, exhibits low edge linearity at the edges of the individual identification information, and the blurring within the dark areas is different from that of offset printing. Therefore, it can be determined that the printing method itself is different, and thus fraud can be prevented.

[0099] The formation method determination unit 561 determines the printing method based on, for example, feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image 41. The formation method determination unit 561 stores predetermined information on the printing method of the individual identification information 21. By comparing the feature point information of the individual identification information 21 with the correct printing method stored in advance, the formation method determination unit 561 can determine whether the formation method of the individual identification information 21 shown in the individual identification information image 41 is a predetermined formation method. For example, the formation method determination unit 561 can distinguish between "genuine individual identification information 21" printed using a printing plate and "reproduced individual identification information 21" printed by reading the shape of the genuine individual identification information 21 and printing it with a copier or the like. As a result, if the formation method determination unit 561 determines that the formation method of the individual identification information 21 shown in the individual identification information image 41 is not a predetermined formation method, the reproduction determination unit 56 determines that the above-mentioned individual identification information 21 is reproduced individual identification information. The duplication discrimination unit 56 outputs authenticity information indicating whether the individual identification information 21 is a duplicated individual identification information to the incentive determination unit 14 and the incentive granting unit 15.

[0100] Furthermore, methods other than determining the printing method may be used as a method for determining whether the individual identification information 21 has been duplicated. For example, if the uneven pattern on the surface of the packaging material 20 is used as the individual identification information 21, the duplication discrimination unit 56 may have a pattern discrimination unit 562 that determines whether the uneven pattern on the surface of the packaging material 20, which is the individual identification information 21, is a genuine pattern based on the extracted feature point information. Figure 15 shows the formation method discrimination unit 561 and the pattern discrimination unit 562, but only one of them may be provided depending on the packaging material 20 to be collected.

[0101] The incentive determination unit 14 obtains authenticity information from the copy discrimination unit 56, which is the result of determining whether or not the individual identification information 21 is a copy. The incentive determination unit 14 determines the incentive corresponding to the feature point information only when it obtains authenticity information indicating that the individual identification information 21 is not a copy of the individual identification information.

[0102] (5.2) Effects of this embodiment In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the incentive-granting device according to this embodiment has the following effects.

[0103] (13) The incentive granting device according to this embodiment includes a duplication discrimination unit that determines whether or not the individual identification information is duplicated individual identification information based on feature point information extracted from the individual identification information attached to the packaging material. This prevents, for example, incentives from being given to users who should not be receiving them.

[0104] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative examples of devices and methods for realizing the technical concept of the present disclosure, and the technical concept of the present disclosure does not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc., of the components. The technical concept of the present disclosure can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1,2,3,4,5 Incentive Granting System 10, 10A, 10B, 110, 210 Incentive Granting Device 11,211 Identification Information Acquisition Unit 12,212 Image Analysis Department 121 Feature Point Information Extraction Unit 122 Personal information extraction section 13,13A,113,213 Incentive memory unit 131,132,133,134,135 Incentive Database 14,14A,214 Incentive Determination Department 141,341 Feature Point Information Matching Unit 15. Incentive Granting Department 16 Personal Information Management Department 161 Personal Information Management Database 20 Packaging materials 21 Individual Identification Information 30 devices 31 Personal Identification Information 32 Display section 40 Recovery device 41 Individual Identification Information Image 42 Personal Identification Information Images 56 Duplication determination unit 561 Formation method determination section 562 Pattern discrimination unit 90A, 90B Incentive Server 323 Sales location information extraction unit 342 Calculation Unit

Claims

1. An identification information acquisition unit acquires individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information assigned to each packaging material, having different characteristic point information for each packaging material and capable of identifying each individual packaging material, and personal identification information indicating the user's personal information. An incentive storage unit stores an incentive database which pre-associates feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image with incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material. An incentive granting unit grants an incentive determined based on the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information image acquired by the identification information acquisition unit and the incentive database to the user indicated by the personal identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. An incentive-granting device equipped with the following features.

2. The system includes an image analysis unit that extracts feature point information from an individual identification information image generated by capturing individual identification information assigned to the packaging material, The incentive granting unit compares the feature point information extracted by the image analysis unit with the incentive database, and if the feature point information matches the feature point information included in the incentive database, it grants an incentive associated with the matching feature point information. The incentive-granting device according to claim 1.

3. The identification information acquisition unit acquires a personal identification information image including the personal identification information, The image analysis unit analyzes the personal identification information image and extracts the personal identification information. The incentive-granting device according to claim 2.

4. The incentive database includes at least one of the following, associated with the feature point information: the material constituting the packaging material, the laminated structure of the material, and product identification information that identifies a product using the packaging material. The incentive granting unit grants the incentive determined based on at least one of the material, the laminated structure, and the product identification information. An incentive-granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The incentive database includes manufacturing location information for products using the packaging material, which is associated with the feature point information. The incentive granting unit grants the incentive determined based on the distance between the manufacturing location and the sales location of the product. An incentive-granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The incentive granting unit grants the incentive determined using the distance calculated using the user's place of residence associated with the personal identification information, the location information of the individual identification information image, or the address of the store from which the individual identification information image was read as the sales location. The incentive-granting device according to claim 5.

7. The system includes a personal information management unit that stores a personal information management database which associates user information with the incentives that have been granted to the user identified by the user information, and manages the granted incentives for each piece of user information. The incentive granting unit extracts the previously granted incentives associated with the user information associated with the personal identification information from the personal information management database, adds the incentives determined based on the feature point information to the previously granted incentives, and stores them in the personal information management database. An incentive-granting device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The aforementioned incentive is the key point. The incentive granting unit adds the points corresponding to the feature point information to the cumulative total of the points associated with the user information and stores the result in the personal information management database. The incentive-granting device according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned incentive is a coupon, The incentive granting unit adds the coupon corresponding to the feature point information to the coupon associated with the user information and stores it in the personal information management database. The incentive-granting device according to claim 7.

10. The personal information management database includes at least one of the collection history of the packaging materials and the granting history of the incentives associated with the user information, The incentive granting unit grants the incentive based on at least one of the packaging material collection history and the incentive granting history. An incentive-granting device according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. The aforementioned incentive is a recovery incentive that is given when the packaging material is recovered. The incentive granting unit grants the collection incentive determined based on the individual identification information image generated when the packaging material is collected. An incentive-granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The identification information acquisition unit acquires the individual identification information image from the collection device when the individual identification information of the packaging material is captured in the collection device for collecting the packaging material, the individual identification information image is generated, and the packaging material is placed in the collection device. The incentive-granting device according to claim 11.

13. The aforementioned incentive is a purchase incentive that is given when the packaging material is purchased. The incentive granting unit grants the purchase incentive determined based on the individual identification information image generated after the packaging material has been purchased. An incentive-granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The incentive granting unit grants the purchase incentive to the user indicated by the personal identification information when the identification information acquisition unit receives the individual identification information image generated by capturing the individual identification information of the packaging material together with a purchase certificate for a product using the packaging material. The incentive-granting device according to claim 13.

15. The incentive granting unit grants the purchase incentive to the user indicated by the personal identification information when the identification information acquisition unit receives the individual identification information via a point-of-sale information management terminal at a store where the product using the packaging material was purchased. The incentive-granting device according to claim 13.

16. An incentive granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a duplication discrimination unit that determines whether or not the individual identification information is duplicated individual identification information based on the feature point information extracted from the individual identification information assigned to the packaging material.

17. A method for providing incentives that is performed by a computer, An incentive database is generated by pre-associating feature point information extracted from individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information assigned to each packaging material and have different feature point information for each packaging material, with incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material. We acquire individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to the packaging material, and personal identification information that shows the user's personal information. Based on the feature point information extracted from the acquired individual identification information image and the incentive database, the incentive to be given is determined. The incentive is granted to the user indicated by the aforementioned personal identification information. Method of providing incentives.

18. To generate an incentive database in which feature point information extracted from individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information assigned to each packaging material and have different feature point information for each packaging material, and incentives determined according to the materials constituting the packaging material are pre-associated. This involves obtaining individual identification information images, which are image data of individual identification information attached to the packaging material, and personal identification information that shows the user's personal information. The incentive to be given is determined based on the feature point information extracted from the acquired individual identification information image and the incentive database. To provide the aforementioned incentive to the user indicated by the aforementioned personal identification information. A program that provides incentives to get a computer to perform a task.

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