Benefit information issuing device, system, method and program

Abstract

This benefit information issuing device (1) comprises: an issuance unit (11) that issues, to a user who has purchased entry qualification information that enables entry to an event venue through identity verification, first benefit information that can be used in a first facility, which is one of a first commercial facility in the event venue and a second commercial facility adjacent to the event venue, and second benefit information to which there is set a usability condition that enables use in a second facility different from the first facility among the first and second commercial facilities due to to a consumption activity having been performed using the first benefit information in the first facility; and a notification unit (12) that notifies a user terminal regarding a set of the first and second benefit information and the usability condition that is set to the second benefit information.

Description

Bonus information issuing device, system, method, and computer-readable medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bonus information issuing device, system, method, and program.

[0002] A unique economic zone can be formed in a specific area including an event venue and surrounding commercial facilities. Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a local information providing system that allows users to obtain information on other stores and facilities in the surrounding area, as well as coupon tickets. In Patent Document 1, users obtain coupons by shopping or eating at a service store. Then, local stores located in the surrounding area of ​​the service store provide benefits such as discounts to users by presenting the coupons they have obtained via wireless LAN.

[0003] In recent years, services using biometric authentication such as face recognition have been put into practical use.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228637

[0005] In a given area including an event venue and surrounding commercial facilities, there is a need to revitalize the area by mutually sending customers between the event venue and the commercial facilities. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in the cooperative use of the event venue and the surrounding commercial facilities.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a bonus information issuing device, system, method, and program for promoting cooperative use between an event venue and its surrounding commercial facilities.

[0007] The privilege information issuing device according to the present disclosure comprises: an issuing means for issuing, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information enabling entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first privilege information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second privilege information that has set availability conditions that allow the information to be used at a second facility different from the first facility, one of the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility, when consumption behavior using the first privilege information is performed at the first facility; and a notification means for notifying the user's terminal of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability conditions set for the second privilege information.

[0008] The privilege information issuing system according to the present disclosure comprises: a storage device that stores first privilege information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within an event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second privilege information that can be used at a second facility, which is different from the first facility, among the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility; and a privilege information issuing device connected to the storage device. The privilege information issuing device comprises: an issuing means that refers to the storage device and issues the first privilege information and the second privilege information, which has usage conditions set for the first privilege information being usable when a user purchases admission eligibility information that enables entry to the event venue through personal authentication, to a user; and a notification means that notifies the user's terminal of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the usage conditions set for the second privilege information.

[0009] The method of issuing bonus information disclosed herein involves a computer issuing, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information that enables entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first bonus information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second bonus information that sets usage conditions that allow the bonus information to be used at a second facility different from the first facility, one of the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility, when consumption behavior is performed using the first bonus information at the first facility, and notifying the user's terminal of the pair of the first bonus information and the second bonus information and the usage conditions set for the second bonus information.

[0010] The bonus information issuance program disclosed herein causes a computer to execute the following processes: an issuance process for issuing, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information that enables entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first bonus information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second bonus information that has set availability conditions that allow the information to be used at a second facility, different from the first facility, out of the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility, when the user engages in consumption behavior using the first bonus information at the first facility; and a notification process for notifying the user's terminal of the pair of the first bonus information and the second bonus information and the availability conditions set for the second bonus information.

[0011] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a special benefit information issuing device, system, method, and program for promoting cooperative use between an event venue and surrounding commercial facilities.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a privilege information issuing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a privilege information issuing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a privilege information issuing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an authentication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an admission control terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a privilege information issuing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of privilege information registration processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of user information registration processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of face information registration processing by the authentication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of admission credential information registration processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of face authentication processing by the authentication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of privilege information issuing processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of target identification processing according to Example 2-1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of target identification processing according to Example 2-2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of target identification processing according to Example 2-3 of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process for using first bonus information by a user according to the present embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for using bonus information according to the present embodiment 2. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for using bonus information according to the present embodiment 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a notification that bonus information is available on a user terminal according to the present embodiment 2. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process for using second bonus information by a user according to the present embodiment 2. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display after bonus information is used on a user terminal according to the present embodiment 2. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for issuing bonus information according to the present embodiment 3. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example 3-1 of a set of bonus information on a user terminal according to the present embodiment 3.FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example 3-2 of a set of special benefit information on a user terminal according to the third embodiment.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0014] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a reward information issuing device 1 according to the first embodiment. The reward information issuing device 1 is an information processing device that issues reward information available at commercial facilities. A "commercial facility" is a store or the like that sells products or provides services. The commercial facility according to the first embodiment is assumed to be located within a predetermined area from an event venue where a predetermined event is held. Therefore, the commercial facility is either a first commercial facility located within the event venue or a second commercial facility located in the vicinity of the event venue. Furthermore, "reward information" is electronic data that confers the right to receive rewards, either paid or free, at available facilities. The reward information is, for example, added-value information such as electronic coupons or points.

[0015] The privilege information issuing device 1 includes an issuing unit 11 and a notifying unit 12. The issuing unit 11 issues privilege information to a user who has purchased admission credential information, such as an admission ticket for an event venue. Here, "admission credential information" is information that proves that the user is permitted to enter the event venue through personal authentication. "Personal authentication" refers to information processing that verifies the authenticity of an individual by comparing pre-registered personal authentication information with information acquired or input from the individual during authentication and determining whether the degree of match is equal to or exceeds a threshold. Examples of personal authentication include, but are not limited to, biometric authentication such as facial recognition, and comparing code information (such as an ID or password) presented or input by the individual.

[0016] The issuing unit 11 issues, to a user who has purchased the admission credential information, first privilege information that can be used at a first facility and second privilege information that can be used at a second facility by satisfying a predetermined availability condition. Here, the "first facility" refers to either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and the "second facility" refers to a facility different from the first facility among the first and second commercial facilities. Each of the first and second commercial facilities may be a collection of multiple commercial facilities. For example, if the first facility is one of the first commercial facilities, the second facility is one of the second commercial facilities. Furthermore, if the first facility is one of the second commercial facilities, the second facility is one of the first commercial facilities. Furthermore, the "availability condition" refers to a consumption behavior by the user using the first privilege information at the first facility. Therefore, the "second privilege information" can be considered to be privilege information for which an availability condition is set that allows the second privilege information to be used at the second facility when the user engages in consumption behavior using the first privilege information at the first facility. In other words, the second privilege information is issued together with the first privilege information, but is not usable at the time of issuance. The issuing unit 11 then issues a set of such first privilege information and second privilege information.

[0017] The notification unit 12 notifies the terminal of the user to whom the information is issued of the set of the first and second privilege information and the availability conditions set in the second privilege information, thereby enabling the user to understand, via his or her own terminal, the notified set of the first and second privilege information and the availability conditions set in the second privilege information.

[0018] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the bonus information issuing method according to the first embodiment. First, the issuing unit 11 issues first bonus information that can be used at a first facility and second bonus information that has a predetermined usage condition set therein to a user who has purchased admission qualification information that enables entry to an event venue through personal authentication (S11). Here, the predetermined usage condition is that the first bonus information can be used at a second facility if the user engages in consumption behavior using the first bonus information at the first facility, as described above.

[0019] Then, the notification unit 12 notifies the user terminal of the set of the first benefit information and the second benefit information and the availability conditions set in the second benefit information (S12).

[0020] In this manner, in the first embodiment, a user who purchases admission credentials for an event venue is issued a set of privilege information that can be used at a first commercial facility within the event venue and a second commercial facility near the event venue. The first privilege information is usable at the first facility, which is either the first commercial facility or the second commercial facility, and the second privilege information is usable at the second facility, which is the other of the first commercial facility or the second commercial facility, if a predetermined usability condition is met. In response to the notification, the user can understand on his or her device that a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information has been issued and that the second privilege information is currently unavailable but will become available through consumption behavior using the first privilege information at the first facility. This provides the user with two motivations for engaging in consumption behavior, such as purchasing a product or paying for a service, at the first facility. In other words, the user can enjoy the benefit according to the first benefit information at the first facility and also the benefit according to the second benefit information at the second facility, thereby increasing the user's motivation to purchase. In other words, the benefit information issuing device 1 notifies the user that the second benefit information becomes available by using the first benefit information, thereby encouraging the user to use the first benefit information at the first facility. For example, the benefit available at the first commercial facility within the event venue is likely to motivate the user to engage in consumption behavior while enjoying the benefit at the second commercial facility near the event venue. Similarly, the benefit available at the second commercial facility near the event venue is likely to motivate the user to engage in consumption behavior while enjoying the benefit at the first commercial facility within the event venue. Therefore, the mutual flow of customers between the event venue and the surrounding commercial facilities can revitalize the local area. This can promote cooperative use of the event venue and the surrounding commercial facilities.

[0021] The bonus information issuing device 1 includes a processor, a memory, and a storage device (not shown). The storage device stores a computer program that implements the processing of the bonus information issuing method according to this embodiment. The processor then loads the computer program from the storage device into the memory and executes the computer program. This allows the processor to implement the functions of the issuing unit 11 and the notification unit 12.

[0022] Alternatively, each component of the bonus information issuing device 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits, etc., and a program. Furthermore, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a quantum processor (quantum computer control chip), etc.

[0023] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of the privilege information issuing device 1 are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, connected via a communication network. Furthermore, the functions of the privilege information issuing device 1 may be provided in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0024] Second Embodiment The second embodiment is a specific example of the first embodiment described above. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a privilege information issuing system 1000 according to the second embodiment. The privilege information issuing system 1000 is an information system for supporting mutual customer referrals in an area 4 including an event venue 40 and nearby second commercial facilities 41 to 4n (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1). Specifically, the privilege information issuing system 1000 issues a pair of a first coupon and a second coupon to a user U1 who purchases a paid ticket (admission eligibility information) for the event venue 40, and notifies the user terminal 100 of the pair, thereby supporting the promotion of cooperative use between the facilities. Here, the first coupon is an example of the first privilege information described above, and the second coupon is an example of the second privilege information described above.

[0025] The event venue 40 is a venue where a specific event is held. An "event" is a paid service that attracts a large number of people and is provided for a certain period of time. For example, an event may be a sports match, a concert, an exhibition, an international conference, an exam, etc., and may be something that paying visitors can watch or view, or something that visitors themselves can participate in. Therefore, the event venue 40 may be a facility such as a sports stadium, a sports arena, an arena, a theater, or a multi-purpose event hall. The event venue 40 may also be called the main facility or core facility in area 4.

[0026] The event venue 40 includes an event hall 402 and a first commercial facility 403, and an entrance control terminal 401 is installed at the entrance. The entrance control terminal 401 is an information terminal that permits entry into the event venue 40 if a prospective entrant (user) successfully passes facial authentication. Details of the entrance control terminal 401 will be described later. It should be noted that some entrants to the event venue 40 may enter without going through the entrance control terminal 401. In other words, the event venue 40 may allow entry to users who have purchased conventional tickets, etc., without relying on identity authentication such as facial authentication. The event hall 402 is a place where an event is held, such as a stadium or spectator seats. The first commercial facility 403 is a facility that can be used after entering the event venue 40, such as a restaurant, a souvenir shop, a merchandise store, or a spa, which is a value-added facility of the event venue 40, attached to the event hall 402. At least a payment terminal 50 that supports payments using facial authentication is installed in the first commercial facility 403. Furthermore, the facility staff U20 uses the management terminal 60 to perform management tasks such as registering information about benefits available at the first commercial facility 403. The facility staff U20 may also serve as a store clerk at the first commercial facility 403. Alternatively, the facility staff U20 may be a business operator at the event venue 40, the event, or the first commercial facility 403. Therefore, the facility staff U20 and the management terminal 60 do not necessarily need to be located within the first commercial facility 403.

[0027] The second commercial facilities 41 to 4n are peripheral facilities or nearby commercial facilities of the event venue 40. There may be at least one second commercial facility 41, etc. The second commercial facility 41, etc. is a facility that has an affiliated relationship with the event venue 40. Therefore, the operators of the second commercial facility 41, etc. are affiliated operators that are different from the operators of the event venue 40 and the first commercial facility 403. The second commercial facility 41, etc. is, for example, but is not limited to, a retail store, a restaurant, a shopping street, a shopping mall, an accommodation facility, a parking lot, a bicycle parking lot, a transportation station (railway station, bus stop, taxi stand, port, airport), an amusement park, etc.

[0028] Each of the second commercial facilities 41 to 4n is equipped with at least a payment terminal 51 to 5n that supports payments using facial recognition. Furthermore, each of the facility personnel U21 to U2n uses a management terminal 61 to 6n to perform management tasks such as registering information on benefits available at each of the second commercial facilities 41 to 4n. The facility personnel U21 and the like may also serve as store clerks at the second commercial facility 41 and the like. Alternatively, the facility personnel U21 and the like may be affiliated businesses of the second commercial facility 41 and the like. Therefore, the facility personnel U21 and the like and the management terminal 61 and the like do not necessarily have to be located within the second commercial facility 41 and the like.

[0029] The area manager U3 is a business operator who manages businesses within the area 4, which includes the event venue 40 and the second commercial facility 41. The area manager U3 may use the management terminal 600 to register a combination of benefit information available at the first commercial facility 403 and benefit information available at the second commercial facility 41. In this case, the area manager U3 may set the first benefit information (first coupon) and benefit content that are the conditions for using the second benefit information (second coupon). Note that the management terminals 60, 61 to 6n, and 600 may be publicly known information processing devices, and therefore illustrations and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0030] Here, the privilege information issuing system 1000 includes a user terminal 100, an authentication device 200, a privilege information issuing device 300, an entrance control terminal 401, payment terminals 50, 51 to 5n, and management terminals 60, 61 to 6n, and 600. The user terminal 100, the authentication device 200, the privilege information issuing device 300, the entrance control terminal 401, the payment terminals 50, 51 to 5n, and the management terminals 60, 61 to 6n, and 600 are communicatively connected via a network N. Here, the network N is a communication network including a wireless communication line, such as the Internet, a wireless communication network, or a mobile phone network. Furthermore, the network N can use any type of communication protocol.

[0031] The authentication device 200 is an information processing device that manages facial feature information of users and performs facial authentication. In response to a facial authentication request received from an external device, the authentication device 200 compares the facial image or facial feature information included in the request with the facial feature information of each user and returns the comparison result (authentication result) to the request source.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an authentication device 200 according to the second embodiment. The authentication device 200 includes a face information database (DB) 210, a face detection unit 220, a feature point extraction unit 230, a registration unit 240, and an authentication unit 250. The face information DB 210 stores a user ID 211 and facial feature information 212 corresponding to the user ID in association with each other. The facial feature information 212 is a collection of feature points extracted from a facial image. The authentication device 200 may delete the facial feature information 212 from the face information DB 210 in response to a request from a user or the like corresponding to the facial feature information 212. Alternatively, the authentication device 200 may delete the facial feature information 212 after a certain period of time has elapsed since registration.

[0033] The face detection unit 220 detects a face area included in a registration image for registering face information and outputs the detected face area to the feature point extraction unit 230. The feature point extraction unit 230 extracts feature points from the face area detected by the face detection unit 220 and outputs face feature information to the registration unit 240. The feature point extraction unit 230 also extracts feature points included in a face image received from the bonus information issuing device 300 or the like and outputs the face feature information to the authentication unit 250.

[0034] The registration unit 240 issues a new user ID 211 when registering facial feature information. The registration unit 240 associates the issued user ID 211 with facial feature information 212 extracted from the registration image and registers the associated user ID 211 in the facial information DB 210. The authentication unit 250 performs facial authentication using the facial feature information 212. Specifically, the authentication unit 250 compares the facial feature information extracted from the facial image with the facial feature information 212 in the facial information DB 210. If the comparison is successful, the authentication unit 250 identifies the user ID 211 associated with the compared facial feature information 212. The authentication unit 250 returns a match of the facial feature information to the requester as a facial authentication result. The match of the facial feature information corresponds to the success or failure of authentication. Note that a match of the facial feature information (match present) refers to a match level equal to or greater than a threshold. If the facial authentication is successful, the facial authentication result includes the identified user ID.

[0035] Returning to Figure 3, the explanation continues. User U1 is a purchaser of admission qualification information for an event to be held at event venue 40, a prospective attendee, or an attendee. User terminal 100 is an information processing terminal that registers user information including a facial image and admission qualification information in advance to privilege information issuing device 300 in response to an operation by user U1. Note that user U1 may also register user information using an information processing device other than user terminal 100. Also, user U1 is assumed to enter event venue 40 carrying user terminal 100.

[0036] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal 100 according to the second embodiment. The user terminal 100 includes a storage unit 110, a memory 120, a communication unit 130, a camera 140, a touch panel 150, and a control unit 160. The storage unit 110 is an example of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 110 stores a program 111 and terminal information 112. The program 111 is a computer program that implements processes such as registering user information and admission qualification information, and querying, displaying, selecting, and using privilege information. The terminal information 112 is identification information and destination information for the user terminal 100.

[0037] The memory 120 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is a storage area for temporarily storing information during operation of the control unit 160. The communication unit 130 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0038] The camera 140 is an imaging device for capturing an image of an area including the face of the user U1. The camera 140 outputs the captured image to the control unit 160. The touch panel 150 includes a display device (display unit) such as a screen and an input device.

[0039] The control unit 160 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the user terminal 100. The control unit 160 loads the program 111 from the storage unit 110 into the memory 120 and executes the program 111. In this way, the control unit 160 realizes the functions of a registration unit 161 and a bonus processing unit 162.

[0040] The registration unit 161 controls the camera 140 to capture an image of the face of user U1 and acquires the captured facial image. The registration unit 161 also acquires attribute information and payment information input by user U1 via the touch panel 150. The registration unit 161 also reads and acquires terminal information 112 from the storage unit 110. The registration unit 161 then transmits a registration request for user information (membership information) including the facial image, terminal information 112, attribute information, and payment information to the privilege information issuing device 300. The registration unit 161 also acquires the admission credential information purchased by user U1. The registration unit 161 transmits a registration request including the facial image and admission credential information of user U1 to the privilege information issuing device 300. The registration unit 161 may also include the admission credential information in the user information registration request.

[0041] In response to a reward issuance request issued by user U1 via the touch panel 150, the reward processing unit 162 controls the camera 140 to capture a picture of user U1's face and acquires the captured facial image. The reward processing unit 162 then transmits the reward issuance request, including the facial image, to the reward information issuing device 300. The reward processing unit 162 also receives a set of first and second reward information and a notification of the availability conditions for the second reward information issued by the reward information issuing device 300, and displays these on the touch panel 150. In response to a reward inquiry request issued by user U1 via the touch panel 150, the reward processing unit 162 transmits a reward information inquiry request, including the facial image of user U1, to the reward information issuing device 300. The reward processing unit 162 then displays a list of reward information already issued to user U1 by the reward information issuing device 300 on the touch panel 150. The reward processing unit 162 displays the reward information selected by user U1 via the touch panel 150 in a selected state. Furthermore, when the bonus processing unit 162 receives a bonus information update notification from the bonus information issuing device 300 , it displays the updated bonus information on the touch panel 150 .

[0042] 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entrance control terminal 401 according to the second embodiment. The entrance control terminal 401 includes a storage unit 410, a memory 420, a communication unit 430, a camera 440, a touch panel 450, and a control unit 460. The storage unit 410 is an example of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 410 stores a program 411 and terminal information 412. The program 411 is a computer program that implements entrance control processing and the like. The terminal information 412 is identification information and destination information of the entrance control terminal 401.

[0043] The memory 420 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily storing information during operation of the control unit 460. The communication unit 430 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0044] Camera 440 is a photographing device for photographing an area including the face of a person expected to enter, such as user U1. Camera 440 outputs the photographed image to control unit 460. Touch panel 450 includes a display device (display unit) such as a screen and an input device.

[0045] The control unit 460 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the entrance control terminal 401. The control unit 460 loads the program 411 from the storage unit 410 into the memory 420 and executes the program 411. In this way, the control unit 460 realizes the functions of a reception unit 461 and an entrance control unit 462.

[0046] The reception unit 461 receives a facial image of a person scheduled to enter the event taken by the camera 440 and outputs the facial image to the entrance control unit 462. The entrance control unit 462 transmits an entrance determination request including the facial image output by the reception unit 461 and the terminal information 412 stored in the storage unit 110 to the privilege information issuing device 300. The entrance control unit 462 then receives an entrance determination result from the privilege information issuing device 300, and if the entrance determination result indicates that entry is permitted, controls the entrance gate (not shown) of the event venue 40 to be unlocked. Note that the entrance control terminal 401 may also control the exit gate by facial recognition when exiting the event venue.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal 51 according to the second embodiment. The configurations of payment terminals 50, 5n, etc. are similar to that of payment terminal 51, and therefore illustrations and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Payment terminal 51 includes a storage unit 510, a memory 520, a communication unit 530, a camera 540, a touch panel 550, and a control unit 560. Storage unit 510 is an example of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. Storage unit 510 stores a program 511 and terminal information 512. Program 511 is a computer program that implements payment control processing, etc. Terminal information 512 is identification information and destination information for payment terminal 51. Terminal information 512 is information that can identify the second commercial facility 41 in which the payment terminal 51 is installed.

[0048] The memory 520 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily storing information during operation of the control unit 560. The communication unit 530 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0049] Camera 540 is an imaging device for capturing an image of an area including the face of a payer such as user U1. Camera 540 outputs the captured image to control unit 560. Touch panel 550 includes a display device (display unit) such as a screen and an input device.

[0050] The control unit 560 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the payment terminal 51. The control unit 560 loads the program 511 from the storage unit 510 into the memory 520 and executes the program 511. In this way, the control unit 560 realizes the functions of the reception unit 561 and the payment control unit 562.

[0051] The reception unit 561 receives input of payment object information, such as the price of the product for which the settlor intends to pay. For example, the reception unit 561 receives, as payment object information, information read from the product barcode by a store clerk (e.g., facility staff member U21) of the second commercial facility 41 using a scanner (not shown). The reception unit 561 then displays the received payment object information on the touch panel 550.

[0052] The payment control unit 562 reads the code information of the bonus information displayed on the user terminal 100 from an image captured by the camera 540, analyzes the image, and extracts a bonus ID. The payment control unit 562 then controls the camera 540 to capture an image of the face of the payer and acquires the captured facial image. The payment control unit 562 then transmits a facial recognition payment request including the facial image, payment target information, bonus ID, and terminal information 512 stored in the memory unit 510 to the bonus information issuing device 300. The payment control unit 562 then receives a payment completion notification, etc., and displays it on the touch panel 550.

[0053] 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a privileged information issuing device 300 according to the second embodiment. The privileged information issuing device 300 is an example of the above-described privileged information issuing device 1. The privileged information issuing device 300 is an information processing device for supporting mutual customer transfer between the event venue 40 (a first commercial facility 403 therein) and a surrounding second commercial facility 41, etc. The privileged information issuing device 300 may be configured redundantly with multiple servers, and each functional block may be implemented by multiple computers.

[0054] The privilege information issuing device 300 includes a storage unit 310, a memory 320, a communication unit 330, and a control unit 340. The storage unit 310 is an example of a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or flash memory. The storage unit 310 stores a program 311, user information 312, a privilege information master 313, event information 314, and privilege management information 315. The storage unit 310 and the face information DB 210 of the authentication device 200 may be collectively considered as the storage unit. The program 311 is a computer program (privilege information issuing program) that implements processes such as registration of privilege information, user information, and admission eligibility information, privilege information issuing process including target identification process, and payment process including privilege information usage process according to the second embodiment.

[0055] User information 312 is information for managing users in area 4. Note that "users in area 4" are, for example, purchasers of admission qualification information for event venue 40, people planning to enter event venue 40, people who have entered, and people leaving event venue 40. User information 312 is information that associates a user ID 3121, terminal information 3122, attribute information 3123, payment information 3124, and admission qualification information 3125.

[0056] The user ID 3121 is user identification information. The user ID 3121 is information that is identical to or uniquely corresponds to the user ID 211 that is managed in association with the facial feature information 212 in the face information DB 210 of the authentication device 200. Therefore, the user information 312 can be said to be information that is associated with the user's personal authentication information for registration via the user ID 3121. The terminal information 3122 is information that corresponds to the terminal information 112 of the user terminal 100 described above.

[0057] The attribute information 3123 may include, but is not limited to, name, date of birth, sex, address, contact information (telephone number, email address, SNS (Social Networking Service) account information), membership rank, information indicating hobbies, preferences or interests, sports players or teams to support, etc. The membership rank may be, for example, information indicating the rank of a paid member of the event venue 40, the rank of another membership service, etc.

[0058] The payment information 3124 includes credit card information, electronic money, barcode payment account information, bank debit account information, etc., and is also information used when making payments using facial recognition (facial recognition payment).

[0059] The admission credential information 3125 is paid digital admission ticket information for a specific event held at the event venue 40, on the date and time of the event. The admission credential information 3125 may include, for example, an event ID, seat information (seat location and seat grade), ticket price, etc. Furthermore, the admission credential information 3125 may include, instead of the event ID, identification information of the event venue, admission time periods, event details, etc. Furthermore, the admission credential information 3125 according to this embodiment can be considered as certification information indicating that the person is qualified to be permitted to enter the event venue 40 upon successful face authentication.

[0060] The privilege information master 313 is information for managing master information of privilege information entered by facility personnel or area personnel. The privilege information master 313 is information that associates a privilege ID 3131, a target facility 3132, a privilege content 3133, an issuance condition 3134, and an availability condition 3135. The privilege ID 3131 is identification information of the privilege information. The target facility 3132 is information indicating the facility at which the privilege information can be used. The target facility 3132 is information indicating, for example, the first commercial facility 403 or one of the second commercial facilities 41 to 4n. Note that the target facility 3132 may target two or more facilities. For example, the target facility 3132 may target two or more first commercial facilities 403 within the event venue 40. Alternatively, the target facility 3132 may target two or more of the second commercial facilities 41 to 4n.

[0061] The benefit content 3133 is information indicating products and services that the user can enjoy by using the facility. For example, the benefit content 3133 may include, but is not limited to, discount information indicating a discount amount or discount rate, products and services that are discounted, products and services that are provided free of charge, etc.

[0062] The issuance conditions 3134 are information indicating the conditions for issuing bonus information. For example, the issuance conditions 3134 include the event information to be issued (event ID, event date and time, etc.), whether admission qualification information for the event information has already been purchased, and the timing of issuance. The timing of issuance may be the start date and time of issuance, the period during which issuance is possible, for example, a period (predetermined period) that defines the number of days before the event date. In addition, the issuance conditions 3134 include, but are not limited to, attribute information of the user to be issued, seat grade, ticket price, and priority of attribute information to be prioritized for issuance.

[0063] The availability conditions 3135 are information indicating the conditions under which the corresponding benefit information (second benefit information, second coupon) can be used. The availability conditions 3135 include a benefit usage ID 31351. The benefit usage ID 31351 is the benefit ID of the first benefit information that must be used in consumption behavior (payment) at the first facility as a prerequisite for the second benefit information to be available.

[0064] The event information 314 is information that defines an event to be held at the event venue 40. The event information 314 includes, for example, an event ID, the venue, event time information, event content, seat information (seat type, number of seats, arrangement), admission qualification information price (ticket price), etc. The event time information includes, for example, the event period, start date and time, scheduled start time, scheduled end time, permitted admission time slot, admission start time, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0065] The privilege management information 315 is information for managing privilege information issued to a user. The privilege management information 315 is information that associates an issued privilege ID 3151, a user ID 3152, an issue date and time 3153, a validity period 3154, a target facility 3155, a privilege content 3156, a usage status flag 3157, and a usage condition 3158.

[0066] The issued privilege ID 3151 is the privilege ID 3131 issued to the user corresponding to the user ID 3152. The user ID 3152 is the user ID 3121 to which the privilege information was issued. Therefore, the privilege management information 315 is, for example, information uniquely identified by the pair of the issued privilege ID 3151 and the user ID 3152. The issue date and time 3153 is the date and time when the privilege information was issued. The validity period 3154 is the validity period of the privilege information. If the corresponding privilege information can be used immediately after issuance, the validity period 3154 may be set to an expiration date and time. Alternatively, if the corresponding privilege information becomes available after a certain period has passed after issuance, the validity period 3154 may be defined by the start date and time and the end date and time (expiration date) of the validity period. The target facility 3155 is a facility where the privilege information can be used, and is the target facility 3132 associated with the privilege ID 3131 corresponding to the issued privilege ID 3151. In principle, the benefit content 3156 is the benefit content 3133 associated with the benefit ID 3131 corresponding to the issued benefit ID 3151. However, in the case of second benefit information, the benefit content 3156 may be registered as content dynamically determined when the usage conditions are met. The usage status flag 3157 is information indicating whether the usage status of the issued benefit information is "available," "unavailable," or "already used." In principle, the usage conditions 3158 is the usage benefit ID 31351 associated with the benefit ID 3131 corresponding to the issued benefit ID 3151. However, in the case of second benefit information, the usage conditions 3158 may be registered as the first benefit ID dynamically determined when the benefit information is issued.

[0067] The memory 320 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily storing information during operation of the control unit 340. The communication unit 330 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0068] The control unit 340 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the privilege information issuing device 300. The control unit 340 loads the program 311 from the storage unit 310 into the memory 320 and executes the program 311. As a result, the control unit 340 realizes the functions of the registration unit 341, the authentication control unit 342, the identification unit 343, the issuing unit 344, the notification unit 345, the entry determination unit 346, and the payment control unit 347. The authentication control unit 342, the identification unit 343, and the issuing unit 344 are examples of the issuing unit 11 described above. The identification unit 343 and the notification unit 345 are examples of the notification unit 12 described above.

[0069] The registration unit 341 performs registration processing of privilege information, user information, and admission eligibility information. Specifically, the registration unit 341 receives registration requests for individual privilege information, combinations of multiple privilege information, availability conditions, etc. from the management terminal 60 or the like, and registers them in the privilege information master 313. At this time, the registration unit 341 issues a privilege ID for the new privilege information. The registration unit 341 also receives registration requests for user information from the user terminal 100 or the like, and registers the user information 312. At this time, the registration unit 341 registers facial feature information based on a facial image of the new user in the authentication device 200, and acquires the user ID issued at the time of registration. Then, the registration unit 341 associates the acquired user ID 3121 with the information included in the registration request and registers them in the storage unit 310 as user information 312. The registration unit 341 associates the user's personal authentication information for registration with terminal information possessed by the user, and registers them in the storage unit 310. The registration unit 341 according to this embodiment associates a user ID 3121 that uniquely corresponds to the user's facial feature information for registration with terminal information 3122, attribute information 3123, and payment information 3124, and registers the associated information as user information 312 in the storage unit 310. The registration unit 341 also receives a registration request including a facial image and admission qualification information, and updates the user information 312 by associating admission qualification information 3125 with the user information 312 identified by face authentication based on the facial image.

[0070] The authentication control unit 342 controls user authentication using the authentication device 200. In particular, the authentication control unit 342 according to this embodiment controls user biometric authentication using biometric information extracted from an image of the user. Specifically, the authentication control unit 342 controls user facial authentication using facial feature information extracted from the user's facial image. That is, when the authentication control unit 342 receives user authentication information and entry qualification information, the authentication control unit 342 controls user authentication by referring to the storage unit 310 and the face information DB 210 of the authentication device 200 using the authentication authentication information. Furthermore, when the authentication control unit 342 receives an entry determination request from the entry control terminal 401, the authentication control unit 342 transmits a face authentication request including the face image included in the entry determination request to the authentication device 200, receives the face authentication result from the authentication device 200, and outputs the face authentication result to the entry determination unit 346. Furthermore, when the authentication control unit 342 receives a facial authentication payment request from the payment terminal 51 or the like, it transmits a facial authentication request including the facial image included in the facial authentication payment request to the authentication device 200, receives a facial authentication result from the authentication device 200, and outputs the facial authentication result to the payment control unit 347. Note that the authentication control unit 342 may also control personal authentication other than biometric authentication.

[0071] The identification unit 343 identifies the user's terminal information, attribute information, payment information, admission qualification information, and privilege information based on the user's identity authentication. Specifically, if the authentication control unit 342 is successful in face authentication, the identification unit 343 identifies, from the user information 312, the terminal information 3122, attribute information 3123, payment information 3124, and admission qualification information 3125 associated with the user ID 3121 whose face authentication was successful. Furthermore, in response to a request for querying privilege information, the identification unit 343 identifies, from the privilege management information 315, a list of privilege information associated with the user ID 3152 whose face authentication was successful. Furthermore, the identification unit 343 identifies the issued privilege ID 3151 included in the face authentication payment request, and identifies, from the privilege management information 315, the user ID 3152 whose face authentication was successful and the issued privilege ID 3151.

[0072] The issuing unit 344 issues a set of first privilege information and second privilege information to a user whose admission eligibility information has been registered. At this time, the second privilege information is selected such that the privilege ID of the first privilege information is set as the usage condition for the usage privilege ID. The first facility that is the target facility of the first privilege information is either the first commercial facility 403 or the second commercial facility 41, etc. The second facility that is the target facility of the second privilege information is a second facility that is different from the first facility, either the first commercial facility 403 or the second commercial facility 41, etc. The issuing unit 344 issues the usage status flag of the first privilege information as "available" and the usage status flag of the second privilege information as "unavailable."

[0073] Furthermore, when a user engages in a consumption behavior using the first privilege information at a first facility, the issuing unit 344 updates the second privilege information paired with the utilized first privilege information to enable use. Furthermore, when a user engages in a consumption behavior using the first privilege information at a first facility, the issuing unit 344 may determine the privilege content of the second privilege information according to the payment amount for the consumption behavior. Note that the availability conditions may be various conditions, as will be described later. Therefore, when a consumption behavior by a user using the first privilege information at a first facility satisfies the availability conditions set for the second privilege information paired with the first privilege information, the issuing unit 344 updates the second privilege information to enable use.

[0074] Furthermore, the issuing unit 344 may select, from among a plurality of first bonus information available at the first facility, bonus information that meets the issuance conditions based on attribute information previously associated with the user, and issue the selected bonus information as the first bonus information.

[0075] Furthermore, the issuing unit 344 may issue first and second privilege information when the authentication control unit 342 has successfully authenticated the user.

[0076] The notification unit 345 notifies the user terminal of the user to whom the information is to be issued of the set of the first benefit information and the second benefit information and the availability conditions set for the second benefit information. Furthermore, the notification unit 345 notifies the user terminal that the second benefit information is now available. Furthermore, the notification unit 345 may further notify the user terminal of the benefit content of the determined second benefit information. The notification unit 345 notifies the user terminal of the terminal information associated with the identity authentication information for which identity authentication has been successful, using the terminal information as the destination.

[0077] The admission determination unit 346 determines whether the facial authentication result based on the admission determination request received from the admission control terminal 401 was successful, and transmits the admission determination result to the admission control terminal 401. If the facial authentication was successful and the user's admission qualification information is registered, the admission determination unit 346 includes in the admission determination result an indication that admission is permitted. On the other hand, if the facial authentication failed, or if the facial authentication was successful but the user's admission qualification information is not registered, the admission determination unit 346 includes in the admission determination result an indication that admission is not permitted.

[0078] The payment control unit 347 determines whether the facial authentication result based on the facial authentication payment request received from the payment terminal 51, etc. is successful, and controls the payment process if the facial authentication is successful. In particular, if the facial authentication payment request includes a benefit ID, the payment control unit 347 determines whether benefit information corresponding to the benefit ID can be used, and if it can be used, performs the payment process using the benefit information.

[0079] 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the privilege information registration process according to the second embodiment. Here, an example is shown in which the facility manager U20 registers the privilege information for the first commercial facility 403, the facility manager U21 registers the privilege information for the second commercial facility 41, and the area manager U3 registers the combination of privilege information (usage conditions). However, the order of registration by the facility managers U20 and U21 does not matter. Alternatively, either the facility manager U20 or U21 may set the combination of privilege information (usage conditions).

[0080] First, the management terminal 60 receives input from the facility staff U20 regarding the privilege details, issuance conditions, and target facilities available at the first commercial facility 403. The issuance conditions include information about the event for which the privilege issuance is required. The target facility is the first commercial facility 403. The management terminal 60 then transmits a privilege information master registration request, including the received privilege details, issuance conditions, and target facilities, to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N (S101). In response, the privilege information issuing device 300 issues a privilege ID corresponding to the privilege details included in the received privilege information master registration request, and associates the issued privilege ID 3131 with the target facility 3132, privilege details 3133, and issuance conditions 3134 included in the request, and registers the associated information in the memory unit 310 as the privilege information master 313 (S102).

[0081] The management terminal 61 also receives input from the facility staff U21 regarding the details of the benefits available at the second commercial facility 41, the issuance conditions, and the target facility. The issuance conditions include information about events held on the same day as in step S101. The target facility is the payment terminal 51. The management terminal 61 then transmits a request for registering a benefit information master to the benefit information issuing device 300 via the network N (S103), as in step S101. In response, the benefit information issuing device 300 issues a benefit ID and registers the benefit information master 313 in the memory unit 310 (S104), as in step S102.

[0082] Thereafter, the management terminal 600 transmits a request for querying a privilege list to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N in response to the operation of the area representative U3 (S105). In response to the received request for querying a privilege list, the privilege information issuing device 300 obtains a list of privilege information (a privilege list) from the privilege information master 313 and returns the privilege list to the management terminal 600 (S106). The management terminal 600 then displays the received privilege list (S107). At this time, the privilege list includes the privilege information registered in steps S102 and S104. In response, the management terminal 600 receives a pair of a first privilege ID and a second privilege ID and usage conditions from the area representative U3. For example, the management terminal 600 may receive the first privilege ID as privilege information for the first commercial facility 403, the second privilege ID as privilege information for the second commercial facility 41, and the usage conditions as the first privilege ID (use of the privilege information for the first commercial facility 403). Alternatively, the management terminal 600 may accept the first privilege ID as the privilege information of the second commercial facility 41, the second privilege ID as the privilege information of the first commercial facility 403, and the availability conditions as the first privilege ID (use of the privilege information of the second commercial facility 41). The management terminal 600 then transmits the accepted first privilege ID, second privilege ID, and availability conditions to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N (S108). In response, the privilege information issuing device 300 registers the first privilege ID as the usage privilege ID 31351 of the availability conditions 3135 associated with the privilege ID 3131 corresponding to the received second privilege ID, and updates the privilege information master 313 (S109).

[0083] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of user information registration processing according to the second embodiment. First, the privilege information issuing device 300 receives a registration request including a facial image, terminal information, attribute information, and payment information of the user U1 from the user terminal 100 via the network N (S111). Next, the privilege information issuing device 300 transmits a facial information registration request including the facial image to the authentication device 200 via the network N (S112). In response to this, the authentication device 200 performs a facial information registration process.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of face information registration processing by the authentication device according to the second embodiment. First, the authentication device 200 receives a face information registration request (S201). For example, the authentication device 200 receives the face information registration request from the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N. Next, the face detection unit 220 detects a face area from the face image included in the face information registration request (S202). Then, the feature point extraction unit 230 extracts feature points (facial feature information) from the face area detected in step S202 (S203). Then, the registration unit 240 issues a user ID 211 (S204). Then, the registration unit 240 associates the extracted facial feature information 212 with the issued user ID 211 and registers them in the face information DB 210 (S205). Then, the registration unit 240 returns the issued user ID 211 to the request source (e.g., the privilege information issuing device 300) (S206). The authentication device 200 may perform the face information registration process in response to a face information registration request received from an arbitrary information registration terminal. For example, the information registration terminal is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0085] 10 , the description will be continued. The privileged information issuing device 300 receives the face information registration result (user ID) from the authentication device 200 via the network N (S113). Then, the privileged information issuing device 300 associates the received user ID 3121 with the terminal information 3122, attribute information 3123, and payment information 3124 accepted in step S101, and registers them in the user information 312 (S114).

[0086] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the admission credential information registration process according to the second embodiment. It is assumed that user U1 has registered user information with the privilege information issuing device 300 and has purchased admission credential information for an event to be held on a specific date at the event venue 40. At this time, the user terminal 100 acquires the admission credential information purchased by user U1 (S121). For example, the user terminal 100 may accept input of identification information for the admission credential information from user U1. Alternatively, the user terminal 100 may acquire information related to the admission credential information notified from a purchasing site for the admission credential information. The user terminal 100 then photographs the face of user U1 (S122). The user terminal 100 then transmits a registration request including the face image and the admission credential information to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N (S123).

[0087] The privilege information issuing device 300 then transmits a face authentication request including the received face image to the authentication device 200 via the network N (S124). In response to this, the authentication device 200 performs face authentication processing (S125).

[0088] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of facial authentication processing by the authentication device 200 according to the second embodiment. First, the authentication device 200 receives a facial authentication request from the bonus information issuing device 300 via the network N (S211). Next, the authentication device 200 extracts facial feature information from the facial image included in the facial authentication request, similar to steps S202 and S203 described above. Then, the authentication unit 250 of the authentication device 200 compares the facial feature information extracted from the facial image included in the facial authentication request with the facial feature information 212 in the facial information DB 210 (S212) and calculates a degree of match. Then, the authentication unit 250 determines whether the degree of match is equal to or greater than a threshold (S213). If the facial feature information matches, i.e., if the degree of match is equal to or greater than the threshold, the authentication unit 250 identifies the user ID 211 associated with the facial feature information 212 (S214). Then, the authentication unit 250 returns the face authentication result, including the fact that the face authentication was successful and the identified user ID 211, to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N (S215). If the degree of match is less than the threshold in step S213, the authentication unit 250 returns the face authentication result, including the fact that the face authentication was unsuccessful, to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N (S216).

[0089] Returning to FIG. 12 , the description will continue. The privileged information issuing device 300 receives the face authentication result from the authentication device 200 via the network N (S126). The privileged information issuing device 300 then determines whether or not face authentication was successful. Specifically, the privileged information issuing device 300 refers to the face authentication result, and determines that face authentication was successful if the face authentication result includes a user ID. If it is determined that face authentication was unsuccessful, the privileged information issuing device 300 may return a message to the user terminal 100 via the network N indicating that the user failed face authentication.

[0090] If the face authentication is successful, the privilege information issuing device 300 associates the user ID 3121 included in the face authentication result with the admission qualification information 3125 received in step S123 and registers them in the user information 312 (S127).

[0091] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reward information issuance process according to the second embodiment. First, the reward information issuance device 300 performs a target identification process (S131). Here, the target identification process is a process for identifying a target user (user information, user ID) and a target event (event information, event ID) for the reward information issuance process. Examples 2-1 to 2-3 in FIGS. 15 to 17 will be given below as examples of the target identification process, but the present invention is not limited to these. As a premise, the reward information issuance device 300 determines that a target user is a user who has already purchased admission eligibility information for the target event.

[0092] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the target identification process according to Example 2-1 of the second embodiment. Example 2-1 is executed following the admission credential information registration process of FIG. 12 described above. First, after step S127 of FIG. 12 , the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the event information corresponding to the registered admission credential information as the target event (S141). Next, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the target event will be held within a predetermined period from the current date (S142). If the event date is within the predetermined period from the current date, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the user ID for which the admission credential information is registered as the target user (S143). Then, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the terminal information (user terminal) of the target user (S144). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the terminal information 3122 associated with the user ID 3121 of the target user from the user information 312. Then, the process proceeds to step S132 of FIG. 14 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S142 that the event date is not within the predetermined period from the current date, the privilege information issuing device 300 ends the privilege information issuing process.

[0093] 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the target identification process according to Example 2-2 of the second embodiment. Example 2-2 illustrates a case in which user U1 makes a bonus issuance request after registering user information and admission qualification information. In this case, in response to a bonus issuance request from user U1, user terminal 100 photographs the face of user U1 and transmits a bonus issuance request including the face image to bonus information issuing device 300 via network N.

[0094] In response to this, the reward information issuing device 300 receives a reward issuance request including the user's facial image from the user terminal 100 via the network N (S151). Then, the reward information issuing device 300 transmits a face authentication request including the facial image to the authentication device 200 via the network N (S152). In response to this, the authentication device 200 performs face authentication processing in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 13. Then, the reward information issuing device 300 receives a face authentication result from the authentication device 200 (S153). Then, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether or not the face authentication was successful (S154).

[0095] If the facial authentication is successful, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the user ID whose facial authentication was successful (S155). Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300 acquires the user ID from the received facial authentication result. Then, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the event information corresponding to the admission qualification information associated with the identified user ID as the target event (S156). Then, the privilege information issuing device 300 determines whether the target event will be held within a predetermined period from the current date (S157). If the event date is within the predetermined period from the current date, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the identified user ID as the target user (S158). Then, the process proceeds to step S132 of FIG. 14. On the other hand, if the facial authentication fails in step S154 or if the event date is not within the predetermined period from the current date in step S157, the privilege information issuing device 300 terminates the privilege information issuance process.

[0096] 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the target identification process according to Example 2-3 of Embodiment 2. Example 2-3 is a case in which the privilege information issuing device 300 starts executing the target identification process at any timing after registering the user information and the admission qualification information.

[0097] First, the privilege information issuing device 300 determines whether it is time to issue privilege information (S161). For example, if the execution of the privilege information issuing process is scheduled periodically, the privilege information issuing device 300 determines that it is time to issue privilege information if the scheduled date and time arrives.

[0098] Next, the privilege information issuing device 300 determines whether or not there is event information whose date falls within a predetermined period from the current date (S162). If it is not the timing to issue privilege information or if there is no event information within the predetermined period in step S161, step S161 is executed again after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0099] If event information within the predetermined period is found in step S162, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the corresponding event information as a target event (S163). The privilege information issuing device 300 then identifies the user ID associated with the admission qualification information corresponding to the identified event information as a target user (S164). The privilege information issuing device 300 then identifies the terminal information (user terminal) of the target user (S165). The process then proceeds to step S132 in FIG. 14 .

[0100] Returning to FIG. 14 , the description continues. Next, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the attribute information of the target user (S132). Then, the reward information issuing device 300 selects first reward information that satisfies the issuance conditions based on the attribute information and the target event (S133). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 narrows down the reward IDs 3131 from the reward information master 313, for which the identified attribute information and the target event are defined in the issuance conditions 3134. For example, the reward information issuing device 300 may determine that the issuance conditions are met if the degree of match between the user's age, gender, membership rank, hobbies, etc. indicated by the attribute information is equal to or greater than a threshold. Alternatively, the reward information issuing device 300 may determine that the issuance conditions are met if the current date is within a predetermined period before the date of the target event. Alternatively, the reward information issuing device 300 may select first reward information that satisfies the issuance conditions based on admission eligibility information purchased by the target user. For example, the reward information issuing device 300 may determine that the issuance conditions are met if the seat grade is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, or if the price of the ticket purchased this time, the total purchase price of past tickets, the average purchase price, etc., exceed a threshold. The privilege information issuing device 300 may select the first privilege information for either the event venue 40 or the second commercial facility 41 as the target facility (first facility).

[0101] The reward information issuing device 300 then issues the selected first reward information to the target user (S134). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 generates reward management information 315 by associating the reward ID 3131, target facility 3132, and reward content 3133 of the selected first reward information as an issued reward ID 3151, target facility 3155, and reward content 3156. The reward information issuing device 300 also sets the target user as a user ID 3152, the current date and time as an issue date and time 3153, and a validity period 3154 based on the issuance conditions 3134, for the generated reward management information 315. The reward information issuing device 300 also sets the usage status flag 3157 of the generated reward management information 315 to "available." The reward information issuing device 300 registers the generated and set reward management information 315 in the storage unit 310.

[0102] Next, the reward information issuing device 300 selects second reward information for which the use of the first reward information is set as an availability condition (S135). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 selects, from the reward information master 313, information for which the reward ID 3131 of the first reward information is set as the use reward ID 31351. The reward information issuing device 300 may also select the second reward information by narrowing down the reward information for which a second facility different from the target facility 3132 of the first reward information is set as the target facility 3132. For example, if the target facility of the first reward information is the first commercial facility 403, the reward information issuing device 300 narrows down the reward information to those for which the target facility 3132 is any one of the second commercial facilities 41 to 4n. Furthermore, when the target facility of the first special offer information is any one of the second commercial facilities 41 to 4n, the special offer information issuing device 300 narrows down the special offer information to those whose target facility 3132 is the first commercial facility 403. This narrows down the selection targets, and can improve processing efficiency.

[0103] The reward information issuing device 300 then issues the selected second reward information to the target user (S136). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 generates reward management information 315 by associating the reward ID 3131, target facility 3132, and reward content 3133 of the selected second reward information as an issued reward ID 3151, target facility 3155, and reward content 3156. The reward information issuing device 300 also sets the target user as the user ID 3152 and the current date and time as the issue date and time 3153 for the generated reward management information 315. The reward information issuing device 300 also sets the usage status flag 3157 of the generated reward management information 315 to "unavailable" and sets the first reward ID as the usage condition 3158. The reward information issuing device 300 registers the generated and set reward management information 315 in the storage unit 310.

[0104] Thereafter, the privilege information issuing device 300 notifies the user terminal of the target user of the issued set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability conditions set for the second privilege information (S137). In response, the user terminal 100 displays the notified set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability conditions.

[0105] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example 2-1 of a set of benefit information on the user terminal 100 according to the second embodiment. The first coupon 71 is an example of first benefit information, and the second coupon 72 is an example of second benefit information, each of which is an electronic coupon. The first coupon 71 has a usage status flag 711 set to "Available," indicating that benefit content 712 is available at store A (e.g., second commercial facility 41) near the event venue 40, only on the day of the event. The benefit content 712 may be, for example, "5% off all items" at store A, but is not limited to this. The first coupon 71 may be eligible for use when the purchase amount exceeds a predetermined amount.

[0106] The second coupon 72 indicates that the usage status flag 721 is "unavailable" and that a special offer 722 is available at store B (first commercial facility 403) within the event venue 40, but only on the day of the event. The special offer 722 may be, for example, "one free drink" at store B, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the second coupon 72 indicates that the usage condition 723 is the use of the first coupon 71.

[0107] Therefore, the second coupon 72 can also be said to be a coupon that allows one drink to be purchased for free at store B within the event venue 40 if, for example, a coupon for 5% off all items is used when spending XX yen or more at store A (a nearby facility) on the day of the event (match).

[0108] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example 2-2 of a set of benefit information on the user terminal 100 according to the second embodiment. The first coupon 73 is an example of first benefit information, and the second coupon 74 is an example of second benefit information, each of which is an electronic coupon. The first coupon 73 has a usage status flag 731 set to "Available," indicating that benefit content 732 is available at store C (first commercial facility 403) within the event venue 40, only on the day of the event. The benefit content 732 may be, for example, "10% off merchandise" at store C, but is not limited to this. The first coupon 73 may be eligible for use when the payment amount exceeds a predetermined amount.

[0109] The second coupon 74 indicates that the usage status flag 741 is "unavailable" and that a special offer 742 is available for use only on the day of the event at a store D (such as the second commercial facility 4n) in the vicinity of the event venue 40. The special offer 742 may be, for example, "5% off a set meal" at store D, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the second coupon 74 indicates that the usage condition 743 is the use of the first coupon 73.

[0110] Therefore, the second coupon 74 can also be said to be a coupon that gives 5% off a set meal at store D (a nearby facility) if, for example, a coupon for 10% off is used when spending XX yen or more on merchandise at store C within the event venue 40 on the day of the event (match).

[0111] Note that, instead of the user terminal 100 capturing an image of the user's face each time before step S122 in FIG. 12 or the target identification process according to Example 2-2 in FIG. 16 , the following process may be performed. For example, if the facial image used when registering user information is stored in the storage unit 110, the user terminal 100 may read out the facial image instead of step S122. Alternatively, if the user ID issued when registering user information is stored in the storage unit 110, the user terminal 100 may read out the user ID instead of step S122, and transmit a registration request including the user ID and admission qualification information to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N. In this case, the privilege information issuing device 300 may omit the facial authentication process.

[0112] 20 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process for using first benefit information by a user according to the second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that a set of a first coupon and a second coupon has already been issued to user U1. Furthermore, it is assumed that user U1 uses the first coupon when making a payment at store A.

[0113] First, user U1 decides which items to purchase at store A and approaches payment terminal 51 to make payment. Then, payment terminal 51 scans the purchased items and inputs and displays payment information via touch panel 550 (S301). In response, user terminal 100 displays display example 2-1 of FIG. 18 described above, accepts user U1's selection of first coupon 71, and displays first coupon 71 as selected (S302). Then, user U1 holds the code information of first coupon 71 displayed on user terminal 100 over camera 540 of payment terminal 51. In response, payment terminal 51 reads the first coupon and extracts a bonus ID (S303). Specifically, payment terminal 51 photographs the code information of first coupon 71 with camera 540, analyzes the photographed image, and extracts the bonus ID. Next, camera 540 of payment terminal 51 photographs user U1's face (S304).

[0114] In response to this, the payment terminal 51 transmits a face authentication payment request including the face image of the user U1, the payment target information, the benefit ID, and the terminal information 512 to the benefit information issuing device 300 via the network N (S305). Then, the benefit information issuing device 300 performs a benefit information usage process (S306).

[0115] 21 and 22 are flowcharts showing the flow of the bonus information usage process according to the second embodiment. First, the bonus information issuing device 300 receives a facial recognition payment request including a facial image, a bonus ID, payment target information, and terminal information from the payment terminal 51 via the network N (S311). Then, the bonus information issuing device 300 transmits a facial recognition request including the facial image to the authentication device 200 via the network N (S312). In response to this, the authentication device 200 performs a facial recognition process similar to that shown in FIG. 13 above. Then, the bonus information issuing device 300 receives a facial recognition result from the authentication device 200 (S313). Then, the bonus information issuing device 300 determines whether the facial authentication was successful (S314).

[0116] If facial authentication is successful, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the user ID whose facial authentication was successful (S315). Then, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the commercial facility corresponding to the terminal information is a target facility of the received reward ID (S316). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the commercial facility from the terminal information included in the facial recognition payment request. The reward information issuing device 300 also identifies, from the reward management information 315, a target facility 3155 associated with the combination of the reward ID (issued reward ID 3151) included in the facial recognition payment request and the identified user ID 3152. Then, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the identified commercial facility is the identified target facility 3155. If the commercial facility is determined to be the target facility in step S316, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the usage status flag 3157 for the combination of the reward ID 3151 included in the facial recognition payment request and the identified user ID 3152 is "available" (S317).

[0117] If the usage status flag 3157 is "available," the reward information issuing device 300 performs payment processing for the payment target information using the payment information and reward details for the user ID (S318). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies payment information 3124 associated with the identified user ID 3121 from the user information 312. Then, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies reward details 3156 associated with the pair of the issued reward ID 3151 and the identified user ID 3152 from the reward management information 315. The reward information issuing device 300 then calculates the payment amount by applying the identified reward details 3156 to the amount of the payment target information included in the facial recognition payment request. For example, if the reward details 3156 are "5% off all items," the reward information issuing device 300 calculates the payment amount by deducting 5% from the amount of the payment target information. The bonus information issuing device 300 then sends an instruction to a payment server (not shown) to debit the payment amount using the specified payment information 3124, and receives the payment result. Note that the payment server is a well-known server operated by a financial institution or the like, and therefore is not shown in the figure or described in detail here.

[0118] The privilege information issuing device 300 then updates the usage status flag of the used privilege information to "used" (S319). Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300 updates the usage status flag 3157 associated with the pair of the issued privilege ID 3151 and the identified user ID 3152 in the privilege management information 315 to "used".

[0119] Next, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the issued reward ID associated with the user ID is a first coupon whose usage condition 3158 indicates the used reward ID is "used" and whose usage status flag is "unusable" (S320). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 searches the reward management information 315 for the issued reward ID associated with the identified user ID 3152. Then, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the searched issued reward ID is a first coupon whose usage condition 3158 indicates the used reward ID is "used". In addition, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the usage status flag 3157 of the searched issued reward ID is "unusable". If the usage condition 3158 indicates the used reward ID is "used" and the usage status flag is "unusable" in step S320, the reward information issuing device 300 identifies the corresponding issued reward ID 3151 as a second coupon (S321).

[0120] The reward information issuing device 300 then determines the reward content of the second coupon based on the payment amount in the payment process (S322). For example, if the payment amount is equal to or greater than a certain amount, the discount rate or amount of the reward content of the second coupon may be increased. The reward information issuing device 300 then registers the determined reward content as the reward content of the second coupon (S323). Note that steps S322 and S323 are not required.

[0121] The privilege information issuing device 300 then updates the usage status flag of the second coupon to "available" (S324). Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300 updates the usage status flag 3157 associated with the pair of the issued privilege ID 3151 of the second coupon and the identified user ID 3152 in the privilege management information 315 to "available." After step S324, the process proceeds to step S307 in FIG. 20 .

[0122] If the used privilege ID is not "used" or the usage status flag is not "unusable" in step S320, the privilege information usage process is terminated.

[0123] If facial authentication fails in step S314, the reward information issuing device 300 returns a notice to the payment terminal 51 indicating that payment is not possible (S331). If the commercial facility is not a target facility in step S316, or if the usage status flag 3157 is not "available" in step S317, i.e., is "unavailable" or "already used," the reward information issuing device 300 performs payment processing without using reward information. That is, the reward information issuing device 300 performs payment processing for the payment target information using the payment information for the identified user ID (S332). The payment processing method is the same as in step S318 described above. Thereafter, the reward information issuing device 300 returns a payment completion notice to the payment terminal 51, including a notice indicating that the first coupon is not available (S333). After steps S331 and S333, the reward information usage process ends.

[0124] Returning to FIG. 20 , the explanation continues. After step S324, the reward information issuing device 300 returns a payment completion notice to the payment terminal 51 via the network N (S307). At this time, the payment terminal 51 may display the payment completion notice on the touch panel 550. The reward information issuing device 300 also transmits a coupon update notice to the user terminal 100 via the network N (S308). Here, the coupon update notice includes information indicating that the availability flag of the first coupon 71 is used and that the availability flag of the second coupon 72 is available, as well as the reward details of the second coupon 72. In response to this, the user terminal 100 displays the received coupon update notice (S309).

[0125] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a notification of the availability of special offer information on the user terminal 100 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 23 illustrates a display example of the display example 2-1 of FIG. 18 after the first coupon 71 is selected, used, and paid for at store A. The first coupon 71a indicates that the usage status flag 711a for the first coupon 71 has been updated to "used." Meanwhile, the second coupon 72a indicates that the usage status flag 721a for the second coupon 72 is "available" and "free fries" has been added to the special offer details 722a. The update notification message 724 may display, for example, "The first coupon has been used, so it is now available!" This allows user U1 to easily understand that the second coupon 72a is now available due to the consumption behavior of using the first coupon 71 at store A.

[0126] 24 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process for using second benefit information by a user according to the second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that a set of a first coupon and a second coupon has already been issued to user U1, and user U1 has already paid using the first coupon at the above-mentioned store A. Therefore, it is assumed that the first coupon has been used and the second coupon is available for use.

[0127] First, user U1 decides on the food and drink items to purchase at store B (first commercial facility 403) and approaches payment terminal 50 to make payment. Then, payment terminal 50 inputs and displays payment target information (S301). In response, user terminal 100 displays the display example shown in FIG. 23 described above, accepts user U1's selection of second coupon 72a, and displays second coupon 72a as selected (S302a). Then, user U1 holds the code information of second coupon 72a displayed on user terminal 100 over camera 540 of payment terminal 50. In response, payment terminal 50 reads the second coupon and extracts the bonus ID (S303a). Subsequently, steps S304 to S306 of FIG. 20 described above are executed. In this example, in step S318 of FIG. 20, the reward content 3156 is "one drink + free fries," so the reward information issuing device 300 calculates the payment amount by subtracting the price of one drink and fries from the price of the payment target information. Then, in step S320 of FIG. 21, since there is no corresponding second coupon, the process ends and a payment completion notice is sent in step S307. The reward information issuing device 300 also sends a coupon update notice to the user terminal 100 via network N (S308a). Here, the coupon update notice includes information indicating that the availability flag for the second coupon 72 has been used. In response, the user terminal 100 displays the received coupon update notice (S309).

[0128] Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the display of benefit information after it has been used on the user terminal according to the present embodiment 2. Fig. 25 shows an example of the display of the display example of Fig. 23 described above after the second coupon 72a has been selected and used at store B for payment. The second coupon 72b indicates that the usage status flag 721b for the second coupon 72a has been updated to "used."

[0129] As described above, in this embodiment, a set of special offer information is issued that links special offer information available at commercial facilities within the event venue with special offer information available at commercial facilities nearby the event venue. In other words, a set of multiple special offer information items available at different facilities is issued. In particular, when a consumer engages in a purchase using a first special offer information item at a first facility, the second special offer information item available at a second facility becomes available. This information is notified to the user when the set of special offer information is issued, i.e., when the first special offer information item is available but the second special offer information item is not. Therefore, the user is strongly motivated to engage in a purchase at the first facility by not only receiving the special offer provided by the first special offer information, but also receiving the special offer provided by the second special offer information, provided the first special offer information item is used. This can support collaborations, such as mutual customer referrals, between facilities issuing coupons within an area including the event venue.

[0130] <Embodiment 3> This embodiment 3 is a modification of the above-described embodiment 2. The specifying unit and issuing unit according to this embodiment 3 determine a notification priority for each of a plurality of pieces of first benefit information based on attribute information previously associated with the user. Then, the specifying unit and issuing unit select two or more pieces of benefit information that satisfy the issuance conditions according to the determined priority, and issue each of the selected pieces of benefit information as first benefit information. Then, the notifying unit notifies the first benefit information according to the priority.

[0131] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reward information issuance process according to the third embodiment. Steps S131 and S132 are the same as those shown in FIG. 14 . After step S132, the reward information issuance device 300 references the reward management information 315 and determines the notification priority of each piece of reward information based on the target user's attribute information and the target event (S133a). For example, the reward information issuance device 300 may determine the notification priority for the target user based on the attribute information priority order that prioritizes rows included in the issuance conditions 3134 for each piece of reward information. For example, if the attribute information indicates a female gender, a cafe may be given higher priority than an izakaya as the target facility of the reward information, whereas if the attribute information indicates a male gender, an izakaya may be given higher priority than a cafe as the target facility of the reward information. The reward information issuance device 300 then selects two or more pieces of reward information that satisfy the other issuance conditions according to the determined priorities (S133b). The reward information issuance device 300 then issues each of the selected pieces of reward information to the target user as first reward information (S134a).

[0132] The reward information issuing device 300 then selects, for each of the selected first reward information, second reward information in which the use of the first reward information is set as a usage condition (S135a). The reward information issuing device 300 may also determine a priority for the second reward information based on the attribute information of the target user and select two or more pieces of second reward information according to the priority. The reward information issuing device 300 then issues each selected piece of second reward information to the target user (S136a). The reward information issuing device 300 then notifies the user terminal of the target user of the issued pair of first reward information and second reward information and the usage condition set for the second reward information according to the priority (S137a).

[0133] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a display example 3-1 of a set of benefit information on the user terminal 100 according to the third embodiment. Here, the first coupon 75 has a usage status flag 751 set to "Available," indicating that a benefit 752 is available at a cafe E near the event venue 40, limited to the day of the event. The benefit 752 may be, for example, "20% off a cake set" at cafe E, but is not limited thereto. The first coupon 76 has a usage status flag 761 set to "Available," indicating that a benefit 762 is available at an izakaya F near the event venue 40, limited to the day of the event. The benefit 762 may be, for example, "a free full beer" at izakaya F, but is not limited thereto. The second coupon 77 has a usage status flag 771 set to "Unavailable," indicating that a benefit 772 is available at a store G within the event venue 40, limited to the day of the event. The benefit 772 may be, for example, "5% off merchandise" at store G, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the availability condition 773 for the second coupon 72 is "use of the first coupon," which indicates that the second coupon 72 can be used by using either the first coupon 75 or 76. In particular, in the example of Figure 27, if the target user is a woman, the first coupon 75 for Cafe E is displayed with a higher priority than the first coupon 76 for Izakaya F.

[0134] 28 is a diagram showing a display example 3-2 of a set of benefit information on the user terminal 100 according to the present embodiment 3. Compared to the example of FIG. 27 described above, when the target user is a male, the first coupon 76 for Izakaya F is displayed with a higher priority than the first coupon 75 for Cafe E.

[0135] In this way, according to the third embodiment, a set of special information that matches the user's preferences is preferentially displayed, which can improve the utilization rate of special information.

[0136] The identification unit and the issuing unit may select and issue a set of first reward information and second reward information that meets an issuance condition based on attribute information previously associated with the user from among a plurality of first reward information available at the first facility and a plurality of second reward information available at the second facility. That is, the set of coupons may be dynamically determined for each user. For example, the reward information issuing device 300 may dynamically determine the set of coupons using an AI (Artificial Intelligence) model. That is, the AI ​​model may receive a target event, attribute information of the target user, a plurality of first reward information, and a plurality of second reward information with usage conditions set, and output a set of first reward information and second reward information. The AI ​​model is assumed to have trained using a set of input data and output data as training data. This allows for detailed response to diversifying user needs and presents a diverse set of reward information that meets those needs, thereby further improving the usage rate of reward information.

[0137] <Other Embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the personal authentication has been described as facial authentication, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the payment process has been described as facial authentication payment, but it may be applied to other payment methods. Furthermore, the personal authentication when issuing special offer information, when entering and exiting an event venue, and when using special offer information at commercial facilities within the event venue or nearby commercial facilities are not limited to facial authentication, and other personal authentication methods, as described below, may be applied.

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, the identity authentication (identification of identity, identity identification processing, etc.) has been described as face authentication. However, other biometric authentication methods using biometric information may be used. Other technologies using captured images of a person may be applied to the biometric authentication and biometric information. For example, biometric information may be data (features) calculated from physical characteristics unique to an individual, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, veins, retinas, irises, and palm patterns. Furthermore, biometric authentication may involve extracting feature information indicating a person's physical characteristics from a captured image of a portion of the user's body, comparing the extracted feature information with pre-registered feature information, and determining that authentication is successful if the degree of match is equal to or greater than a threshold. For example, biometric authentication may be based on a person's external shape. In this case, the feature information may be information related to the person's external shape, such as information indicating characteristics such as body shape, height, and clothing. Furthermore, other identity authentication methods may be applied instead of biometric authentication, and the biometric information may also be other identity authentication information. For example, the personal authentication information may include, but is not limited to, a user ID, a combination of ID and password, the contents of an identification card such as a My Number or a driver's license (identification number or password), an electronic certificate, code information, etc. The code information may be a two-dimensional code, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0139] In the second embodiment, the authentication device 200 and the bonus information issuing device 300 are described as separate information processing devices, but they may be the same device. For example, the bonus information issuing device 300 may register facial feature information in association with the user ID 3121 of the user information 312. In this case, the control unit 340 may further include the functions of the face detection unit 220, feature point extraction unit 230, registration unit 240, and authentication unit 250 shown in FIG. 4.

[0140] Furthermore, the availability condition set for the second benefit information may include, for example, the following conditions: (1) Total payment amount at one or more first facilities: The availability condition may be that the payment amount in a consumer behavior at the first facility using the first benefit information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (e.g., 2,000 yen or more). In this case, the payment amount in the availability condition may be the payment amount at one store belonging to the first facility, or the total payment amount at multiple stores belonging to the first facility. (2) Consumer behavior at multiple first facilities: The availability condition may be that the number of stores at the first facility where the consumer performed the consumer behavior using the first benefit information exceeds a predetermined number, or that the total payment amount at each store, or each payment amount at each store, is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. (3) Purchase of a specific product: The availability condition may be that a specific product is purchased at the first facility using the first benefit information or that a usage fee for a provided service is paid. Facility or area personnel can specify a product or service that they wish to increase sales or raise awareness of, which can promote the use of the specific product or service. (4) Consumption behavior is facial recognition payment The first benefit information may be usable for payments using other personal authentication methods, not just facial recognition. However, the second benefit information may be issued as usable only when the first benefit information is a payment using "facial recognition." In other words, the availability condition set for the second benefit information may be that the consumption behavior using the first benefit information at the first facility is a payment using "facial recognition." This may promote the use of facial recognition among payments using personal authentication.

[0141] The combination of the first reward information and the second reward information may be selected by the user. For example, when issuing reward information, the reward information issuing device 300 notifies the user terminal of a list of multiple first reward information and multiple second reward information, causing the list to be displayed. The user then selects a pair of the first reward information and the second reward information from the list displayed on the user terminal. The user terminal transmits the pair of the first reward ID and the second reward ID selected by the user to the reward information issuing device 300. The reward information issuing device 300 issues first reward information corresponding to the received first reward ID, and issues second reward information in which the received first reward ID is set as the usage reward ID of the usage conditions corresponding to the received second reward ID (issued reward ID).

[0142] Furthermore, the consumption behavior using the first special offer information at the first facility is not limited to facial recognition payment, but may also include successful identity authentication at an identity authentication terminal installed at a specific location within area 4. For example, the availability conditions set for the second special offer information may include entering and exiting a specific location using facial recognition, checking in at an accommodation facility using facial recognition, etc.

[0143] 12 does not necessarily require successful facial authentication to register the admission credential information. For example, if a user ID issued when registering user information is stored in the user terminal, the user terminal may transmit a registration request including the user ID and admission credential information to the privilege information issuing device 300 in place of a facial image in step S123. In this case, the privilege information issuing device 300 may associate the user ID and admission credential information included in the received registration request and register them in the user information. Alternatively, the sales server of the admission credential information may transmit a registration request including the purchaser's user ID and admission credential information to the privilege information issuing device 300 when purchasing the admission credential information, and register the information.

[0144] The admission credential information registration process shown in FIG. 12 may be performed by an information registration terminal instead of the user terminal 100. The information registration terminal may be, for example, a KIOSK terminal installed in a station or a commercial facility. In this case, for example, the user terminal 100 transfers the admission credential information to the KIOSK terminal. Alternatively, the user inputs the admission credential information to the KIOSK terminal. The KIOSK terminal then transmits the acquired admission credential information and a facial image of the user captured by the KIOSK terminal to the reward information issuing device 300. When the current location is used to issue the reward information, the location information of the KIOSK terminal may be used. The reward information issuing device 300 may also notify the KIOSK terminal of the issued reward information. At this time, the KIOSK terminal may display code information or the like of the reward information in a manner that is visible to the user, and the user terminal may acquire the reward information by scanning the code information displayed on the KIOSK terminal screen. Alternatively, the KIOSK terminal may print and output code information of the received bonus information, etc. Alternatively, the bonus information issuing device 300 may notify the terminal information (user terminal) of the user identified by face authentication of the issued bonus information.

[0145] The issuing unit may select special benefit information according to the attributes of the event and issue, present, or notify the user. For example, if the event is a sports match, a coupon that can be used at a store selling cheering goods may be issued and the user may be directed to that store. If the event is an exam, a coupon that can be used at a quiet cafe may be issued and the user may be directed to that cafe.

[0146] Furthermore, the validity period (usable period) of the bonus information may be a predetermined period such as a few hours including at least one of the time periods before and after the start of the event, only on the day of the event, or several weeks including the day of the event.

[0147] Furthermore, the second coupons displayed in the above-mentioned Figures 18, 19, 27, and 28, etc. may be inactive before the usage conditions are met, and may become selectably active when the usage conditions are met.

[0148] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0149] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure may be implemented by appropriately combining the respective embodiments.

[0150] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes: (Supplementary Note A1) A privilege information issuing device comprising: an issuing means for issuing, to a user who has purchased admission credential information enabling entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first privilege information usable at a first facility that is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second privilege information in which an availability condition is set that enables the use of the first privilege information at a second facility different from the first facility among the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility when the user engages in consumption behavior using the first privilege information at the first facility; and a notifying means for notifying a terminal of the user of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability condition set for the second privilege information. (Supplementary Note A2) The reward information issuing device according to Supplementary Note A1, wherein the issuing means, when the user engages in consumption behavior at the first facility using the first reward information, updates the second reward information to make it available, and the notifying means notifies the user's terminal that the second reward information has become available. (Supplementary Note A3) The reward information issuing device according to Supplementary Note A2, wherein, when the user engages in consumption behavior at the first facility using the first reward information, the issuing means determines a reward content of the second reward information according to an amount paid for the consumption behavior, and the notifying means further notifies the user's terminal of the determined reward content of the second reward information. (Supplementary Note A4) The reward information issuing device according to any one of Supplements A1 to A3, wherein the issuing means selects reward information that satisfies an issuance condition based on attribute information previously associated with the user from a plurality of first reward information available at the first facility, and issues the selected first reward information as the first reward information. (Appendix A5) The bonus information issuing device described in Appendix A4, wherein the issuing means determines a notification priority for each of the multiple first bonus information based on attribute information previously associated with the user, selects two or more bonus information that satisfy the issuance conditions according to the priority, and issues each of the selected bonus information as the first bonus information, and the notifying means notifies the first bonus information according to the priority.(Appendix A6) The reward information issuing device according to any one of Appendices A1 to A3, wherein the issuing means selects and issues a set of the first reward information and the second reward information that satisfies an issuance condition based on attribute information previously associated with the user from among a plurality of pieces of first reward information available at the first facility and a plurality of pieces of second reward information available at the second facility. (Appendix A7) The reward information issuing device according to any one of Appendices A1 to A6, wherein the issuing means registers in a storage means personal authentication information for registration of the user and terminal information held by the user, in association with each other; authentication control means, when receiving the user's personal authentication information for authentication and the entrance qualification information, controls personal authentication by referring to the storage means using the personal authentication information for authentication; the issuing means issues the first reward information and the second reward information if the personal authentication is successful; and the notifying means notifies the user's terminal of the terminal information associated with the personal authentication information that has been successfully authenticated. (Appendix B1) A reward information issuing system comprising: a storage device that stores first reward information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within an event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second reward information that can be used at a second facility, which is different from the first facility, of the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility; a reward information issuing device connected to the storage device, wherein the reward information issuing device comprises: issuing means that refers to the storage device and issues the first reward information and the second reward information, the second reward information having set availability conditions that make the first reward information available when a user purchases admission eligibility information that enables entry to the event venue through personal authentication, to a user; and notification means that notifies the user's terminal of a set of the first reward information and the second reward information and the availability conditions set for the second reward information.and a notification means for notifying the user's terminal that the second privilege information has become available. (Appendix C1) A bonus information issuing method, comprising: a computer issuing, to a user who has purchased admission qualification information enabling entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first bonus information that can be used at a first facility that is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second bonus information in which an availability condition is set that allows the second bonus information to be used at a second facility different from the first facility out of the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility when the user engages in consumption behavior using the first bonus information at the first facility; and notifying the user's terminal of a set of the first bonus information and the second bonus information and the availability condition set for the second bonus information. (Appendix D1) A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a bonus information issuance program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: an issuance process that issues, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information that enables entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first bonus information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility near the event venue, and second bonus information that sets availability conditions that make the bonus information usable at a second facility, different from the first facility, out of the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility, by engaging in consumption behavior using the first bonus information at the first facility; and a notification process that notifies the user's terminal of a pair of the first bonus information and the second bonus information and the availability conditions set in the second bonus information.

[0151] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments (and examples), the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments (and examples). Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0152] 1 Privilege information issuing device 11 Issuance unit 12 Notification unit 1000 Privilege information issuing system N Network U1 User U20 Facility staff U21 Facility staff U2n Facility staff U3 Area staff 100 User terminal 110 Storage unit 111 Program 112 Terminal information 120 Memory 130 Communication unit 140 Camera 150 Touch panel 160 Control unit 161 Registration unit 162 Privilege processing unit 200 Authentication device 210 Face information DB 211 User ID 212 Face feature information 220 Face detection unit 230 Feature point extraction unit 240 Registration unit 250 Authentication unit 300 Privilege information issuing device 310 Storage unit 311 Program 312 User information 3121 User ID 3122 Terminal information 3123 Attribute information 3124 Payment information 3125 Admission qualification information 313 Privilege information master 3131 Privilege ID 3132 Target facility 3133 Privilege content 3134 Issuance conditions 3135 Usage conditions 31351 Used privilege ID 314 Event information 315 Privilege management information 3151 Issued privilege ID 3152 User ID 3153 Issue date and time 3154 Validity period 3155 Target facility 3156 Privilege content 3157 Usage status flag 3158 Usage conditions 320 Memory 330 Communication unit 340 Control unit 341 Registration unit 342 Authentication control unit 343 Identification unit 344 Issuance unit 345 Notification unit 346 Admission determination unit 347 Payment control unit 4 Area 40 Event venue 401 Entrance control terminal 402 Event hall 403 First commercial facility 50 Payment terminal 60 Management terminal 41 Second commercial facility 51 Payment terminal 61 Management terminal 4n Second commercial facility 5n Payment terminal 6n Management terminal 600 Management terminal 410 Storage unit 411 Program 412 Terminal information 420 Memory 430 Communication unit 440 Camera 450 Touch panel 460 Control unit 461 Reception unit 462 Entrance control unit 510 Storage unit 511 Program 512 Terminal information 520 Memory 530 Communication unit540 Camera 550 Touch panel 560 Control unit 561 Reception unit 562 Payment control unit 71 First coupon 711 Usage status flag 712 Benefit details 72 Second coupon 721 Usage status flag 722 Benefit details 723 Usage conditions 73 First coupon 731 Usage status flag 732 Benefit details 74 Second coupon 741 Usage status flag 742 Benefit details 743 Usage conditions 71a First coupon 711a Usage status flag 72a Second coupon 721a Usage status flag 722a Benefit details 724 Update notification message 72b Second coupon 721b Usage status flag 75 First coupon 751 Usage status flag 752 Benefit details 76 First coupon 761 Usage status flag 762 Benefit details 77 Second coupon 771 Usage status flag 772 Benefit details 773 Usage conditions

Claims

1. an issuing means for issuing, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information enabling admission to an event venue through personal authentication, first privilege information available at a first facility which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility in the vicinity of the event venue, and second privilege information with an availability condition set so that the information can be used at a second facility different from the first facility among the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility by performing consumption behavior using the first privilege information at the first facility; a notification means for notifying a terminal of the user of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability condition set in the second privilege information; A special offer information issuing device comprising:

2. the issuing means updates the second benefit information to be available when the user performs a consumption behavior using the first benefit information at the first facility; The notification means notifies the user's terminal that the second benefit information is available.

2. The bonus information issuing device according to claim 1.

3. the issuing means, when the user performs a consumption behavior in the first facility using the first benefit information, determines a benefit content of the second benefit information according to a payment amount in the consumption behavior; The notification means further notifies the user's terminal of the determined benefit content of the second benefit information. The bonus information issuing device according to claim 2.

4. The issuing means selects, from among the plurality of pieces of first special offer information available at the first facility, special offer information that satisfies an issuing condition based on attribute information previously associated with the user, and issues the selected special offer information as the first special offer information. The bonus information issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the issuing means determines a notification priority for each of the plurality of first special offer information based on attribute information previously associated with the user, selects two or more pieces of special offer information that satisfy the issuing condition in accordance with the priority, and issues each of the selected pieces of special offer information as the first special offer information; The notification means notifies the first special information in accordance with the priority.

5. The bonus information issuing device according to claim 4.

6. The issuing means selects and issues a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information that satisfies an issuing condition based on attribute information previously associated with the user from among a plurality of the first privilege information available at the first facility and a plurality of the second privilege information available at the second facility. The bonus information issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. a registration means for registering the user's personal authentication information for registration in a storage means in association with terminal information possessed by the user; and an authentication control means for controlling the user authentication by referring to the storage means using the user authentication information for authentication when the user authentication information and the admission qualification information are received, the issuing means issues the first privilege information and the second privilege information when the identity authentication is successful; The notification means notifies the terminal information associated with the personal authentication information of the successful personal authentication to the terminal of the user as a destination. The bonus information issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. a storage device that stores first benefit information available at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility in an event venue or a second commercial facility in the vicinity of the event venue, and second benefit information available at a second facility, which is different from the first facility, among the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility; a privilege information issuing device connected to the storage device, The privilege information issuing device an issuing means for referencing the storage device and issuing to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information enabling admission to the event venue through personal authentication the first privilege information and the second privilege information, the second privilege information being set with an availability condition that allows the user to use the second privilege information by engaging in consumption behavior utilizing the first privilege information in the first facility; a notification means for notifying a terminal of the user of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability condition set in the second privilege information; A privilege information issuing system comprising:

9. the issuing means updates the second benefit information to be available when the user performs a consumption behavior using the first benefit information at the first facility; The notification means notifies the user's terminal that the second benefit information is available. The bonus information issuing system according to claim 8.

10. The computer issue, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information enabling admission to an event venue through personal authentication, first privilege information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility in the vicinity of the event venue, and second privilege information in which an availability condition is set that allows the information to be used at a second facility different from the first facility among the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility by engaging in consumption behavior using the first privilege information at the first facility; notifying a terminal of the user of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability condition set in the second privilege information; How bonus information is issued.

11. an issuance process for issuing, to a user who has purchased admission eligibility information enabling entry to an event venue through personal authentication, first privilege information that can be used at a first facility, which is either a first commercial facility within the event venue or a second commercial facility in the vicinity of the event venue, and second privilege information in which an availability condition is set that allows the information to be used at a second facility different from the first facility among the first commercial facility and the second commercial facility by performing consumption behavior using the first privilege information at the first facility; a notification process of notifying a terminal of the user of a set of the first privilege information and the second privilege information and the availability condition set in the second privilege information; A bonus information issuing program that causes a computer to execute the above.