Benefit information issuing device, system, method and program

Abstract

A benefit information issuance device (1) comprises: an acquisition unit (11) that acquires entrance qualification information for allowing, through personal identity authentication, an entrance-scheduled person to enter an event venue hosting a prescribed event; a calculation unit (12) that calculates, on the basis of the entrance qualification information, a time margin until a time attributable to the start of the event, from a scheduled arrival time or an arrival time of the entrance-scheduled person at a prescribed region including the event venue; an issuance unit (13) that issues benefit information which can be used at one or more commercial facilities neighboring the event venue; and a notification unit (14) that notifies a terminal of the entrance-scheduled person of the issued 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] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that provides coupons that can be used at restaurants near a station to people traveling from a starting point to a destination when an event is held in which a large number of people gather at a specific location.

[0003] Here, a unique economic zone can be formed in a specific area including the event venue and surrounding commercial facilities. In recent years, entry management to event venues using personal authentication such as biometric authentication, including facial recognition, is becoming more common.

[0004] JP 2016-042276 A

[0005] In order to avoid being late for the start of the event, people who plan to enter the event venue may arrive in the vicinity of the venue with a certain amount of time to spare, and adjust their time accordingly. However, even if people arrive early before the event starts, they may not be able to find a commercial facility suitable for adjusting their time due to the congestion on the day of the event, and they may not be able to make effective use of their free time.

[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 that encourages people planning to enter an event venue to use commercial facilities around the event venue, thereby helping them make effective use of their free time before the event begins.

[0007] The privilege information issuing device according to the present disclosure comprises an acquisition means for acquiring entry qualification information that enables a person planning to enter an event venue where a specified event is being held through personal authentication; a calculation means for calculating, based on the entry qualification information, the expected arrival time of the person planning to enter a specified area including the event venue or the margin of time from the arrival time to the time resulting from the start of the event; an issuing means for issuing privilege information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin of time; and a notification means for notifying the terminal of the person planning to enter of the issued privilege information.

[0008] The privilege information issuing system according to the present disclosure comprises: a storage device that stores, in association with each other, admission credential information that enables entry into an event venue where a specified event is being held through personal authentication, the personal authentication information of a person planning to attend who has purchased the admission credential information, and a terminal carried by the person planning to attend; and a privilege information issuing device connected to the storage device. The privilege information issuing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring the admission credential information; a calculation means for calculating, based on the admission credential information, the expected arrival time of the person planning to attend in a specified area including the event venue, or the leeway time from the arrival time to the time resulting from the start of the event; an issuing means for issuing privilege information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue, based on the leeway time; and a notification means for notifying the terminal of the person planning to attend of the issued privilege information.

[0009] The method of issuing bonus information disclosed herein involves a computer obtaining entry qualification information that enables a person planning to enter an event venue where a specified event is being held through personal authentication; calculating, based on the entry qualification information, the expected arrival time of the person planning to enter a specified area including the event venue or the time allowance between the arrival time and the time due to the start of the event; issuing bonus information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the time allowance; and notifying the terminal of the person planning to enter of the issued bonus information.

[0010] The privilege information issuance program disclosed herein causes a computer to execute the following processes: an acquisition process for acquiring entry eligibility information that enables a person planning to enter an event venue where a specified event is being held through personal authentication; a calculation process for calculating, based on the entry eligibility information, the expected arrival time of the person planning to enter a specified area including the event venue or the margin of time from the arrival time to the time resulting from the start of the event; an issuance process for issuing privilege information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue, based on the margin of time; and a notification process for notifying the terminal of the person planning to enter of the issued privilege information.

[0011] The present disclosure provides a bonus information issuing device, system, method, and program that encourages people planning to enter an event venue to use commercial facilities around the event venue, thereby helping them make effective use of their free time before the event begins.

[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 entrance 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 flowchart showing the flow of member information registration processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of face information registration processing by the authentication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of entrance qualification information registration processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of face authentication processing by the authentication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of privilege information issuing processing 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 diagram showing an example of the relationship between the positional relationship and the required time of an event venue, nearby commercial facilities, and prospective visitors according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of display of privilege information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the positional relationship and the required time of an event venue, nearby commercial facilities, and prospective visitors according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display of privilege information according to the present embodiment 3. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of display of privilege information according to the present embodiment 3. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a privilege information issuing system according to the present embodiment 4. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of privilege information issuing processing according to the present embodiment 4.

[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 privilege information issuing device 1 according to the first embodiment. The privilege information issuing device 1 is an information processing device that issues privilege information that can be used at a predetermined commercial facility. Here, a "commercial facility" refers to a store, accommodation facility, 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 range of an event venue where a predetermined event is held, i.e., in the vicinity of the event venue. Furthermore, "privilege information" is electronic data that confers the right to enjoy a privilege, either paid or free of charge, at a facility that can be used. The privilege information is, for example, added-value information such as an electronic coupon or points.

[0015] The privilege information issuing device 1 includes an acquisition unit 11, a calculation unit 12, an issuance unit 13, and a notification unit 14. The acquisition unit 11 acquires admission eligibility information for an event venue. Here, the event venue is a facility where a predetermined event is held. The "admission eligibility information" is information that allows a prospective attendee to enter the event venue through identity authentication. Here, "identity authentication" refers to information processing that verifies the authenticity of an individual by comparing pre-registered identity authentication information with information obtained or input from the individual during authentication and determining whether the degree of match is equal to or exceeds a threshold. Examples of identity 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 calculation unit 12 calculates the estimated arrival time of a person planning to enter a predetermined area including the event venue, or the margin time from the arrival time to a time attributed to the start of the event, based on the admission qualification information. Here, the "time attributed to the start of the event" refers to the start time of the event, the start time of admission to the event venue, or the time period during which admission to the event venue is permitted, etc. The issuing unit 13 issues bonus information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue, based on the margin time. The notification unit 14 notifies the terminal of the person planning to enter of the issued bonus information.

[0017] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the privilege information issuing method according to the first embodiment. First, the acquisition unit 11 acquires admission eligibility information that allows a person planning to attend an event venue where a predetermined event is being held to enter through personal authentication (S11). Next, the calculation unit 12 calculates, based on the admission eligibility information, the planned arrival time of the person planning to attend a predetermined area including the event venue or the margin time from the arrival time to the time due to the start of the event (S12). Then, the issuance unit 13 issues privilege information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time (S13). Then, the notification unit 14 notifies the terminal of the planned attendee of the issued privilege information (S14).

[0018] As described above, on the day of the event, a prospective attendee who has admission eligibility information for a specific event may arrive near the event venue with a certain amount of time to spare so as not to be late for the event's start time. In this case, the privilege information issuing device 1 issues privilege information that can be used at commercial facilities suitable for time adjustment, depending on the situation around the event venue on the day of the event. This makes it easier for prospective attendees to adjust their time at the commercial facility for which privilege information was issued before the event starts. Therefore, this embodiment encourages prospective attendees to use commercial facilities near the event venue, thereby helping them make effective use of their free time before the event starts.

[0019] 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 an acquisition unit 11, a calculation unit 12, an issuing unit 13, and a notification unit 14.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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).

[0022] <Embodiment 2> This embodiment 2 is a specific example of the above-described embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a privilege information issuing system 1000 according to this embodiment. The privilege information issuing system 1000 is an information system that issues coupons that can be used at nearby commercial facilities 41, etc., to a user U1 who has purchased a paid electronic ticket (admission eligibility information) for an event venue 40 before the event starts, and notifies the user terminal 100 of the coupons. This allows a user U1 who arrives at the nearest station 610, etc., to the event venue 40, earlier than the event start time, to effectively adjust their time. Furthermore, the time-limited privilege information can encourage consumption behavior at commercial facilities 41, etc., near the event venue 40. This can promote cooperative use of the event venue and facilities and support the revitalization of an area 4 that includes the event venue 40 and its nearby commercial facilities 41 to 4n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1).

[0023] 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.

[0024] The event venue 40 is assumed to have an event hall 402, with an entrance control terminal 401 installed at the entrance. The entrance control terminal 401 is an information terminal that permits entry into the event venue 40 if user U1 has successfully passed identity authentication. Details of the entrance control terminal 401 will be described later. It should be noted that some visitors 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 or the like, without relying on identity authentication such as facial recognition. The event hall 402 is a place where an event is held, such as a stadium or spectator seats.

[0025] Commercial facilities 41 to 4n are peripheral facilities and nearby commercial facilities of the event venue 40. There may be at least one commercial facility 41, etc. The commercial facility 41, etc. is a facility that has an affiliated relationship with the event venue 40. Therefore, the operator of the commercial facility 41, etc. is an affiliated operator of the operator of the event venue 40. The 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, an amusement park, etc.

[0026] Each of the 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 about benefits available at each of the commercial facilities 41 to 4n. The facility personnel U21 and the like may also serve as store clerks at the commercial facility 41, etc. Alternatively, the facility personnel U21 and the like may be affiliated businesses of the commercial facility 41, etc. Therefore, the facility personnel U21 and the like and the management terminal 61, etc. do not necessarily have to be located within the commercial facility 41, etc.

[0027] The nearest station 610 is the nearest public transportation station to the event venue 40, such as a train station, bus stop, taxi stand, port, or airport. The nearest station 610 is accessible by different routes, for example, D1 and D2. The public transportation operator that operates the nearest station 610 may be an affiliated operator of the operator of the event venue 40. In this case, the automatic ticket gates and the like installed at the nearest station 610 are assumed to be payment terminals (not shown) that have the same functions as the payment terminals 51 and the like.

[0028] The area manager U3 is a business operator who manages businesses within the area 4, which includes the event venue 40 and the commercial facility 41. The area manager U3 may use the management terminal 600 to register information about benefits that can be used at the commercial facility 41, etc.

[0029] The area management server 620 is a computer server that manages information about the event venue 40, commercial facilities 41, and affiliated businesses included in area 4. For example, the area management server 620 collects information about the congestion status of the commercial facilities 41 to 4n in real time and provides the congestion status in response to inquiries via the network N. Furthermore, the area management server 620 may derive and provide predicted information about the congestion status at the time of entry to the event venue 40 based on the number of people planning to enter the event venue 40. Furthermore, the area management server 620 may derive predicted information about the congestion status based on the ratio of the number of people who have already entered to the number of people before entry. For example, if there are 1,000 people planning to enter and the current number of people who have entered is 100, the number of people before entry can be said to be 900. Therefore, since there is a possibility that 900 people will arrive at the entrance gate in the future, the area management server 620 derives predicted information about the congestion status for the time period from the current time until the start of the event as 900 people. Furthermore, the area management server 620 may collect and provide information on the congestion status of roads, sidewalks, the nearest station 610, etc. within the area 4. Note that the management terminals 61 to 6 n and 600 and the area management server 620 can use known information processing devices, and therefore illustrations and detailed explanations 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 51 to 5 n, management terminals 61 to 6 n and 600, and an area management server 620. The user terminal 100, the authentication device 200, the privilege information issuing device 300, the entrance control terminal 401, the payment terminals 51 to 5 n, the management terminals 61 to 6 n and 600, and the area management server 620 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 may 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 carries and operates user terminal 100 and is the purchaser of admission qualification information for an event to be held at event venue 40, and is a person planning to enter the event. Here, the "admission qualification information" is information that proves that the user is permitted to enter the event venue through personal authentication.

[0036] The user terminal 100 is an information processing terminal that, in response to an operation by the user U1, registers user information including a facial image and entry qualification information in advance to the privilege information issuing device 300. Note that the user U1 may also register user information using an information processing device other than the user terminal 100. It is also assumed that the user U1 enters the event venue 40 carrying the user terminal 100.

[0037] FIG. 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, a control unit 160, and a location information acquisition unit 170. 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, terminal information 112, and location information 113. 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. The location information 113 is information indicating the location of the user terminal 100. The location information 113 is, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) information, but is not limited to this.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The camera 140 is a photographing device for photographing an area including the face of the user U1. The camera 140 outputs the photographed image to the control unit 160. The touch panel 150 includes a display device (display unit) such as a screen and an input device. The location information acquisition unit 170 periodically acquires GPS information from GPS satellites or the like and stores it in the storage unit 110 as location information 113.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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. At this time, the reward processing unit 162 reads and acquires the terminal information 112 and the location information 113 (current location) from the storage unit 110. The reward processing unit 162 then transmits a reward issuance request including the facial image, the terminal information 112, and the location information 113 to the reward information issuing device 300. Furthermore, when the reward processing unit 162 receives notification of reward information issued by the reward information issuing device 300, it displays the notified reward information, etc. on the touch panel 150. Furthermore, 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 bonus processing unit 162 displays bonus information selected by the 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. The issuance or inquiry of bonus information may be performed using other personal authentication methods instead of facial authentication. For example, the bonus processing unit 162 may include biometric information other than a facial image, a login ID and password for a bonus information management application, or a user ID for a service related to bonus information, in the bonus information issuance request or bonus information inquiry request. In this case, the bonus information issuing device 300 may perform personal authentication, such as biometric authentication or ID authentication, according to the information included in the request, and issue or inquire about bonus information if the authentication is successful.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal 51 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of payment terminals 5n, etc. is the same as that of payment terminal 51, and therefore illustrations and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The 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. The storage unit 510 is an example of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 510 stores a program 511 and terminal information 512. The program 511 is a computer program that implements payment control processing, etc. The terminal information 512 is identification information and destination information for the payment terminal 51. The terminal information 512 is information that can identify the commercial facility 41 in which the terminal 51 is installed.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 commercial facility 41 using a scanner (not shown). The reception unit 561 then displays the received payment object information on the touch panel 550.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 that supports sending customers to surrounding commercial facilities 41, etc., before the start of an event held at an event venue 40. The privileged information issuing device 300 may be configured redundantly as multiple servers, and each functional block may be implemented by multiple computers.

[0055] 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 a storage device that stores admission credential information, personal authentication information of a prospective visitor who has purchased the admission credential information, and a terminal carried by the prospective visitor, in association with each other. The program 311 is a computer program (privilege information issuing program) that implements processes for registering privilege information, user information, and admission credential information, issuing privilege information, and settlement processing including use of privilege information, according to the second embodiment.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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).

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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, and an issuance condition 3134. The privilege ID 3131 is identification information of the privilege information. The target facility 3132 is information indicating a facility at which the privilege information can be used. The target facility 3132 is information indicating, for example, one of the commercial facilities 41 to 4n. Note that the target facility 3132 may target two or more facilities among the commercial facilities 41 to 4n.

[0062] 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.

[0063] The issuance conditions 3134 are information indicating the conditions for issuing privilege information. For example, the issuance conditions 3134 include the event information to be issued (event ID, date and time of event, etc.), whether admission qualification information for the event information has already been purchased, and the timing of issuance. The timing of issuance includes the start date and time of issuance, the period during which issuance is possible, the estimated arrival time or arrival time of those planning to enter, etc. Furthermore, the issuance conditions 3134 include, but are not limited to, attribute information of the user to be issued, the grade of the seat, the ticket price, and the priority of attribute information to be prioritized for issuance.

[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 in which an issued privilege ID 3151, a user ID 3152, an issue date and time 3153, and a validity period 3154 are associated with each other.

[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 information that is uniquely identified, for example, by the combination 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 period during which the privilege provided by the privilege information can be enjoyed (the privilege information is valid). The validity period 3154 is defined by a start date and time and an end date and time (expiration date). If the corresponding privilege information can be used immediately after issuance, the validity period 3154 only needs to be set to the expiration date and time.

[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, the payment control unit 347, the acquisition unit 348, and the calculation unit 349. The acquisition unit 348 is an example of the acquisition unit 11 described above. The calculation unit 349 is an example of the calculation unit 12 described above. The authentication control unit 342, the identification unit 343, and the issuing unit 344 are examples of the issuing unit 13 described above. The identification unit 343 and the notification unit 345 are examples of the notification unit 14 described above.

[0069] The registration unit 341 performs registration processing of privilege information, user information, and admission qualification information. Specifically, the registration unit 341 receives a registration request for individual privilege information from the management terminal 61 or the like and registers the information in the privilege information master 313. At this time, the registration unit 341 issues a privilege ID for new privilege information. The registration unit 341 also receives a registration request for user information from the user terminal 100 or the like and registers the information in 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. The registration unit 341 then associates the acquired user ID 3121 with the information included in the registration request and registers it as user information 312 in the storage unit 310. The registration unit 341 associates the user's personal authentication information for registration with terminal information possessed by the user and registers it 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 admission qualification information, the authentication control unit 342 controls user authentication by referring to the storage unit 310 and the facial information DB 210 of the authentication device 200 using the authentication information. Furthermore, when the authentication control unit 342 receives a request for issuing a privilege or a request for referencing privilege information including a facial image from the user terminal 100, the authentication control unit 342 transmits a facial authentication request including the facial image included in the request to the authentication device 200 and receives a facial authentication result from the authentication device 200. The authentication control unit 342 then outputs the facial authentication result to the identification unit 343 and the issuing unit 344. Furthermore, when the authentication control unit 342 receives an entrance determination request from the entrance control terminal 401, it transmits a face authentication request including the face image included in the entrance 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 entrance determination unit 346. Furthermore, when the authentication control unit 342 receives a face authentication payment request from the payment terminal 51 or the like, it transmits a face authentication request including the face image included in the face authentication payment request to the authentication device 200, receives the face authentication result from the authentication device 200, and outputs the face authentication result to the payment control unit 347. Note that the authentication control unit 342 may control personal authentication other than biometric authentication.

[0071] The identification unit 343 identifies the user's terminal information, attribute information, payment information, admission credential information, and privilege information based on the user's identity authentication. Specifically, when 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 credential information 3125 associated with the user ID 3121 whose face authentication was successful. The identification unit 343 may also identify a time associated with the start of the event from the admission credential information 3125. For example, the identification unit 343 may identify a time period during which entry into the event venue is permitted, which is included in the admission credential information 3125. In addition, 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. In addition, the identification unit 343 identifies the issued privilege ID 3151 included in the facial recognition payment request, and identifies the privilege information associated with the user ID 3152 and issued privilege ID 3151 for which facial recognition was successful from the privilege management information 315.

[0072] The acquisition unit 348 acquires admission eligibility information associated with a prospective visitor who has successfully passed personal authentication. Specifically, the acquisition unit 348 determines whether admission eligibility information 3125 associated with a user ID 3121 whose face has been successfully authenticated exists within the user information 312, and if so, acquires the admission eligibility information 3125. The acquisition unit 348 also acquires the congestion status of multiple commercial facilities during the time slot of the margin time. Specifically, the acquisition unit 348 transmits a congestion status acquisition request specifying an area and a time slot to the area management server 620, and acquires the congestion status of each commercial facility from the area management server 620. Examples of "crowding status" include a numerical value indicating the degree of congestion among customers at a certain restaurant (commercial facility), whether seats are full, the ratio of the number of users to the seating capacity (seat utilization rate, vacant seat rate), and the waiting time until entering the restaurant or receiving service. The acquisition unit 348 further acquires the current location of a prospective visitor who has arrived at a specified area. Specifically, the acquisition unit 348 acquires the current location (location information 113) of the user terminal 100 from the bonus issuance request received from the user terminal 100. The acquisition unit 348 also acquires the time at which the bonus issuance request is received as the arrival time of the person scheduled to enter.

[0073] The calculation unit 349 calculates the margin of time from the arrival time of a person planning to enter area 4 to a time due to the start of the event, based on the admission qualification information 3125. For example, the calculation unit 349 calculates the time from the arrival time to the admission permitted time slot. Since the admission permitted time slot is the time slot between the admission start time and the admission end time, the calculation unit 349 may calculate the time from the arrival time to the admission start time and the time from the arrival time to the admission end time. Note that the margin of time is not limited to the time from the arrival time to the admission permitted time slot, and may also be the time from the arrival time to the start time of an event (for example, a concert or a game).

[0074] The calculation unit 349 also calculates a first travel time from the travel start point of the planned visitor to the commercial facility. Specifically, the calculation unit 349 calculates the time required for travel along the route from the current location of the user U1 to each commercial facility as the first travel time. The calculation unit 349 also calculates an expected stay time at each commercial facility. In particular, the calculation unit 349 calculates the expected stay time at each commercial facility based on the congestion status. The calculation unit 349 may also calculate a second travel time from each commercial facility to the event venue 40. Note that the second travel time from each commercial facility to the event venue 40 may be a time calculated in advance. The calculation unit 349 may also calculate the first and second travel times based on the congestion status of roads, sidewalks, the nearest station 610, etc. The calculation unit 349 also calculates a total required time by summing the first travel time, the expected stay time, and the second travel time.

[0075] The issuing unit 344 issues privilege information to user U1 who has successfully completed facial authentication in response to the privilege issuance request and whose admission credential information has been registered. In particular, the issuing unit 344 issues privilege information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the slack time. Furthermore, the issuing unit 344 selects a commercial facility for which privilege information is to be issued from among multiple commercial facilities near the event venue based on the slack time, and issues privilege information that can be used at the selected commercial facility. Furthermore, the issuing unit 344 may select a commercial facility for which privilege information is to be issued from among multiple commercial facilities based on the relationship between the total required time and the slack time. Specifically, the issuing unit 344 selects a commercial facility for which privilege information is to be issued, whose total required time is within the slack time. In other words, the issuing unit 344 selects a commercial facility for which the total required time satisfies the slack time.

[0076] The issuing unit 344 may also select a commercial facility to which special benefit information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities based on the congestion status. The issuing unit 344 may also select a commercial facility to which special benefit information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities near the event venue based on the current location. The issuing unit 344 issues special benefit information that can be used at the selected commercial facility to user U1 whose face authentication is successful.

[0077] The notification unit 345 notifies the user terminal 100 of user U1 of the privilege information issued by the issuing unit 344. For example, when face authentication in response to the privilege issuance request is successful, admission qualification information is acquired, and privilege information is issued, the notification unit 345 identifies the terminal information 3122 associated with the user ID 3121. Then, the notification unit 345 notifies the user terminal 100 of the privilege information, addressed to the identified terminal information 3122.

[0078] The entrance determination unit 346 determines whether the facial authentication result based on the entrance determination request received from the entrance control terminal 401 was successful, and transmits the entrance determination result to the entrance control terminal 401. If the facial authentication is successful and the user is registered with entrance qualification information, the entrance determination unit 346 includes in the entrance determination result an indication that the user is permitted to enter, and if the facial authentication is unsuccessful, the entrance determination unit 346 includes in the entrance determination result an indication that the user is not permitted to enter. If the facial authentication is successful, the entrance determination unit 346 may register in the user information 312 that the user whose facial authentication was successful has already entered so that the user can be identified as having entered. For example, the entrance determination unit 346 may register an entrance status flag indicating "entered" or an entry date and time in the entrance qualification information 3125 associated with the user ID 3121 whose facial authentication was successful. If the entrance determination unit 346 detects that the user has exited through facial authentication or the like, the entrance determination unit 346 may update the entrance status flag to "exited."

[0079] The payment control unit 347 determines whether the facial authentication result based on the facial authentication payment request received from the payment terminal 51 or the like is successful, and if the facial authentication is successful, identifies the user ID of the user whose facial authentication was successful and controls the payment processing. In particular, if the facial authentication payment request includes a privilege ID, the payment control unit 347 determines whether privilege information corresponding to the privilege ID can be used, and if the privilege information can be used, performs payment processing using the privilege information. Specifically, the payment control unit 347 identifies a facility from the terminal information included in the received facial authentication payment request and identifies the target facility 3132 associated with the privilege ID (issued privilege ID 3151, privilege ID 3131) included in the facial authentication payment request. If the identified facility is included in the target facility 3132, the payment control unit 347 determines that the facility can be used. Furthermore, if the privilege management information 315 includes a usage status flag or the like, the payment control unit 347 may determine whether the facility can be used by taking the usage status flag or the like into account.

[0080] If the privilege information is available, the payment control unit 347 identifies the payment information 3124 associated with the identified user ID 3121 from the user information 312. The payment control unit 347 then identifies the issued privilege ID 3151 associated with the identified user ID 3152 from the privilege management information 315, and identifies the privilege details 3133 associated with the issued privilege ID 3151 as the privilege ID 3131 from the privilege information master 313. The payment control unit 347 then calculates the payment amount by applying the identified privilege details 3133 to the amount of payment target information included in the facial recognition payment request. For example, if the privilege details 3133 are "10% off lunch set," the payment control unit 347 calculates the payment amount by deducting 10% from the amount of the payment target information. The payment control unit 347 then sends an instruction to the payment server (not shown) to debit the payment amount using the identified payment information 3124, and receives the payment result. The payment server is a well-known server operated by a financial institution, etc., and therefore illustrations and detailed explanations are omitted. Furthermore, if the benefit content 3133 is "one free drink" and the payment target information includes a drink, the payment control unit 347 calculates the payment amount by subtracting the price of one drink from the amount of the payment target information.

[0081] On the other hand, if the privilege information is unavailable, the payment control unit 347 performs payment processing without using the privilege information. In other words, the payment control unit 347 performs payment processing for the payment target information using the payment information for the specified user ID.

[0082] The flow of privilege information registration will now be described. Here, an example will be described in which a facility staff member U21 registers privilege information for a commercial facility 41. First, the management terminal 61 accepts input from the facility staff member U21 regarding the privilege details available at the commercial facility 41, the issuance conditions, and the target facility. The issuance conditions include, for example, event information for which the privilege issuance is required. The target facility is the commercial facility 41. The management terminal 61 then transmits a privilege information master registration request, including the received privilege details, issuance conditions, and target facility, to the privilege information issuing device 300 via the network N. 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 them in the memory unit 310 as the privilege information master 313. Similarly, a facility staff member U2n registers privilege information for a commercial facility 4n. Note that an area staff member U3 may also use the management terminal 600 to register privilege information for the commercial facility 41, etc. Furthermore, the facility personnel U21 to U2n and the area personnel U3 may update the registered privilege information, such as the privilege content, issuance conditions, and applicable facilities.

[0083] 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of member 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 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. 10 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] 9 , the description continues. 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. 11 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 facial 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. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of facial authentication processing by the authentication device 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. 11 , 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] 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the flow of the bonus information issuing process according to the present embodiment 2. First, in response to a bonus issuance request from user U1, the user terminal 100 photographs the face of user U1 and transmits a bonus issuance request including the face image and the current location (location information 113 of the user terminal 100) to the bonus information issuing device 300 via the network N.

[0092] In response to this, the reward information issuing device 300 receives a reward issuance request including the user's facial image and current location from the user terminal 100 via the network N (S301). 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 (S302). In response to this, the authentication device 200 performs face authentication processing in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 12. Then, the reward information issuing device 300 receives a face authentication result from the authentication device 200 (S303). Then, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether or not face authentication has been successful (S304).

[0093] If the facial authentication is successful, the privilege information issuance device 300 identifies the user ID whose facial authentication was successful (S305). Specifically, the privilege information issuance device 300 acquires the user ID from the received facial authentication result. Then, the privilege information issuance device 300 determines whether admission credential information associated with the identified user ID can be acquired (S306). Specifically, the privilege information issuance device 300 references the user information 312 and determines whether admission credential information 3125 is associated with the identified user ID 3121. If it is determined that the admission credential information 3125 is associated with the user ID 3121, the privilege information issuance device 300 reads the admission credential information 3125 associated with the user ID 3121 from the storage unit 310. Then, if the date of the event corresponding to the read admission credential information 3125 is within a predetermined period from the current date, the privilege information issuance device 300 determines that the admission credential information 3125 can be acquired. That is, in this case, the privilege information issuance device 300 acquires the admission credential information associated with the user ID whose facial authentication was successful.

[0094] On the other hand, if face authentication fails in step S304, or if no admission qualification information is associated in step S306, or if the event date is not within a predetermined period from the current date, the privilege information issuing device 300 returns a message to the user terminal 100 indicating that the privilege cannot be issued. Then, the privilege information issuing process ends.

[0095] If the admission credential information is acquired in step S306, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the location of the event venue and the admission time slot from the admission credential information (S307). For example, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the address and location information of the event venue 40 and the admission time slot to the event venue 40 from the event information 314 corresponding to the event ID included in the acquired admission credential information 3125. Note that the privilege information issuing device 300 may identify the start time of the event or the start time of entry to the event venue 40 instead of the admission time slot.

[0096] The privilege information issuing device 300 then calculates the margin time from the current time (arrival time) to the permitted entry time slot (S308). For example, as described above, the privilege information issuing device 300 may calculate a first margin time from the arrival time to the entry start time and a second margin time from the arrival time to the entry end time, and calculate the margin time as the range between the first margin time and the second margin time. The privilege information issuing device 300 may also calculate the margin time as any of the first margin time, the second margin time, the third margin time from the arrival time to the event start time, or the fourth margin time from the arrival time to the event end time. For example, if a user absolutely does not want to be late for the start of an event, the user may preset the "first margin time" as the margin time in the privilege information issuing device 300. In this case, the user may also set not only the "first margin time" (from the arrival time to the entry start time) but also the "third margin time" (from the arrival time to the event start time) as the margin time. Furthermore, if a user wishes to use a coupon for shopping even if they are slightly late for the event start time, the user may preset a "fourth margin time" in the reward information issuing device 300 as the margin time. In this case, the user may set not only the "fourth margin time" (from the arrival time to the event end time) but also the "second margin time" (from the arrival time to the entrance end time) as the margin time. In this case, the entrance end time in the "second margin time" may be a time after the start of the event that is a predetermined time after the event start time and at which entry is not permitted. Specifically, the entrance end time may be a predetermined time before the event end time, for example, 30 minutes after the event start time. The reward information issuing device 300 may then calculate the margin time set by one of the methods described above and issue a coupon of a type corresponding to the margin time. Therefore, even if the arrival time and event start time are the same, the user can flexibly set the margin time according to their preferences and obtain and use different types of coupons corresponding to the margin time.

[0097] The privileged information issuing device 300 then acquires the congestion status of each commercial facility (S309). Specifically, as described above, the privileged information issuing device 300 transmits a congestion status acquisition request specifying area 4, the current time, and the entry-permitted time slot to the area management server 620. The privileged information issuing device 300 then acquires from the area management server 620 the current congestion status of each commercial facility and predicted congestion status during the entry-permitted time slot.

[0098] The reward information issuing device 300 then calculates a first travel time from the current location to each commercial facility (S310), as described above. The reward information issuing device 300 then calculates a second travel time from each commercial facility to the event venue (S311), as described above. Next, the reward information issuing device 300 calculates an expected stay time at each commercial facility based on the congestion status, as described above (S312). For example, the reward information issuing device 300 may calculate the expected stay time for each of the commercial facilities 41 to 4n by adding together the waiting time for entering the store and waiting time for order acceptance, and the expected store usage time, such as the time required to consume food and beverages at the store and pick up takeout items. The reward information issuing device 300 then calculates the total time required to travel from the current location to the event venue via each commercial facility, as described above (S313).

[0099] The reward information issuing device 300 then selects commercial facilities whose total required time satisfies the leeway time (S314). Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 determines whether the total required time for each of the commercial facilities 41 to 4n calculated in step S313 falls within the range from the first leeway time to the second leeway time. If so, the reward information issuing device 300 calculates an inclusive time for each commercial facility whose total required time falls within the range from the first leeway time to the second leeway time. The reward information issuing device 300 then selects, from among the commercial facilities 41 to 4n, commercial facilities whose inclusive time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time as commercial facilities whose total required time satisfies the leeway time. Alternatively, the reward information issuing device 300 may select, from among the commercial facilities 41 to 4n, commercial facilities whose inclusive time is the highest predetermined number.

[0100] The privilege information issuing device 300 then issues to the user privilege information that can be used at the selected commercial facility (S315). Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies, from the privilege information master 313, issuance conditions 3134 associated with a target facility 3132 that includes the commercial facility selected in step S314. If the event ID defined in the identified issuance conditions 3134 corresponds to the admission eligibility information 3125 acquired in step S306, the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies a privilege ID 3131 and a privilege content 3133 associated with the target facility 3132 and issuance conditions 3134. The privilege information issuing device 300 then generates privilege management information 315 by associating the privilege ID of the identified privilege information with the user ID identified in step S305 as an issued privilege ID 3151 and a user ID 3152. Furthermore, the privilege information issuance device 300 sets the current date and time as the issue date and time 3153 and the period from the current time to the event entry end time as the validity period 3154 for the generated privilege management information 315. The privilege information issuance device 300 registers the generated and set privilege management information 315 in the storage unit 310. Note that the expiration date of the validity period 3154 may be the event entry start time instead of the event entry end time. Alternatively, the expiration date of the validity period 3154 may be later than the event start time. Alternatively, if re-entry to the event is permitted, the expiration date of the validity period 3154 may be the re-entry end time.

[0101] Thereafter, the privilege information issuing device 300 notifies the issued privilege information to the user terminal 100 of the target user U1 (using the terminal information 3122 as the destination) (S316). In response, the user terminal 100 displays the notified privilege information.

[0102] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the positions of an event venue, nearby commercial facilities, and prospective visitors and the required time according to the second embodiment. First, assume that area 4 includes event venue 40, nearby commercial facilities 41 (restaurant A) and 42 (restaurant B), and a nearest station 610. In this example, restaurants A and B are both sit-down restaurants. For example, restaurant A may be a restaurant or the like, and restaurant B may be a fast-food restaurant. Furthermore, assume that restaurant A, which is relatively far from nearest station 610 and event venue 40, is relatively empty and has a short waiting time, while restaurant B, which is relatively close to nearest station 610 and event venue 40, is relatively crowded and has a long waiting time. Furthermore, assume that the event start time 802 of an event held at event venue 40 is 2:00 PM, and the admission time slot 803 is 1:30 PM to 1:55 PM. Let us now assume that user U1, who has purchased admission credentials for the event and is registered with the privilege information issuing device 300 as a prospective attendee, arrives at the nearest station 610 at 12:45 (current time 801) on the day of the event. In response to an operation by user U1, user terminal 100 carried by user U1 transmits a privilege issuance request to privilege information issuing device 300. Since face authentication of user U1 is successful and user U1's admission credentials correspond to an event being held at event venue 40 on that day, privilege information issuing device 300 continues the privilege information issuance process from step S307 onward in FIG. 13 .

[0103] 15 , the privilege information issuing device 300 identifies the event start time 802 and the permitted entry time slot 803 (S307), and calculates the margin time 804 as 45 to 70 minutes (S308). The privilege information issuing device 300 then calculates the total time required for route R1, which is a route from the current location of user U1 (nearest station 610) to the event venue 40 via commercial facility 41, and route R2, which is a route from the nearest station 610 to the event venue 40 via commercial facility 42. Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300 first obtains the congestion status of commercial facility 41, which has available seats and a waiting time 813 of 3 minutes, and the congestion status of commercial facility 42, which has a waiting time 823 of 30 minutes (S309). For route R1, the privilege information issuing device 300 calculates a first travel time 811 for route R11 from the nearest station 610 to the commercial facility 41 as 5 minutes (S310). For example, the first travel time 811 is calculated based on the distance of route R11, corners, crosswalks, footbridges, road congestion, the number of passengers at the nearest station 610, and the like. The privilege information issuing device 300 then calculates a second travel time 812 for route R12 from the commercial facility 41 to the event venue 40 as 7 minutes (S311). Based on the congestion, the privilege information issuing device 300 then calculates an expected stay time 814 at the commercial facility 41 as 33 to 53 minutes (S312). The privilege information issuing device 300 then calculates a total travel time 815 for route R1 (S313). Here, the first travel time 811 "5 minutes" + the second travel time 812 "7 ​​minutes" + the expected stay time 814 "33 to 53 minutes" = the total required time 815 "43 to 63 minutes" is calculated.

[0104] Similarly, for route R2, a first travel time 821 along route R21 from the nearest station 610 to the commercial facility 42 is calculated to be 2 minutes, and a second travel time 822 along route R22 from the commercial facility 42 to the event venue 40 is calculated to be 3 minutes. In addition, an expected stay time 824 at the commercial facility 42 is calculated to be 60 to 80 minutes. Therefore, for route R2, the first travel time 821 "2 minutes" + second travel time 822 "3 minutes" + expected stay time 824 "60 to 80 minutes" = total required time 815 "65 to 85 minutes."

[0105] Here, the total required time 815 (43 to 63 minutes) for route R1 passing through commercial facility 41 is within or shorter than the margin time 804 (45 to 70 minutes). On the other hand, the total required time 825 (65 to 85 minutes) for route R2 passing through commercial facility 42 is longer than the margin time 804 (45 to 70 minutes). Therefore, the privilege information issuing device 300 determines that the total required time 815 satisfies the margin time 804, selects commercial facility 41 (S314), and issues privilege information (coupons) that can be used at commercial facility 41 (restaurant A) (S315). In other words, in this example, route R2 is more convenient than route R1 in terms of the total travel time from the current location to event venue 40 alone. However, in terms of the expected stay time and total required time that take into account congestion, route R1 is more suitable than route R2. Therefore, restaurant A, which is a stop on route R1, is selected as the target for issuing privilege information.

[0106] If there are multiple commercial facilities whose total required time meets the slack time, the multiple commercial facilities may be selected as targets for issuing special offer information, and common or different special offer information may be issued to each facility. In this case, the store may be notified and displayed with a distinguishable priority according to the total required time. The special offer content may also be changed according to the slack time.

[0107] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display of benefit information according to the second embodiment. The notification message 701 is text information included in the benefit information. Here, the notification message 701 indicates, "Why not spend some time at Restaurant A before the event venue opens?" However, the present invention is not limited to this. The coupon 71 displays a target store 711, a validity period 712, benefit details 713, and code information 714. The target store 711 indicates Restaurant A (e.g., commercial facility 41) located near the event venue 40, and the validity period 712 indicates that the coupon is valid until 1:55 PM, before the event starts. The benefit details 713 indicates "10% off a lunch set." The code information 714 is a two-dimensional code containing a benefit ID. Note that the target store 711, validity period 712, benefit details 713, and code information 714 are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0108] 15 to the user terminal 100. That is, the user terminal 100 may display the current time 801, the event start time 802, the permitted entry time slot 803, the margin time 804, the routes R1 and R2 from the current location to the event venue via each store, the waiting time and expected stay time at each store, the travel time and total travel time for each route, etc.

[0109] As a result, for example, user U1 can learn that coupon 71 can be used at restaurant A by 1:55 PM before the event starts, which motivates him or her to wait until the event starts at restaurant A, i.e., to spend money at restaurant A. User U1 can then use coupon 71 to pay for purchases at restaurant A and enjoy the benefits.

[0110] For example, user U1 can select and display coupon 71 using user terminal 100 and use coupon 71 at restaurant A. At this time, payment terminal 51 captures the code information of code information 714 with camera 540, analyzes the captured image to extract a reward ID, and captures the face of user U1. Payment terminal 51 then transmits a facial recognition payment request including the facial image, payment target information, reward ID, and terminal information 512 to reward information issuing device 300 via network N. Then, authentication control unit 342 and payment control unit 347 of reward information issuing device 300 perform payment processing using facial recognition and reward information of user U1, as described above. This allows commercial facility 41 to earn sales due to the end of the event.

[0111] Note that even at the same store, waiting times may vary depending on the congestion level on the day. Accordingly, the expected stay time and total required time may also vary. Therefore, the store selected in step S314 may be changed depending on the congestion level.

[0112] Furthermore, the margin time varies depending on the arrival time of user U1. Therefore, the service content (sit-down or stand-up, in-store or take-out) and the special offer may be dynamically changed depending on the length of the margin time.

[0113] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the locations of an event venue, nearby commercial facilities, and potential visitors and the required time according to the second embodiment. Restaurant B offers both seated and standing-style dining, and the congestion levels (waiting times) differ between seated and standing-style dining. In this example, user U1 arrives at the nearest station 610 at the current time 801a, "1:00 PM," and the margin time 804a is "30 to 55 minutes," which is shorter than the wait time 823a shown in FIG. 15 above. Furthermore, the congestion level at restaurant B is assumed to be 5 minutes, which is shorter than the wait time 823a for seated dining. Therefore, the privilege information issuing device 300 changes the format of commercial facility 42 from seated to standing-style dining, and calculates the expected stay time 824a as 15 to 20 minutes and the total required time 825a as 20 to 25 minutes (S312, S313). Therefore, the reward information issuing device 300 selects commercial facility 42 because total required time 825a satisfies (is shorter than) margin time 804a (S314) and issues reward information (coupon) usable at commercial facility 42 (restaurant B) (S315). Meanwhile, total required time 815 (43 to 63 minutes) for route R1 passing through commercial facility 41 is longer than margin time 804a (30 to 55 minutes). Therefore, in this case, a coupon usable at restaurant A need not be issued. Note that the reward information issuing device 300 may select a commercial facility for which a coupon is to be issued, taking into consideration the relationship between the first and second travel times and the expected stay time, in addition to the total required time. Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 may lower the selection priority or exclude from selection commercial facilities where the expected stay time is significantly shorter than the first and second travel times. For example, if the total of the first and second travel times is 30 minutes and the expected stay time is 30 minutes or less, the reward information issuing device 300 may filter out the corresponding commercial facility. Alternatively, the reward information issuing device 300 may uniformly exclude from selection all commercial facilities where the expected stay time is 30 minutes or less. This is because if the available stay time is short, the effect of issuing a coupon to motivate the user to use the commercial facility is reduced.

[0114] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display of benefit information according to the second embodiment. The notification message 702 is text information included in the benefit information. Here, the notification message 702 indicates, "Why not spend the extra time before the event venue opens for entry at Restaurant B with a buffet-style meal?" However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The coupon 72 displays a target store 721, a validity period 722, benefit details 723, and code information 724. The target store 721 indicates Restaurant B (a buffet-style meal) near the event venue 40 (e.g., commercial facility 41), and the validity period 722 indicates that the coupon is valid until 1:55 PM, before the event starts. The benefit details 723 indicate "one free drink." The code information 724 is a two-dimensional code containing a benefit ID. Note that the target store 721, validity period 722, benefit details 723, and code information 724 are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0115] As a result, for example, user U1 can understand that coupon 72 can be used at restaurant B by 1:55 PM before the event starts, even if there is a relatively short time to spare. This motivates user U1 to adjust their time at restaurant B until the event starts, that is, to spend money at restaurant B. User U1 can then use coupon 72 to pay for their purchases at restaurant B, and enjoy the benefits. Note that in the above example, because there is a relatively short time to spare, the expected stay time and total required time may be calculated assuming that restaurant B offers takeout instead of a buffet-style meal.

[0116] In the example shown in FIG. 17 , the total required time 815 (43 to 63 minutes) for route R1 overlaps with the margin time 804a (30 to 55 minutes) by 13 minutes (including the total required time 815). Therefore, the total required time 815 is determined to satisfy the margin time 804a, and a coupon usable at restaurant A may also be issued. In this case, user terminal 100 may display coupon 71 usable at restaurant A with a lower priority than coupon 72 usable at restaurant B. The coupon issued for restaurant B in FIG. 17 may be for takeout rather than a buffet-style meal. For example, when a user selects the coupon, the privilege information issuing device 300 may display the menu for restaurant B on the user terminal, accept the user's order, and process the accepted order for restaurant B. This allows the user to arrive at restaurant B, present the coupon, and receive the takeout menu item with a shorter wait time. This further reduces the user's stay time. In the above case, when the user arrives at restaurant B, the user not only presents a coupon for the product that was previously ordered, but may also present to restaurant B the "order screen or order number" of the product that was ordered for takeout using the coupon from the user terminal before arriving as confirmation that the order was placed.

[0117] In this way, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to support those who have entry qualification information for the event venue and are planning to enter the venue in making effective use of their free time before the event begins.

[0118] In principle, the bonus information issuing device issues bonus information to users who have admission eligibility information and have not yet entered the event venue, as described above. However, if there is time between the entry and the start of the event, the user to whom bonus information is to be issued may temporarily exit the event venue and re-enter by issuing or using a coupon. In other words, even for events where re-entry is generally prohibited, if the user issues or uses a coupon according to the present embodiment, the bonus information issuing device may issue a predetermined code as eligibility information for re-entry when a user who has exited the event venue issues or uses bonus information. The "code information" may be, for example, a two-dimensional code capable of identifying the user's facial feature information, a two-dimensional code capable of identifying the issued or used coupon, or a two-dimensional code capable of identifying both facial feature information and a coupon. For example, suppose a user enters an event two hours before its start time and leaves before the event starts, operates a user terminal to issue bonus information and use the bonus information at a nearby store. In response, the user terminal acquires and displays the code information as the qualification information for re-entry. Then, the user holds the code information displayed on the user terminal over the entrance control terminal, and the user is determined to be eligible for re-entry through personal authentication (face authentication or code authentication), allowing the user to re-enter the event venue even if they have previously left.

[0119] <Embodiment 3> This embodiment 3 is a modification of the above-described embodiment 2. The acquisition unit 348 according to this embodiment acquires attribute information associated with a prospective attendee who has successfully been authenticated. Then, the issuing unit 344 selects a commercial facility to which special benefit information is to be issued from among multiple commercial facilities near the event venue, based on the attribute information.

[0120] That is, the issuing unit 344 issues benefit information according to the attribute information associated with user U1. For example, the issuing unit 344 issues benefit information that sets a validity period, benefit content, and target facilities determined based on the attribute information. The issuing unit 344 also issues benefit information that grants benefit content according to the attribute information. The issuing unit 344 may also issue benefit information that allows use at different nearby facilities depending on the attribute information. For example, the issuing unit 344 may issue a coupon for the facility "cafe" if the attribute information is female, and a coupon for the facility "ramen shop" if the attribute information is male. This allows facilities to be dispersed, thereby easing congestion within the facility.

[0121] Furthermore, the issuing unit 344 may select and issue, from the privilege information master 313, privilege information that satisfies the issuing conditions 3134 based on the attribute information 3123 and the admission qualification information 3125 that are previously associated with the user U1. Note that the overall configuration and individual configurations of the privilege information issuing system 1000 according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment described above, and therefore, redundant explanations and illustrations will be omitted.

[0122] 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the bonus information issuance process according to the third embodiment. After step S310 in FIG. 13 described above, the bonus information issuance device 300 executes steps S331 and S332 in parallel with steps S311 to S313. That is, the bonus information issuance device 300 identifies, from the user information 312, the attribute information 3123 associated with the user ID 3121 identified in step S305 (S331). Then, the bonus information issuance device 300 selects bonus information based on the identified attribute information 3123 (S332).

[0123] For example, the reward information issuing device 300 may select reward information including appropriate reward details based on the identified attribute information from the reward information master 313. Specifically, the reward information issuing device 300 may identify a combination of a reward ID 3131, a target facility 3132, and a reward detail 3133, in which the identified attribute information and related information are defined in the issuance conditions 3134, from the reward information master 313. For example, the reward information issuing device 300 may select, from among multiple pieces of reward information, reward information in which the user's age, gender, membership rank, hobbies, preferences, interests, etc. indicated by the attribute information match the details defined in the issuance conditions to a threshold value or higher. Furthermore, the reward information issuing device 300 may appropriately change the target facility 3132 and the reward detail 3133 in the selected reward information, taking into account the membership rank, etc. Note that the reward information issuing device 300 may determine the reward details and the target facility according to the seat grade and ticket price based on the admission eligibility information 3125 and event ID purchased by the target user. The seat grade and ticket price may be regarded as attribute information of the user to whom the privilege information is issued. Alternatively, the privilege information issuing device 300 may dynamically determine (generate) the privilege content based on the identified attribute information.

[0124] After steps S313 and S332, the privilege information issuing device 300 selects commercial facilities where the selected privilege information can be used and where the total required time satisfies the margin time (S333). Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300 selects, from the privilege information master 313, a facility where the total required time at the target facility 3132 associated with the specified combination of privilege ID 3131 and privilege content 3133 satisfies the margin time. The privilege information issuing device 300 then executes steps S315 and S316 described above.

[0125] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display of benefit information according to the third embodiment. The notification message 703 is text information included in the benefit information. In this example, the notification message 703 indicates, "Attention Italian food lovers: Why not spend some time at Italian restaurant C before the event venue opens?" However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The coupon 73 displays a target store 731, a validity period 732, benefit details 733, and code information 734. The target store 731 is Italian restaurant C near the event venue 40, and the validity period 732 indicates that the coupon is valid until 1:55 PM, before the event begins. The benefit details 733 indicate "10% off a pasta set." The code information 734 is a two-dimensional code containing a benefit ID. Note that the target store 731, validity period 732, benefit details 733, and code information 734 are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0126] In the above example, it was determined from the attribute information of user U1 that he likes Italian food, so Italian restaurant C was selected in preference to other restaurants, and coupon 73 was issued and notified.

[0127] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display of benefit information according to the third embodiment. The notification message 704 is text information included in the benefit information. Here, the notification message 704 indicates, "Attention Chinese food lovers: Why not spend some time at Chinese restaurant D before the event venue opens?" However, the present invention is not limited to this. The coupon 74 displays a target store 741, a validity period 742, benefit details 743, and code information 744. The target store 741 is Chinese restaurant D near the event venue 40, and the validity period 742 indicates that the offer is valid until 1:55 PM, before the event starts. The benefit details 743 indicate "free large serving of fried rice." The code information 744 is a two-dimensional code including a benefit ID. Note that the target store 741, validity period 742, benefit details 743, and code information 744 are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0128] In the above example, it was determined from the attribute information of user U1 that he likes Chinese food, so Chinese restaurant D was selected in preference to other restaurants, and coupon 74 was issued and notified.

[0129] In this way, according to this embodiment, the store to which the coupon is to be issued is selected taking into consideration the attributes of the user, which can further encourage use of commercial facilities near the event venue 40.

[0130] <Embodiment 4> Embodiment 4 is a modification of the above-described embodiment 2 or 3. In this embodiment 4, a case will be described in which user U1 makes a benefit issuance request not when he or she arrives at the nearest station 610 on the day of the event, but when he or she considers the arrival time at the nearest station 610 in advance.

[0131] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a reward information issuing system 1000a according to the fourth embodiment. Compared to the reward information issuing system 1000a shown in FIG. 3, the reward information issuing system 1000a differs from the system shown in FIG. 3 in that the user U1 and the user terminal 100 are outside the area 4, and the reward information issuing device 300a and the area management server 620a are modified. In addition to the functions of the area management server 620, the area management server 620a predicts the congestion levels of commercial facilities 41, etc., on future event dates based on accumulated data on past congestion levels and provides predicted congestion information in response to inquiries. When the reward information issuing device 300a receives a reward issuance request that includes an estimated arrival time instead of the current location, it calculates the margin time between the estimated arrival time and the permitted entry time slot. Furthermore, the reward information issuing device 300a obtains predicted congestion information from the area management server 620a about the congestion levels from the estimated arrival time to the permitted entry time slot, and issues reward information taking the predicted congestion information into account. The other configurations and individual configurations of the privilege information issuing system 1000a according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, and therefore, redundant explanations and illustrations will be omitted.

[0132] 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the privilege information issuing process according to the present embodiment 4. Here, it is assumed that user U1 has completed the member information registration process shown in FIG. 9 and has purchased admission qualification information, but has not yet been registered in the privilege information issuing device 300a.

[0133] In response to the privilege issuance request, the user terminal 100 acquires the admission qualification information purchased by the user U1 and the expected arrival time on the day of the event, and photographs the face of the user U1. The user terminal 100 then transmits a privilege issuance request including the facial image, admission qualification information, and expected arrival time to the privilege information issuing device 300a via the network N.

[0134] In response, the privilege information issuing device 300a receives a privilege issuance request from the user terminal, the privilege information issuing device 300a including the user's facial image, admission qualification information, and estimated arrival time (S341). The privilege information issuing device 300a then executes steps S302 to S305 described above. The privilege information issuing device 300a then acquires the admission qualification information and estimated arrival time included in the privilege issuance request (S346). The privilege information issuing device 300a then associates the admission qualification information 3125 with the identified user ID 3121 and registers them in the user information 312 (S347).

[0135] The privilege information issuing device 300a then calculates the margin of time from the estimated arrival time to the permitted entry time slot (S348). That is, based on the admission qualification information 3125, the privilege information issuing device 300a calculates the margin of time from the estimated arrival time of the person planning to enter area 4 to the time due to the start of the event. The privilege information issuing device 300a then acquires predicted congestion information for each commercial facility from the estimated arrival time to the permitted entry time slot on the day of the event (S349). Specifically, the privilege information issuing device 300a transmits a request for predicted congestion information specifying area 4, the estimated arrival time, and the permitted entry time slot to the area management server 620a. The privilege information issuing device 300a then acquires predicted congestion information for each commercial facility from the estimated arrival time to the permitted entry time slot on the day of the event from the area management server 620a. The privilege information issuing device 300a then calculates a first travel time, for example, from the nearest station 610 to each commercial facility (S350). The privileged information issuing device 300a may calculate the first travel time by regarding the event venue 40, the nearest station 610, or any point within area 4 as the travel start point of the person planning to attend. Thereafter, the privileged information issuing device 300a executes steps S311 to S316 in FIG. 14 described above.

[0136] This allows the user U1 to obtain a coupon that can be used at a nearby commercial facility, allowing time adjustment before the event starts, before arriving at the nearest station 610 on the day of the event, making it easier to make plans and making effective use of spare time.

[0137] The bonus information issuing request does not necessarily include the estimated arrival time. In other words, the bonus information issuing device 300a does not necessarily need to acquire the estimated arrival time from the user terminal 100 during the bonus information issuing process. In this case, user U1 can use the bonus information issuing device 300a when considering the estimated arrival time on the day of the event. For example, the bonus information issuing device 300a may execute step S346 and subsequent steps in FIG. 23 for multiple estimated arrival times and notify the user of bonus information for each estimated arrival time. In this case, the user terminal 100 may display, along with the bonus information, example routes and times for each estimated arrival time, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 . In other words, the bonus information issuing device 300a may suggest to user U1 the estimated arrival time on the day of the event and stores and coupons that can be used before the event starts, in the advance bonus issuance request. This makes it easier for user U1 to determine the estimated arrival time by taking bonus information into account and plan their schedule.

[0138] Alternatively, if the reward issuance request does not include an estimated arrival time, the reward information issuing device 300a may not determine the route R11 or the route R21 and may not calculate the first travel time in the reward information issuing process. In other words, the reward information issuing device 300a may calculate the total travel time using the second travel time and the expected stay time.

[0139] Other Embodiments The reward issuance request according to the second or third embodiment does not necessarily include the current location of the user terminal 100. In other words, the reward information issuance device 300 does not need to acquire the current location from the user terminal 100 during the reward information issuance process. This is because user U1 wants to adjust his / her time at a nearby commercial facility not far from the event venue 40, i.e., within Area 4. Because the starting point of the trip is limited, the first required travel time may not vary significantly between commercial facilities. Therefore, if the reward issuance request does not include the current location, the reward information issuance device 300 may calculate the first required travel time by regarding the event venue 40, the nearest station 610, or any point within Area 4 as the starting point of the trip of the person planning to attend. Alternatively, if the reward issuance request does not include the current location, the reward information issuance device 300 may not determine the route R11 or the route R21 and may not calculate the first required travel time. That is, the privilege information issuing device 300 may calculate the total required time using the second required travel time and the expected stay time.

[0140] Furthermore, if the current location is not acquired from the user terminal 100, step S306 and subsequent steps in FIG. 13 may be executed following step S127 in FIG. 11 described above.

[0141] The issuance of the bonus information may be triggered not only by a bonus issuance request from the user terminal, but also by the bonus information issuing device 300 itself recommending the bonus information to the user. Specifically, the bonus information issuing device 300 may select users to whom bonus information is to be issued several hours before the start of the event, issue coupons that can be used at facilities around the event venue before the event starts, and notify the user terminals of the selected users of the issued coupons. When issuing the coupons, the bonus information issuing device 300 may or may not acquire location information from the user terminals.

[0142] Furthermore, if there are multiple commercial facilities that satisfy the conditions for issuing bonus information, the bonus information issuing device 300 may notify the user terminal of multiple pieces of bonus information, including the expected stay time, the total required time, and bonus details (purchasable products or services, etc.).The bonus information issuing device 300 may then issue bonus information selected by the user.

[0143] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which user U1 arrives at area 4 by train, but the means of transportation to area 4 is not limited to this. For example, user U1 may travel to area 4 by bus, airplane, taxi, boat, private car, bicycle, walking, etc.

[0144] In the above-described embodiment, the personal authentication is described as facial authentication, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the payment process is described as facial authentication payment, but 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 near the event venue are not limited to facial authentication, and other personal authentication methods, as described below, may be applied.

[0145] 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).

[0146] In the above-described second embodiment and the like, the authentication device 200 and the bonus information issuing device 300 are described as separate information processing devices, but they may be the same. 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, the feature point extraction unit 230, the registration unit 240, and the authentication unit 250 in FIG. 4 .

[0147] 11 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 reward information issuing device 300 in place of a facial image in step S123. In this case, the reward information issuing device 300 may associate the user ID and admission credential information included in the received registration request with the user information 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 reward information issuing device 300 when purchasing the admission credential information, and register the information.

[0148] The admission credential information registration process shown in FIG. 11 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 using the current location to issue the reward information, it is preferable to use location information of the KIOSK terminal. Furthermore, it is preferable that the reward information issuing device 300 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.

[0149] The above-described embodiment may be applied to effectively utilize free time before check-in time or waiting time for connecting flights by replacing the event venue with a lodging facility or an airport.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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.

[0153] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes: (Supplementary Note A1) A reward information issuing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring admission credential information that enables a person planning to enter an event venue where a predetermined event is being held through personal authentication; a calculation means for calculating, based on the admission credential information, an estimated arrival time of the person planning to enter a predetermined area including the event venue or a margin time from the arrival time to a time resulting from the start of the event; an issuing means for issuing reward information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time; and a notification means for notifying a terminal of the person planning to attend of the issued reward information. (Supplementary Note A2) The reward information issuing device described in Supplementary Note A1, wherein the issuing means selects, from a plurality of commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time, a commercial facility for which reward information is to be issued, and issues the reward information that can be used at the selected commercial facility. (Supplementary Note A3) The reward information issuing device described in Supplementary Note A2, wherein the issuing means selects a commercial facility to which the reward information is to be issued from among the plurality of commercial facilities based on a relationship between a first travel time from the travel start point of the planner to the commercial facility, an expected stay time at the commercial facility, and a second travel time from the commercial facility to the event venue, and the leeway time. (Supplementary Note A4) The reward information issuing device described in Supplementary Note A2 or A3, wherein the acquiring means acquires congestion states of the plurality of commercial facilities during a time period of the leeway time, and the issuing means selects a commercial facility to which the reward information is to be issued from among the plurality of commercial facilities based further on the congestion state. (Supplementary Note A5) The reward information issuing device described in any one of Supplements A1 to A4, wherein the acquiring means further acquires a current location of the planner who has arrived in the specified area, and the issuing means selects a commercial facility to which the reward information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities near the event venue based further on the current location.(Supplementary Note A6) The privilege information issuing device according to any one of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A5, wherein the acquiring means acquires attribute information associated with the prospective attendee who has successfully passed the identity authentication, and the issuing means selects, based on the attribute information, from among a plurality of commercial facilities in the vicinity of the event venue, a commercial facility to which the privilege information is to be issued. (Supplementary Note A7) The privilege information issuing device according to any one of Supplementary Note A1 to Supplementary Note A6, wherein the acquiring means acquires the admission eligibility information associated with the prospective attendee who has successfully passed the identity authentication. (Appendix B1) A reward information issuing system comprising: a storage device that stores, in association with each other, admission credential information enabling admission to an event venue where a predetermined event is being held through personal authentication, the personal authentication information of a planner who has purchased the admission credential information, and a terminal carried by the planner, wherein the reward information issuing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring the admission credential information; a calculation means for calculating, based on the admission credential information, an estimated arrival time of the planner at a predetermined area including the event venue or a margin time from the arrival time to a time resulting from the start of the event; an issuing means for issuing reward information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue, based on the margin time; and a notification means for notifying the terminal of the planner of the issued reward information. (Appendix B2) The reward information issuing system described in Appendix B1, wherein the issuing means selects, based on the margin time, a commercial facility to which reward information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities near the event venue, and issues the reward information that can be used at the selected commercial facility. (Appendix C1) A method of issuing special benefit information, in which a computer obtains entry qualification information that enables a person planning to enter an event venue where a specified event is being held through personal authentication, calculates the expected arrival time of the person planning to enter a specified area including the event venue based on the entry qualification information, or the time lag between the arrival time and the time due to the start of the event, issues special benefit information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the time lag, and notifies the terminal of the person planning to enter of the issued special benefit information.(Appendix D1) A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a special benefit information issuing program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: an acquisition process for acquiring admission eligibility information that enables a person planning to enter an event venue where a specified event is being held through personal authentication; a calculation process for calculating, based on the admission eligibility information, the expected arrival time of the person planning to enter a specified area including the event venue or the time allowance between the arrival time and the time due to the start of the event; an issuance process for issuing special benefit information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue, based on the time allowance; and a notification process for notifying the terminal of the person planning to enter of the issued special benefit information.

[0154] 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.

[0155] 1 privilege information issuing device 11 acquisition unit 12 calculation unit 13 issuing unit 14 notification unit 1000 privilege information issuing system N network U1 user U21 facility staff U2n facility staff U3 area staff 100 user terminal 110 storage unit 111 program 112 terminal information 113 position information 120 memory 130 communication unit 140 camera 150 touch panel 160 control unit 161 registration unit 162 privilege processing unit 170 position information acquisition 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 314 Event information 315 Privilege management information 3151 Issued privilege ID 3152 User ID 3153 Issue date and time 3154 Validity period 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 348 Acquisition unit 349 Calculation unit 4 Area 40 Event venue 401 Admission control terminal 402 Event hall 41 Commercial facility 51 Payment terminal 61 Management terminal 42 Commercial facility 4n Commercial facility 5n Payment terminal 6n Management terminal 600 Management terminal 610 Nearest station 620 Area management server 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 Entry control unit 510 Storage unit 511 Program 512 Terminal information 520 Memory 530 Communication unit 540 Camera 550 Touch panel 560 Control unit 561 Reception unit562 Payment control unit 701 Notification message 71 Coupon 711 Target store 712 Validity period 713 Benefit details 714 Code information 702 Notification message 72 Coupon 721 Target store 722 Validity period 723 Benefit details 724 Code information 703 Notification message 73 Coupon 731 Target store 732 Validity period 733 Benefit details 734 Code information 704 Notification message 74 Coupon 741 Target store 742 Validity period 743 Benefit details 744 Code information 801 Current time 802 Event start time 803 Allowable entry time period 804 Marginal time 811 First travel time required 812 Second travel time required 813 Waiting time 814 Estimated stay time 815 Total required time 821 First travel time 822 Second travel time 823 Waiting time 824 Estimated stay time 825 Total required time R1 Route R11 Route R12 Route R2 Route R21 Route R22 Route 801a Current time 804a Marginal time 823a Waiting time 824a Estimated stay time 825a Total required time 1000a Benefit information issuing system 300a Benefit information issuing device 620a Area management server

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring admission qualification information that enables a person who is planning to enter an event venue where a predetermined event is held to enter through personal authentication; a calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time of the person planning to enter a predetermined area including the event venue or a margin time from the arrival time to a time due to the start of the event based on the admission qualification information; an issuing means for issuing information about benefits that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time; a notification means for notifying the terminal of the person who is scheduled to enter the venue of the issued privilege information; A special offer information issuing device comprising:

2. The issuing means is selecting a commercial facility to which the special offer information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities in the vicinity of the event venue based on the margin time; Issue the benefit information available at the selected commercial facility.

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

3. The issuing means is A commercial facility to which the special offer information is to be issued is selected from among the plurality of commercial facilities, based on a relationship between a first travel time required from the travel starting point of the planned attendee to the commercial facility, an expected stay time at the commercial facility, and a second travel time required from the commercial facility to the event venue, and the leeway time. The bonus information issuing device according to claim 2.

4. The acquisition means acquires congestion statuses of the plurality of commercial facilities during a time period of the margin time, The issuing means selects a commercial facility to which the special offer information is to be issued from among the plurality of commercial facilities, further based on the congestion state.

4. The bonus information issuing device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The acquisition means further acquires a current location of the person who will enter the predetermined area, The issuing means selects a commercial facility to which the special offer information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities in the vicinity of the event venue, based on the current location.

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

6. The acquiring means acquires attribute information associated with the person scheduled to enter who has been successfully authenticated, The issuing means selects a commercial facility to which the special offer information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities in the vicinity of the event venue, based on the attribute information.

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

7. The acquiring means acquires the admission qualification information associated with the person who is scheduled to enter and who has succeeded in the personal authentication.

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

8. a storage device that stores, in association with each other, admission credential information that enables admission to an event venue where a specific event is held through personal authentication, personal authentication information of a person who plans to attend and has purchased the admission credential information, and a terminal carried by the person who plans to attend; a privilege information issuing device connected to the storage device, The privilege information issuing device An acquisition means for acquiring the admission qualification information; a calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time of the person planning to enter a predetermined area including the event venue or a margin time from the arrival time to a time due to the start of the event based on the admission qualification information; an issuing means for issuing information about benefits that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time; a notification means for notifying the terminal of the person who is scheduled to enter the venue of the issued privilege information; A privilege information issuing system comprising:

9. The issuing means is selecting a commercial facility to which the special offer information is to be issued from among a plurality of commercial facilities in the vicinity of the event venue based on the margin time; Issue the benefit information available at the selected commercial facility. The bonus information issuing system according to claim 8.

10. The computer Acquire admission eligibility information that enables persons planning to enter an event venue where a specified event is held to enter through personal authentication, Calculating an estimated time of arrival of the person planning to enter a predetermined area including the event venue or a margin of time from the estimated time of arrival to a time due to the start of the event based on the admission qualification information; issuing information about benefits that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time; notifying the issued benefit information to the terminal of the person who plans to enter; How bonus information is issued.

11. An acquisition process for acquiring admission qualification information that enables a person who is planning to enter an event venue where a predetermined event is held to enter through personal authentication; A calculation process for calculating an estimated arrival time of the person planning to enter a predetermined area including the event venue or a margin time from the arrival time to a time due to the start of the event based on the admission qualification information; an issuing process for issuing special offer information that can be used at one or more commercial facilities near the event venue based on the margin time; A notification process of notifying the terminal of the person who plans to enter the venue of the issued privilege information; A bonus information issuing program that causes a computer to execute the above.