Server device, system, and server device control method and program

Abstract

Provided is a server device that enables a plurality of businesses providing online services to reflect the real-world behavior of users in the provision of services. The server device comprises: a storage means and a control means. The storage means stores biometric information and individual user IDs for each of a plurality of users in association with each other, the individual user IDs allowing each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the users. The control means acquires biometric information and offline behavior information about an offline participant from a terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, the offline behavior information relating to predetermined behavior at the first offline business. The control means identifies offline participants from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information. The control means transmits, to an online business affiliated with the first offline business, the individual user ID and offline behavior information about the identified offline participant in the online business affiliated with the first offline business.

Description

Server device, system, server device control method and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a program.

[0002] Technology exists to link online services with in-store services.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that the value of the game content obtained by the lottery is maintained while maintaining the player's sense of anticipation for the lottery. In Patent Document 1, the game progresses based on the characters (game content) owned by the player. During the game, a preliminary lottery is held to select a combination of a character and an action condition. A character won in the preliminary lottery is provided to the player when the action condition associated with that character is fulfilled. The action condition is fulfilled, for example, when a specific product is purchased at a specific store. Multiple characters may be won in one preliminary lottery. In this case, the player can obtain a desired character from multiple characters by fulfilling any one of the action conditions.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-075051

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user purchases a specific product at a specific store, the user is provided with a special benefit (character). The system in Patent Document 1 does not anticipate partnerships between multiple businesses (game companies) that provide online services and physical stores. However, in reality, multiple businesses often partner with physical stores. In such cases, the system in Patent Document 1 cannot notify each business of actions taken at the physical store.

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a program that contribute to enabling multiple businesses that provide online services to reflect users' real-world behavior in the services they provide.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device comprising: a storage means for storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user, in association with each other; and a control means for acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, the biometric information of an offline participant who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business, identifying the offline participant from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, and transmitting the individual user ID and offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business to an online business among the plurality of online businesses that is in a partnership with the first offline business.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including a plurality of online servers managed by a plurality of online businesses respectively, a plurality of terminals managed by a plurality of offline businesses respectively, and a server device, wherein the server device stores, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID used by each of the plurality of online businesses to identify the user in association with each other, acquires, from the terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, the biometric information of an offline person who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business, identifies the offline person from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, and transmits the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline person of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business to the online server of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business among the plurality of online businesses.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a server device, which stores, in a server device, biometric information for each of a plurality of users and an individual user ID used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user in association with each other, acquires, from a terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, the biometric information of an offline participant who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business, identifies the offline participant from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, and transmits, to an online business among the plurality of online businesses that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business, the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: a process of storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user in association with each other; a process of acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline participant who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business; a process of identifying the offline participant from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; and a process of transmitting, to an online business among the plurality of online businesses that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business, the individual user ID and offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business.

[0011] According to each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a program are provided that contribute to enabling multiple businesses that provide online services to reflect users' real-world behavior in the provision of services. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the above effects.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of an operation of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a guide terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a control server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of an alliance control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of table information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of an alliance control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control server according to the present disclosure.

[0013] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units, not hardware units. Connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Note that in this specification and drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be assigned the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0014] A server device 100 according to one embodiment includes a storage unit 101 and a control unit 102 (see FIG. 1 ). The storage unit 101 stores biometric information for each of a plurality of users in association with an individual user ID used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user (storing biometric information, etc.; step S1 in FIG. 2 ). The control unit 102 acquires biometric information of offline participants and offline behavior information related to predetermined behavior at the first offline business from a terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses (step S2). The control unit 102 identifies offline participants from among the plurality of users by performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information (step S3). The control unit 102 transmits the individual user ID and offline behavior information of the identified offline participants at the online business partnering with the first offline business to an online business partnering with the first offline business (step S4).

[0015] When a user takes a predetermined action at an offline business, the server device 100 notifies at least one online business partnered with the offline business of the offline participant's action. The server device 100 identifies an online business partnered with the offline business from among multiple online businesses and notifies the identified online business of the user's offline action information. Each online business that receives the notification can provide online services based on the offline action information. For example, the online business may grant the user a special benefit related to the online service.

[0016] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [System Configuration] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an information processing system according to embodiment 1. The information processing system according to embodiment 1 includes multiple online servers 10-1 to 10-3, multiple payment terminals 20-1 and 20-2, multiple guidance terminals 30-1 and 30-2, and a control server 40.

[0019] In the following description, unless there is a particular reason to distinguish between the online servers 10-1 to 10-3, they will simply be referred to as the "online server 10." Similarly, for other elements, the symbol to the left of the hyphen will represent that element.

[0020] The online server 10 is managed and operated by a business operator (hereinafter referred to as an online business operator) that provides services to users online. Examples of the online business operator include an EC (Electronic Commerce) business operator, a game company, etc. In this disclosure, a game company will be used as an example of the online business operator.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, online server 10-1 is managed and operated by game company A. Online server 10-2 is managed and operated by game company B. Online server 10-3 is managed and operated by game company C.

[0022] The payment terminal 20 is managed and operated by a business operator (hereinafter referred to as an offline business operator) that provides services to users offline (in the real world). Examples of offline business operators include restaurants and retail stores. In this disclosure, an offline business operator will be described using a retail store such as a convenience store as an example.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, payment terminal 20-1 is managed and operated by retail store D. Payment terminal 20-2 is managed and operated by retail store E. Payment terminal 20 is installed in a physical store such as a retail store. Payment terminal 20 is a POS (Point of Sale) terminal that allows users to pay for products and services they have purchased.

[0024] The guide terminal 30 is managed and operated by an offline business operator. The guide terminal 30 is, for example, a digital signage that provides information to users who visit an offline business operator (for example, a retail store).

[0025] The control server 40 is a server for realizing collaboration between online businesses (for example, game companies) and offline businesses (for example, retail stores).

[0026] A user owns a terminal 50. The user operates the terminal 50 to play games or do online shopping.

[0027] 3 are connected to a network. Specifically, the online server 10, the payment terminal 20, the information terminal 30, and the control server 40 are connected to the network via wired or wireless communication means.

[0028] 3 is an example, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the information processing system. For example, a plurality of control servers 40 may be included in the system.

[0029] [Overall Operation] Next, an overall operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] <Creating a System Account> To enjoy the benefits of a business partnership (business collaboration) between an online business and an offline business, users are required to register in advance (user registration, system registration). More specifically, the user accesses the control server 40 and performs the procedure for account creation. In the following explanation, the account created in the control server 40 will be referred to as a "system account."

[0031] To create a system account, the user operates the terminal 50 that the user owns to access the control server 40. In response to the access from the terminal 50, the control server 40 displays a WEB page for creating a system account.

[0032] The user performs an operation for generating a system account (for example, pressing a predetermined button) to generate the system account. At that time, the control server 40 acquires information necessary for generating the system account for the user. Specifically, the control server 40 acquires biometric information, name, date of birth, contact information, account information, etc.

[0033] Examples of biometric information include data (features) calculated from physical characteristics unique to an individual, such as a face, fingerprint, voiceprint, veins, retina, and iris pattern. Alternatively, the biometric information may be image data such as a face image or fingerprint image. The biometric information may be any information that includes an individual's physical characteristics. In the first embodiment, the biometric information is a person's face image or features generated from a face image.

[0034] When the control server 40 acquires personal information such as biometric information and name, it generates a user ID (identifier) ​​for uniquely identifying the user in the information processing system.

[0035] The control server 40 associates and stores the generated user ID, biometric information, name, date of birth, contact information, etc. of the user. The control server 40 stores this information in a "user management database." Details of the user management database will be described later.

[0036] <Creating an Online Account> A user creates an account for each online business from which they receive services. In the following explanation, an account created by an online business will be referred to as an "online account."

[0037] For example, a user creates an online account for each game company that corresponds to the game they wish to play. For example, to play games provided by game companies A to C, the user creates an online account for each of the corresponding online servers 10-1 to 10-3. At that time, the user enters their name, date of birth, etc. into online server 10.

[0038] The online server 10 stores, in the user's online account, the user's ID, the ID of the game being played (game ID), information about the game (game information), etc., in association with each other. In the following description, the user's ID managed by each service provider will be referred to as an "individual service user ID" or simply as an "individual user ID."

[0039] To reap the benefits of a business partnership between an online business and an offline business, the system account and the online account must be linked. Specifically, the online account ID (individual service user ID) must be registered in the system account.

[0040] When the online account is created, the online server 10 transmits an "ID registration request" including the user's personal identification information, individual user ID, and business ID to the control server 40 (see FIG. 4).

[0041] The personal identification information is information for identifying (specifying) a user, such as the user's name or a combination of the user's name and date of birth.

[0042] The operator ID is an ID for identifying operators (online operators, offline operators) participating in the information processing system. For example, a different ID is assigned to each game company. The operator ID is shared among system participants (online operators, offline operators) by any means. For example, when an operator participates in the information processing system, a system administrator or the like generates an operator ID to be assigned to the operator. The system administrator or the like notifies each operator of the generated operator ID.

[0043] The control server 40 acquires from the online server 10 personal identification information, an individual user ID, and a business ID of an online business (for example, a game company) that is the target of account linkage.

[0044] The control server 40 identifies the user registered in the system account based on the personal identification information. The control server 40 also identifies the online business that is the target of account linkage based on the business ID. The control server 40 associates the business ID of the online business with the individual user ID in the account of the identified user.

[0045] In response to receiving the ID registration request, the control server 40 associates the user's biometric information with the ID (individual user ID) managed by the online account and manages them. For example, the control server 40 stores the user's facial image, the individual user ID of game company A, the individual user ID of game company B, and the individual user ID of game company C in association with each other.

[0046] The control server 40 notifies the online server 10 of the processing result of the ID registration request (ID registration successful, ID registration failed). If the ID registration is successful, the control server 40 sends a positive response indicating that to the online server 10. If the ID registration is unsuccessful, the control server 40 sends a negative response indicating that to the online server 10.

[0047] The online server 10 notifies the user of the result of the ID registration as necessary.

[0048] Once the individual user ID is registered in the system account (account linkage is completed), the user can enjoy the benefits of the business partnership between the online business and the offline business.

[0049] <Partnerships Between Businesses> The control server 40 stores information relating to partnerships between online businesses and offline businesses (hereinafter referred to as partnership information). The control server 40 stores details relating to the status of partnerships between online businesses and offline businesses. For example, the control server 40 stores information such as "Game company A and retail store D are partnering" or "Game company A, game company B, and retail store E are partnering."

[0050] A system administrator or the like inputs alliance information into the control server 40 based on an application from the parties (online business operator, offline business operator) in the business alliance.

[0051] <Business Alliance Initiated by Offline Business> First, a case where a business alliance is realized as a result of user behavior at an offline business will be described.

[0052] For example, a user purchases a product or service at a retail store. The user (offline participant) pays for the product or service using the payment terminal 20.

[0053] The payment terminal 20 photographs the user after completing payment. The payment terminal 20 notifies the control server 40 of the biometric information obtained by photographing the user, behavioral information of the user at the offline business (hereinafter referred to as offline behavioral information), and the business ID.

[0054] For example, the offline behavior information may include information regarding payment for products purchased by the user (payment information, such as the name of the purchased product, the price, etc.).

[0055] The payment terminal 20 transmits an "offline behavior notification" including biometric information (for example, a facial image), the business ID of the offline business, and offline behavior information to the control server 40 (see FIG. 5).

[0056] The control server 40 identifies the user (purchaser of the product or the like, offline participant) through authentication using the acquired biometric information and the biometric information stored in the user management database. The control server 40 also identifies the offline business that sold the product or the like to the user based on the acquired business ID.

[0057] The control server 40 refers to the partnership information between businesses and identifies online businesses (game companies) that are partnering with the identified offline business (retailer).

[0058] The control server 40 notifies the online server 10 of the identified online business of the individual user ID of the purchaser of the product, etc. (an ID used by the identified online business to manage users), the offline behavior information, and the business ID of the business partner. Specifically, the control server 40 sends a "business partner notification" to the online server 10, which includes the individual user ID of the purchaser of the product, etc., the offline behavior information, and the business ID.

[0059] For example, consider a case where retail store D and game company A are in partnership. In this case, when a payment is made at payment terminal 20-1 of retail store D, control server 40 sends a business partner notification to online server 10-1, which includes game company A's individual user ID, offline behavior information (payment information), and retail store D's business ID.

[0060] Alternatively, consider a case where retail store E is partnered with game companies A and B. In this case, when payment is made at payment terminal 20-2 of retail store E, control server 40 sends a business partner notification to online server 10-1, which includes game company A's individual user ID, offline behavior information (payment information), and the business ID of retail store E. Similarly, control server 40 sends a business partner notification to online server 10-2, which includes game company B's individual user ID, offline behavior information (payment information), and the business ID of retail store E.

[0061] The online server 10 identifies a purchaser of a product or the like (an offline person who has engaged in consumption behavior at an offline business) based on the acquired individual user ID. The online server 10 provides the identified user with a benefit or the like according to offline behavior information (e.g., payment information).

[0062] For example, game company A (online server 10-1) provides online (game) benefits to users who purchase specific products at retail store D. For example, when a user purchases a product that is being promoted at a convenience store, online server 10-1 provides the purchaser with benefits such as items that can be used in the online game or character enhancements.

[0063] In this way, in the information processing system according to the first embodiment, the offline behavior of the user is utilized in providing online services.

[0064] <Business Alliance Initiated by Online Business Operator> Next, a case where a business alliance is realized as a result of the actions of a user at an online business operator will be described.

[0065] For example, a user logs in to an online account to play a game. The online server 10 displays information about a business partnered with the online server 10 (offline business) on the game play screen. For example, the online server 10 displays information about purchasing products sold by the business partnered with the online server 10.

[0066] For example, the online server 10 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 6 on the terminal 50 of a user playing a game. When the user clicks on a specific location 60 on the game screen, the online server 10 displays information such as a guide to a physical store where products from the partner business can be purchased.

[0067] For example, the online server 10 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 7 on the user's terminal 50. For example, the online server 10 displays on the terminal 50 information about offline businesses from which a collaborative product (a mug in the example of Fig. 7 ) between the online server 10 (a game company) and another company (a retail store) can be purchased.

[0068] Furthermore, in response to the user clicking on the specific location 60, the online server 10 notifies the control server 40 of the user's online behavior. Specifically, the online server 10 notifies the control server 40 of the user's individual user ID, the business ID, and the user's online behavior information (hereinafter referred to as online behavior information).

[0069] In the above example, the online behavior information includes the business ID of the offline business partnering with the offline business and information proposed to the user (proposal information; for example, the product name of the proposed product).

[0070] The online server 10 transmits an "online behavior notification" including the individual user ID, the business ID of the online business, and the online behavior information to the control server 40 (see FIG. 8).

[0071] The control server 40 uses the individual user ID and the business ID to identify the user who performed a predetermined online action (the user who clicked on the specific location 60). The control server 40 stores online action information (e.g., the business ID of the partner business, and proposal information) in the system account of the identified user.

[0072] For example, consider a case where game company A and retail store D are in partnership. In this case, while a user is playing a game by game company A, online server 10-1 provides information about products sold at retail store D. When the user takes a predetermined action in the game, online server 10-1 sends an "online action notification" to control server 40, which includes the user's individual user ID, game company A's business ID, and online action information.

[0073] The user follows the guidance in the game and visits a store operated by an offline operator. The guide terminal 30 photographs the user visiting the offline operator's store. The guide terminal 30 notifies the control server 40 of the biometric information (facial image) and the operator ID (the operator ID of the offline operator) obtained by the photograph. Specifically, the guide terminal 30 transmits a "user detection notification" including the biometric information and the operator ID to the control server 40 (see FIG. 9).

[0074] In response to receiving the user detection notification, the control server 40 performs biometric authentication using the acquired biometric information and the biometric information stored in the user management database. By performing biometric authentication, the control server 40 identifies the user photographed by the guidance terminal 30.

[0075] The control server 40 determines whether the offline business visited by the user is included in the partner businesses of the online behavior information stored in association with the identified user. If the partner businesses include the offline business visited by the user, the control server 40 notifies the offline business of the proposal information related to the offline business.

[0076] Specifically, the control server 40 transmits a “proposed information notification” including the proposed information to the guide terminal 30 .

[0077] The guidance terminal 30 provides information to the user using the proposal information received from the control server 40. For example, the guidance terminal 30 displays the location where the proposed product included in the proposal information (in the above example, a mug) is on display (see FIG. 10 ).

[0078] In this way, the control server 40 according to the first embodiment may suggest (guide) offline consumption behavior in accordance with the user's online behavior.

[0079] Next, details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0080] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration (processing modules) of the control server 40 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11, the control server 40 includes a communication control unit 201, a user registration unit 202, an ID registration control unit 203, an alliance control unit 204, and a storage unit 205.

[0081] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the online server 10. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the online server 10. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0082] The user registration unit 202 is a means for realizing system registration of a user. The user registration unit 202 acquires biometric information (for example, a facial image), name, date of birth, contact information, account information, etc. from the user's terminal 50.

[0083] When the user registration unit 202 acquires a facial image of the user, it generates a feature amount from the acquired facial image.

[0084] Since existing technology can be used for the feature generation process by the user registration unit 202, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the user registration unit 202 extracts the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. from the face image as feature points. The user registration unit 202 then calculates the positions of the feature points and the distances between the feature points as feature amounts (generating a feature vector consisting of multiple feature amounts).

[0085] Furthermore, the user registration unit 202 generates a user ID for identifying the user. For example, the user registration unit 202 assigns a unique number each time a user registers in the system, and uses the assigned number as the user ID.

[0086] The user registration unit 202 stores the user ID, biometric information (feature amount), name, date of birth, etc. in a user management database (see FIG. 12). The user management database shown in FIG. 12 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, the user's facial image, the date and time of user registration, etc. may also be registered in the user management database.

[0087] The ID registration control unit 203 is a means for controlling the registration of an online account ID to a system account.

[0088] The ID registration control unit 203 processes an ID registration request received from the online server 10. The ID registration control unit 203 acquires from the online server 10 personal identification information, an individual user ID, and a business ID of an online business (e.g., a game company) that is the target of account linkage.

[0089] In response to receiving the ID registration request, the ID registration control unit 203 searches the user management database using the personal identification information included in the ID registration request as a key.

[0090] If the search fails, the ID registration control unit 203 determines that the ID registration (account linking) has failed. In this case, the ID registration control unit 203 transmits a negative response indicating that the ID registration has failed to the online server 10.

[0091] If the search is successful, the ID registration control unit 203 associates the business ID of the online business with the individual user ID in the account of the user identified by the search using the personal identification information. The ID registration control unit 203 sets the individual user ID obtained from the online server 10 in the field of the corresponding online business among the individual user ID fields of the entry identified by the search.

[0092] When the user's individual user ID is registered in the user management database, the ID registration control unit 203 transmits an affirmative response to the online server 10 indicating that the ID registration has been successful.

[0093] The cooperation control unit 204 is a means for controlling cooperation between online businesses and offline businesses.

[0094] The alliance control unit 204 processes offline behavior notifications received from offline businesses (payment terminals 20). The alliance control unit 204 also processes online behavior notifications received from online businesses (online servers 10). The alliance control unit 204 also processes user detection notifications received from the information terminals 30 of offline businesses.

[0095] First, with reference to FIG. 13, the operation of the alliance control unit 204 when an offline action notification is received will be described.

[0096] The alliance control unit 204 acquires biometric information and offline behavior information from a terminal (e.g., payment terminal 20) installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses through the offline behavior notification. The biometric information is biometric information of an offline person who performed a predetermined behavior at the first offline business. The offline behavior information is information (e.g., payment information) related to the predetermined behavior at the first offline business.

[0097] When an offline behavior notification is received, the alliance control unit 204 performs a matching process (one-to-N matching, where N is a positive integer; the same applies below) using the biometric information contained in the notification and the biometric information stored in the user management database (step S101).

[0098] Specifically, when an offline behavior notification is received, the alliance control unit 204 generates a feature from the biometric information (face image) included in the notification, sets the generated feature as a comparison target, and performs a comparison process with the feature registered in the user management database.

[0099] The alliance control unit 204 calculates the similarity between the feature to be matched and each of the multiple feature values ​​on the registration side. The similarity can be calculated using chi-square distance, Euclidean distance, or the like. Note that the greater the distance, the lower the similarity, and the closer the distance, the higher the similarity.

[0100] If there is no feature among the multiple features registered in the user management database whose similarity with the feature to be matched is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alliance control unit 204 determines that the matching process has failed.

[0101] If there is a feature among the multiple feature amounts registered in the user management database that has a similarity with the feature amount to be compared that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alliance control unit 204 determines that the comparison process is successful. In this case, the alliance control unit 204 identifies the user of the entry corresponding to the feature amount with the highest similarity as the user who engaged in consumption behavior, etc., at the offline business.

[0102] If the matching process fails (step S102, No branch), the alliance control unit 204 ends the process.

[0103] If the matching process is successful (step S102, Yes branch), the alliance control unit 204 determines whether there is an online business that is affiliated with the offline business corresponding to the business ID included in the offline behavior notification (determining whether there is an affiliated business; step S103).

[0104] Specifically, the alliance control unit 204 makes the above determination by referring to table information that stores alliance information regarding the alliance status between online and offline businesses (see FIG. 14). The alliance control unit 204 acquires the business ID of the first offline business from the payment terminal 20 installed at the first offline business. The alliance control unit 204 identifies online businesses that have an alliance relationship with the first offline business based on the acquired business ID and alliance information. Note that, for ease of understanding, the table information shown in FIG. 14 lists the names of the businesses, but in reality, the business IDs of the businesses are set.

[0105] If there is no online business partnering with the offline business partner (step S104, No branch), the alliance control unit 204 does not perform any particular process and ends the process.

[0106] If there is an online business partner that is affiliated with the offline business partner (step S104, Yes branch), the alliance control unit 204 sends a business alliance partner notification to the online server 10 of the online business partner that is affiliated with the offline business partner (step S105).

[0107] Specifically, the alliance control unit 204 reads out the individual user ID of the online business partner that is affiliated with the offline business from the entry identified by the matching process, and transmits a business alliance notification including the read individual user ID, offline behavior information (payment information) notified by the offline business partner, and the business ID of the offline business partner to the online server 10 of the offline business partner business.

[0108] In this way, the alliance control unit 204 identifies an offline participant from among multiple users by performing a matching process using biometric information acquired from offline businesses and biometric information stored in the user management database. The alliance control unit 204 sends a business alliance notification to an online business that has an alliance relationship with the first offline business among the multiple online businesses. The business alliance notification includes the individual user ID and offline behavior information of the identified offline participant regarding the online business that has an alliance relationship with the first offline business.

[0109] If there are multiple online businesses that are affiliated with one offline business, the alliance control unit 204 sends a business alliance notification to each of the multiple online businesses. That is, the alliance control unit 204 sends an individual user ID and offline behavior information corresponding to each online business that is affiliated with the first offline business.

[0110] Next, the operation of the alliance control unit 204 when receiving an online behavior notification will be described.

[0111] When an online behavior notification is received, the alliance control unit 204 uses the individual user ID and provider ID contained in the notification to identify the user who performed a specified online action and the online provider who provides the service to the user.

[0112] The alliance control unit 204 sets the information included in the online behavior notification (the business ID of the affiliated offline business, the proposal information) in the online behavior information field of the entry (the entry in the user management database) of the identified user.

[0113] In this way, the alliance control unit 204 acquires, from one of the multiple online businesses, the individual user ID and online behavior information of an online person who has engaged in a predetermined behavior at that one online business. The online behavior information is information related to the predetermined behavior at that one online business. The alliance control unit 204 identifies the online person based on the individual user ID at that one online business. The alliance control unit 204 associates the biometric information of the online person with the online behavior information and stores them in the user management database.

[0114] Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the operation of the alliance control unit 204 when a user detection notification is received will be described.

[0115] When receiving the user detection notification, the alliance control unit 204 executes a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the biometric information stored in the user management database (step S201).

[0116] If the matching process fails (step S202, No branch), the alliance control unit 204 ends the process.

[0117] If the matching process is successful (step S202, Yes branch), the alliance control unit 204 determines whether the user who visited the offline business (the user identified by the matching process) has taken online action related to the offline business (step S203). Specifically, the alliance control unit 204 determines whether the offline business visited by the user is included in the affiliated businesses in the online behavior information stored in association with the user identified by the matching process.

[0118] If no online actions related to offline businesses have been taken (step S204, No branch), the alliance control unit 204 ends the process.

[0119] If the user has taken an action related to the offline business online (step S204, Yes branch), the alliance control unit 204 notifies the offline business of the proposal information related to the offline business (step S205). Specifically, the alliance control unit 204 transmits a "proposal information notification" including the proposal information to the guide terminal 30.

[0120] In this way, the alliance control unit 204 acquires biometric information of a visitor who visited the second offline business from the information terminal 30 installed at the second offline business among the multiple offline businesses. The alliance control unit 204 identifies the visitor who visited the offline business from among the multiple users by performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the biometric information stored in the user management database. The alliance control unit 204 transmits the proposal information stored in association with the identified visitor to the information terminal 30.

[0121] The memory unit 205 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the control server 40. A user management database is constructed in the memory unit 205. The user management database stores, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID that is used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user, in association with each other. Furthermore, the user management database stores online behavior information of online participants. The online behavior information includes proposal information regarding products or services proposed by online businesses to the online participants.

[0122] [Online Server] A detailed description of the configuration and operation of the online server 10 will be omitted. The online server 10 links the system account and the online account by sending an ID registration request including the user's individual user ID to the control server 40. The online server 10 also receives a business partner notification from the control server 40 and grants various benefits to the user according to the offline behavior information included in the notification. Furthermore, when the user performs a predetermined online behavior, the online server 10 notifies the control server 40 of the predetermined behavior.

[0123] [Payment Terminal] A detailed description of the configuration and operation of the payment terminal 20 will be omitted. When a user takes a predetermined action (e.g., purchases a product, etc.) in a physical store, the payment terminal 20 notifies the control server 40 of the predetermined action.

[0124] [Guidance Terminal] A detailed description of the configuration and operation of the guidance terminal 30 will be omitted. When the guidance terminal 30 detects a user using a sensor or image analysis, it notifies the control server 40 of the biometric information of the detected user (visitor to the physical store). The guidance terminal 30 provides information to the visitor according to the proposal information acquired from the control server 40.

[0125] [Terminal] Examples of the terminal 50 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a game console, a mobile terminal device such as a tablet, a computer (personal computer, laptop computer), etc. The terminal 50 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the control server 40, etc. Furthermore, since the configuration of the terminal 50 is clear to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0126] [System Operation] Next, the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0127] 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. The operation of the information processing system when a user takes action offline will be described with reference to FIG.

[0128] When payment for the product or the like is completed, the payment terminal 20 transmits an offline behavior notification including the user's biometric information, offline behavior information (payment information), and the like to the control server 40 (step S01).

[0129] The control server 40 identifies the offline participant through biometric authentication (execution of biometric authentication; step S02).

[0130] The control server 40 transmits a business partner notification including the individual user ID and offline behavior information of the identified offline participant to the online server 10 of the online operator that is affiliated with the offline operator (step S03).

[0131] The online server 10 identifies offline participants based on the individual user ID and grants a benefit to the identified offline participants (users who play the company's games) (step S04). The online server 10 identifies users using the individual user IDs acquired from the control server 40 and grants the identified users a benefit according to the offline behavior information.

[0132] 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. The operation of the information processing system when a user visits an offline business will be described with reference to FIG.

[0133] When the guide terminal 30 detects a user, the guide terminal 30 transmits a user detection notification including the biometric information of the user to the control server 40 (step S11).

[0134] The control server 40 identifies the visitor through biometric authentication (performing biometric authentication; step S12).

[0135] If there is information to be proposed to the identified visitor (if there is online behavior information), the control server 40 transmits a proposed information notification including the proposed information to the guide terminal 30 (step S13).

[0136] The guide terminal 30 provides information using the acquired proposal information (step S14).

[0137] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

[0138] <Variation 1> The control server 40 may calculate a smile level (smile score) from a facial image of an offline participant and notify the online business operator (online server 10) of the calculated smile level. For example, the alliance control unit 204 of the control server 40 obtains the smile level by inputting the facial image of the offline participant into a learning model obtained by machine learning. The control server 40 transmits a business alliance partner notification to the online server 10, which includes the calculated smile level, individual user ID, etc.

[0139] The learning model is obtained by machine learning using a large amount of training data in which labels (smile levels) are assigned to face images. Any algorithm, such as a support vector machine, boosting, or neural network, can be used to generate the learning model. Since well-known techniques can be used for the algorithms, such as the support vector machine, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0140] The online server 10 may grant a benefit to the user identified by the individual user ID according to the acquired smile level.

[0141] <Variation 2> The online server 10 may determine the reward to be given to a user based not only on the offline behavior information of offline participants but also on the online situation. For example, the online server 10 may give a better reward (e.g., a character that is difficult to obtain in the game) if the user purchases a high-priced item at a physical store (offline business) and plays for a long time. Alternatively, the online server 10 may give a user a large number of points (e.g., currency that can be used in the game) when the user starts the game for the first time.

[0142] <Modification 3> The online server 10 may determine products and the like to be proposed to the user based on the game information. For example, the online server 10 may propose (introduce) to the user products according to the user's game performance (game play time and game results).

[0143] <Variation 4> The control server 40 may store not only the collaboration status between businesses but also more detailed information. For example, the control server 40 may store offline actions and the details of the benefits granted for those actions as collaboration information. For example, the control server 40 may store collaboration information such as, "Game company A and retailer D collaborate, and character A will be awarded if product A is purchased." In this case, the control server 40 may notify the online server 10 of the details of the benefits to be granted instead of or in addition to the offline action information. By including detailed information in the collaboration information, the control server 40 can determine the online business partner for each purchased product, even if the products are purchased from the same retailer. For example, if a user purchases product A from retailer A, a benefit is granted in the game of game company A. Similarly, if a user purchases product B from the same retailer A, a benefit is granted in the game of game company B.

[0144] <Variation 5> When one offline business operator and multiple online businesses are affiliated, the control server 40 may determine the percentage of benefits (e.g., points) that each online business operator will grant to a user. For example, the percentage may be described in the affiliate information. For example, when a product is purchased from retailer D, benefits are granted to game companies A and B. For example, the percentage of points granted in the game of game company A and points granted in the game of game company B may be predetermined. Furthermore, the total percentage of benefits granted to each online business operator does not have to be "1 (100%)."

[0145] Alternatively, instead of determining the benefits to be given to a user based on the ratio for each online business, the benefits to be given to each online business may be determined according to the online business (for each online business) even when the user purchases the same product, etc. For example, if a user purchases 1,000 yen from an offline business, online business A may return 1% of the purchase amount (10 points) as points, and online business B may return 10% of the purchase amount (100 points) as points.

[0146] The content of the benefits (e.g., the number of points awarded) offered by each online operator, such as the difference in the point redemption rate (1% or 10% of the purchase amount), may be determined depending on the situation of the offline operator or online operator, the contract between the operators, the progress of the online game, etc. For example, a large benefit may be awarded to a user during a campaign period run by an offline operator.

[0147] As described above, the control server 40 according to the first embodiment identifies a user (offline participant) through biometric authentication when the user takes a predetermined action at an offline provider. Furthermore, the control server 40 identifies at least one online provider affiliated with the offline provider based on the affiliate information. The control server 40 notifies the identified at least one online provider of the offline behavior information along with the identified user's ID (the offline provider's individual user ID). The online provider identifies the user who is enjoying its services based on the notified ID and provides a benefit to the user using the notified offline behavior information (e.g., payment information). In this way, the control server 40 according to the first embodiment realizes inter-provider collaboration based on the user's actions at the offline provider.

[0148] Furthermore, when a user takes a predetermined action online related to an offline business, the control server 40 stores the user's online behavior information in association with biometric information. When the user visits an offline business related to the user's online behavior, the control server 40 identifies the visitor through biometric authentication. The control server 40 notifies the offline business of product suggestion information and the like from the offline behavior information stored in association with the identified visitor. The offline business can provide information to the user using the notified product suggestion information. In this way, the control server 40 according to the first embodiment realizes business-to-business collaboration triggered by the user's actions on the online business side.

[0149] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the information processing system will be described. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control server 40.

[0150] The control server 40 can be configured using an information processing device (a so-called computer), and has the configuration shown in Fig. 18. For example, the control server 40 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, and a communication interface 314. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0151] However, the configuration shown in Fig. 18 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the control server 40. The control server 40 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. Furthermore, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the control server 40 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in Fig. 18; for example, the control server 40 may include multiple processors 311.

[0152] The processor 311 is a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0153] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0154] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like that accepts user operations.

[0155] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0156] The functions of the control server 40 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules can also be realized by semiconductor chips.

[0157] The online server 10 and the like can also be configured using an information processing device, similar to the control server 40, and the basic hardware configuration is no different from that of the control server 40, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0158] The control server 40 is equipped with a computer, and the functions of the control server 40 can be realized by causing the computer to execute a program. The control server 40 also executes the control method of the control server 40 by means of the program.

[0159] [Modifications] The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the configuration, etc. of the system.

[0160] In the above embodiment, the control server 40 identifies a user through a matching process using biometric information. However, the control server 40 may identify a user through other methods. For example, the control server 40 may identify a user by acquiring a user ID from an offline user. For example, the control server 40 may issue a user ID to a user when creating a system account. For example, the payment terminal 20 may acquire the issued user ID at the time of payment. In this case, the user may present a two-dimensional barcode converted from the user ID issued by the control server 40 to the payment terminal 20, enter the user ID into the payment terminal 20, or have the payment terminal 20 read a card on which the user ID is stored. In this way, when a user performs payment processing at an offline business (a storefront or shop of an offline business), the control server 40 may identify the user (verify their identity) not only through biometric authentication using biometric information but also through authentication information using a two-dimensional barcode or the like. For example, the user may have the payment terminal 20 read a two-dimensional barcode or the like before or after purchasing a product.

[0161] The control server 40 may verify the identity of a user when generating a system account. For example, the control server 40 acquires biometric information (facial image) from an identification card such as a passport held by the user. For example, the control server 40 performs identity verification using biometric information (facial image) obtained by photographing the user and biometric information obtained from the identification card. The control server 40 performs identity verification by determining whether the two sets of biometric information substantially match. Similarly, the online server 10 may perform identity verification of a user when generating an online account.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the payment terminal 20 has been described as an example of a terminal installed at an offline business operator. The terminal installed at an offline business operator is not limited to the payment terminal 20, and may be other types of terminal. For example, a gate-type terminal may be installed at an offline business operator. In this case, the online business operator (online server 10) may grant an online benefit to a user in response to the user's entry into a specified event venue or the like. Alternatively, the terminal installed at an offline business operator may be a kiosk terminal for registering information necessary for procedures at an airport or the like.

[0163] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the payment terminal 20 and the information terminal 30 are installed at one offline business. However, the offline business may have either one of the two types of terminals installed therein. Alternatively, a terminal having the functions of the payment terminal 20 and the information terminal 30 may be installed at the offline business (such as a store of the offline business).

[0164] The online server 10 may provide preferential treatment to users who purchase products, etc. offline in response to a suggestion from the online server 10. Specifically, a user who purchases products, etc. from an offline business after receiving an online recommendation is provided with preferential treatment compared to a user who purchases products, etc. from an offline business (e.g., a retail store) without receiving an online recommendation (suggestion). The online server 10 may provide more or better benefits to users who purchase products, etc. in response to information suggested by the online server 10. When the control server 40 receives an offline behavior notification from a payment terminal 20 installed at the same offline business as the guidance terminal 30 that sent the suggested information notification, the control server 40 notifies the online server 10 of this. Based on the notification, the online server 10 identifies users who purchased products, etc. in response to the information suggested by the online server 10, and provides more or better benefits to the users.

[0165] In the above embodiment, the case where the user management database is configured inside the control server 40 has been described, but the database may also be constructed on an external database server or the like. That is, some of the functions of the control server 40 may be implemented in another device. More specifically, the above-described "affiliation control unit (affiliation control means)" and the like may be implemented in any of the devices included in the system.

[0166] The form of data transmission between each device (e.g., payment terminal 20, control server 40) is not particularly limited, but the data transmitted between these devices may be encrypted. Biometric information of users and other information is transmitted between these devices, and in order to appropriately protect this information, it is desirable to transmit and receive encrypted data.

[0167] In the flow charts (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the order of execution of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected, such as by executing each process in parallel.

[0168] The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the above-described configurations are required. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with another configuration.

[0169] The above explanation makes clear the industrial applicability of the present invention, and the present invention is particularly applicable to information processing systems in which online and offline businesses coexist and these businesses cooperate with each other.

[0170] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. [Supplementary Note 1] A server device comprising: a storage means for storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user, in association with each other; and a control means for acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business among a plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline person who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business, identifying the offline person from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, and transmitting the individual user ID and offline behavior information of the identified offline person of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business to an online business among the plurality of online businesses that is in a partnership with the first offline business. [Supplementary Note 2] The server device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the control means transmits the individual user ID and the offline behavior information corresponding to each online business to each online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business. [Supplementary Note 3] The server device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the storage means stores alliance information relating to alliance status between the plurality of offline businesses and the plurality of online businesses, the control means acquires a business ID of the first offline business from a terminal installed at the first offline business, and identifies an online business that has an alliance relationship with the first offline business based on the acquired business ID and the alliance information. [Supplementary Note 4] The server device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the control means acquires, from one online business among the plurality of online businesses, the individual user ID of an online person who has taken a predetermined action at the one online business and online behavior information relating to the predetermined action at the one online business, and identifies the online person based on the individual user ID of the one online business, and the storage means stores biometric information of the online person in association with the online behavior information.[Supplementary Note 5] The online behavior information includes proposal information regarding products or services proposed to the online user, and the control means acquires biometric information of a visitor who visits a second offline business from a guidance terminal installed at a second offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, identifies the visitor from among the plurality of users by performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, and transmits the proposal information stored in association with the identified visitor to the guidance terminal. [Supplementary Note 6] A system including: a plurality of online servers managed by each of a plurality of online businesses; a plurality of terminals managed by each of a plurality of offline businesses; and a server device, wherein the server device stores, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID used by each of the plurality of online businesses to identify the user in association with each other; acquires, from the terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, the biometric information of an offline person who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business; identifies the offline person from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; and transmits the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline person of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business to the online server of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business among the plurality of online businesses. [Supplementary Note 7] The system described in Supplementary Note 6, wherein the online server identifies a user using the acquired individual user ID and grants the identified user a benefit according to the offline behavior information.[Supplementary Note 8] The system according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the server device acquires a facial image of the offline participant as the biometric information, calculates a smile level of the offline participant from the acquired facial image, and transmits the calculated smile level to the online server, and the online server grants a benefit corresponding to the smile level to the user identified by the individual user ID. [Supplementary Note 9] A control method for a server device, comprising: a server device that stores, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID used by each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user, in association with each other; acquires, from a terminal installed at a first offline business, the biometric information of the offline participant who performed a predetermined behavior at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined behavior at the first offline business; identifies the offline participant from the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; and transmits, to an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business among the plurality of online businesses, the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that is in a partnership with the first offline business.[Supplementary Note 10] A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: a process of storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID for each of a plurality of online businesses to identify the user in association with each other; a process of acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business among the plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline person who has taken a predetermined action at the first offline business and offline behavior information related to the predetermined action at the first offline business; a process of identifying the offline person from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; and a process of transmitting, to an online business among the plurality of online businesses that has a partnership with the first offline business, the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline person of an online business that has a partnership with the first offline business.

[0171] The disclosures of the above-cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that may be made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concepts thereof.

[0172] 10 Online server 10-1 Online server 10-2 Online server 10-3 Online server 20 Payment terminal 20-1 Payment terminal 20-2 Payment terminal 30 Guide terminal 30-1 Guide terminal 30-2 Guide terminal 40 Control server 50 Terminal 60 Specific location 100 Server device 101 Storage means 102 Control means 201 Communication control unit 202 User registration unit 203 ID registration control unit 204 Affiliation control unit 205 Storage unit 311 Processor 312 Memory 313 Input / output interface 314 Communication interface

Claims

1. a storage means for storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID for identifying the user by each of a plurality of online businesses in association with each other; acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business operator among a plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline person who has performed a predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator and offline behavior information related to the predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator; identifying the offline participant from among the plurality of users through a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; a control means for transmitting the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that has a partnership with the first offline business to an online business that has a partnership with the first offline business among the plurality of online businesses; A server device comprising:

2. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the control means transmits the individual user ID and the offline behavior information corresponding to each online business operator that has a partnership with the first offline business operator to each online business operator that has a partnership with the first offline business operator.

3. the storage means stores partnership information relating to partnership status between the plurality of offline businesses and the plurality of online businesses; the control means acquires a business ID of the first offline business from a terminal installed at the first offline business; The server device according to claim 2 , further comprising: identifying an online business that has an alliance with the first offline business based on the acquired business ID and the alliance information.

4. The control means acquire, from one of the plurality of online businesses, the individual user ID of an online person who has taken a predetermined action at the one online business and online behavior information regarding the predetermined action at the one online business, and identify the online person based on the individual user ID at the one online business; 4. The server device according to claim 3, wherein said storage means stores the biometric information of said online participant and said online behavior information in association with each other.

5. The online behavior information includes recommendation information regarding products or services recommended to the online behavior user; The control means acquiring biometric information of a visitor who has visited a second offline business from a guide terminal installed at the second offline business among the plurality of offline businesses; The server device according to claim 4, wherein the visitor is identified from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, and the proposed information stored in association with the identified visitor is transmitted to the guidance terminal.

6. Multiple online servers managed by multiple online operators, Multiple devices managed by multiple offline operators, a server device; Including, The server device storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID for identifying the user by each of the plurality of online businesses in association with each other; acquiring, from the terminal installed at a first offline business operator among the plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline person who has performed a predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator and offline behavior information related to the predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator; identifying the offline participant from among the plurality of users through a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; A system that transmits the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business to the online server of an online business that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business among the plurality of online businesses.

7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the online server identifies the user using the acquired individual user ID, and grants the identified user a benefit according to the offline behavior information.

8. the server device acquires a facial image of the offline participant as the biometric information, calculates a smile level of the offline participant from the acquired facial image, and transmits the calculated smile level to the online server; The system according to claim 7 , wherein the online server grants a benefit according to the smile level to the user identified by the individual user ID.

9. In the server device, storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID for identifying the user by each of a plurality of online businesses in association with each other; acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business operator among a plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline person who has performed a predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator and offline behavior information related to the predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator; identifying the offline participant from among the plurality of users through a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; A control method for a server device, which transmits the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business to an online business among the plurality of online businesses that has an affiliated relationship with the first offline business.

10. The computer installed in the server device a process of storing, for each of a plurality of users, biometric information and an individual user ID for identifying the user by each of a plurality of online businesses in association with each other; a process of acquiring, from a terminal installed at a first offline business operator among a plurality of offline businesses, biometric information of an offline person who has performed a predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator and offline behavior information related to the predetermined behavior at the first offline business operator; a process of identifying the offline participant from among the plurality of users by a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information; a process of transmitting the individual user ID and the offline behavior information of the identified offline participant of an online business that has a partnership with the first offline business to an online business that has a partnership with the first offline business among the plurality of online businesses; A program to execute.