Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

An information processing device according to an embodiment includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a usage history of a user from each of a plurality of point grant services; and an output unit that, on the basis of the usage history, outputs opportunity loss information regarding points that the user could have obtained with respect to a combination of the point grant services.

Description

Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Method

[0001] The present invention relates to information processing in a point giving service.

[0002] A point giving service using services on the Internet is known. In such a service, maximizing the points to be given is one of the concerns of users. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for proposing to a user a combination of payment methods that maximizes the points to be given in an electronic payment system in which a plurality of payment methods are available within the own service.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-153116

[0004] The technique described in Patent Document 1 related to a combination of a plurality of payment methods available within the own service. However, there are also services in the world where points given by cooperation between different services increase.

[0005] In contrast, the present invention relates to a combination of a plurality of point giving services, and provides a technique for promoting the use of point giving services.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus including: an acquisition unit that acquires a usage history of a certain user from each of a plurality of point giving services; and an output unit that outputs opportunity loss information indicating an opportunity loss related to points that the user would obtain, regarding the combination of the plurality of point giving services, based on the usage history.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an information processing method including: a step of acquiring a usage history of a certain user from each of a plurality of point giving services; and a step of outputting opportunity loss information indicating an opportunity loss related to points that the user would obtain, regarding the combination of the plurality of point giving services, based on the usage history.

[0008] According to the present invention, information for promoting the use of point giving services is provided regarding a combination of a plurality of point giving services.

[0009] A diagram showing an overview of an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment. A diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the information processing system 1. A diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. A flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1. A diagram illustrating the usage history in service SA1. A diagram illustrating the usage history in service SA2. A diagram illustrating the usage history in service SA3. A diagram illustrating the correlation database 112. A diagram illustrating the display screen for opportunity loss information.

[0010] 1. Diagram 1 shows an overview of an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment. The information processing system 1 is a system that outputs information about points that a user could have earned, i.e., opportunity cost, based on the user's usage history, in relation to a point awarding service associated with payment. The information processing system 1 aims to promote the use of payment services by outputting information about opportunity cost.

[0011] Information processing system 1 comprises an information processing device 10, servers 20, 30, 40, and a user terminal 50. These devices are connected by a network 9. Network 9 is a computer network such as the Internet. User terminal 50 is a terminal device used by end-user user X to pay for goods or services. Servers 20, 30, and 40 are servers that provide different point-granting services. Here, a point-granting service refers to a service that awards points in accordance with the use of related services. Points are virtual values ​​that can be exchanged for goods or services, exchanged for electronic money, or used as part of the payment price. Generally, points can be used in various ways later and function as an incentive to promote consumer purchasing activity.

[0012] "Related services" refer to services specified in each point-granting service, such as payment services. A payment service is a service that handles the exchange of payment for goods or services. A payment service may be, for example, payment by credit card, payment by so-called electronic money, or payment by so-called QR code (registered trademark). In one example, Server 20 is a server that provides QR code (registered trademark) payment services. Hereinafter, this service will be referred to as Service SA1. Server 30 is a server that provides credit card services. Hereinafter, this service will be referred to as Service SA2. Both Service SA1 and Service SA2 award points according to the amount of payment made using their respective services.

[0013] Server 40 is a server that provides a points service. The points service is a service that awards points for transactions with partner businesses. The points service awards points according to the usage status of services provided by other businesses. Hereinafter, this service will be referred to as Service SA3. Servers 20, 30, and 40 may be operated by a single business or by different businesses.

[0014] The information processing device 10 is a server that outputs information regarding user X's lost opportunities based on information acquired from servers 20, 30, and 40. The information processing system 1 makes user X aware of lost opportunities by providing user X with information regarding lost opportunities, thereby promoting the use of the services of servers 20, 30, and 40.

[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 includes a storage unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a generation unit 13, an output unit 14, and a control unit 19. In this example, the storage unit 11, the acquisition unit 12, the generation unit 13, the output unit 14, and the user terminal 50 are all implemented in the information processing device 10.

[0016] The storage unit 11 stores various programs and data. In this example, the data stored by the storage unit 11 includes a usage history database 111 and a correlation database 112. The usage history database 111 is a database that records the usage history of each user. The correlation database 112 is a database that records information showing the correlation for increasing points in each point service, and is an example of a database in which the conditions for increasing points awarded in each point awarding service are registered. The acquisition unit 12 acquires the usage history of a specified user. The generation unit 13 generates information about the points that the user could have obtained (i.e., opportunity cost) with respect to a combination of multiple point services, based on the user's usage history. Hereinafter, this information will be referred to as opportunity cost information. Opportunity cost information is, for example, information that shows how many points could have been obtained, or more specifically, information that shows the quantity of points that could have been obtained. The output unit 14 outputs the opportunity cost information generated by the generation unit 13. In one example, the output unit 14 outputs the opportunity cost information to the device corresponding to the user to whom the opportunity cost information pertains. The control unit 19 performs various controls.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. Physically, the information processing device 10 is configured as a computer including a processor 101, memory 102, storage 103, communication device 104, input device (optional), display device (optional), and a bus connecting these. Each of these devices operates on power supplied from a battery (not shown). In the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 may include one or more of the devices shown in Figure 3, or it may be configured without some of the devices. Alternatively, multiple devices with different enclosures may be connected via communication to constitute the information processing device 10.

[0018] Each function in the information processing device 10 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 101 and memory 102, which allows the processor 101 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 104, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the memory 102 and storage 103.

[0019] The processor 101 controls the entire computer, for example, by running the operating system. The processor 101 may be composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. Also, for example, a baseband signal processing unit or a call processing unit may be implemented by the processor 101.

[0020] The processor 101 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc., from at least one of the storage 103 and the communication device 104 into the memory 102 and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described later. Functional blocks of the information processing device 10 may be stored in the memory 102 and implemented by control programs that run on the processor 101. Various processes may be executed by one processor 101, or they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 101. The processor 101 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted to the information processing device 10 via a telecommunications line.

[0021] Memory 102 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory 102 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. Memory 102 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for carrying out the method according to this embodiment.

[0022] The storage 103 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The storage 103 may also be called an auxiliary storage device.

[0023] The communication device 104 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc.

[0024] Each device, such as the processor 101 and memory 102, is connected by a bus for communicating information. The bus may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be used for each device.

[0025] The information processing device 10 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by this hardware. For example, the processor 101 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0026] In this example, the program stored in the storage 103 includes a program (hereinafter referred to as the "server program") that causes the computer to function as an information processing device 10 in the information processing system 1. When the processor 101 is executing the server program, at least one of the memory 102 and the storage 103 is an example of a storage unit 11, the processor 101 is an example of an acquisition unit 12, a generation unit 13, and a control unit 19, and the communication device 104 is an example of an output unit 14.

[0027] Although a detailed explanation is omitted, servers 20, 30, and 40 have the same hardware configuration as the information processing device 10. The user terminal 50 is a computer having a processor, memory, storage, communication device, input device, and output device, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or personal computer. The user terminal 50 has a program installed that allows the computer to function as a user terminal 50 in the information processing system 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "client program").

[0028] 2. Operation Diagram 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information processing system 1. The flow in Figure 4 is initiated by a predetermined event. The event that triggers the initiation of this flow is, for example, when the current date and time becomes a predetermined date and time (for example, 0:00 AM on the 1st of each month), or when a request to start the flow is received from another device such as the user terminal 50. The services provided by Server 20, Server 30, and Server 40 have each acquired a certain number of users. These users utilize each service in their daily lives. Servers 20, 30, and 40 each record the history of each user's use of their respective services.

[0029] In step S1, the information processing device 10 obtains the usage history of each service from servers 20, 30, and 40, respectively. The usage history is information that shows how much each user used the service during the target period (for example, the most recent month). The information processing device 10 records this usage history in the usage history database 111.

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates the usage history of Service SA1. Here, we illustrate the usage history of User X. The usage history includes multiple items, in this example, the amount spent, membership rank, points earned, whether or not a partner payment service was used, and whether or not a campaign was participated in. The item "Amount spent" shows the amount of payments made by User X using Service SA1 during the target period. The item "Membership rank" shows User X's membership rank in Service SA1. In Service SA1, membership ranks are determined according to the amount of payments made over a certain period (for example, one year). Furthermore, the point redemption rate is determined according to the membership rank. The higher the membership rank, the higher the point redemption rate, and the more efficiently points can be earned. The item "Points earned" shows the number of points earned by User X in Service SA1 during the target period. The item "Whether or not a partner payment service was used" shows whether or not a partner payment service was used. A partner payment service refers to a specific payment service designated by the Service SA1 provider as the means of payment (or withdrawal destination) for the payment amount of Service SA1. For example, a specific credit card service or a specific online bank account may be designated as a partner payment service. Using a partner payment service will increase the point redemption rate, allowing users to earn points more efficiently. By designating a specific payment service as the destination for the payment amount of Service SA1, the aim is to promote the use of both Service SA1 and the specific payment service. The item "Campaign Participation" indicates whether or not a user is participating in a campaign with Service SA1. A campaign is an event that offers higher point redemption than usual for a limited time. By entering, i.e., registering to participate in a campaign, users can earn higher point redemption. Multiple campaigns may be held during the target period, in which case, whether or not the user entered each campaign will be recorded.

[0031] Figure 6 illustrates the usage history in Service SA2. The usage history includes multiple items, in this example, the amount spent, membership rank, points earned, and whether or not the user participated in a campaign. The item "Amount spent" indicates the amount spent on payments using Service SA2. The item "Membership rank" indicates the membership rank of user X in Service SA2. The item "Points earned" indicates the number of points earned by user X in Service SA2 during the specified period. The item "Campaign participation" indicates whether or not the user participated in a campaign in Service SA2. Although both Server 20 and Server 30 are servers that provide payment services, the items in the usage history are set independently and differ between them.

[0032] Figure 7 illustrates the usage history for Service SA3. The usage history includes multiple items, in this example, usage amount, membership rank, points earned, and whether or not the user participated in a campaign. The item "Usage Amount" shows the transaction amount with partner companies of Service SA3. The item "Membership Rank" shows the membership rank of User X in Service SA3. The item "Points Earned" shows the number of points earned by User X through Service SA3 during the target period. The item "Campaign Participation" indicates whether or not the user participated in a campaign in Service SA3.

[0033] Refer to Figure 4 again. The information processing device 10 generates opportunity loss information using the usage history obtained from servers 20, 30, and 40 (step S2). In generating opportunity loss information, the information processing device 10 first calculates the opportunity loss. In calculating the opportunity loss, the information processing device 10 refers to the correlation database 112. In this example, the opportunity loss includes actual opportunity loss based on past transaction performance and predicted opportunity loss based on future transaction forecasts.

[0034] Figure 8 illustrates the correlation database 112. The correlation database 112 has multiple records. Each record shows the opportunity loss from one perspective of one point service. The perspectives of opportunity loss include, for example, three items: (a) member rank (hereinafter referred to as perspective P1), (b) campaign (hereinafter referred to as perspective P2), and (c) partnership relationship (hereinafter referred to as perspective P3). Perspective P1 is an item related to changes in member rank. Its contents include information for calculating actual opportunity loss δ1 and predicted opportunity loss ε1, such as, "If you had used the α1 yen payment option for service SA1 this month, your member rank would have risen to β1. Since the points awarded are multiplied by γ1 when the member rank is β1, you should have received δ1 points this month. If you make a similar payment next month, you can expect to receive ε1 points." Specifically, the contents of perspective P1 include information that identifies the relationship between member rank and point redemption rate, and the conditions under which member rank changes.

[0035] Perspective P2 concerns items related to campaigns. Its content includes information for calculating actual opportunity loss δ2 and predicted opportunity loss ε2, such as, "If you had entered campaign α2 in service SA2, the points awarded would have been γ doubled, so you would have earned an additional δ2 points this month. If the payment amount is the same next month, you can expect to earn ε2 points." Specifically, the content of Perspective P2 includes information that identifies the point redemption rate increased by the campaign. Furthermore, if the campaign has conditions for increasing the point redemption rate, such as "If the payment amount during the period exceeds 50,000 yen, the points awarded will be γ doubled," the content of Perspective P2 includes information that identifies this condition.

[0036] Perspective P3 concerns opportunity losses related to partnerships between point services. Its content includes information for calculating actual opportunity losses δ3 and predicted opportunity losses ε3, such as, "If service SA2 had been designated as the payment method for service SA1, the points awarded would have been multiplied by γ3, so an additional δ3 points could have been earned this month. If the payment amount remains the same next month, an additional ε3 points can be expected." Specifically, the content of perspective P3 includes identification information for the point services involved in the partnership and information identifying the point redemption rate that increases due to the partnership.

[0037] The information processing device 10 calculates opportunity loss for each of the one or more perspectives recorded in the correlation database 112, based on the usage history of user X recorded in the usage history database 111. Hereinafter, the actual opportunity loss for perspective P will be referred to as opportunity loss COr[P], the predicted opportunity loss will be referred to as opportunity loss COP[P], and when referring to both collectively, it will simply be referred to as opportunity loss CO[P]. In this example, the information processing device 10 calculates opportunity loss COr[P1], COr[P2], COr[P3], COP[P1], COP[P2], and COP[P3], respectively.

[0038] The information processing device 10 generates opportunity loss information using the calculated opportunity loss CO[P]. In one example, the opportunity loss information is information that shows the numerical value of the opportunity loss CO[P].

[0039] Refer to Figure 4 again. In step S3, the information processing device 10 outputs opportunity loss information to the user terminal 50 corresponding to user X. The user terminal 50 that receives the opportunity loss information displays a screen that includes at least a part of the opportunity loss information. This screen is, for example, a screen displayed in the application program (so-called client application) of the service to be processed, such as service SA3.

[0040] Figure 9 illustrates a display screen for opportunity loss information. This display screen has areas 91, 92, 93, and 94. Area 91 is the area that shows the points earned during the target period. In this example, it is shown that user X earned 3,275 points this month. Areas 92, 93, and 94 are areas that display opportunity losses from each perspective. In this example, these opportunity losses are displayed in descending order of the number of points. In this example, opportunity loss COr[P3] is displayed in area 92, opportunity loss COr[P2] is displayed in area 93, and opportunity loss COr[P1] is displayed in area 94. In this example, area 92 shows that if user X had linked the credit card of service SA2 as the payment method for service SA1, user X could have earned 125 more points this month. Area 93 shows that if user X had entered campaign CY in service SA3, user X could have earned 70 more points this month. Area 94 indicates that if a payment of another 20,000 yen had been made through service SA1, the member rank would have been upgraded to Silver, and 50 more points would have been earned this month. While this example shows the actual opportunity loss, the display screen may also show, or alternatively, an opportunity loss forecast.

[0041] In this example, the opportunity losses for each perspective are sorted in descending order of points, and in that sense, the opportunity loss information can be said to have been aggregated. That is, in this example, the output unit 14 outputs the result of aggregating the opportunity loss information for the target period after the target period has elapsed.

[0042] Note that the allocation of opportunity losses in areas 92, 93, and 94 is not limited to the example in Figure 9. For example, area 92 may be allocated to opportunity losses related to service SA1, area 93 to opportunity losses related to service SA2, and area 94 to opportunity losses related to service SA3, with the relationship to the point-granting service being determined accordingly.

[0043] Also in this example, area 92 has a button 921. When user X performs an operation such as tapping or clicking on button 921, a UI screen for changing the settlement means of service SA1 to the credit card of service SA2 is opened. Similarly, area 93 has a button 931. When user X operates button 931, a UI screen for entering campaign CY in service SA3 is opened. Both button 921 and button 931 are examples of UI objects for displaying a screen that causes the user to perform a procedure (e.g., registration) for reducing opportunity loss. That is, in this example, it can be said that the output unit 14 outputs data for displaying a UI object for causing the user to perform a procedure for reducing opportunity loss.

[0044] Thus, according to the information processing system 1, user X can know his / her own opportunity loss and can obtain the motivation to use service SA1, service SA2, and service SA3, and further to use these services in cooperation.

[0045] 3. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modified implementations are possible. Some modifications will be described below. Two or more of the matters described below may be applied in combination.

[0046] (1) Opportunity loss information The specific content of the opportunity loss information is not limited to that exemplified in the embodiment. At least a part of viewpoints P1 to P3 may be omitted, or items other than viewpoints P1 to P3 may be newly added. Also, the opportunity loss information is not limited to directly indicating the numerical value of the opportunity loss of the user, but may indicate a numerical range such as "the opportunity loss is between 100 and 200 points", indicate an increase or decrease in comparison with oneself in the past such as "the opportunity loss this month was more than last month", or indicate more or less in comparison with other users such as "the opportunity loss this month was more than the national user average".

[0047] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which both the opportunity loss record and the opportunity loss prediction are calculated has been described. However, the generation unit 13 may calculate only one of these. In this case, the generation unit 13 may select, for example, according to a user's instruction, either the opportunity loss record or the opportunity loss prediction.

[0048] Also, when calculating the opportunity loss prediction, the information processing apparatus 10 may use the prediction of the usage history instead of the record of the most recent usage history. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 predicts the usage history for the next target period from the usage history over a relatively long period in the past. This prediction may take into account, for example, seasonal factors or external factors (appearance of competing services, changes in economic conditions, etc.).

[0049] (2) Display Screen of Opportunity Loss Information The display screen of the opportunity loss information is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 9. In the example of FIG. 9, the opportunity losses from each perspective are sorted by aggregation. However, for example, the total value of the opportunity losses may be calculated and displayed on the display screen. Also, on the display screen of the opportunity loss information, some objects such as the button 921 and the button 931 may be omitted. Further, the display screen of the opportunity loss information is not limited to being displayed by the client application of the service SA3, and may be displayed by other programs such as a general-purpose web browser. Alternatively, the opportunity loss information may be output in the form of audio information output from the client application or character information in an email message.

[0050] (3) Timing of Providing Opportunity Loss Information The timing of providing or presenting the opportunity loss information to the user is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. In the embodiment, for example, January on the calendar is set as the aggregation period, and when one aggregation period has elapsed, the opportunity loss information for that aggregation period is provided to the user. For example, after September arrives, the information processing system 1 aggregates the opportunity loss information from August 1st to 31st and presents it to the user. In another example, the information processing system 1 may provide the user with the opportunity loss information up to that point in the target period during the aggregation period.

[0051] In another example, the information processing system 1 may output opportunity loss information when a payment is made using a point-granting service. A payment using a point-granting service is a QR code (registered trademark) payment for service SA1, or a credit card payment for service SA2. "When a payment is made" means immediately after the payment, specifically, displaying opportunity loss information on a completion screen or confirmation screen displayed upon completion of the payment. In this case, the displayed opportunity loss information may be the opportunity loss for that single transaction, or it may be the cumulative opportunity loss related to that service up to that point during the relevant period. The calculation of opportunity loss for a single transaction is triggered when the user terminal 50, i.e., the client application for each service, transmits information equivalent to the usage history (for one transaction) to the information processing device 10. This means that the opportunity loss is presented to the user immediately after the payment, making it easier for the user to understand the specific situations in which opportunity loss occurs.

[0052] In yet another example, the information processing system 1 may output opportunity loss information before making a payment for a certain point-granting service. "Before making a payment" means the state in which the payment has not yet actually been made, for example, displaying opportunity loss information on a confirmation screen that appears immediately after the user enters an amount and presses the payment button. In this case, the opportunity loss information displayed may be the opportunity loss for that single transaction, or it may be the cumulative opportunity loss for that service up to that point in the target period. The calculation of opportunity loss for a single transaction is triggered when the user terminal 50, i.e., the client application for each service, sends information equivalent to the usage history (in this case, a virtual history that has not yet been actually settled at this point) to the information processing device 10. In other words, this presents the opportunity loss to the user immediately before payment, which can give the user a strong incentive to take action to reduce the opportunity loss on the spot.

[0053] (4) The information processing system 1 may make suggestions to the user that could increase the points they earn. For example, the information processing system 1 generates suggestions to reduce opportunity losses in relation to the calculated opportunity loss prediction that exceeds a threshold. These suggestions may include information such as, "If you register the credit card for service SA2 as the payment method for service SA1, you can earn approximately this many points per year."

[0054] (5) Other programs executed by the processor 101 may be provided by download via a network such as the Internet, or they may be provided recorded on a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium such as a DVD-ROM. Each processor may be, for example, a CPU, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0055] The block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the one or more of the above devices.

[0056] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmission unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0057] For example, the information processing device 10 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing of the present disclosure.

[0058] Each aspect or embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of the following: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA®, GSM®, CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi®), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX®), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0059] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect or embodiment described in this disclosure may be reordered, provided they do not contradict each other. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0060] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to other devices.

[0061] The determination may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0063] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name. Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technologies (such as infrared or microwave), at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0064] The information, signals, etc., described herein may be represented using any of the following different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof. Terms used herein and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meaning.

[0065] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0066] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0067] Any reference to elements using the designations “First,” “Second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the First and Second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the First element must precede the Second element in any way.

[0068] In the above-described configuration of each device, the term "part" may be replaced with "means," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0069] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0070] In this disclosure, if articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0071] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0072] 1... Information processing system, 10... Information processing device, 11... Storage unit, 12... Acquisition unit, 13... Generation unit, 14... Output unit, 19... Control unit, 20... Server, 30... Server, 40... Server, 50... User terminal, 91... Area, 92... Area, 93... Area, 94... Area, 101... Processor, 102... Memory, 103... Storage, 104... Communication device, 111... Usage history database, 112... Correlation database, 921... Button, 931... Button

Claims

1. An information processing device having an acquisition unit that acquires a user's usage history from each of a plurality of point-granting services, and an output unit that outputs opportunity loss information indicating the opportunity loss related to points that the user could have earned with respect to a combination of the plurality of point-granting services, based on the usage history.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a generation unit that generates the opportunity loss information by referring to a database in which the conditions for increasing the points awarded in each point awarding service are registered.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conditions include an item relating to the cooperation between one point-granting service and another point-granting service.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conditions include an item relating to an event in a point-granting service in which participants can receive higher-than-usual point rewards.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conditions include an item relating to changes in member rank in a point-granting service.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the result of aggregating the opportunity loss information during the target period after the target period has elapsed.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs information on lost opportunities resulting from a payment made using a point-granting service.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs information on lost opportunities due to a certain point-granting service before the payment is made by said payment service.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs data that displays a UI object for causing the user to perform a procedure to reduce the loss of opportunity.

10. An information processing method comprising the steps of: obtaining a user's usage history from each of a plurality of point-granting services; and outputting opportunity loss information indicating the opportunity loss related to points that the user could have earned with respect to a combination of the plurality of point-granting services, based on the usage history.

Images