JP7524449B1 - SERVICE PROVIDING SERVER, SERVICE PROVIDING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a service that is highly convenient for users in terms of providing vouchers. [Solution] A service providing server includes a processing unit that, in response to operation of a user's terminal device, acquires purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used with an electronic payment service and information on one or more affiliated stores designated by the user from among affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used, and an issuing unit that executes processing to issue an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store by using the electronic payment service to a designated user designated by the user. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a service providing server, a service providing method, and a program.

A conventional information processing system has been disclosed that allows company employees to easily give digital gifts while at work (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This information processing system displays a list of multiple digital gifts on a business communication tool used by a user, and when a gift giving request is received from the business communication tool requesting that a digital gift selected by the user on the list be given to another user, the system determines whether or not the user has the rights for the selected digital gift based on stored gift rights information, and if it determines that the user has the rights, it requests the digital gift providing system to issue the digital gift and updates the gift rights information in response to the issuance.

Patent No. 7075164

Conventional technology has not always provided sufficient convenience to users when providing services that provide electronic vouchers, such as for gifts.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a service providing server, a service providing method, and a program that can provide a service that is highly convenient for users when it comes to providing vouchers.

One aspect of the present invention is a service providing server that includes a processing unit that acquires, in response to an operation of a user's terminal device, purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one or more affiliated stores designated by the user from among the affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used, and an granting unit that executes a process to grant an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a service providing server, a service providing method, and a program that can provide a service that is highly convenient for users in terms of providing vouchers.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store/store information 176. FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 1) showing one example of an interface screen displayed when purchasing a voucher. FIG. 2 shows a second example of an interface screen displayed when purchasing a voucher. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recommendation information 178. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processes executed by a payment application 20 and a payment server 100. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF5 displayed on a display unit of a user who is a present recipient. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF6 that distinguishes between affiliated stores where vouchers can be used and affiliated stores where vouchers cannot be used. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining processing when a voucher is purchased or used. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining fees and points. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of interface screens IF7 and IF8. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of recommendation information 178-1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen displayed on the display unit after an affiliated store is selected. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recommendation information 178-2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing interface screens IF11 and IF12. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recipient information 180. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recommendation information 178-3.

Below, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the service providing server, the service providing method, and the program of the present invention will be described. The application program and the payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in the real world, but may also include a virtual store for electronic commerce. The virtual store may also include a store provided by an entity other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for a purchase at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be performed between the user and the store.

First Embodiment
[Electronic payment service]
1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The payment service communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, and one or more second store terminal devices 70 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input acceptance function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment app 20, which operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to users. The payment app 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store, and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface 72 for affiliated stores accepts coupon settings and the like made by the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image equivalent to a store code image and reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case the payment information is sent from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the affiliated store server. In the following explanation, no distinction is made between these two, and it is assumed that the payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2.

In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10 with the payment application 20 activated decodes the store code image 60 by the optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which information capable of identifying the store is added, and is associated with the affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 transmits the first payment information including the store URL and the account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and store name information (S3), and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user inputs the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen on which the affiliated store name and store name are displayed (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include not only the store URL but also information on the payment amount. In this case, the procedure in which the user inputs the payment amount is omitted, and the first payment information is transmitted to the payment server 100 with the information on the payment amount included. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, when the payment app 20 is started, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when the automatic update timing (for example, every minute) occurs, and at other timings, the payment app 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or a barcode generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50, and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using an optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). Then, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode or manually entering it. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

Note that electronic payment may be made using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuance of a one-time code may be omitted in the store scan, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In that case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[Payment server]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server (service providing server) 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an information processing unit (processing unit) 150, an assignment unit 160, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transient storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, affiliated store/shop information 176, and recommendation information 178.

The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

The content providing unit 120 has, for example, a web server function, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content providing unit 120 reads out necessary content from the payment content information 174 as appropriate, and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs by the user while content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. For example, the content providing unit 120 cooperates with the payment application 20 to display various interface screens, described below, on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information 172. The user information 172 is an example of the user's registration information. The user information 172 is, for example, a user URL, an account ID, a telephone number, a password, as well as information associated with an email address, a user ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, a registration date, a charge balance, a deferred payment setting, a deferred payment limit, a deferred payment usage amount, a deferred payment available amount, a payment method setting, a bank account, a credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, and voucher information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, it is necessary to register a telephone number and a password. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The email address, and the name, address, and date of birth are also information that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money that is set by the user by transferring money to the account in advance. The means of transfer include transfer from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated company (bank) and transfer from a registered bank account. The deferred payment setting is information indicating whether or not the setting for enabling electronic payment by deferred payment has been completed, and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The deferred payment limit is the limit of deferred payment that can be used each month, the deferred payment usage amount is the amount of deferred payment that has already been used in the current month, and the available deferred payment amount is the amount of deferred payment that can be used in the current month, which is calculated by subtracting the deferred payment usage amount from the deferred payment limit. In the figure, only one deferred payment limit is shown, but in reality, there is also a daily upper limit, and the lower of these may be set as the deferred payment limit. Further details of deferred payment will be described later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will make electronic payment using the charge balance or payment by deferred payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information on a bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into an electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user transferring funds to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that indicates the details of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

Voucher information is information about electronic vouchers (gift certificates) that can be used by users when making electronic payments with electronic payment services. Voucher information includes, for example, the affiliated stores where the voucher can be used, the amount that can be used, and the voucher's identification information.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store/store information 176. Affiliated store/store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above) are associated with an affiliated store ID, and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store ID. In addition to this information, affiliated store/store information 176 may also include information such as the affiliated store or store category, the store's location, and payment patterns.

The information management unit 140 manages the user information 172 and the affiliated store/store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds new records, edits, deletes, etc. for the user information 172 and the affiliated store/store information 176.

[Electronic Payment]
When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For a user whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows. For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales. The item value of the affiliated store's sales is not used as electronic money itself, for example, but an amount corresponding to the item value of the sales is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment for users whose "setting information" is set to "deferred payment" as follows. Deferred payment is set separately from "credit payment" in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and the operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor and allows electronic payment that is not dependent on the charge balance within the deferred payment limit. In order to receive the deferred payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used for deferred payment is settled on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debiting from a bank account, for one month's worth. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs provisional payment by adding the settlement amount to the deferred payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available deferred payment amount, and when the closing date comes, it performs processing to debit the payment for the current month on the payment date of the following month as described above. In addition, if the settlement amount exceeds the available deferred payment amount at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

When a voucher is used in an electronic payment, the payment processing unit 130 performs the electronic payment by decreasing the available amount in the voucher information managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the sales amount of the affiliated store. If an electronic money account (corporate account) is prepared for the affiliated store in the electronic payment service (if a wallet for a corporation or affiliated store is prepared), the payment processing unit 130 increases the electronic money balance in the electronic money account of the affiliated store related to the payment by the amount of the payment using the voucher.

In response to the user's operation of the user terminal device 10, the information processing unit 150 acquires purchase information indicating the user's intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in the electronic payment service, and information on multiple affiliated stores designated by the user from among the affiliated stores where the electronic payment service can be used. The purchase information is information transmitted in response to the user's operation of the payment app 20 to purchase a voucher.

The granting unit 160 executes a process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at multiple affiliated stores to a designated user designated by the user using an electronic payment service. The granting process is a process for associating voucher information with the identification information (e.g., user ID) of the designated user managed in the electronic payment service. The voucher information includes some or all of the affiliated stores at which the voucher can be used, the amount at which the voucher can be used, the voucher expiration date, the voucher identification information, etc. The above designated user may include the user who purchases the voucher (the voucher may be granted to the purchaser himself/herself).

[Voucher Granting Process]
The information processing unit 150 acquires information indicating the purpose for which the voucher is to be granted to the designated user, and recommends affiliated stores to the user according to the purpose based on the information that associates the purpose with the affiliated stores.

Figure 7 is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of an interface screen displayed when purchasing a voucher. The interface screen IF1 is the top screen of the payment application 20. The interface screen IF1 displays a code image CD including the user's identification information. The code image CD includes, for example, a barcode and a QR code. The interface screen IF1 includes a button B1 for displaying an interface screen IF2 related to a service for granting a voucher to another user. The "button (switch)" is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) realized in cooperation with a touch panel. When the button B1 is operated, the screen transitions to the interface screen IF2. The top screen IF1 also includes buttons for starting various services and buttons for starting prepared mini-apps. The various services are various services such as services provided by electronic payment services and services linked to electronic payment services.

Interface screen IF2 is a screen for inputting the purpose of giving the voucher as a gift to another user. The payment application 20 displays interface screen IF2 on the display unit, which includes one or more pre-prepared purposes, such as "daily gratitude," "birthday," or "anniversary." When the user selects a purpose and performs an operation to display the next interface screen, interface screen IF3 in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit.

Figure 8 is a diagram (part 2) showing an example of an interface screen displayed when purchasing a voucher. Interface screen IF3 is a screen for selecting an affiliated store where the voucher can be used. The payment server 100 refers to the recommendation information 178 and determines which affiliated store is to be preferentially displayed on the display unit. The payment application 20, for example, preferentially displays on the display unit an affiliated store that corresponds to the determined purpose.

By "preferentially," it may mean displaying high priority affiliated stores (those with a priority above a threshold) on the display unit and not displaying low priority affiliated stores on the display unit, or it may mean arranging high priority affiliated stores in a position on the interface screen that is easily visible to users.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recommendation information 178. Recommendation information 178 is, for example, information in which a purpose is associated with affiliated stores by priority. The payment server 100 refers to recommendation information 178 to select an affiliated store according to the purpose, and cooperates with payment application 20 to display interface screen IF3 including the affiliated store according to the purpose on the display unit. For example, a user can select one or multiple affiliated stores. When a user selects multiple (e.g., three) affiliated stores and performs an operation to display the next interface screen, interface screen IF4 in Figure 8 is displayed on the display unit.

Interface IF4 is a screen for selecting the amount of the voucher. The payment application 20 displays the amount, for example, 1,000 yen or 2,000 yen, on the display unit. The payment server 100 sets the amount selected or entered by the user as the amount of the voucher. The payment server 100 generates the voucher based on the information selected on each of the above interface screens.

In addition to the above, the user is provided with an interface screen for inputting information for identifying the user to whom the voucher will be sent (e.g., account ID, phone number, email address, etc.), as well as an interface screen for deciding the voucher design and entering a message, and the user can decide the user to whom the voucher will be sent and the voucher design, and enter a message, via these interface screens. Once these processes have been carried out, the voucher is given to the user designated by the user. In this way, the user can generate vouchers to provide to other users and send them to other users.

As described above, the payment server 100 can recommend affiliated stores according to the purpose, and can provide a highly convenient service for users regarding the provision of vouchers.

[Sequence Diagram]
10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment application 20 and the payment server 100. First, when a user who sends a voucher performs an operation to purchase the voucher on the payment application 20 (S100), information indicating that the operation to purchase the voucher has been performed is transmitted to the payment server 100 (S102). Next, the payment server 100 acquires content for allowing the user to select a purpose (S104) and transmits the acquired content to the payment application 20 (S106).

Next, the payment application 20 displays an interface screen including the transmitted content on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, accepts an operation to select the user's purpose (S108), and transmits information on the selected purpose to the payment server 100 (S110). Next, the payment server 100 refers to the recommendation information 178 to acquire affiliated stores according to the transmitted purpose, acquires content for selecting an affiliated store (S112), and transmits the acquired content to the payment application 20 (S114). Although not explained in this process, the voucher is generated by the user operating the payment application 20 to identify a user to whom the voucher will be presented and to determine the design and message of the voucher. The process of identifying the user and determining the design and message of the voucher may be performed at any timing, for example, before S104 or after S104.

When the user performs an operation on the payment app 20 to confirm the contents of the voucher (S116), the payment app 20 sends information on the confirmation of the voucher contents to the payment server 100 (S118). Next, the payment server 100 assigns the voucher to the recipient user in accordance with the information of S118 (S120). Specifically, the payment server 100 performs a process of associating the voucher identification information with the user ID (or account ID) of the recipient user. Next, the payment server 100 notifies the payment app 20 of the recipient user that the voucher has been presented (S122). The payment app 20 of the recipient user displays the voucher information on the display unit (S124).

In the above process, it has been described that affiliated stores are recommended according to the purpose, but the process of selecting the purpose may be omitted. For example, the payment server 100 may present to other users vouchers that can be used at multiple affiliated stores specified by the user.

In addition, the payment server 100 may display information indicating a voucher previously purchased, the user who presented the voucher, and the affiliated store of the voucher on the display unit in response to a user's operation. The user can select an affiliated store by referring to the information of the past voucher. The payment server 100 may display the usage status of the voucher on the display unit together with the information of the previously purchased voucher. This allows the user to recognize whether the presented voucher was a preferred voucher for the presented user and select an affiliated store. Furthermore, at this time, the timing when the voucher was presented and the timing when the voucher usage ended may be provided to the user. This information allows the user to recognize in more detail whether the presented voucher was a preferred voucher for the presented user and select an affiliated store. Whether or not this information is provided to the user may be set by the user who has received the voucher operating the payment app 20.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF5 displayed on the display unit of the recipient user. The interface screen IF includes, for example, information about the user who sent the voucher, a message, the amount of the voucher, and affiliated stores where the voucher can be used. When the user, for example, operates the voucher displayed on the interface screen IF5, the interface screen IF6 of Figure 12 is displayed on the display unit. Instead of (or in place of) the above operations, the interface screen IF6 of Figure 12 may be displayed when the user performs a specified operation. The specified operation is, for example, an operation on a search button to search for stores where electronic payment services can be used.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF6 that distinguishes between affiliated stores where the voucher can be used and affiliated stores where the voucher cannot be used. In response to the operation of the user terminal device 10 by the user (designated user), the content providing unit 120 causes the display unit of the user terminal device 10 to display content that displays on a map, as in the interface screen IF6, the affiliated stores where the granted voucher can be used and other affiliated stores in a distinguishable manner. The content providing unit 120 may also cause the display unit of the user terminal device 10 to display content that displays on a map the affiliated stores where the granted voucher can be used, excluding other affiliated stores. For example, if a user has multiple vouchers, the payment server 100 may cause the display unit to display an interface screen that distinguishes between stores where the voucher selected by the user from among the multiple vouchers can be used.

As described above, the display unit distinguishes between stores where electronic payment services can be used and stores where vouchers can be used, within the user's current location or the vicinity of a location specified by the user. This allows the user to easily recognize stores where vouchers can be used. Since each user owns a different voucher, the map content provided differs for each user. Users can easily recognize stores where their vouchers can be used by checking the content corresponding to the voucher they own.

When displaying stores where a voucher can be used, the content providing unit 120 may display the remaining amount of vouchers available at the store on the map where the voucher can be used. For example, when a user operates a display area of a store on the map where a voucher can be used, or performs a specified operation to display detailed information about the store, the content providing unit 120 may cause the display unit to display the remaining amount of vouchers available at the store corresponding to the operation.

In addition to the fact that a voucher can be used, the display unit may also display that a coupon can be used so that the user can recognize it. For example, the content providing unit 120 may display on the display unit stores where a voucher can be used, stores where a voucher cannot be used but a coupon can be used, and stores where a voucher and a coupon can be used in a manner that allows the user to distinguish between them. For example, the content providing unit 120 may change the display mode or attach a specified mark to the store so that the user can distinguish between them. Furthermore, in addition to (or instead of) the above, the content providing unit 120 may display on the display unit stores where a voucher can be sent (stores where a voucher can be given as a gift to another user) so that the user can distinguish between them.

Furthermore, when a user to whom a voucher has been issued makes an electronic payment using an electronic payment service at an affiliated store where the voucher can be used, the payment server 100 (or payment app 20) may automatically apply the voucher to make the electronic payment. For example, even if a charge balance is set, the voucher may be automatically used at an affiliated store where the voucher can be used. For example, after the electronic payment is executed, if the affiliated store related to the electronic payment is an affiliated store where the voucher can be used, the payment server 100 may cancel the above electronic payment and make a payment using the voucher.

In the case of user scanning, if the payment server 100 determines from the store identification information that the store is an affiliated store where the voucher can be used, it may automatically set the payment method on the voucher or display information on the display unit that encourages the user to use the voucher. For example, in the case of store scanning, if the payment server 100 determines that the user's location information is the location of or near the affiliated store where the voucher can be used, it may automatically set the payment method on the voucher or display information on the display unit that encourages the user to use the voucher. In addition, if a user has multiple vouchers that can be used at the affiliated store where the user is attempting to make an electronic payment, the payment server 100 may automatically prioritize the use of vouchers that are close to their expiration date.

As described above, the payment server 100 performs electronic payments using the voucher preferentially or automatically. This allows the user to use the voucher for electronic payments so that the voucher does not expire.

[Explanation regarding the source of funds]
When a voucher is purchased or used, the payment server 100 performs the following process. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the process when a voucher is purchased or used. When a user who has a charge balance of 10,000 yen purchases a voucher for 5,000 yen (1), 5,000 yen is deducted from the charge balance (2). In the electronic payment service, the voucher recipient is given a voucher for 5,000 yen (3). If the voucher is purchased using another payment method such as credit card or deferred payment, the process is carried out according to the payment method.

When a user who has received a voucher uses the voucher to make an electronic payment of 3,000 yen at affiliated store A (4), the electronic payment service recognizes that a payment of 3,000 yen has been made with the voucher at affiliated store A (5). Furthermore, when a user who has received a voucher uses the voucher to make an electronic payment of 2,000 yen at affiliated store B (6), the electronic payment service recognizes that a payment of 2,000 yen has been made with the voucher at affiliated store B (7). The history of the above electronic payments and usage is stored in the memory unit 170.

After the entire amount of the voucher has been used as described above, or at a specified time (for example, when the expiration date for using the voucher has passed), the electronic payment service will deposit 3,000 yen into the wallet of affiliated store A and 2,000 yen into the wallet of affiliated store B. In this way, even when a voucher that can be used at multiple affiliated stores is used, the electronic payment service will process the transaction so that an amount according to the amount used is deposited into the wallet of the corresponding affiliated store.

The payment server 100 may charge a fee for issuing a voucher or for a payment using a voucher, or may give points to a user. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining fees and points. When a voucher is issued, a member store that can use the voucher pays a fee. For example, when a user purchases a voucher, the payment server 100 obtains a fee for issuing the voucher from a member store selected as a member store that can use the voucher. For example, if there is only one member store that can use the voucher, this member store pays the fee. If the voucher can be used at multiple member stores, a predetermined fee may be paid, or a fee according to the payment amount may be paid when a payment is made later. Vouchers may increase the opportunities for member stores to be used by users and increase the possibility of acquiring new customers. For this reason, even if a fee is paid, the member stores are highly satisfied with the scheme.

When a user purchases a voucher, the payment server 100 may give the user a certain percentage of the purchase amount as points. This also makes it ideal for users to give vouchers as gifts.

When a user who has received a voucher uses the voucher to make a payment, the payment server 100 may give the user a specified percentage of the payment amount as points. Points (e.g., regular points) are awarded whether the voucher is used or not, just as they are awarded with other payment methods, thereby improving user satisfaction.

When a payment is made using a voucher, the payment server 100 may award regular points according to the payment, as well as points according to the use of the voucher. For example, a payment amount using the voucher and a redemption rate are set for each voucher, and when a voucher is used, the payment server 100 may award to the user regular points according to the payment amount and points at the redemption rate according to the use of the voucher.

In addition to (or instead of) the above configuration, a preset benefit (e.g., points) may be given to a user on the condition that the user makes a payment for a product or service equal to or greater than the amount of the voucher (for example, on the condition that the payment is made by combining the voucher with another payment method such as the use of an electronic money balance). When the above condition is met, the payment server 100 may, for example, return points equivalent to X percent of the combined payment amount to the user. In this way, when the user makes a payment that exceeds the amount available with the voucher, the payment server 100 can increase the motivation of the user to make a payment that exceeds the amount of the voucher by returning a greater benefit to the user than the benefit for a payment within the range in which the voucher can be used.

Furthermore, when a user uses a voucher to make a payment at a store that the user has not used for a specified period of time or has not used before, the payment server 100 may award points at a higher redemption rate than when the user uses a voucher to make a payment at a store that the user has used during the specified period of time or has used before. In this way, when a voucher is given as a gift to a user, the payment server 100 may increase the redemption rate of the benefit when the user uses a store that the user does not use frequently.

In addition, the payment server 100 may award a set number of points to a user when the user uses a voucher at all of the stores where the voucher can be used or at a set number of stores. For example, when the voucher is used at three set stores, the payment server 100 may award the user 100 points as bonus points. In this way, the payment server 100 can encourage the use of vouchers and promote the use of stores where the voucher can be used. Note that, although the above examples have been described as points being awarded to a user who is presented with a voucher, points may be awarded to the user who presented the voucher instead of (or in addition to) the user who received the voucher.

When a user who receives a voucher uses the voucher to make a payment, the payment server 100 may give points equal to a predetermined percentage of the payment amount to the user who gave the voucher as a gift. The user who gave the gift can obtain points after the gift, which increases the user's satisfaction.

When a user who has received a voucher makes a payment using the voucher, the payment server 100 may collect a fee for the voucher payment from the affiliated store involved in the payment. This allows the operator of the electronic payment service to receive compensation for processing the voucher.

According to the embodiment described above, the payment server 100 executes a process for granting a voucher that can be used at multiple affiliated stores to a designated user designated by the user, so that a service that is highly convenient for the user regarding the provision of vouchers can be provided. For example, the payment server 100 recommends affiliated stores according to the purpose of presenting the voucher, so that the user can present a voucher according to the purpose.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, it has been described that an affiliated store is recommended according to a purpose. In the second embodiment, an affiliated store is recommended taking into account other factors in addition to (instead of) the purpose. The payment server 100 acquires characteristic information including, for example, information indicating the purpose of granting a voucher to a designated user, information indicating the amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user, and attribute information indicating the attributes of the designated user, and recommends an affiliated store to a user according to the characteristic information based on information in which the characteristic information is associated with an affiliated store. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

The information processing unit 150 recommends affiliated stores to the user according to the characteristic information. The characteristic information includes, for example, one or both of the attributes of the recipient of the voucher and the attributes of the voucher. The attributes of the recipient include, for example, the gender, age (generation), occupation, and region of the recipient. The region (regional information) includes, for example, the region where the recipient lives, works, and visits with a certain frequency. In addition to (or instead of) the above, the attributes of the recipient may include various elements such as the recipient's hobbies, interests, favorite foods, favorite drinks, annual income, and family composition. The attributes of the voucher include the purpose of sending the voucher, the amount of the voucher, and the season in which the voucher is sent.

The information processing unit 150 cooperates with the payment application 20 to display on the display unit an interface screen IF7 for allowing the user to input characteristic information, and an interface screen IF8 for recommending affiliated stores according to the input characteristic information. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the interface screens IF7 and IF8. When the user inputs characteristic information on the interface screen IF7, the interface screen IF8 is displayed on the display unit. The interface screen IF8 is an affiliated store recommended according to the characteristic information input on the interface screen IF7. The information processing unit 150 refers to the recommendation information 178-1 stored in the memory unit 170 to determine the affiliated store to recommend according to the characteristic information.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of recommendation information 178-1. Recommendation information 178-1 is information in which feature information patterns and affiliated store patterns are associated with each other. A feature information pattern is a pattern of feature combinations, and an affiliated store pattern is a pattern of affiliated store combinations.

Recommendation information 178-1 is, for example, information generated based on the payment history of an electronic payment service. For example, an affiliated store where a user with characteristic information pattern 1 is highly likely to make electronic payments using an electronic payment service is an affiliated store associated with characteristic information pattern 1. A high degree means, for example, that the number of payments in a specified period is greater than or equal to a threshold, or that the payment amount in a specified period is greater than or equal to a threshold.

In the above example, we have described how affiliated stores are recommended based on the purpose of gifting the voucher, the amount of the voucher, and the user's attributes, but some of the above elements of the purpose, amount, and user's attributes may also be used.

The payment server 100 may acquire information indicating the amount of a voucher to be given to the designated user, and may recommend to the user an affiliated store according to the amount based on the information associating the amount with the affiliated store. The payment server 100 may acquire attribute information indicating the attributes of the designated user, and may recommend to the user an affiliated store according to the attributes based on the information associating the attribute information with the affiliated store. The attribute information includes one or more of the designated user's age, sex, occupation, residential area of the designated user, or working area of the designated user. The payment server 100 may acquire regional information indicating the region related to the user, and may recommend to the user an affiliated store according to the regional information based on the information associating the regional information with the affiliated store.

In the above example, the payment server 100 determines which affiliated stores to recommend based on information associating affiliated stores with purpose, characteristic information, amount, etc., but instead of (or in addition to) this, it may also be possible to determine which affiliated stores to recommend using a trained model.

The payment server 100 may, for example, use a first trained model to determine the affiliated store to recommend. The first trained model is a model in which training data has been trained. The training data is, for example, information in which feature information is associated with an affiliated store corresponding to the feature information. The first trained model is a model trained to output the affiliated store associated with the feature information when feature information is input. The payment server 100 inputs the feature information into the trained model and recommends to the user the affiliated store output by the trained model. The first trained model is an example of information in which feature information is associated with an affiliated store.

According to the second embodiment described above, the payment server 100 can provide a service that is highly convenient for users in terms of providing vouchers by recommending affiliated stores based on other factors in addition to (or instead of) the purpose.

<Modification of the second embodiment>
In the above example, the member store is selected after the amount is selected, but instead, the amount may be recommended and determined after the member store is selected. The payment server 100 acquires information about the member store designated by the user, and recommends the amount of the voucher to the user based on information that associates the information about the member store with the amount of the voucher.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen displayed on the display unit after an affiliated store is selected. The information processing unit 150 causes the display unit to display an interface screen IF9 including affiliated stores recommended according to the recipient's characteristic information, for example. When the user selects one or more affiliated stores, the information processing unit 150 causes the display unit to display an interface screen IF10 including the amount recommended for the voucher of the selected affiliated store. For example, "2,000 yen," "1,000 yen," and "1,500 yen" are recommended as the amounts of the voucher for affiliated store A. For example, the information processing unit 150 recommends an amount by referring to correspondence information stored in the memory unit 170 that associates affiliated stores with amounts.

The corresponding information is information generated based on the payment history of the electronic payment service. It is generated based on the amount used in one electronic payment at the affiliated store. The amount used is an amount derived based on statistical processing such as the average or median of the amounts used in one electronic payment by multiple users. The amount of the corresponding information is, for example, an amount N times (e.g., two or three times) the amount used. For example, if an average electronic payment of 500 yen is made in one electronic payment at the target affiliated store, the recommended amount at the target affiliated store is, for example, 1,000 yen.

The payment server 100 may use the trained model to determine the member store to recommend. The payment server 100 may use, for example, the second trained model to determine the amount to recommend. The second trained model is a model trained with training data. The training data is, for example, information in which a combination of member stores (information about the member stores) is associated with an amount. The second trained model is a model trained to output an amount associated with a combination of member stores when a combination of member stores is input. The payment server 100 inputs the combination of member stores into the trained model and recommends the amount output by the trained model to the user. The second trained model is an example of information in which information about the member stores is associated with an amount.

The information used when recommending the voucher amount as described above may be the payment history of the electronic payment service at the affiliated store of the designated user. For example, if the designated user has authorized the use of the payment history of the electronic payment service of the designated user and has made an electronic payment at the affiliated store designated by the user, the payment server 100 may recommend the voucher amount by referring to the payment history of the designated user. For example, the payment server 100 may recommend the amount based on the unit price of the designated user's electronic payment. The payment server 100 recommends the amount based on the results of statistical processing, such as N times the average unit price of one electronic payment or the median price of multiple electronic payments.

According to the modified example of the second embodiment described above, the payment server 100 can support the gift of easy-to-use vouchers at affiliated stores.

Third Embodiment
The third embodiment will be described below. In the third embodiment, the recommended affiliated store is changed depending on the affiliated store selected by the user. When the user selects an affiliated store, the payment server 100 identifies the recommended affiliated store based on information that associates the affiliated store with the affiliated store recommended when the affiliated store is selected, and recommends the identified affiliated store to the user. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

The information processing unit 150 refers to the recommendation information 178-2 and settles the recommended affiliated store. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the recommendation information 178-2. The recommendation information 178-2 is, for example, information in which a selected affiliated store is associated with an affiliated store pattern. Specifically, the recommendation information 178-2 includes information in which the first selected affiliated store is associated with an affiliated store that will be recommended if this affiliated store is selected, and information in which the second selected affiliated store is associated with an affiliated store that will be recommended if this affiliated store is selected.

The information processing unit 150 displays an interface screen including the member stores to be recommended. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing interface screens IF11 and IF12. Interface screen IF11 is an interface including the member stores to be recommended that were determined in the processing of the first or second embodiment. Interface screen IF12 is an interface screen including member stores to be recommended according to the member store selected on interface screen IF11. If the user selects member store A on interface screen IF11, the information processing unit 150 recommends, for example, a member store corresponding to member store A on interface screen IF12. For example, if the user selects a coffee shop, member stores other than the selected coffee shop and member stores visited by users who visit the selected member store are recommended.

The member stores visited by users who visit the selected member store are information obtained based on the payment history of each user of the electronic payment service. For example, if the payment history of the electronic payment service shows that a user who visits member store A tends to visit member store B, member store E, member store F, etc., rather than member store C, member stores B, E, and F will be recommended in preference to member store C.

The payment server 100 may use the trained model to determine which affiliated store to recommend. The payment server 100 may use, for example, the third trained model to determine which affiliated store to recommend. The third trained model is a model trained with training data. The training data is, for example, information in which an affiliated store (one or more selected affiliated stores) is associated with a recommended affiliated store (one or more affiliated stores). The third trained model is a model trained to output an affiliated store associated with an affiliated store when an affiliated store is input. The payment server 100 inputs the affiliated store into the trained model and recommends the affiliated store output by the trained model to the user. The third trained model is an example of information in which an affiliated store is associated with a recommended affiliated store when the affiliated store is selected.

According to the third embodiment described above, the payment server 100 recommends other affiliated stores according to the affiliated store selected by the user, and therefore can provide a service that is highly convenient for the user in terms of providing vouchers.

Fourth Embodiment
The fourth embodiment will be described below. In the fourth embodiment, affiliated stores are recommended based on registration information registered by the recipient (e.g., information on one or more of products, services, affiliated stores, or regions in which the user is interested) or the payment history of the recipient. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

The information processing unit 150 determines the affiliated store to be recommended by referring to the recipient information 180 of the recipient stored in the storage unit 170. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the recipient information 180. The recipient information 180 is information in which the identification information of the recipient and the recipient information are associated. The recipient information includes one or more of the following information: the recipient's wish list (products and services in which the recipient is interested), the recipient's frequent places (if the recipient is interested) or frequent stores (affiliated stores in which the recipient is interested), affiliated stores followed by the recipient (affiliated stores in which the recipient is interested), and the recipient's payment history. These pieces of information may be used when recommending affiliated stores if the recipient has given permission. In addition to the above, the recipient information 180 may also include information on vouchers held by the user, information on vouchers held by the user in the past, the area in which the user lives, the area in which the user works, the area in which the user frequently visits, etc.

The recipient's wish list is, for example, a list of wish lists registered by the recipient using the payment app 20. The recipient's frequent places or frequent stores may be frequent places or frequent stores registered by the recipient using the payment app 20, or may be information obtained based on information automatically acquired by the recipient's payment app 20. For example, the recipient's wish list may be a place or affiliated store identified based on location information of the recipient's user terminal device 10 automatically acquired by the payment app 20, or may be a place or affiliated store obtained based on the payment history. An affiliated store that the recipient is following is, for example, an affiliated store that the recipient has decided to follow by operating the payment app 20.

The information processing unit 150, for example, refers to the recommendation information 178-3 and the recipient information 180 to recommend an affiliated store according to the recipient. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the recommendation information 178-3. The recommendation information 178-3 is, for example, information in which a combination of recipient information is associated with an affiliated store pattern.

The information processing unit 150 may use a portion of the recipient information to determine the affiliated store to recommend. For example, the information processing unit 150 may use a wish list to determine the affiliated store to recommend. In this case, the recommendation information 178-3 associates the wish list with the affiliated store to recommend. The information processing unit 150 refers to the wish list and the recommendation information 178-3 to determine the affiliated store to recommend.

Furthermore, the information processing unit 150 may recommend a voucher amount in addition to (or instead of) recommending an affiliated store using the recipient information 180 as described above. The payment server 100 may recommend a voucher amount, for example, by referring to the payment history of the recipient in the recipient information 180. For example, the payment server 100 may recommend an amount based on the unit price of electronic payments made by a designated user at a target affiliated store. The payment server 100 recommends an amount based on the results of statistical processing, such as N times the average unit price of a single electronic payment or the median price of multiple electronic payments.

According to the fourth embodiment described above, the payment server 100 recommends affiliated stores based on the registration information registered by the recipient or the payment history of the recipient, and can therefore generate a voucher that is more preferred by the recipient of the gift. This makes it possible to provide a service that is highly convenient for users in terms of providing vouchers.

<Other 1>
Each embodiment may be implemented in combination. For example, the first member store recommended may be the member store according to the characteristic information, and the second member store recommended may be the member store according to the selected member store. Furthermore, an amount may be proposed after the member store is selected. Also, after a specific member store is selected from among the member stores according to the characteristic information, the member store according to the characteristic information and the member store according to the selected member store may be arranged as recommended member stores. As described above, the payment server 100 may recommend a member store by integrating part or all of the processing of each embodiment.

<Other 2>
In the above process, the payment server 100 has been described as determining which affiliated store to recommend, but instead of (or in addition to) this, the payment application 20 may determine which affiliated store to recommend. In this case, the recommendation information and the trained model may be stored in the memory of the user terminal device 10, or the payment application 20 may determine which affiliated store to recommend in cooperation with the other device by using the recommendation information and the trained model stored in the memory of the other device.

<Other 3>
In the above example, the user is assumed to select multiple affiliated stores, but the user may select one affiliated store. For example, on the assumption that the user selects one affiliated store, the payment server 100 (or the payment application 20) may obtain information indicating the purpose of granting the voucher to the designated user, and may recommend an affiliated store to the user according to the purpose based on the information in which the purpose and the affiliated store are associated. Also, instead of (in addition to) the purpose, the amount of the voucher or attribute information indicating the attributes of the designated user may be used.

<Other 4>
The payment server 100 may accept the purchase of a voucher on an interface screen on which the payment history is displayed. For example, the payment server 100 displays an interface screen including the payment history of the user's electronic payment on the display unit in response to the user's operation on the payment application 20. This interface screen includes information such as the payment amount and the store where the payment was made. When the user selects the store where the electronic payment was made on this interface screen or operates a button for purchasing a voucher usable at the store where the electronic payment was made, the payment server 100 starts a process for purchasing a voucher usable at the store. For example, the payment server 100 displays the interface screen IF2 of FIG. 7 on the display unit and automatically sets the store as an affiliated store. In addition, instead of (in addition to) the interface screen on which the payment history is displayed, vouchers usable at these stores may be easily purchased from an interface screen of a list of stores registered in favorites, an interface screen of a list of stores being followed, an interface screen of a stamp card of the store, or the like, as described above. Through these processes, the user can easily generate vouchers usable at his/her favorite stores or stores that he/she wants to recommend to other users.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 User terminal device 20 Payment application 100 Payment server 120 Content provider 130 Payment processor 140 Information manager 150 Information processor 160 Assigner 178 Recommendation information

Claims (24)

a processing unit that acquires, in response to an operation of a user's terminal device, purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one affiliated store designated by the user from among affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used;
an issuing unit that executes a process for issuing an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
The processing unit includes:
Acquire first information;
recommending to the user the affiliated store corresponding to the first information based on information in which the first information and the affiliated store are associated with each other;
The first information is
Information indicating the purpose for which the voucher is being granted to the designated user;
Information indicating the amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user;
Attribute information indicating attributes of the designated user;
regional information indicating a region related to the designated user; or characteristic information including information indicating a purpose for granting the voucher to the designated user, information indicating an amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user, and attribute information indicating attributes of the designated user.
Service provider server. the first information is the attribute information,
The attribute information includes one or more of the designated user's age, sex, occupation, the designated user's residential area, or the designated user's working area;
The service providing server according to claim 1 . a processing unit that acquires, in response to an operation of a user's terminal device, purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one affiliated store designated by the user from among affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used;
an issuing unit that executes a process for issuing an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
The processing unit includes:
Acquire information about the affiliated store designated by the user;
recommending the amount of the voucher to the user based on information in which the information of the affiliated store and the amount of the voucher are associated with each other;
Service provider server. a processing unit that acquires, in response to an operation of a user's terminal device, purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one affiliated store designated by the user from among affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used;
an issuing unit that executes a process for issuing an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
When the user selects the affiliated store, the processing unit identifies the affiliated store to be recommended based on information correlating the affiliated store with the affiliated store to be recommended when the affiliated store is selected, and recommends the identified affiliated store to the user.
Service provider server. a processing unit that acquires, in response to an operation of a user's terminal device, purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one affiliated store designated by the user from among affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used;
an issuing unit that executes a process for issuing an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
The processing unit recommends the affiliated store to the designated user based on registration information indicating an interest registered by the designated user in the electronic payment service.
Service provider server. The registration information is information on one or more of products, services, affiliated stores, or regions in which the designated user is interested;
The service providing server according to claim 5 . a processing unit that acquires, in response to an operation of a user's terminal device, purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one affiliated store designated by the user from among affiliated stores at which the electronic payment service can be used;
an issuing unit that executes a process for issuing an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
The processing unit recommends the affiliated store to the designated user based on a payment history of the designated user in the electronic payment service.
Service provider server. the granting unit associates identification information of the designated user managed by the electronic payment service with an affiliated store where the voucher can be used and an amount of the voucher, and grants the voucher to the designated user so that the designated user can use the voucher.
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. In the electronic payment service, the designated user can make a payment using a predetermined payment method including a charge balance associated with the designated user's wallet or the provided voucher,
A payment unit that automatically applies the voucher to make an electronic payment at an affiliated store where the voucher can be used,
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. a content providing unit that displays, in response to an operation of the terminal device of the designated user, content that displays on a map the affiliated stores at which the granted voucher can be used and other affiliated stores in a distinguishable manner, or content that displays on a map the affiliated stores at which the granted voucher can be used, excluding the other affiliated stores,
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. When the user purchases the voucher, the processing unit grants the user points that can be used in the electronic payment service according to the amount of the voucher.
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. When the designated user makes a payment using the voucher, the processing unit grants the designated user points that can be used in the electronic payment service.
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The processing unit, when the user purchases the voucher, receives a voucher issuance fee from the selected affiliated store.
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. When the designated user makes a payment using the voucher, the processing unit acquires a fee for the payment using the voucher from the affiliated store related to the payment.
The service providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The computer
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of acquiring first information;
and (b) recommending to the user the affiliated store corresponding to the first information based on information in which the first information and the affiliated store are associated with each other;
The first information is
Information indicating the purpose for which the voucher is being granted to the designated user;
Information indicating the amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user;
Attribute information indicating attributes of the designated user;
regional information indicating a region related to the designated user; or characteristic information including information indicating a purpose for granting the voucher to the designated user, information indicating an amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user, and attribute information indicating attributes of the designated user.
How we provide services. On the computer,
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of acquiring first information;
and executing a process of recommending the affiliated store corresponding to the first information to the user based on information in which the first information and the affiliated store are associated with each other;
The first information is
Information indicating the purpose for which the voucher is being granted to the designated user;
Information indicating the amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user;
Attribute information indicating attributes of the designated user;
regional information indicating a region related to the designated user; or characteristic information including information indicating a purpose for granting the voucher to the designated user, information indicating an amount of the voucher to be granted to the designated user, and attribute information indicating attributes of the designated user.
program. The computer
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of acquiring information on the affiliated store designated by the user;
A process of recommending an amount of the voucher to the user based on information in which information of the affiliated store and the amount of the voucher are associated with each other;
A service delivery method that performs the above. On the computer,
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of acquiring information on the affiliated store designated by the user;
A process of recommending an amount of the voucher to the user based on information in which information of the affiliated store and the amount of the voucher are associated with each other;
A program that executes the following. The computer
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
When the user selects the affiliated store, a process of identifying the affiliated store to be recommended based on information associating the affiliated store with the affiliated store to be recommended when the affiliated store is selected, and recommending the identified affiliated store to the user;
A service delivery method that performs the above. On the computer,
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
When the user selects the affiliated store, a process of identifying the affiliated store to be recommended based on information associating the affiliated store with the affiliated store to be recommended when the affiliated store is selected, and recommending the identified affiliated store to the user;
A program that executes the following. The computer
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of recommending the affiliated store to the designated user based on registration information indicating interests registered by the designated user in the electronic payment service;
A service delivery method that performs the above. On the computer,
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of recommending the affiliated store to the designated user based on registration information indicating interests registered by the designated user in the electronic payment service;
A program that executes the following. The computer
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of recommending the affiliated store to the designated user based on the payment history of the designated user in the electronic payment service;
A service delivery method that performs the above. On the computer,
A process of acquiring purchase information indicating an intention to purchase an electronic voucher that can be used in an electronic payment service and information on one of the affiliated stores that can use the electronic payment service and that is designated by the user, in response to an operation of the user's terminal device;
A process for granting an electronic voucher that can be used at the affiliated store to a designated user designated by the user using the electronic payment service;
A process of recommending the affiliated store to the designated user based on the payment history of the designated user in the electronic payment service;
A program that executes the following.

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