JP7714352B2 - PRIVACY GIVING DEVICE, PRIVACY GIVING METHOD, AND PRIVACY GIVING PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sales promotion system, sales promotion method, and sales promotion program for products such as electronic tickets.

For example, in order to sell as many tickets as possible for events such as plays, concerts, or sporting events (event tickets), event organizers typically advertise using mass media and internet sites.

Furthermore, Patent Document 1 (see paragraph 0025, etc.) cited below discloses promoting ticket sales by providing ticket purchasers with game information storage means related to game content as a bonus for purchasing a ticket. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 (see paragraph 0033, etc.) also cited below discloses making it possible to simultaneously purchase specified music data when purchasing a ticket from an automatic ticket vending machine.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-122264 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-160156

By the way, many users of the service (for example, theatergoers) use public transportation such as trains to reach the event facility where the service is provided. Furthermore, since some trains connect rural areas with large cities, trains can transport people from a wide geographical area to the event facility, rather than just those who live near the event facility. Therefore, if train users can be effectively encouraged to visit the event facility, it is believed that sales of event tickets can be effectively promoted.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sales promotion system, sales promotion method, and sales promotion program that can effectively promote the sale of services.

(1) A sales promotion system includes: a presentation device that presents price information relating to a service purchased by a user to the user; and a benefit granting device that grants a benefit based on the price information,
The bonus granting device
a reception processing unit that receives purchased service information corresponding to the purchased service, purchase price information corresponding to a purchase price of the purchased service, which is a price at the time of purchase, and user identification information corresponding to the user;
a determination processing unit that determines whether the user has used a train on a service applicable date and time corresponding to the purchased service;
an acquisition processing unit that acquires current price information corresponding to a current price, which is the price of the purchased service at the service availability date and time;
a calculation processing unit that calculates a difference in the amount related to the provision of the benefit based on the current price information and the purchase price information acquired by the acquisition processing unit;
and an output unit that presents, on the presentation device, difference information corresponding to the calculated difference.
(2) In the sales promotion system, the determination processing unit determines that the user is using the railway when the user passes through a ticket gate of the railway.
(3) In addition, in the sales promotion system, the railway is associated with the purchaser of the service.
(4) In addition, in the sales promotion system, the determination processing unit determines that the user has used a railway when it determines that the user has used a specific railway associated with the service.
(5) The sales promotion system further includes a bonus awarding unit that, when the current price is lower than the purchase price, awards a bonus based on the difference and the determination result of the determination processing unit.
(6) In addition, in the sales promotion system, if the current price is higher than the purchase price, the benefit is not given.
(7) In addition, in the sales promotion system, if the determination processing unit determines that the user has not used the train on the date and time when the service is available, the benefit is not granted.
(8) In the sales promotion system, the service availability date and time is a time range calculated based on the date and time when the service is provided.
(9) In the sales promotion system, the current price is a price that varies depending on the reservation rate of the service.
(10) In the sales promotion system, the current price is the lower of the price at the time of entering or exiting the railway ticket gate.
(11) In the sales promotion system, the current price is the higher of the price at the time of entering the railway ticket gate or the price at the time of exiting.
(12) In the sales promotion system, the current price is an amount determined daily based on predetermined conditions.
(13) A sales promotion method includes a presentation device that presents price information related to a service purchased by a user to the user, and a benefit granting device that grants a benefit based on the price information,
The bonus granting device
receiving purchase service information corresponding to the purchased service, purchase price information corresponding to a purchase price of the purchased service, which is the price at the time of purchase, and user identification information corresponding to the user;
determining whether the user has used a train on a service applicable date and time corresponding to the purchased service;
acquire current price information corresponding to the current price of the purchased service at the service response date and time;
Calculating a difference based on the acquired current price information and the acquired purchase price information;
The difference information corresponding to the calculated difference is presented on the presentation device.
(14) The sales promotion program is executed by a sales promotion system having a presentation device that presents price information related to a service purchased by a user to the user, and a benefit granting device that grants a benefit based on the price information,
The benefit granting device,
receiving purchase service information corresponding to the purchased service, purchase price information corresponding to a purchase price of the purchased service, which is the price at the time of purchase, and user identification information corresponding to the user;
determining whether the user has used a train on a service applicable date and time corresponding to the purchased service;
acquire current price information corresponding to the current price of the purchased service at the service response date and time;
Calculating a difference based on the acquired current price information and the acquired purchase price information;
The processing for presenting, on the presentation device, difference information corresponding to the calculated difference is executed.

The present invention provides a sales promotion system, sales promotion method, and sales promotion program that can effectively promote sales of services.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a sales promotion system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a benefit granting device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a facility terminal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a railway operator server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a user terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of facility information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of ticket information. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of benefit information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of usage history information. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a benefit granting process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a current price registration process.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

(Sales Promotion System 100)
1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a sales promotion system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the sales promotion system 100 includes a reward granting device 1, a facility terminal 2, a railway operator server 3, and a user terminal (presentation device) 4.

The benefit granting device 1, facility terminal 2, railway operator server 3, and user terminal 4 can communicate via a communications network CN. While not shown, the communications network CN can be, for example, the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, a public telephone line, a base station, a mobile communications network, or a network interconnected via a gateway (including the so-called cloud). Furthermore, an automatic ticket gate (ticket gate) 5 is connected to the railway operator server 3 via a communications network (not shown) operated by the railway operator.

(Benefit granting device 1)
The privilege granting device 1 functions as a facility information providing site that provides information about at least one facility (facility information as purchase service information). The privilege granting device 1 also functions as a reservation reception site that accepts reservations for the facility. Hereinafter, the "facility" may be simply referred to as a "facility," or may also be referred to as an "event facility," a "service facility," or a "target facility."

The above-mentioned facilities include, for example, facilities where users (ticket purchasers) purchase tickets in advance. Furthermore, examples of facilities include facilities where various events are held, such as theaters (where movie theaters, plays, etc. are held), playhouses, and concert venues. Other examples of facilities include exhibition venues (convention halls), amusement parks, athletic stadiums (baseball stadiums, soccer fields, etc.), festival venues, event venues, and golf courses. These facilities can be said to be facilities where services for hosting events (event services) are provided.

Examples of the facility information mentioned above include the facility name, location, telephone number, event date and time (service availability date and time), nearest station (access information), and business type (genre). Of these, the event date and time includes information on the event start date and time and the event end date and time. Furthermore, the event date and time is not determined as a specific moment on the event date, but rather as a time range (time span).

As for the event date and time, if the event in question starts and ends within a single day, it is possible to use a time range based on information indicating the date of the event, or daily information such as the entrance start time, performance start time, and performance end time.

Furthermore, regarding the event date and time, if the last train on that day is late at night (after midnight the next day), it is also possible to set a time range that includes the time until the last train or a certain time after the last train (for example, 30 minutes later). Also, since this last train time differs depending on the station, it can be different for each station used.

Furthermore, with regard to the event date and time, if the event in question takes place over multiple days, it is possible to determine the time range by using the above-mentioned daily information in accordance with the period spanning multiple days.

For example, a user makes a reservation for a target event on the aforementioned reservation reception site and purchases a ticket (usage voucher, participation ticket, etc.) to use the event facility. The reservation may be for the target facility, or it may be for the desired event. The ticket may also be in the form of electronic data or a printed paper medium.

In this embodiment, the price of a ticket is assumed to be a price (list price) that is set in advance by a ticket sales company or the like. Furthermore, tickets are not always sold at the list price, and the price of a ticket may fluctuate to a price other than the list price. Furthermore, tickets may be purchased by users at the list price or at a price different from the list price.

When changing ticket prices, the ticket prices can be manually determined, for example, by a ticket sales company or an event organizer. However, this is not limited to this, and ticket prices can also be automatically determined based on predetermined parameters through computer processing, etc.

The aforementioned predetermined parameters can be, for example, various factors such as the number of remaining tickets, the time of the event, the location of the event facility, and the weather on the day of the event, or a combination of these factors. Furthermore, the number of seats available for reservation and the number of remaining tickets (or the number of seats already reserved) can be used to calculate the percentage of seats reserved (reservation rate). This reservation rate can then be used as the aforementioned predetermined parameter.

As mentioned above, ticket prices can be divided into list prices and prices other than list prices. Ticket prices can also be divided into purchase prices, which are the prices at the time of purchase, and non-purchase prices, which are the prices at any time other than the time of purchase. Of these, the purchase price can be the price at the time payment is made by the user (including at the time of reservation), regardless of the payment method (cash, credit card, prepaid, electronic money, etc.).

Non-purchase prices can also be divided into pre-purchase prices, which refer to a point in time prior to the time of purchase, and post-purchase prices, which refer to a point in time after the time of purchase. Furthermore, ticket prices fluctuate even after purchase. The price at any given time during the period in which tickets are available for purchase is referred to as the current price, and the following explanations will mainly focus on the relationship between the price at the time of purchase and the current price after purchase.

When the purchase price and the current price (the current price after purchase) differ, a price gap occurs, which is the difference between the two prices. If the ticket price drops after a user makes a purchase and the current price is lower than the purchase price, the user may regret the timing of their purchase. Furthermore, if users anticipate that the current price will be lower than the purchase price, they may have a negative impression of purchasing early and refrain from purchasing tickets.

For this reason, in this embodiment, if a price difference occurs after purchase, a specified benefit is given to the user based on the difference. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the price of the ticket changes after purchase (in this case, the price drops), compensation is provided in the form of a benefit.

Here, it is desirable that the event be held through some kind of business relationship, such as being managed by a railway operator, providing a venue, or sponsoring the event. In this embodiment, the railway is assumed to be associated with the service purchaser (the party selling the ticket) through some kind of business relationship.

In other words, in this embodiment, as described below, information about railway users held by the railway operator is linked to information about ticket purchasers, and benefits are awarded based on the difference in ticket price. Railway operators manage information that identifies railway users (railway users) (for example, user IDs, described below) linked to information about the railway user's usage history (for example, usage history information D4, described below), but because this information is personal information, it is not desirable to provide it to third parties without careful consideration.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the railway operator and the service purchaser are assumed to have a cooperative business relationship. For example, if a railway operator has a business segment in the event business field (or distribution business field) in addition to a business segment in the railway business field, the service purchaser and the railway operator can be the same business, and a cooperative relationship can be easily formed. In this case, the railway operator can sell tickets as part of its event business (or distribution business) and operate the benefit granting device 1.

Furthermore, examples of service purchasers include event facility operators, event organizers, and reservation site providers. When these businesses purchase services, they will form a business relationship with the railway operator and use information related to railway users' usage history, for example, based on laws or contracts.

If the service purchaser is able to receive information identifying railway users (such as the user ID described below) and information on railway users' usage history provided by the railway operator, the service purchaser will handle this information as necessary. Specific details on how information related to usage history will be handled in this case will be described later.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, users who are eligible to receive benefits are those who have used a specific public transportation system. Examples of specific public transportation systems include subways operated in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Kyoto, and Kobe.

In this embodiment, by making subway users, an essential railway in large cities like the ones mentioned above, eligible for ticket price benefits, it is possible to expand the geographical area in which tickets can be sold and prevent users from having a negative impression of purchasing tickets due to the price difference. Furthermore, in this embodiment, ticket price benefits can be granted according to the subway usage situation.

In this way, by granting rewards based on a combination of both ticket price fluctuations and rail usage status, it is possible to finely adjust compensation for ticket price fluctuations depending on how they are combined, as will be described later. Furthermore, by linking ticket price fluctuations with rail usage status and granting rewards, it is possible to promote not only ticket sales but also rail usage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reward awarding device 1 is configured as a server computer equipped with a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, and a communication I/F (output unit) 13. This reward awarding device 1 is one example of an embodiment and is not limited to this. The reward awarding device 1 is not limited to a single computer, but may be a computer system in which multiple computers operate in cooperation. Furthermore, the various processes executed by the reward awarding device 1 may be executed in a distributed manner by one or multiple processors.

Furthermore, the reward granting device 1 may be configured as a single server device or multiple server devices with distributed functions. Furthermore, the reward granting device 1 may be functionally incorporated into a facility terminal 2 or railway operator server 3, which will be described later.

Here, when the information corresponding to monetary prices, such as the purchase price, current price, and difference (price differential), is used for processing in an information processing device such as a computer, it is treated as purchase price information, current price information, and difference information. All of this information corresponds to price information in this embodiment.

The communication I/F 13 is a communications interface that connects the reward granting device 1 to an external communications network CN via a wired or wireless connection. This communication I/F 13 executes data communications in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol via the communications network CN with external devices such as the facility terminal 2, railway operator server 3, and user terminal 4. This communication I/F 13 then outputs the fare difference information to the user terminal 4 so that the user terminal 4 can display the reward associated with the fare difference, as described below. The communication I/F 13 not only outputs the fare difference associated with the reward as information that can be displayed on the user terminal 4, but may also transmit it as data to the user terminal 4. In other words, the communication I/F 13 presents the fare difference associated with the reward to the user terminal 4.

The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage unit that stores various types of information and includes semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 22 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc. used for processing by the processor (here, the control unit 11).

The information stored in the memory unit 12 includes facility information D1, ticket information D2, and bonus information D3. Figure 6 shows an example of facility information D1, Figure 7 shows an example of ticket information D2, and Figure 8 shows an example of bonus information D3.

Of these pieces of information, facility information D1 shown in Figure 6 contains information about multiple facilities registered on the facility information website mentioned above. Facility information D1 contains information such as the corresponding "facility ID," "facility name," "location," "nearest station," "business type," and "date of use" for each facility.

Furthermore, among these pieces of information, "facility ID" is identification information for identifying the event facility. "facility name" is the name of the event facility. "location" indicates the location of the event facility. "nearest station" indicates the station closest to the event facility. Note that "nearest station" may store the station closest to the event facility for each of multiple railway operators.

"Business type" is a genre that indicates the content of the event held at the event facility. "Date of use" indicates the date (or time) on which the event facility will be used, i.e., the date (or time) on which the event will be held. For example, the start date and time of the event and the end date and time of the event are registered in the "Date of use."

Ticket information D2 shown in Figure 7 stores information about tickets purchased by users on the reservation site. For each ticket purchased by a user on the reservation site, ticket information D2 stores information such as the corresponding "user ID," "facility ID," "purchase date and time," "purchase price," and "date of use."

Of this information, "User ID" is the identification information (user identification information) of the user who applied for a reservation and purchased a ticket. "Facility ID" is the identification information of the event facility for which the user applied for a reservation and will be using the event. "Purchase date and time" is the date and time the ticket was purchased, i.e., the date and time when payment for the ticket was completed.

The "purchase price" is the payment price for the ticket, and is the amount paid by the user. The "usage date" indicates the date (or date and time) on which the event facility will be used, i.e., the date (or date and time) on which the event will be held. For example, the start date and time and end date and time of the event are registered as the "usage date."

The benefit information D3 shown in Figure 8 stores information about the benefits granted to users who use the train. The benefit information D3 stores information such as the facility ID, benefit ID, and benefit granting conditions for each facility that grants benefits to users.

Of these pieces of information, the "facility ID" is identification information used to identify the facility. The "benefit ID" is identification information used to identify the benefit given to railway users. For example, a benefit in the form of points (including miles, etc.) with monetary value is used. This benefit can be, for example, any of a variety of things that can give consumers an incentive (a general meaning of motivation, inducement, etc.) to purchase a ticket.

Other perks that could be offered include discounts on ticket purchases, discounts on train fares (transportation fares), and coupons such as discount coupons.

The "Benefit Granting Condition" is the condition under which a benefit will be granted to a user. This benefit granting condition requires that the user is using the train on the date and time when the service is available. If it is determined that the user is not using the train on the date and time when the service is available, the benefit will not be granted. Examples of benefit granting conditions include "a user who has purchased a ticket to an event facility uses the train on the day of the event and gets off at the station nearest to the event facility," "a user who has purchased a ticket to an event facility uses the train on the day of the event and gets off at the station nearest to the event facility before the end of the event," and "a user who has purchased a ticket to an event facility uses the train on the day of the event and gets off at the station nearest to the event facility, and then stays at the event facility for a specified period of time."

In addition, some or all of the facility information D1, ticket information D2, and bonus information D3 may be stored in another server accessible from the bonus granting device 1 via the communications network CN. In this case, the control unit 11 of the bonus granting device 1 may obtain various information from the server as needed and execute various processes such as the bonus granting process (see FIG. 10) described below.

Furthermore, some or all of the facility information D1, ticket information D2, and bonus information D3 may be stored in the facility terminal 2. In this case, the control unit 11 of the bonus granting device 1 may acquire various information from the facility terminal 2 as needed and execute various processes such as the bonus granting process (see FIG. 10) described below. Furthermore, some or all of the facility information D1, ticket information D2, and bonus information D3 may be stored in both the bonus granting device 1 and the facility terminal 2.

The aforementioned memory unit 12 stores control programs such as a reward granting program that causes the control unit 11 to execute the reward granting process (see FIG. 10) described below. The reward granting program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive provided in the reward granting device 1 and stored in the memory unit 12.

The control unit 11 has control devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit that pre-stores control programs such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and an OS (Operating System) that cause the CPU to execute various arithmetic operations. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various information and is used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 11 controls the bonus granting device 1 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes various processing units, such as a reservation reception processing unit (reception processing unit) 111, a facility acquisition processing unit 112, a usage history acquisition processing unit 113, a station identification processing unit (determination processing unit) 114, a price information acquisition processing unit (acquisition processing unit) 115 that acquires information related to the current price of the ticket (current price information), a difference calculation processing unit (calculation processing unit) 116 that calculates difference information corresponding to the difference between the purchase price and the current price, and a benefit granting processing unit 117 that grants the user a benefit based on the difference.

Here, the control unit 11 executes various processes in accordance with the bonus granting program using the aforementioned CPU, and functions as the various processing units described above. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 11 may be configured with electronic circuits. The bonus granting program may also be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the various processing units.

When a user reserves (purchases) a ticket on the reservation site, the reservation acceptance processing unit 111 accepts a reservation for the event facility corresponding to the ticket. The reservation acceptance processing unit 111 then acquires information such as the "user ID," "facility ID," "purchase date and time," "purchase price," and "date of use" shown in Figure 7, and stores this information so that it becomes the original data for ticket information D2.

The facility acquisition processing unit 112 acquires facility information for the event facility that will be used by the user who purchased the ticket. For example, when a user makes a reservation for the desired event facility on a reservation reception site and purchases a ticket, the facility acquisition processing unit 112 references facility information D1 (see Figure 6) and acquires facility information for the event facility.

The usage history acquisition processing unit 113 acquires railway usage history information used by the user. The usage history acquisition processing unit 113 receives the user's railway usage history information from, for example, the railway operator server 3 via the communications network CN. Figure 9 shows an example of usage history information D4 stored in the memory unit 32 of the railway operator server 3.

Usage history information D4 registers information about users who have used trains in the past and the sections they traveled. Each time a user uses a train, information such as "user ID," "boarding station," "boarding date and time," "descending station," and "descending date and time" is recorded in usage history information D4. This information is recorded as usage history information D4 based on information from an IC card (not shown) read by an automatic ticket gate 5 installed at each train station.

The IC card mentioned above is a so-called transportation IC card issued by a railway operator, and is a medium of value that has the functions of a commuter pass and electronic money. Furthermore, the IC card may also have other functions such as a credit card or an identification card.

To avoid complicating the explanation, an IC card will be used as an example, but the IC card may also be replaced with a user terminal 4 or the like on which application software that performs the functions of a transportation IC card (hereinafter referred to as a "transportation IC card app") is installed. In this case, the user terminal 4 or the like can be said to be a mobile transportation IC card that performs the same functions as a transportation IC card using information such as a user ID.

Of the various types of information in the usage history information D4, the "user ID," as mentioned above, is the identification information of the user who applied for a reservation and purchased a ticket. The "user ID" is identification information for identifying the railway user (i.e., the owner of the IC card). This "user ID" can be information that identifies the individual user (personal ID), or, for example, identification information assigned to each IC card (IC card ID). Benefits may also be granted using both the personal ID and the IC card ID.

The "boarding station" is the station where the user boarded the train. The "boarding date and time" is the date and time when the user boarded the train (more precisely, the date and time when the IC card was read by the automatic ticket gate 5 installed at the boarding station). The "disembarking station" is the station where the user disembarked from the train. The "disembarking date and time" is the date and time when the user disembarked from the train (more precisely, the date and time when the IC card was read by the automatic ticket gate 5 installed at the disembarking station).

The usage history acquisition processing unit 113 transmits identification information (e.g., a user ID) for identifying the facility user to the railway operator server 3. The railway operator server 3 extracts the usage history information of the user corresponding to the identification information (e.g., a user ID) from the usage history information D4 and transmits it to the reward granting device 1.

For example, the usage history acquisition processing unit 113 references facility information D1 (see Figure 6) and ticket information D2 (see Figure 7), acquires the user ID of the record where the current date matches the facility usage date (event date), and transmits the user ID to the railway operator server 3. Upon receiving the user ID, the railway operator server 3 extracts usage history information D4 (see Figure 9) corresponding to the user ID from the usage history information D4 and transmits it to the benefit granting device 1.

Here, the usage history acquisition processing unit 113 may send the user ID of a record in which the current date and time (current date and time) is a predetermined time before the start date and time of the facility event (for example, 3 hours before, 24 hours before, etc.) to the railway operator server 3, and acquire usage history information corresponding to the user ID.

The usage history acquisition processing unit 113 may receive location information (i.e., information indicating the travel route of the user terminal 4) such as GPS (Global Positioning System) periodically recorded on the user terminal 4 as railroad usage history information from the user terminal 4. The usage history acquisition processing unit 113 may then determine the boarding station, boarding date and time, disembarking station, disembarking date and time, etc. based on the location information. In this case, the usage history acquisition processing unit 113 may calculate the travel speed of the user terminal 4 based on the location information, and determine whether the user has used the railroad based on the travel route and travel speed of the user terminal 4.

In addition, a two-dimensional code posted within a station (for example, a two-dimensional code containing station identification information) may be photographed by a camera (not shown) on the user terminal 4. The usage history acquisition processing unit 113 may then receive the information contained in the two-dimensional code from the user terminal 4 as railway usage history information.

The station identification processing unit 114 identifies the disembarking station where the user disembarked on the date of facility use, based on the railway usage history information acquired by the usage history acquisition processing unit 113. The date of facility use is included in facility information D1 (see Figure 6) acquired by the facility acquisition processing unit 112. The station identification processing unit 114 also identifies the section of use from the user's boarding station to their disembarking station. Here, in the example shown in Figure 2, the usage history acquisition processing unit 113 and the station identification processing unit 114 are shown as separate blocks, but it is also possible to include the station identification processing unit 113 in the station identification processing unit.

The price information acquisition processing unit 115 acquires various types of price information. The price information acquired here includes purchase price information and current price information. Details of the acquired current price information will be described later.

The difference calculation processing unit 116 uses the acquired price information and purchase price information to calculate the difference between the purchase price and the current price (purchase price - current price). Furthermore, the difference calculation processing unit 116 determines whether the calculated difference is other than zero, and if the difference is not zero, determines whether the difference is a positive or negative value. The difference calculation processing unit 116 also compares the difference with a predetermined amount.

Next, the benefit granting processing unit 117 grants a benefit to the user who purchased the ticket based on the railway usage history information acquired by the usage history acquisition processing unit 113 and the benefit information D3 shown in Figure 8.

As mentioned above, an example of a benefit given to a user is a benefit in the form of points (including miles, etc.) with monetary value. In addition to this, various other benefits can be given, such as a discount on the purchase price of a ticket after the fact, or a discount on train fares (transit fares).

For example, if the benefit granted to the user by the benefit granting processing unit 117 is a benefit that grants points, the benefit granting processing unit 117 transmits information about points equivalent to the difference between the aforementioned purchase price and the current price to the railway operator server 3. As a result, the railway operator server 3 adds points to the IC card, etc., the next time the user uses the train.

If the benefit granted to the user by the benefit granting processing unit 117 is a benefit that results in a subsequent discount on the purchase price of the ticket, the benefit granting processing unit 117 will refund (cash back) to the user an amount equivalent to a portion of the purchase price (for example, 10%). The benefit granting processing unit 117 will also transfer the refund amount to the user's designated account.

Furthermore, if the benefit granted to the user by the benefit granting processing unit 117 is a benefit that provides a discount on the railway fare (boarding fare), the benefit granting processing unit 117 refunds to the user an amount equivalent to a portion of the fare (for example, 10%). The benefit granting processing unit 117 then transmits information indicating the amount to be refunded to the railway operator server 3. As a result, the railway operator server 3 refunds (charges) the amount to an IC card or the like the next time the user uses the railway.

Here, it is possible to think of the reward as being separate from cash (including prepaid and electronic money), and to make it so that there is little (or no) room for a third party to interpret the reward as cash. In that case, it would be effective to use the aforementioned points (including miles) as the reward. These points could then be made usable only for shopping at stores (including e-commerce stores) associated with a specific business. Another example of a non-cash reward would be electronic data that can be used as a voucher for a specific item.

Furthermore, as for the current price, as explained below, it is possible to adopt the ticket price when certain current price determination conditions are met as the current price.

For example, the ticket price at the time of use of the station's automatic ticket gate 5 is used as the current price. The time of use of the automatic ticket gate 5 can be, for example, the price at the time of use of the automatic ticket gate 5 at the boarding station (when the ticket gate is entered), or the price at the time of use of the automatic ticket gate 5 at the disembarking station (when the ticket gate is exited). In this case, the current price determination condition is met by using either the boarding station or the disembarking station.

Furthermore, the current price can be determined based on the correlation between the price at the time of using the automatic ticket gate 5 at the boarding station and the ticket price at the time of using the automatic ticket gate 5 at the disembarking station. For example, the lower of the two prices can be used as the current price. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the higher of the two prices can also be used as the current price.

In this case, the benefit granting device 1 acquires ticket price information at the time the boarding station is used and at the time the disembarking station is used, and the respective ticket prices are compared to determine the lower (or higher) of the two, thereby fulfilling the current price determination condition.

Furthermore, the current price is not limited to the ticket price at the time of use of the automatic ticket gate 5, but can also be an amount determined for each day (on a daily basis). For example, the current price can be determined according to the percentage of tickets that have been reserved up until the day before the event (the aforementioned reservation rate). In this case, if tickets are selling well and the reservation rate is high, the current price can be set relatively high (for example, 90% of the list price), and if tickets are selling poorly and the reservation rate is low, the current price can be set relatively low (for example, 60% of the list price).

The timing for determining the reservation rate can be a fixed time within a day. Furthermore, the fixed time within a day can be, for example, one or more of the following: 12:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM. In this case, the current price determination conditions are met when the time for determining the reservation rate arrives.

The current price can also be determined based on its relationship with the reserved ticket. For example, the current price can be set to the price at the point when the ticket reservation can no longer be canceled (cancellation time limit). In this case, if the cancellation time limit is set to 12:00 AM on the day of the event, the current price determination condition will be met when that time limit is reached.

When one of these various current price determination conditions is adopted and the current price determination condition is met, the current price information is registered, for example, in the bonus granting device 1. The current price information is registered by the current price registration process (see Figure 11), which will be described later.

When registering current price information, the time is referenced regardless of which of the current price determination conditions mentioned above is used. To reference the time, it is possible to use the clock function of a real-time clock (also known as a calendar clock). This real-time clock can be one that is commonly found in computers.

In this embodiment, it is possible to use the real-time clock of the bonus awarding device 1, which registers current price information. The current price when the time measured by the real-time clock reaches the time of use of the automatic ticket gate 5, the timing of determining the reservation rate, or the time when the cancellation deadline has expired, can be used to calculate the difference.

Note that the current price information may not be registered in the reward granting device 1, but may also be registered in, for example, the facility terminal 2, the railway operator server 3, or other devices.

Next, the bonus granting processing unit 117 determines the difference between the ticket purchase price and the current price. Furthermore, if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and if the bonus granting conditions in the bonus information D3 (see Figure 8) are met, the bonus granting processing unit 117 grants a bonus to the user.

The difference between the purchase price and the current price of a ticket is used to determine the relationship between the purchase price and the current price. This is true whether the current price is determined manually or automatically. For example, if a ticket has a set list price and the ticket price fluctuates relative to the list price, information indicating the ticket list price (list price information) is input to the bonus granting device 1 and stored in the memory unit 12. Furthermore, the current ticket price is also input to the bonus granting device 1 and stored in the memory unit 12.

List price information and current prices can be input from the bonus granting device 1 or the facility terminal 2. It is also possible for the railway operator to be provided with an input device (not shown) that can input list price information and current prices. Although not shown, it is also possible for the event organizer to be provided with an input device that can input list price information and current prices.

The bonus granting processing unit 117 calculates the difference between the purchase price and the current price (purchase price - current price), and if it determines that the calculated difference is not 0, is a positive value, and is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (for example, 1 yen, 10 yen, 100 yen, or 1,000 yen), it determines that the difference determination condition (described below) is met. If the difference determination condition is met, it then determines whether the bonus granting condition is met, and if the bonus granting condition is met, grants the bonus as described above.

As mentioned above, the condition for receiving the benefit is that the user must be using the train on the date and time when the service is available. If it is determined that the user is not using the train on the date and time when the service is available, the benefit will not be granted.

For example, the condition for granting a benefit could be that "the user who purchased the ticket travels by train on the date of use (event date) and gets off at the station nearest to the event facility." In this case, the benefit granting processing unit 117 grants a benefit to the user if the disembarking station identified by the station identification processing unit 114 is the station nearest to the event facility included in the facility information.

The nearest station here refers to the station where the user who purchased the ticket gets off on the day they will use the event facility (the day the event is held). If the user gets off at the nearest station mentioned above on the day the event is held, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that the user will visit the event facility. Therefore, if the benefit granting condition is met, the benefit granting processing unit 117 will grant the user a benefit. Furthermore, by adding the event date to the benefit granting conditions, it is possible to prevent benefits from being granted unlimitedly to users who regularly use trains for commuting to work or school, etc.

In addition, if multiple train lines run through the nearest station and multiple trains can be used to get off at that station, "using a specific train" may be added as a condition for receiving the benefit. This can increase the number of users of that specific train.

Another condition for receiving a benefit may be, for example, "the user who purchased the ticket travels by train on the day of use (the day the event is held) and gets off at the station nearest to the event facility before the end of the event."

In other words, the benefit granting processing unit 117 grants a benefit to a user if the date and time when the user gets off at the nearest station is during an event (between the event start date and time and the event end date and time). If the user gets off at the nearest station before the event ends, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that the user will visit the event facility. Therefore, if the benefit granting condition is met, the benefit granting processing unit 117 grants a benefit to the user.

In this way, the benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant a benefit to a user on the condition that the date and time of use of the event facility (e.g., the date and time of the event) and the date and time the user gets off at the nearest station to the event facility satisfy predetermined conditions.

It is also possible that users who commute to work or school using the nearest station to an event facility may use the event facility during their break. In such cases, there may be a large time difference between the event start date and time and the date and time they get off at the nearest station. On the other hand, if a user uses the nearest station only to visit the event facility, there will not be a large time difference between the event start date and time and the date and time they get off at the nearest station.

The bonus granting processing unit 117 may grant a bonus to a user on the condition that, for example, the time difference between the event start date and time and the date and time the user gets off at the nearest station to the event facility is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. This prevents bonuses from being granted to users who regularly use the nearest station for commuting to work or school (i.e., users who do not contribute to an increase in the number of railway users), thereby making it possible to efficiently increase the number of railway users. Note that in this case, the threshold may be set individually for each event facility. For example, the threshold may be set or changed depending on information such as the distance or journey between the event facility and the nearest station.

Furthermore, the conditions for granting a benefit may be, for example, "that the user who purchased the ticket travels by train on the day of the event, gets off at the station nearest to the event facility, and then stays at the event facility for a specified period of time."

In other words, the benefit granting processing unit 117 grants a benefit to a user when the user gets off at the nearest station, visits the event facility, and uses the event facility. In this case, the benefit granting processing unit 117 may determine whether the user stayed at the event facility for a predetermined period of time based on the location information of the user terminal 4. Also, if the facility terminal 2 is capable of obtaining the user's entry and exit times via the user's IC card or user terminal 4, the benefit granting processing unit 117 may determine whether the user stayed at the event facility for a predetermined period of time based on the information on the user's entry and exit times.

The benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant different benefits to users depending on the amount of time the user stays at the event facility on the day of use of the event facility (facility stay time). For example, the benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant a more advantageous benefit (e.g., a larger discount rate on the ticket purchase price) to users who stay at the facility for a relatively long time than to users who stay at the facility for a relatively short time. This can increase the number of users of the railway and the facility.

The benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant different benefits to users depending on the route from the boarding station to the disembarking station identified by the route station identification processing unit 114. The route station identification processing unit 114 identifies the boarding station where the user boarded the train based on the railway usage history information D4 (see Figure 9) acquired by the usage history acquisition processing unit 113. The benefit granting processing unit 117 then grants more advantageous benefits (for example, a larger discount rate on the railway fare) to users whose route is relatively long than to users whose route is relatively short. This makes it possible to efficiently increase the number of users whose route is longer.

The benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant a benefit to a user if the user uses an event facility after getting off a train at the nearest station, and if the user boards a train at the nearest station after using the event facility.

Event facility users may use trains when visiting the event facility, but may use other forms of transportation (buses, taxis, etc.) when returning home from the event facility. In such cases, the number of train users decreases. In response to this, by using information related to the series of actions of getting off the train, using the event facility, and getting on the train, as described above, it is possible to grant users benefits on the condition that they use the station closest to the event facility on their way there and back. This can increase the number of train users.

The bonus granting processing unit 117 may grant a bonus to a user on the condition that the direction of travel of the train from which the user disembarked at the nearest station is opposite to the direction of travel of the train from which the user boarded at the nearest station. Alternatively, the bonus granting processing unit 117 may grant a bonus to a user on the condition that the boarding station from which the user boarded the train from which the user disembarked at the nearest station is the same as the disembarking station from which the user disembarked from the train from which the user boarded at the nearest station.

This means that benefits will not be given to passengers who get off at the nearest station on the way from their boarding station to their original destination station to use the event facility (users who do not contribute to increasing the number of railway users), but will only be given to passengers who turn back at the nearest station (passengers who use the train only to use the event facility). This makes it possible to efficiently increase the number of railway users.

The benefit granting processing unit 117 grants different benefits to users depending on the date of purchase of the ticket ("Purchase Date and Time" in Figure 7). For example, the benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant a more advantageous benefit (e.g., a larger discount on the ticket purchase price) to users whose purchase date is relatively early than to users whose purchase date is relatively later. This makes it possible to quickly secure users for the railway and facilities.

The benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant a benefit to a user on the condition that the frequency with which the user uses the nearest station to the event facility satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the benefit granting processing unit 117 may grant a benefit to a user on the condition that the frequency with which the user uses the nearest station to the event facility (e.g., the number of times used in the past month) is lower than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 15 days).

This will limit the granting of benefits to users who regularly use the nearest station for commuting to work or school (i.e., users who do not contribute to increasing the number of railway users), making it possible to efficiently increase the number of railway users.

In addition, in this embodiment, the bonus granting processing unit 117 is configured to not grant a bonus if the current price is higher than the purchase price and the difference is a negative value. This makes it possible to prevent bonuses from being granted to users who purchase more tickets than they need with the intention of reselling them.

Note that the bonus granting device 1 provided with the reservation reception processing unit 111, facility acquisition processing unit 112, usage history acquisition processing unit 113, station identification processing unit 114, price information acquisition processing unit 115, fare difference calculation processing unit 116, and bonus granting processing unit 117 is merely an example and is not limited to what has been described above. For example, some or all of the processing units of the reservation reception processing unit 111, facility acquisition processing unit 112, usage history acquisition processing unit 113, station identification processing unit 114, price information acquisition processing unit 115, fare difference calculation processing unit 116, and bonus granting processing unit 117 may be provided in the facility terminal 2.

(Facility terminal 2)
As shown in Fig. 3, the facility terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation display unit 23, and a communication I/F 24. The facility terminal 2 is placed in a facility and operated by facility staff. The facility terminal 2 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a wearable computer, or the like. A facility terminal 2 may be provided for each staff member. For example, one fixed terminal and multiple mobile terminals carried by staff members may be placed in a facility as the facility terminal 2.

The communication I/F 24 is a communication interface that connects the facility terminal 2 to the communication network CN via a wired or wireless connection. The communication I/F 24 performs data communication with external devices such as the reward granting device 1 via the communication network CN in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

The operation display unit 23 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or organic EL display that displays various information, and an operation unit such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel that accepts operations.

The memory unit 22 is a non-volatile memory unit such as a flash memory that stores various types of information. For example, the memory unit 22 stores control programs such as a facility terminal program for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from the bonus granting device 1. For example, the facility terminal program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive electrically connected to the facility terminal 2 and stored in the memory unit 22.

The control unit 21 has control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile memory unit that pre-stores control programs such as the BIOS and OS that cause the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory unit that stores various types of information and is used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 21 controls the facility terminal 2 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or memory unit 22.

For example, when a user visits an event facility, the control unit 21 acquires ticket information and user information from the paper medium related to the ticket held by the user or from the user terminal 4 displaying electronic data related to the ticket, and sends the information to the reward granting device 1. Furthermore, for example, when the user leaves the event facility, the control unit 21 acquires ticket information and user information and sends the information to the reward granting device 1. In other words, the facility terminal 2 can function as a management server that manages users' entry and exit to the facility.

(Railway operator server 3)
4, the railway operator server 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication I/F 33. The railway operator server 3 is a server managed by the railway operator. For example, IC card information read by an automatic ticket gate 5 is uploaded to the railway operator server 3 from a client terminal installed at each railway station.

The communication I/F 33 is a communication interface that connects the railway operator server 3 to the communication network CN via a wired or wireless connection. The communication I/F 33 performs data communication with external devices such as the reward granting device 1 via the communication network CN in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

The storage unit 32 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory that stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 32 stores the usage history information D4 shown in FIG. 9. The storage unit 32 also stores a control program for collecting various types of information from client terminals installed at each railway station and recording it as usage history information D4.

The control unit 31 has control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile memory unit that pre-stores control programs such as the BIOS and OS that cause the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory unit that stores various types of information and is used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 31 controls the railway operator server 3 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or memory unit 32.

In response to a request from the reward granting device 1, the control unit 31 can extract usage history information of any user from the usage history information D4 stored in the memory unit 32 and transmit it to the reward granting device 1.

Here, the IC card system constructed by the railway operator is composed of equipment such as a station server, a station LAN, automatic ticket gates 5, fare adjustment machines, IC card issuing machines, and IC card deposit machines, in addition to the railway operator server 3, although these are not shown in the figure. The railway operator server 3 and the station server are normally operated online, but in the event of a communication failure, they are switched to offline operation. The railway operator server 3 is also composed of servers related to the operation of IC cards, etc., as well as servers for electronic money, etc., connected to a network.

(User terminal 4)
As shown in Fig. 5, the user terminal 4 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an operation display unit 43, and a communication I/F 44. The user terminal 4 is a portable terminal owned by a user who uses the facility, and is, for example, an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet terminal. The user terminal 4 may also be, for example, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, an e-book reader, a wearable computer, or a portable game console. The user terminal 4 is an example of a presentation device.

The communication I/F 44 is a communication interface that connects the user terminal 4 to the communication network CN via a wired or wireless connection. The communication I/F 44 performs data communication with external devices such as the reward granting device 1 via the communication network CN in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

The operation display unit 43 is a user interface that includes a display unit 45, such as a liquid crystal display or organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, that displays various information, and an operation unit 46, such as a touch panel or buttons, that accepts operations. The display unit 45 of the operation display unit 43 displays moving images corresponding to moving image data supplied from the processor (here, the control unit 41), still images corresponding to still image data, etc.

The operation unit 46 is a pointing device such as a touch panel or a mouse. The operation unit 46 may also be input keys or a game controller device. If the operation unit 46 is a touch panel, the operation unit 46 can detect various touch operations by the user, such as tapping, double tapping, dragging, swiping, pinching in, pinching out, long presses, flicks, and touching off. The touch panel may also be equipped with a capacitance-type proximity sensor and configured to detect non-contact operations by the user.

The user can use the operation unit 46 to input letters, numbers, and symbols, or to input positions on the display screen of the display unit. When operated by the user, the operation unit 46 generates a signal corresponding to that operation. The operation unit 46 then supplies the generated signal to the control unit 41 as a user instruction.

Tickets can be purchased by operating the operation unit 46. For example, a user makes a reservation for a desired facility on a reservation reception site displayed on the display unit 45 and purchases a ticket. Furthermore, when the user terminal 4 acquires electronic data corresponding to a ticket from the reward granting device 1, it displays information related to the ticket on the display unit 45. Here, the user terminal 4 may be a smartphone or tablet terminal, and application software related to the facility information providing site or reservation reception site (hereinafter referred to as a "service purchaser app") may be installed on this user terminal 4, and this service purchaser app may be used to provide the user with a service related to reward granting.

The display unit 45 displays information about the difference between the purchase price and the current price of the ticket. This difference information is sent from the bonus granting device 1 to the user terminal 4, which is an external device having the display unit 45. The user can then recognize the difference by visually checking the difference information displayed on the display unit 45. Here, examples of the difference information include a direct numerical display of the difference, or a display of the content of the bonus granted to the user. In addition to the difference, it is also possible to display the purchase price and the current price.

The memory unit 42 is a non-volatile memory unit such as a flash memory that stores various types of information. The memory unit 42 stores various control programs that cause the control unit 41 to execute various processes.

The control unit 41 has control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit that pre-stores control programs such as the BIOS and OS that cause the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various types of information and is used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 41 controls the user terminal 4 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 42.

Here, the user terminal 4 may have installed application software (hereinafter referred to as a "card linking app") that links with a transportation IC card. The card linking app allows the user's usage history information stored on the transportation IC card to be displayed on the mobile device by contacting the transportation IC card with a mobile device with an antenna function, such as a smartphone.

By using such a card-linked app, users can easily check information such as which station's automatic ticket gate they passed through and when, and how much charge balance they have. In addition to the balance, they can also check their electronic money usage history. Furthermore, transportation IC cards record a deposit (security money), and with a card-linked app, the amount of this deposit can be considered to be added to the electronic money.

The card-linked app can also display information about the difference in price associated with ticket purchases and the benefits awarded based on railroad usage history (such as points added and points remaining after addition), along with railroad usage history and the name of the event for which the benefit was awarded. This improves the convenience of the benefits awarded to users.

(Benefit granting process)
Next, the privilege granting process executed by the control unit 11 of the privilege granting device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. First, when a user purchases a ticket, the user becomes a target person who may be granted the privilege described above. The control unit 11 of the privilege granting device 1 starts executing the privilege granting program described above to determine whether or not to grant the privilege to the user.

In addition, when multiple users each purchase tickets, the control unit 11 may execute the bonus granting process for each user individually and in parallel. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, before starting execution of the bonus granting program, the control unit 11 determines whether the time has come to execute the bonus granting program.

The bonus granting program begins execution after the event for which the bonus is granted has ended. Furthermore, the bonus granting program can begin execution a predetermined time (e.g., three hours) after the event has ended (or from the scheduled end time). It is also possible to begin execution of the bonus granting program on or after the day after the event is held.

As shown in Figure 10, when the benefit granting program is executed, in step S11, the control unit 11 references facility information D1 (see Figure 6) and acquires facility information for the event facility.

Next, in step S12, the control unit 11 requests the user's usage history information from the railway operator server 3. For example, the control unit 11 references the facility information D1 (see FIG. 6) and ticket information D2 (see FIG. 7), obtains the user ID of the record in which the current date matches the usage date (event date), and transmits the user ID to the railway operator server 3. Upon receiving the user ID, the railway operator server 3 extracts the usage history information corresponding to the received user ID from the usage history information D4 and transmits it to the benefit granting device 1.

In step S13, the control unit 11 acquires the user's usage history information from the railway operator server 3. Furthermore, in step S14, the control unit 11 identifies the disembarking station where the user disembarked on the day the facility was used, based on the usage history information.

In steps S15 to S17, the control unit 11 determines whether the aforementioned price difference determination condition is met. That is, in S15, the control unit 11 calculates the difference between the ticket purchase price and the current price (purchase price - current price). If there is a difference (if the calculation result is not 0), the control unit 11 determines that there is a difference (S15: YES), and processing proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if there is no difference (S15: NO), the bonus granting process ends.

In step S16, the control unit 11 determines whether the difference is positive. If the difference is positive (S16: YES), the current price is lower than the purchase price (the current price is lower than the purchase price), and processing proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the difference is not positive (S16: NO), the current price is higher than the purchase price (the current price is higher than the purchase price), and the bonus granting processing ends.

In step S17, the control unit 11 determines whether the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 100 yen). If the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S17: YES), processing proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if the difference is less than the predetermined value (S17: NO), the bonus granting process ends.

Note that each of the conditions in S15 to S17 is a difference determination condition, but the conditions in S15 to S17 may be collectively referred to as the difference determination condition. If a negative (NO) determination is made in any of S15 to S17, the control unit 11 may send information to the user terminal 4 indicating that the user will not be given a benefit.

Next, in step S18, the control unit 11 determines whether the usage history information satisfies predetermined bonus granting conditions. The bonus granting conditions are, for example, conditions included in the "bonus granting conditions" for the event facility in the bonus information D3 (see Figure 8).

In step S18, the control unit 11 determines whether the user who purchased the ticket traveled by train on the day of the event and got off at the station nearest to the event facility. If it is determined that the usage history information satisfies the conditions for granting the bonus (S18: YES), the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if it is determined that the usage history information does not satisfy the conditions for granting the bonus (S18: NO), the bonus granting process is terminated. Note that if it is determined that the conditions for granting the bonus are not satisfied (S18: NO), the control unit 11 may send information to the user terminal 4 indicating that the user will not be granted a bonus.

In step S19, the control unit 11 grants a benefit to the user. Specifically, the control unit 11 grants the user a benefit corresponding to the benefit ID of the event facility indicated in the benefit information D3 (see Figure 8). In this embodiment, the user of the target event facility is granted a benefit assigned with a benefit ID corresponding to that event facility. The control unit 11 also performs processing to output price difference information related to the benefit to the user terminal 4, which is an external device having a display unit 45. In this embodiment, the benefit granted in compensation for the difference in ticket price is, for example, the granting of points according to the difference. The corresponding rate between the difference and the points can be, for example, 100 points for a difference of 100 yen.

The present invention can be understood as an invention of a reward awarding method that executes one or more steps included in the reward awarding process described above. One or more steps included in the reward awarding process may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the steps in the reward awarding process may be executed in a different order as long as the same effect is achieved. Also, while the example described here uses the control unit 11 to execute each step in the reward awarding process, the steps in the reward awarding process may also be executed in a distributed manner by multiple processors.

Furthermore, although the explanation so far has been given using an example of one facility registered in the benefit information D3, as mentioned above, multiple facilities are registered in the benefit information D3. In this embodiment, multiple types of benefits identified by benefit IDs are assigned to the multiple facilities. However, it is also possible to define the benefit as only one type, points, and award the same type of benefit (here, points) to users of events at any facility (including events on different dates and times, or events of different types or contents).

Similarly, for multiple facilities, it is possible to award different types of benefits to groups of facilities, such as awarding points to users of event facilities with facility IDs A001 to A006 and A010 to A015, and coupons to users of event facilities with facility IDs A007 to A009 and A016 to A021. In this case, multiple types of benefits other than cash will be awarded.

(Current price registration process)
11 shows an example of the current price registration process. In this current price registration process, in step S21, it is determined whether the current price determination condition is met. If the current price determination condition is met (S21: YES), the process proceeds to step S22, where the current price information is registered. On the other hand, if there is no price difference (S21: NO), the bonus granting process is terminated.

As explained above, the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment calculates the difference between the purchase price and the selling price of a ticket, and presents the difference related to the granting of a special benefit to the user of the event facility depending on whether or not the user is using the train. This allows users to check the difference related to the granting of a special benefit depending on whether or not they are using the train. By providing a new service that "presents" the difference information related to the granting of a special benefit depending on whether or not the user is using the train, it is possible to promote ticket sales.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, the reward granting device 1 can determine whether or not to grant a reward corresponding to the difference in price based on train usage. This makes it possible to provide a new service in which rewards corresponding to the difference in price incurred in ticket sales are given to users residing in a wide geographical area. Furthermore, by providing a new service in which rewards corresponding to the difference in price are given based on train usage, it becomes possible to promote ticket sales.

The sales promotion system 100 according to this embodiment uses train usage history to grant rewards, making it possible to more reliably provide compensation according to the difference in fare to users living over a wide area, compared to, for example, simply using large display devices on the street to advertise an event or to announce that a reward will be granted according to the difference in fare. Furthermore, this advantage becomes even more pronounced when the subway is used as the train.

Furthermore, the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment allows compensation for price fluctuations over time for tickets to events at a single event facility (or multiple facilities where the same type of event is held). Furthermore, when there is only one type of benefit (points in this case), it is easier to design a control program for sales promotion than when there are multiple types of benefits (points and cash, etc.).

In addition, the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment uses the usage history of automatic ticket gates to determine whether a user has used the train, making it possible to quickly and reliably provide a service that grants benefits that links fare difference information with whether or not the user has used the train.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, railways are associated with the places where services are purchased, making it easier to create an environment in which personal information, such as facility usage information and railway usage history information, can be shared, compared to, for example, when there is no business partnership. Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, railway usage is determined when it is determined that a specific railway associated with a service has been used, making it possible to more effectively utilize a user's railway usage history.

Here, "specific railway" not only means the railway associated with the place of purchase of the service, but also means a subway among multiple types of railways such as JR, private railways, and subways, or a specific subway line among multiple subway lines. Furthermore, for example, in the case of a line where a subway and a private railway share a common route, the railways that run on that line can also be considered "specific railways."

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, if the current price is lower than the purchase price, the reward device 1 will reward the user with a reward based on the difference. This makes it possible to reliably compensate users residing over a wide geographical area for the difference in price incurred on the ticket.

In addition, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, by preventing the award of a special benefit if the current price is higher than the purchase price, it is possible to more reliably award a special benefit only if the current price is lower than the purchase price. This also makes it possible to more reliably prevent ticket resales in cases where ticket prices have risen due to a few users buying up tickets.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, if the station identification processing unit (determination processing unit) 114 determines that the user is not using the train on the event date and time (service date and time), the benefit will not be granted. This makes it possible to more reliably grant benefits based on the difference between the purchase price and the current price and the user's train and other usage history.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, the event date and time (service date and time) is a time range calculated based on the date and time the service is provided. This also makes it possible to more reliably award benefits based on the difference between the purchase price and the current price, and the train usage history. Furthermore, by doing so, it becomes possible to determine a variety of railway usage patterns.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, the current price fluctuates depending on the reservation rate of the service. This makes it possible to offer benefits that match the actual sales situation of the service.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, the current price is the lower of the price at the time of entering the automatic ticket gate 5 or the price at the time of exiting the automatic ticket gate 5. This allows for a variety of ways to determine the current price. Furthermore, the price difference can be made as large as possible, making it possible to grant more benefits.

Furthermore, according to the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, the current price can be the higher of the price at the time of entering or exiting the automatic ticket gate 5. Even in this case, the current price can be determined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, the price difference can be made as small as possible, making it possible to limit the amount of benefits awarded.

Furthermore, with the sales promotion system 100 of this embodiment, the current price can also be set to an amount determined for each day based on predetermined conditions. In this case, it is possible to more appropriately associate the current price with the event date and time (service date and time), and to award benefits based on the difference in price and rail travel.

In addition, the benefit granting processing unit 117 in the benefit granting device 1 may grant benefits to multiple users if the user purchases tickets for multiple people. For example, if one user purchases multiple tickets, an equivalent benefit may be granted to one user based on the result of calculating the product of the difference in price and the number of tickets. In this case, a common user ID may be assigned to the multiple tickets purchased by the user, and a benefit equivalent to the product of the difference in price and the number of tickets may be granted, provided that the tickets are for use on trains.

In addition, even if one user purchases multiple tickets, it is possible to grant only the benefits equivalent to one ticket. Furthermore, rather than limiting the amount of benefits to one ticket, it is possible to grant benefits equivalent to multiple tickets, with an upper limit set. Examples of the upper limit here include two tickets for a two-person household, and three to six tickets for a three- to six-person household.

Also, rather than assigning a common user ID to multiple tickets, different tickets may be assigned the user ID of another user who will actually use the ticket. In this case, it is conceivable that users could use the reservation reception site mentioned above or another site to input information associating each ticket with each individual user (user with a user ID), for example.

The sales promotion system 100 according to this embodiment awards benefits for ticket price differences based on train usage. Therefore, even if a user purchases more tickets than necessary and resells the excess, the user will not be able to receive the benefits because the price difference information is not linked to information related to train usage.

As mentioned above, there are cases where the party purchasing the service (the party selling the ticket) receives information about a user's railway usage history from the railway operator. In such cases, the information about usage history can be handled as follows:

For example, when a railway operator provides a service purchaser with user usage history information, the railway operator will only send to the service purchaser the usage history information of users who have registered their user IDs at the service purchaser. The user ID here is the aforementioned IC card ID, which is identification information assigned to each IC card, and the IC card ID is assumed to be registered at the service purchaser.

In addition, for IC card IDs registered at the service purchaser, the pre-registered IC card ID is notified to the railway operator, and the railway operator provides usage history information related to the notified IC card ID to the equipment of the service purchaser (such as the benefit granting device 1 or facility terminal 2 in this case).

However, it is conceivable that the railway operator may provide usage history information to the service purchaser for only some, rather than all, IC card IDs. For example, usage history information may be provided only for the IC card IDs of users who have installed and are using the aforementioned transportation IC card app or card-linked app.

In this case, it is conceivable that the IC card ID and the aforementioned service purchase destination app could be linked, and when a user passes through an automatic ticket gate 5, a predetermined message could be push-distributed (here meaning information distribution in which a message is displayed without any user action) to the user terminal 4 of the user corresponding to the registered IC card ID.

More specifically, in the case of a transportation IC card app, the transportation IC card app and a service purchaser app are linked on the user terminal 4, and the user's IC card ID is sent from the user terminal 4 to the railway operator server 3 via the service purchaser app. The railway operator server 3 can then provide the service purchaser with usage history information related to the registered IC card ID.

In the case of an IC card, the user's IC card ID can be sent to the railway operator's server 3 via the automatic ticket gate 5, and the railway operator's server 3 can provide usage history information related to the registered IC card ID to the service purchaser.

This information can be provided in real time, even when benefits are provided to users by parties other than the railway operator, through instant linkage between the transportation IC card app and the service purchaser app, and instant communication of IC card IDs (which can also be user IDs). This can further improve the convenience of services related to the provision of benefits.

The sales promotion system 100 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the sales promotion system 100 of the present invention may be configured with a bonus awarding device 1 alone, or with a facility terminal 2 alone that includes each processing unit of the control unit 11. The sales promotion system 100 of the present invention may also be configured with a railway operator server 3 alone that includes each processing unit of the control unit 11, or with at least two of the bonus awarding device 1, facility terminal 2, and railway operator server 3.

Furthermore, the automatic ticket gates 5 constituting the sales promotion system 100 of the present invention may have a facial recognition function in addition to the authentication function for IC cards, etc. In this case, the automatic ticket gates 5 can acquire image information (facial information) of the faces of users passing through the ticket gate passage of the automatic ticket gates 5, and use this facial image to acquire the user ID.

The presentation device may include a terminal device installed in a facility such as a retail store, or a terminal device such as a ticket vending machine installed in a railway station. These terminal devices may be the facility terminal 2 or the railway operator server 3 constituting the sales promotion system 100 of the present invention. The automatic ticket gate 5 may also be a presentation device. When the fare difference information presented on these devices is displayed as a presentation device, it may be displayed on various displays of these devices or on paper (paper media) using a printer. Thus, at least one of the user terminal 4, the terminal device, the facility terminal 2, the railway operator server 3, and the automatic ticket gate 5 is used as the presentation device. Instead of or in addition to these devices, any device that can be used in the sales promotion system 100 may be used as a presentation device.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Benefit granting device 2 Facility terminal 3 Railway operator server 4 User terminal 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Communication I/F
100 Sales promotion system 111 Reservation reception processing unit 111 (reception processing unit)
112 Facility acquisition processing unit 113 Usage history acquisition processing unit 114 Use station identification processing unit (determination processing unit)
115 Price information acquisition processing unit (acquisition processing unit)
116 Difference calculation processing unit (calculation processing unit)
117 Benefit granting processing unit

Claims (9)

A reward granting device that grants a reward based on price information related to a service purchased by a user,
a reception processing unit that receives purchased service information corresponding to the purchased service, purchase price information corresponding to a purchase price of the purchased service, which is a price at the time of purchase, and user identification information corresponding to the user;
a determination processing unit that determines whether the user has used a railway associated with the purchaser of the service on a service availability date and time corresponding to the purchased service ;
an acquisition processing unit that acquires current price information corresponding to a current price, which is the price of the purchased service at the service availability date and time;
a calculation processing unit that calculates a difference in the amount related to the provision of the benefit based on the current price information and the purchase price information acquired by the acquisition processing unit;
a reward granting unit that grants a reward based on the difference when it is determined that the user has used the railway and the current price is lower than the purchase price ,
A bonus granting device characterized by: the determination processing unit determines the use of the railway based on information read by a ticket gate when the user passes through the ticket gate;
The reward granting device according to claim 1 . The service availability date and time is a time range calculated based on the date and time when the service is provided.
The bonus granting device according to claim 1 or 2 . The current price is a price that varies depending on the reservation rate of the service.
The bonus granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The current price is the lower of the price at the time of entering or exiting the railway ticket gate.
The bonus granting device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 . The current price is the higher of the price at the time of entering the railway ticket gate or the price at the time of exiting.
The bonus granting device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 . The current price is an amount determined daily based on predetermined conditions.
The bonus granting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . A method for granting a benefit based on price information relating to a service purchased by a user, comprising:
receiving purchase service information corresponding to the purchased service, purchase price information corresponding to a purchase price of the purchased service, which is the price at the time of purchase, and user identification information corresponding to the user;
determining whether the user has used a railway associated with the purchaser of the service on a service availability date and time corresponding to the purchased service;
acquire current price information corresponding to the current price of the purchased service at the service response date and time;
Calculating a difference based on the acquired current price information and the acquired purchase price information;
If it is determined that the user has used the railway and the current price is lower than the purchase price, a benefit is granted based on the difference.
10. A computer-implemented reward awarding method comprising: A reward granting program executed by a reward granting device that grants a reward based on price information related to a service purchased by a user,
The benefit granting device,
receiving purchase service information corresponding to the purchased service, purchase price information corresponding to a purchase price of the purchased service, which is the price at the time of purchase, and user identification information corresponding to the user;
determining whether the user has used a railway associated with the purchaser of the service on a service availability date and time corresponding to the purchased service ;
acquire current price information corresponding to the current price of the purchased service at the service response date and time;
Calculating a difference based on the acquired current price information and the acquired purchase price information;
When it is determined that the user has used the railway and the current price is lower than the purchase price, a process of granting a benefit based on the difference is executed.
A reward program characterized by: