JP7780607B2 - Information providing device, information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information provision device, an information provision method, and a program.

In the past, information management systems have been disclosed that promote the use of electronic payment services, such as barcode payment services (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-47646

With conventional technology, there are dormant merchants who have signed up for electronic payment services but are not using them. Emails and phone calls are sent to these merchants, but it is difficult to encourage them to use the electronic payment service.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information provision device, information provision method, and program that can promote the use of electronic payment services.

One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that includes an extraction unit that extracts, from among multiple affiliated stores that use an electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, specific affiliated stores that meet specific conditions related to the frequency of use of the electronic payment service, and a providing unit that provides usage-related information related to the use of the electronic payment service to a store terminal device used by the extracted specific affiliated store, where the extraction unit is an information providing device that extracts the specific affiliated store based on information related to the frequency of use of the electronic payment service.

One aspect of the present invention provides an information provision device, information provision method, and program that can promote the use of electronic payment services.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of the general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store/store information 176. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in which the payment server 100 provides information to the second store terminal device 70. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first interface screen IM1 provided by the member store interface 72. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second interface screen IM2 provided by the member store interface 72. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a third interface screen IM3 provided by the member store interface 72. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth interface screen IM4 provided by the member store interface 72. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a fifth interface screen IM5 provided by the member store interface 72. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sixth interface screen IM6 provided by the member store interface 72.

Embodiments of the information providing device, information providing method, and program of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An application program and a payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program will be referred to as a payment app. An electronic payment service is a service that supports payments for the purchase of goods and services at affiliated stores. A store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in real space, but may also include virtual stores for e-commerce. Virtual stores may also include stores provided by entities other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In such cases, when paying for purchases at the virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and when a purchase is made at a store, processing such as payment is primarily conducted between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be conducted between the user and the store.

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

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

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

The second store terminal device 70 is used, for example, by the manager (operator) of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The second store terminal device 70 is an example of a store terminal device.

The second store terminal device 70 has, for example, an input interface that can be operated by an administrator. The affiliated store interface 72 accepts input of various information such as coupon settings in response to operations on the input interface by the affiliated store administrator, and transmits this information to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing an affiliated store app.

The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case payment information is sent from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the affiliated store server. In the following explanation, this distinction will not be made and payment information will be assumed to be sent from the first store terminal device 50.

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

In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10, with the payment app 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which store-identifying information has been added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described below). The payment app 20 transmits first payment information including the store URL and account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described below) using the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains information on the affiliated store name and store name, and transmits this information to the payment app 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the affiliated store name and store name (S5). The user terminal device 10 then generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment app 20 (S8), and the payment app 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include information on the payment amount in addition to the store URL. In this case, the step in which the user inputs the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

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

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

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

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

The payment server 100 extracts dormant merchants (hereinafter referred to as dormant merchants) whose electronic payment services are dormant from among multiple merchants that use the electronic payment service as providers of goods or services. The payment server 100 provides the extracted dormant merchants with usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service, response request information regarding the dormancy reason for the dormancy of the electronic payment service, and action information corresponding to the dormancy reason, to the terminal device used by the merchant. The payment server 100 is an example of an information providing device.

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

The payment content providing unit 120 has, for example, the functionality of a web server, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens for electronic payment services to the user terminal device 10. The payment content providing unit 120 reads out the necessary content from the payment content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while content is being played by the payment app 20, and transmits the aforementioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100.

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

Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of user information 172. User information 172 associates information such as a user URL, account ID, telephone number, and password, as well as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, remaining balance, deferred payment settings, deferred payment limit, deferred payment usage amount, available deferred payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for transferring money between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, registration of a phone number and password is required. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID can be set by the user (or does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth can be set by the user (or do not have to be set). The registration date is the date the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date the account was created). Hereinafter, a user instance (electronic payment account) associated with this information will be referred to as an account.

The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by transferring funds to the account in advance. Transfer methods include transfer from a designated (bank) ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or from a registered bank account. The deferred payment setting indicates whether the settings for electronic deferred payment have been completed, and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The deferred payment limit is the monthly deferred payment limit, the deferred payment usage amount is the amount of deferred payment already used in the current month, and the available deferred payment amount is the amount of deferred payment available in the current month, calculated by subtracting the deferred payment usage amount from the deferred payment limit. While the illustration shows only one deferred payment limit, in reality there may also be daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the deferred payment limit. Further details on deferred payment will be provided later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will make electronic payments using the charge balance or by deferred payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information about the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user's previous transfers to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that shows the breakdown of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store/store information 176. Affiliated store/store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A, a second table 176B, and a third table 176C. The first table 176A includes information on affiliated store IDs and store IDs associated with store URLs.

The second table 176B contains information such as the affiliated store name, sales amount (described above), usage frequency, and last usage date and time associated with the affiliated store ID. Usage frequency is, for example, the number of electronic payments made at the affiliated store per unit period, such as one month. Usage frequency may also be calculated using other conditions. The last usage date and time is the date and time the last electronic payment was made at the affiliated store.

The third table 176C contains information about store IDs associated with store IDs. In addition to this information, the affiliated store/store information 176 may also include information such as the affiliated store or store category, store location, and payment patterns.

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

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

The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payments as follows for users whose "setting information" is set to "deferred payment." Deferred payment is set separately from "credit card payment," which is set in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor, allowing electronic payments that are not dependent on the charge balance within the deferred payment limit. To receive the deferred payment service, a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service may be required. The amount used for deferred payment is settled in full for one month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debit from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 makes a provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the deferred payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available deferred payment balance. On the closing date, the payment processing unit 130 performs the process described above to debit the current month's payment on the payment date of the following month, or requests the credit card operator to perform this process. If the payment amount exceeds the available deferred payment balance at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment app 20.

The dormant member store information processing unit 150 includes, for example, an extraction unit 151, a provision unit 152, an acquisition unit 153, an identification unit 154, and an estimation unit 155.

The extraction unit 151 extracts dormant member stores from among multiple member stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services. The extraction unit 151 extracts dormant member stores based on the period during which the member store has not used the electronic payment service. The extraction unit 151 extracts dormant member stores based on the frequency with which the member store uses the electronic payment service.

The extraction unit 151 may extract dormant merchants based on the frequency of use of the electronic payment service by the merchant, or may extract dormant merchants based on the period during which the frequency of use of the electronic payment service by the merchant is below a predetermined rate. In this case, the extraction unit 151 may, for example, extract as dormant merchants merchants whose frequency of use of the electronic payment service is below a predetermined rate, or may extract as dormant merchants merchants whose period during which the frequency of use of the electronic payment service is below a predetermined rate is below a predetermined length.

The providing unit 152 provides the second store terminal device 70 with usage-related information and response request information for the dormant member stores extracted by the extracting unit 151. The providing unit 152 provides the second store terminal device 70 with action information corresponding to the identified dormancy reason. The usage-related information is information related to the use of the electronic payment service. The response request information is information related to the dormancy reason that puts the electronic payment service into a dormant state.

The usage-related information includes startup promotion information that promotes the startup of web content used for the electronic payment service. The usage-related information further includes support information that supports the use of the electronic payment service. The support information is provided to the second store terminal device 70, for example, via web content. The response request information is provided, for example, via web content. The response request information includes, for example, information requesting a response in the form of a questionnaire. The response request information includes, for example, information that can be used to identify the reason why an affiliated store is dormant.

The acquisition unit 153 acquires response information in response to the response request information transmitted by the second in-store terminal device 70. The acquisition unit 153 acquires the activation status of web content on the second in-store terminal device 70. In particular, the acquisition unit 153 acquires the activation status of web content on the second in-store terminal device 70 after the provision unit 152 provides activation promotion information. The acquisition unit 153 updates the usage frequency and last usage date and time shown in FIG. 6 based on the acquired activation status of the web content.

The identification unit 154 identifies the reason why the dormant franchisee is dormant based on the response information acquired by the acquisition unit 153. The identification unit 154 generates countermeasure information for dealing with the identified reason for dormancy. The identification unit 154 transmits the generated countermeasure information to the second store terminal device 70 using the communication unit 110. The countermeasure information is information for dealing with the reason for dormancy; for example, if the reason for dormancy is "unable to distribute promotional items," the countermeasure information may be information providing information on how to obtain and use the promotional items.

The estimation unit 155 estimates that a dormant franchisee will cease business operations based on the activation status of the web content acquired by the acquisition unit 153. The cessation of business operations here includes, for example, the cessation of the provision of product sales services (closing). When the estimation unit 155 estimates that a dormant franchisee will cease business operations, the provision unit 152 generates termination confirmation information that confirms the cessation of business operations.

[Payment server processing]
Next, the processing of the payment server 100 will be described. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in which the payment server 100 provides information to the second store terminal device 70. The payment server 100 uses the extraction unit 151 to extract dormant member stores from among a plurality of member stores at regular intervals, for example, every two weeks (S101).

To extract dormant affiliated stores, the extraction unit 151 obtains the last usage date and time of each affiliated store stored in the storage unit 170. The last usage date and time is, for example, the last date and time when the first store terminal device 50 in the affiliated store made a payment by user scanning or store scanning using the payment app 20. The last usage date and time may also be another date and time. For example, the last usage date and time may be the date when the payment app 20 was last launched by the first store terminal device 50 or the second store terminal device 70, or the last time when the payment app 20 was shut down.

The extraction unit 151 calculates the date and time between the acquired last usage date and time and the current day for which the dormant affiliated store is being extracted. The extraction unit 151 extracts as dormant affiliated stores any affiliated store using the second store terminal device 70 for which the period between the calculated dates and times (hereinafter referred to as the dormant period) exceeds a predetermined period threshold, for example, six months. The period threshold may be an appropriate period, for example, a period longer than six months, such as one month or three months, or a period longer than six months, such as one year or more.

When extracting dormant franchisees based on their dormant periods, the extraction unit 151 may adjust the period threshold, for example, based on the past dormant periods for each franchisee, including the longest dormant period. For example, for a franchisee with a longest past dormant period, the extraction unit 151 may lengthen or shorten the period compared to the normal period threshold.

The extraction unit 151 may extract dormant affiliated stores based on information other than the dormant period, for example, the frequency of use of the affiliated store. For example, the extraction unit 151 may extract as dormant affiliated stores an affiliated store whose frequency of use of the first store terminal device 50 (frequency of payments made using the payment app 20 by the first store terminal device 50) is lower than a predetermined frequency value, or an affiliated store whose first store terminal device 50 has been in use for a longer period than a predetermined period.

If the payment server 100 does not extract a dormant member store, it simply terminates the process. If the payment server 100 extracts a dormant member store, it sends activation promotion information to the second store terminal device 70 of the dormant member store (S103). The activation promotion information may be sent via the member store interface 72, or via a program other than the member store interface 72.

Since the startup prompt information may be sent via a program other than the affiliated store interface 72, the second in-store terminal device 70 can receive the startup prompt information even when the affiliated store interface 72 is not running. The startup prompt information may be sent to the second in-store terminal device 70 by email, for example, or provided to the administrator by telephone. The startup prompt information may also be provided to an information terminal other than the second in-store terminal device 70, such as an information terminal managed by a member of staff at the affiliated store (for example, the administrator of the first in-store terminal device 50).

The second store terminal device 70 provides the administrator with the startup prompting information sent by the payment server 100, for example, by displaying it on a display. The administrator who has received the startup prompting information, for example, starts the affiliated store interface 72 in response to the startup prompting information (S105). When the administrator starts the affiliated store interface 72 in response to the startup prompting information, the second store terminal device 70 sends startup information indicating the startup of the affiliated store interface 72 to the payment server 100 (S107).

If the affiliated store interface 72 is already running, the second store terminal device 70 promptly sends startup information to the payment server 100. If the payment server 100 does not receive startup information for a certain period of time after sending the startup prompting information, it may send the startup prompting information again by email or call the administrator of the second store terminal device 70 to prompt them to start the affiliated store interface 72.

The payment server 100 receives the startup information sent by the second store terminal device 70 via the communication unit 110 and acquires it via the providing unit 152. The providing unit 152 of the payment server 100 generates support information in accordance with the acquired startup information (S109). The support information is, for example, information that helps a dormant member store resume electronic payment services. The providing unit 152 transmits the generated support information to the second store terminal device 70 that transmitted the startup information (S111). The second store terminal device 70 receives the support information transmitted by the payment server 100.

Next, the second store terminal device 70 generates response completion information by responding to the support information in response to operations on the administrator's input interface, etc. (S113). The second store terminal device 70 transmits the generated response completion information to the payment server 100 (S115). The payment server 100 receives the transmitted response completion information via the communication unit 110 and acquires it via the providing unit 152. The providing unit 152 generates response request information in accordance with the acquired response completion information (S117). The providing unit 152 transmits the generated response request information to the second store terminal device 70 (S119).

The second store terminal device 70 generates response information using the affiliated store interface 72 by responding to the response request information in response to operations on the administrator's input interface, etc. (S121). The affiliated store interface 72 transmits the generated response information to the payment server 100 (S123).

The payment server 100 receives the response information sent by the member store interface 72 via the communication unit 110 and acquires it via the acquisition unit 153. The identification unit 154 identifies the reason for the dormant member store's dormancy based on the response information acquired by the acquisition unit 153 (S125). The identification unit 154 generates response information according to the identified reason for dormancy and transmits it to the second store terminal device 70 (S127).

During this time, the acquisition unit 153 measures the time that has elapsed since the extraction unit 151 sent the activation promotion information in step S103, and acquires the activation status of the franchisee interface 72 in the second store terminal device 70. If a certain period of time has passed since the extraction unit 151 sent the activation promotion information and the acquisition unit 153 acquires an activation status indicating that activation information has not been sent, the estimation unit 155 estimates that the dormant franchisee has ceased operations (S129). If the estimation unit 155 estimates that the dormant franchisee has ceased operations, it generates termination confirmation information to confirm that the dormant franchisee has ceased operations (S131).

After the payment server 100 estimation unit 155 generates the termination confirmation information, the payment server 100 or the operator of the electronic payment service confirms that the dormant merchant has ceased operations. For example, the payment server 100 may collect information about the dormant merchant via the network NW, or the operator may contact the dormant merchant or its related parties by telephone, email, etc. to collect information that the dormant merchant has ceased operations.

[Display Contents of Second Store Terminal Device]
Next, we will explain the display contents included in the interface screen of the second store terminal device 70. The affiliated store interface 72 in the second store terminal device 70 receives information transmitted by the payment server 100, and provides an interface screen corresponding to the received information by displaying it on a display or the like.

Figure 8 shows an example of the first interface screen IM1 provided by the affiliated store interface 72. The first interface screen IM1 is an interface screen that is displayed on a display or the like after the second store terminal device 70 receives support information sent by the payment server 100.

The first interface screen IM1 is a screen on which a support information image GA11 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the screen that was displayed immediately before the second store terminal device 70 received the support information. The support information is information indicated by the support information image GA11. The support information image GA11 is displayed, for example, in the center of the first interface screen IM1. The support information image GA11 includes a first button image GA11-1, a second button image GA11-2, a third button image GA11-3, and a message image GA11-4.

The first button image GA11-1 is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image displaying the words "Chat." The second button image GA11-2 is a GUI image displaying the words "Call." The third button image GA11-3 is a GUI image displaying the word "No."

For example, when the first button image GA11-1 is operated by the administrator of the second store terminal device 70, the affiliated store interface 72 starts a chat with the payment server 100. Having started the chat, the affiliated store interface 72 displays an interface screen subsequent to the first interface screen IM1 on a display or the like.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the second interface screen IM2 provided by the affiliated store interface 72. The second interface screen IM2 is a screen displayed when the first button image GA11-1 on the first interface screen IM1 is operated. The second interface screen IM2 is a screen on which a chat image GA21 is displayed in place of the support information image GA11 on the first interface screen IM1. The chat image GA21 includes a comment image GA21-1, an affirmative end button image GA21-2, and a negative end button image GA21-3.

The message image GA21-1 is an image in which messages from the second store terminal device 70 and messages from the payment server 100 are displayed alternately. The messages here may be displayed as text, or as illustrated images or photographic images. Messages from the second store terminal device 70 are generated, for example, when an administrator operates an input interface provided on the second store terminal device 70 and the member store interface 72 accepts the message. Messages from the payment server 100 may be messages generated by a BOT on the payment server 100, or messages from an operator of an electronic payment service, etc.

The administrator of the second store terminal device 70 is provided with information via chat, for example, from an operator of the electronic management service, about the electronic payment service being taken out of dormancy and restarted. The affiliated store interface 72, which has started the chat, updates the message image GA21-1 as the chat progresses. The administrator is provided with information via the message image GA21-1 updated by chat, for example, from an operator of the electronic management service, about the electronic payment service being taken out of dormancy and restarted.

The affirmative end button image GA21-2 is a GUI image displaying the word "Yes." The negative end button image GA21-3 is a GUI image displaying the word "No." When the affirmative end button image GA21-2 or the negative end button image GA21-3 is operated, the affiliated store interface 72 generates response completion information indicating that the support information has been addressed and transmits it to the payment server 100. In response to the transmitted response completion information, the payment server 100 generates response request information for displaying the third interface screen IM3 and transmits it to the second store terminal device 70. The second store terminal device 70 transitions the interface screen using the affiliated store interface 72 based on the received response request information.

Figure 10 shows an example of the third interface screen IM3 provided by the merchant interface 72. The third interface screen IM3 is a screen on which a survey request image GA31 is displayed in place of the chat image GA21 on the second interface screen IM2. The survey request image GA31 is an image that is displayed when response request information sent by the payment server 100 is received.

The survey request image GA31 displays, for example, multiple options. The survey options shown in the survey request image GA31 include, for example, multiple pieces of information that are assumed to be the reason why a member store is dormant. The survey options also include information about the dormant member store canceling its use of the electronic payment service. The survey options do not have to include information about the dormant member store canceling its use of the electronic payment service.

The survey request image GA31 includes messages such as "Please take part in the survey" and "What would you like to know?". The survey request image GA31 further includes option messages such as "I would like a promotional item," "About the light plan," "About related matters," and "About cancellation," as well as radio buttons associated with these option messages. When the administrator operates these radio buttons, the option message associated with the operated radio button is selected.

On the third interface screen IM3, a send button image GA32 is provided directly below the survey request image GA31. The send button image GA32 is a GUI image displaying the word "send." When the send button image GA32 is operated, the affiliated store interface 72 sends the response information generated by responding to the survey to the payment server 100.

For example, when the send button image GA32 is operated while the radio button associated with the option message "I want a promotional item" is selected, response information corresponding to the option message "I want a promotional item" is sent to the payment server 100. Multiple radio buttons associated with the option message may be selectable, or only one may be selectable. The send button image GA32 may be operable when any of the radio buttons is selected, or may be operable even if no radio button is selected.

Figure 11 shows an example of the fourth interface screen IM4 provided by the affiliated store interface 72. The second store terminal device 70 displays the response information sent by the payment server 100. For example, if a response is sent in response to the option message "I want a promotional item," information on how to obtain the promotional item is displayed.

Promotional items are displayed in stores to promote the use of electronic payment services at affiliated stores, for example. Promotional items include, for example, banners displayed in stores, stickers affixed near cash registers, and posters displayed inside stores. The affiliated store interface 72 provides affiliated stores with information on how to obtain promotional items selected by the affiliated store administrator from among these promotional items displayed on the first screen IM4-1 of the fourth interface screen IM4.

The promotional item may be, for example, a novelty item bearing the name or logo of the electronic payment service or the operator that provides the electronic payment service. Novelties include, for example, pens, wet wipes, cups, etc. The affiliated store interface 72 provides the affiliated store with information on how to obtain a novelty item designated by the affiliated store's administrator from among these novelty items displayed on the second screen IM4-2 of the fourth interface screen IM4.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the fifth interface screen IM5 provided by the affiliated store interface 72. The fifth interface screen IM5 is displayed when the second button image GA11-2 on the first interface screen IM1 (Figure 8) is operated. When the second button image GA11-2 is operated, the second store terminal device 70 transmits response completion information to the payment server 100. In response to the transmitted response completion information, the payment server 100 generates response request information for displaying the fifth interface screen IM5 and transmits it to the second store terminal device 70.

The fifth interface screen IM5 is a screen that displays a telephone support information image GA51, a survey request image GA52, and a send button image GA53 in place of the support information image GA11 on the first interface screen IM1. The telephone support information image GA51 includes telephone number information corresponding to the information requested by the affiliated store.

By calling the telephone number displayed in the telephone support information image GA51, the manager of the affiliated store can obtain support information from the operator of the electronic payment service via voice or image over the phone. The phone may be, for example, a terminal such as a smartphone owned by the manager, or a phone attached to the second store terminal device 70.

The survey request image GA52 contains the same content as the survey request image GA31 (Figure 10), and includes multiple option information. Each option information is accompanied by a radio button. When the send button image GA53 is operated while a radio button is selected, the response information corresponding to the option message selected by the radio button is sent to the payment server 100.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the sixth interface screen IM6 provided by the affiliated store interface 72. The sixth interface screen IM6 is displayed when the third button image GA11-3 on the first interface screen IM1 (Figure 8) is operated. When the third button image GA11-3 is operated, the second store terminal device 70 transmits response completion information to the payment server 100. In response to the transmitted response completion information, the payment server 100 generates response request information for displaying the sixth interface screen IM6 and transmits it to the second store terminal device 70.

The sixth interface screen IM6 is a screen that displays a reward information image GA61, a survey request image GA62, and a send button image GA63 in place of the support information image GA11 on the first interface screen IM1. The reward information image GA61 includes reward information that expresses gratitude to the affiliated store for using the electronic payment service.

By displaying the reward information image GA61, the operator of the electronic payment service expresses gratitude to the affiliated store for using the electronic payment service. The survey request image GA62 contains the same content as the survey request image GA31 (Figure 10), and by operating the send button image GA63 while a radio button is selected, response information corresponding to the option message selected by the radio button is sent to the payment server 100.

In the embodiment, the extraction unit 151 of the payment server 100 extracts dormant merchants, requests responses from the dormant merchants regarding the reasons for their dormancy, and identifies the reasons for dormancy based on the responses obtained. This makes it possible to provide dormant merchants with information encouraging them to resume using electronic payment services according to the reasons for their dormancy, thereby promoting the use of electronic payment services.

In the above embodiment, the options included in the response request information are information about promotional products and plans, but the options included in the response request information may be other. The options included in the response request information may include, for example, information that prompts the user to select the category to which the affiliated store belongs and the attributes of the staff employed at the store managed by the affiliated store. The category may be, for example, an industry such as "gourmet," "cafe," "convenience store," or "supermarket," or it may be the region or business hours. The attributes of the staff may include, for example, the age, gender, and number of staff employed. The response request information may not be in the form of options, but may be in a format that the administrator can freely write in.

In the above embodiment, the extraction unit 151 of the payment server 100 extracts dormant merchants from among a plurality of merchants at regular intervals, for example, every two weeks, but dormant merchants may also be extracted at other intervals. The extraction unit 151 may exclude a merchant extracted as a dormant merchant from targets for extraction as a dormant merchant for a regular period, for example, three months. Alternatively, the provision unit 152 may exclude a dormant merchant that has transmitted usage-related information, etc. from targets for transmitting usage-related information, etc., for a regular period if it is extracted again as a dormant merchant.

According to the embodiment described above, the use of electronic payment services can be promoted by providing an extraction unit that extracts dormant merchants whose electronic payment services are dormant from among multiple merchants that use electronic payment services as providers of goods or services; a provision unit that provides the extracted dormant merchants with usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service and response request information regarding the dormancy reason for the dormancy state to a store terminal device used by the merchant; and an identification unit that identifies the dormancy reason based on the response to the response request information.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is in no way limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 User terminal device 20 Payment application 100 Payment server 120 Payment content providing unit 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information management unit 150 Dormant member store information processing unit 151 Extraction unit 152 Provision unit 153 Acquisition unit 154 Identification unit 155 Estimation unit

Claims (18)

an extraction unit that extracts, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use an electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, specific affiliated stores that satisfy specific conditions regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
a provision unit that provides usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted specific member store,
the extraction unit extracts the specific member store based on information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
The specific conditions regarding the frequency of use are conditions adjusted based on the dormant period of each of the member stores.
Information provision device. The specific condition regarding the frequency of use is that the frequency of use is equal to or less than a predetermined rate.
The information providing device according to claim 1 . The specific condition regarding the frequency of use is a condition regarding a period during which the frequency of use of the electronic payment service is equal to or less than a predetermined rate.
The information providing device according to claim 1 . The dormancy period includes the longest dormancy period;
The information providing device according to claim 1 . The information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service includes the frequency of use of the electronic payment service.
The information providing device according to claim 1 . The information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service includes a period during which the frequency of use of the electronic payment service is equal to or less than a predetermined rate.
The information providing device according to claim 1 . an extraction unit that extracts, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use an electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, specific affiliated stores that satisfy specific conditions regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
a provision unit that provides usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted specific member store,
the extraction unit extracts the specific member store based on information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
the providing unit provides at least one of start-up promotion information for promoting start-up of web content, support information for supporting use of the electronic payment service, response request information regarding a reason for putting the electronic payment service into a dormant state, or response information corresponding to the reason for dormancy;
Information provision device. an extraction unit that extracts, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use an electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant affiliated stores whose electronic payment service is dormant based on the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
a providing unit that provides, to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store, response request information requesting a response regarding the dormancy reason for putting the electronic payment service into a dormant state;
Information provision device. The computer
extracting specific member stores that satisfy specific conditions regarding frequency of use of the electronic payment service from among a plurality of member stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to a store terminal device used by the extracted specific member store;
The computer
extracting the specific member stores based on information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
The specific conditions regarding the frequency of use are conditions adjusted based on the dormant period of each of the member stores.
Information provision method. On the computer,
extracting specific member stores that satisfy specific conditions regarding frequency of use of the electronic payment service from among a plurality of member stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services;
providing usage-related information regarding use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted specific member store;
The computer,
extracting the specific member store based on information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service ;
The specific conditions regarding the frequency of use are conditions adjusted based on the dormant period of each of the member stores.
program. The computer
extracting, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant affiliated stores that satisfy specific conditions adjusted based on a dormant period during which the electronic payment service is dormant;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store;
The computer
extracting the dormant member stores based on the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
Information provision method. On the computer,
extracting, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant affiliated stores that satisfy specific conditions adjusted based on a dormant period during which the electronic payment service is dormant;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store;
The computer,
extracting the dormant member stores based on the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
program. The computer
extracting, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant affiliated stores that satisfy specific conditions adjusted based on a dormant period during which the electronic payment service is dormant;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store;
The computer
extracting the dormant member stores based on a period during which the frequency of use of the electronic payment service is below a predetermined rate;
Information provision method. On the computer,
extracting, from among a plurality of affiliated stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant affiliated stores that satisfy specific conditions adjusted based on a dormant period during which the electronic payment service is dormant;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store;
The computer,
extracting the dormant member stores based on a period during which the frequency of use of the electronic payment service is below a predetermined rate;
program. The computer
extracting specific member stores that satisfy specific conditions regarding frequency of use of the electronic payment service from among a plurality of member stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted specific member store;
The computer
extracting the specific member stores based on information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
providing at least one of start-up promotion information that promotes the start-up of web content, support information that supports the use of the electronic payment service, response request information regarding the reason for the dormancy of the electronic payment service, or response information corresponding to the reason for the dormancy;
Information provision method. On the computer,
extracting specific member stores that satisfy specific conditions regarding frequency of use of the electronic payment service from among a plurality of member stores that use the electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services;
providing usage-related information regarding the use of the electronic payment service to the store terminal device used by the extracted specific member store;
The computer,
extracting the specific member stores based on information regarding the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
providing at least one of start-up promotion information that promotes the start-up of web content, support information that supports the use of the electronic payment service, response request information regarding the reason for the dormancy of the electronic payment service, and response information corresponding to the reason for the dormancy;
program. The computer
extracting, from among a plurality of member stores that use an electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant member stores whose electronic payment service is dormant based on the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
providing, to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store, response request information requesting a response regarding the dormancy reason for making the electronic payment service dormant;
Information provision method. On the computer,
extracting, from among a plurality of member stores that use an electronic payment service as a provider of goods or services, dormant member stores whose electronic payment service is dormant based on the frequency of use of the electronic payment service;
providing, to the store terminal device used by the extracted dormant member store, response request information requesting a response regarding the dormancy reason for putting the electronic payment service into a dormant state;
program.