JP7609827B2 - Information providing device, information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, there are known information provision services that provide information about restaurants to users' terminal devices. This type of information provision service may also provide information about specific services that accompany the provision of food and drink, such as whether or not the restaurant offers take-out products, whether or not products are offered, and whether or not outdoor seating such as terrace seating is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-285508 A

Restaurants may start or end specific services, such as take-out products, due to changes in business policy, etc. However, even when a restaurant starts or ends a specific service, the administrator who runs the information provision service may not be able to quickly obtain information about when a restaurant has started or ended a specific service. In this case, there is a risk that accurate information cannot be provided to customers.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information providing device, information providing method, and program that enable users to obtain the implementation status of specific services, such as takeout, more quickly.

One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that includes an acquisition unit that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and acquires first information collected by a server that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information being capable of recognizing the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant; a determination unit that determines whether the specific service is being implemented based on the first related information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a notification unit that notifies the terminal device of the user of information based on the determination result of the determination unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain information on the implementation status of specific services, such as takeout, more quickly.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for electronic payment by the electronic payment server 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of payment information 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of first store information 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notice. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of an information providing device 100. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information providing device 100. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of restaurant information 182. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image corresponding to restaurant information. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information providing device 300 according to a third embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the information providing device, information providing method, and program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be described.

[overview]
The information providing device is, for example, a device that performs an information providing service that provides information about restaurants. The information about the restaurant includes information indicating the implementation status of specific services, including takeout. The information providing device determines the implementation status of specific services at the restaurant based on information provided by a device that provides an electronic payment service (hereinafter referred to as an "electronic payment server"). Below, the mechanism of electronic payment executed using the electronic payment server and the electronic payment server are described, followed by a description of the usage environment of the information providing device and the information providing device.

[Electronic payment system]
1 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for electronic payment by an electronic payment server 1. The electronic payment server 1 communicates with one or more terminal devices 10 and a store payment terminal 20 via a network NW. The network NW includes a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a cellular network, and the like.

The terminal device 10 and the store payment terminal 20 each have, for example, an electronic payment app pre-installed and are equipped with a processor that executes the installed electronic payment app. The user of the terminal device 10 and the administrator of the store payment terminal 20 make payments with the electronic payment server 1 using a payment method such as "Payment Method 1" or "Payment Method 2" below. "App" is an abbreviation for an application program.

In "Payment method 1," the terminal device 10 reads information such as the store ID (identification information, the same applies below) encoded in a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) Q installed in the store using the functions of the electronic payment app, and the user inputs the amount into the terminal device 10 and confirms it after confirmation by the store, whereby information such as the store ID, user ID, amount, date and time, etc. are uploaded to the electronic payment server 1.

The electronic payment server 1 completes the electronic payment by subtracting the amount of the fee from the balance information associated with the user ID and adding the amount of the fee to the balance information associated with the store ID. When reading the code image, the electronic payment app activates the camera of the terminal device 10, and stops capturing images with the camera when a frame image in which the encoded information can be read is captured. This mechanism is a publicly known technology, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

In "Payment method 2", the terminal device 10 uses the functions of an electronic payment app to display a code image such as a barcode in which information including a user ID is encoded, and the store payment terminal 20, which includes a reading device such as a barcode reader, reads the information such as the user ID encoded in the barcode and uploads information such as the store ID, user ID, fee, date and time to the electronic payment server 1. As with payment method 1, the electronic payment server 1 completes the electronic payment by subtracting the fee from the balance information associated with the user ID and adding the fee to the balance information associated with the store ID. Note that the adoption of these two payment methods is merely an example, and any payment method may be adopted in the application of the present invention.

[Electronic payment server 1]
The electronic payment server 1 manages services including the execution of electronic payments. It is realized by one or more processors. The electronic payment server 1 monitors the execution status of electronic payments. When electronic payments are executed, the electronic payment server 1 updates the balance information associated with the user ID and the balance information associated with the store ID in accordance with the results of the electronic payments.

The electronic payment server 1 further stores payment information 2 including the history of payments made by the user who owns the terminal device 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the payment information 2. The payment information 2 is, for example, information in which the user ID of the user who made the payment, the store ID of the store, the payment amount, and the like are associated with the date and time the payment was made.

The electronic payment server 1 stores first store information 3 about stores where the electronic payment service is available. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the first store information 3. The first store information 3 includes information in which the first referral information and information indicating the implementation status of a specific service are associated with the store ID of a store where the electronic payment service is available. The first store information is an example of first information, and the first referral information is an example of referral information.

The first introduction information includes information such as the store name, genre, location, business hours, and announcement. Of these, the genres are relatively roughly categorized, such as "restaurants," "clothing," and "fresh food." The announcement is, for example, a statement created by the store manager, and includes an introduction to the store and details of services that the store currently provides, will provide in the future, and will provide on an ongoing basis. The announcement information is stored as text information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an announcement. The first introduction information may also include other information introducing the store, such as a phone number, menu, photos, the nearest station, the store URL, reviews, and congestion status.

The first referral information is, for example, information that is not input as an initial value and can be created or updated by the user of the store payment terminal 20 by operating the store payment terminal 20, etc. For this reason, the first referral information may include items that are blank (N/A). In the first store information 3, the "notice" item in the first referral information represents the content created by a manager such as the owner of the store, and the information item indicating the implementation status of a specific service represents the content of the declaration by the store manager. If these items have not been created or declared by the store manager, they are displayed as blank (N/A).

Some or all of the items in the first referral information may be created and updated by the administrator of the electronic payment server 1. For example, some of the first referral information, such as the store name, genre, and location, may be entered in advance by the administrator of the electronic payment server 1. Furthermore, among the items in the first referral information, the notice may be created and updated by the administrator of the store payment terminal 20, and the other items may be created and updated by the administrator of the electronic payment server 1. Some or all of the items in the first referral information may be writable by a person other than the user of the store payment terminal 20 or the administrator of the electronic payment server 1, such as a general user. In particular, when the first referral information includes a menu, photos, reviews, congestion status, and the like, this information may be writable by a general user.

The electronic payment server 1 collects payment information 2 and first store information 3 as a result of monitoring the execution status of electronic payments and receiving information from the store payment terminal 20. The payment information 2 and first store information 3 are information that can be used to recognize the implementation status of specific services, including take-out services, at restaurants.

In response to a request from the store payment terminal 20, the electronic payment server 1 transmits some or all of the collected payment information 2 and first store information 3 to the store payment terminal 20. The electronic payment server 1 may transmit the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 to the store payment terminal 20, for example, periodically, even if there is no request from the store payment terminal 20.

[Usage environment of information providing device 100]
5 is a diagram showing an example of a usage environment of the information providing device 100. In the usage environment of the information providing device 100, the information providing device 100 communicates with a terminal device 10 used by one or more users and a store terminal 30 installed in a restaurant through a network NW. The network NW is common to the network NW shown in FIG. 1, but may be independent from the network NW shown in FIG. 1.

The terminal device 10 and the store terminal 30, for example, each have a restaurant information provision app installed in advance, and are equipped with a processor that executes the installed restaurant information provision app. The terminal device 10 and the store terminal 30 are of a fixed type that is installed in a building, etc., or a portable type such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and have, for example, a display function and an input reception function (e.g. a touch panel). The terminal device 10 is, for example, installed in a user's home, etc., or carried by the user. The store terminal 30 is, for example, provided in a restaurant, or carried by the manager of the restaurant. The terminal device 10 and the store terminal 30 may or may not have an electronic payment app installed.

The information providing device 100 requests the electronic payment server 1 to provide payment information 2 and first store information 3 as necessary. In response to a request from the information providing device 100, the electronic payment server 1 transmits some or all of the payment information 2 and first store information 3 to the information providing device 100. The information providing device 100 acquires the payment information 2 and first store information 3 transmitted by the electronic payment server 1. The electronic payment server 1 may transmit the payment information 2 and first store information 3 to the information providing device 100, for example, periodically, even if there is no request from the information providing device 100.

When a user of the terminal device 10 or an administrator of the store terminal 30 wants to know restaurant information 182, the user requests the information providing device 100 to provide the restaurant information 182. The information providing device 100 transmits the restaurant information 182 to the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 in response to a request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30. The restaurant information 182 transmitted by the information providing device 1000 is displayed, for example, using a restaurant information app. The information providing device 100 may transmit the restaurant information 182 to the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 even if there is no request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30, for example, when the restaurant information 182 is updated, or periodically. If an electronic payment app is installed in the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30, the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 may display the restaurant information 182 using the electronic payment app.

[Configuration of information providing device 100]
The information providing device 100 is realized by one or more processors. The information providing device 100 is a device that transmits and provides restaurant information 182, which is information about restaurants that can be used as a criterion when a user selects a restaurant to use, to the terminal device 10, the store terminal 30, etc. The information providing device 100 may be a device that specializes in providing restaurant information, or may be a device that provides restaurant information as one of multiple pieces of information including information other than restaurant information.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing device 100. The information providing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110. The communication unit 110 is a communication interface such as a network card for connecting to the network NW.

The information providing device 100 further includes, for example, an acquisition unit 120, a synthesis unit 130, a determination unit 140, a notification unit 150, and a promotion unit 160. These components are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in a storage device (a storage device having a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory in advance, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by mounting the storage medium in a drive device. It is not necessary for all of the above components to be realized by a single processor; distributed processing by multiple processors may be used as appropriate.

The information providing device 100 further includes a storage unit 180. The storage unit 180 is realized by a storage device such as a HDD, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 180 stores restaurant information 182 in addition to various programs such as firmware and application programs. The storage unit 180 does not have to be a device attached to the information providing device 100, and may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) that can be accessed from the information providing device 100 via a network NW or the like.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of restaurant information 182. Restaurant information 182 includes information in which each item in the first referral information and information indicating the implementation status of a specific service is associated with a store ID given to a restaurant that provides food and drink. The genres in restaurant information 182 are categorized more finely than the genres in first store information 3. Restaurant information 182 further associates information such as reservation status, recommended menu items, and hygiene measures with the store ID.

In the restaurant information 182, the details of the items "take-out," "outdoor seating," and "delivery" are determined based on the declaration by the restaurant and the determination result of the determination unit 140. In the restaurant information 182, for each of the items "take-out" and "delivery," if it is unclear whether they are available, it is marked as "not available," and for "outdoor seating," if it is unclear whether they are available, it is marked as "not available." Outdoor seating is an example of an area for outdoor consumption of food and beverages.

The first store information 3 stored by the electronic payment server 1 and the restaurant information 182 stored by the information providing device 100 contain overlapping items, but the electronic payment server 1 and the information providing device 100 each obtain information for each item independently. For this reason, the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182 may have different store IDs assigned to the same store, and the information for each item may differ between the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182.

The information providing device 100 uses the information contained in the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 to determine whether the specific service is being provided. The information providing device 100 updates the information indicating the implementation status of the specific service contained in the restaurant information 182 as necessary.

For example, in response to a request from the terminal device 10, the information providing device 100 transmits restaurant information stored in the storage unit 180 to the requesting terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 receives the restaurant information transmitted by the information providing device 100 and displays an image corresponding to the restaurant information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image corresponding to the restaurant information. In FIG. 8, for example, the display unit of the terminal device 10 displays restaurant information images G1 to G3 including restaurant information, and a search condition input field N for searching for restaurants.

The acquisition unit 120 acquires the payment information 2 and the first store information 3 transmitted by the electronic payment server 1. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired first store information 3 to the synthesis unit 130 and the promotion unit 160. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired payment information 2 and first store information 3 to the determination unit 140.

The synthesis unit 130 compares each item of the first store information 3 output by the acquisition unit 120 with each item of the restaurant information 182 stored in the memory unit 180. Based on the comparison results of each item, the synthesis unit 130 determines that the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the first store information 3 is the same as the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the restaurant information 182. The synthesis unit 130 synthesizes the first store information 3 and restaurant information 182 for the store associated with the store ID identified as being the same.

The synthesis unit 130 synthesizes the first store information 3 and the restaurant information 182 by updating the information contained in the first store information 3 regarding the information indicating the implementation status of a specific service among the items in the restaurant information 182. Specifically, the content of each of the items in the restaurant information 182, "Announcement," "Takeout," "Outdoor seating," and "Delivery," is updated to the content of the first store information 3. The synthesis unit 130 may also update other items, such as the location and business hours, to the content of the first store information 3.

The determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered at a restaurant based on the payment information 2 and first store information 3 notified by the acquisition unit 120. The determination unit 140 makes a determination based on the first store information 3 using the information included in the restaurant information 182 combined by the combination unit 130. The determination unit 140 outputs information on whether or not a specific service is being offered at each restaurant to the notification unit 150. The determination performed by the determination unit 140 will be described in further detail below.

The determination unit 140 updates the restaurant information 182 stored in the storage unit 180 based on the determination result of whether or not the specific service is being provided. If the determination result of whether or not the specific service is being provided matches the information stored in the restaurant information 182, the determination unit 140 maintains the restaurant information 182. If the determination result of whether or not the specific service is being provided differs from the information stored in the restaurant information 182, the determination unit 140 updates the restaurant information 182.

For example, in response to a request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30, the notification unit 150 notifies and provides the restaurant information 182 stored in the storage unit 180 to the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30 as information based on the determination result. The notification unit 150 may notify the restaurant information 182 when there is no request from the terminal device 10 or the store terminal 30. The notification unit 150 may notify the restaurant information 182 when the restaurant information 182 is updated or in response to a request from a restaurant to which the store ID of the restaurant information 182 is assigned. The notification unit 150 may notify the restaurant information 182 periodically.

The promotion unit 160 prompts the store manager to create and update the first referral information in the electronic payment service. Specifically, for example, when there is a blank in the first store information 3 output by the acquisition unit 120, the promotion unit 160 transmits, to the store payment terminal 20 using the communication unit 110, promotion information that prompts the process of filling in the blank (updating the first store information 3). For example, the promotion unit 160 can transmit an input form to the terminal device 10 to prompt the user to enter information. The user can create and update the first referral information by entering information in accordance with the input form.

The promotion unit 160 may periodically or irregularly transmit promotion information to the store payment terminal 20 to promote updating of information indicating the implementation status of a specific service when there is a blank in the first store information 3 or when there is a change in the implementation status of the specific service. The promotion unit 160 may transmit the promotion information to the electronic payment server 1 and transmit the promotion information to the store payment terminal 20 via the electronic payment server 1.

[Determination in Determination Unit 140]
Next, a process of determining whether or not the specific service is being provided by the determination unit 140 will be described. The determination unit 140 determines whether or not the specific service is being provided by any of the following determination processes. The first store information 3 provided by the electronic payment server 1 is based on information entered by a store manager, for example, and the accuracy of the information may not be high. The determination unit 140 may determine whether or not the specific service is being provided by comprehensively using the results of the following multiple determination processes to correct the information included in the first store information 3 and determine whether or not the specific service is being provided.

For example, when the result of multiple determination processes indicates that the specific service is being implemented in the majority of the determination processes, it may be determined that the specific service is being implemented. Alternatively, the multiple determination processes may be weighted, and the weighting may be taken into consideration when determining whether or not the specific service is being implemented. Alternatively, a priority may be assigned to the multiple determination processes, and the result of the process with the higher priority may be given more importance when determining whether or not the specific service is being implemented.

[First Determination Process]
In the first determination process, the determination unit 140 checks information indicating the implementation status of the specific service included in the first store information 3. Specifically, the determination unit 140 checks whether take-out is available, whether outdoor seating is available, and whether delivery is available. The determination unit 140 determines whether the specific service is being implemented based on the confirmed information indicating the implementation status of the specific service.

[Second Determination Process]
In the second determination process, the determination unit 140 performs, for example, natural language processing on a character string included in the text information in the notice included in the first store information 3. The determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered based on the result of the executed natural language processing, and corrects, for example, the determination result of the first determination process. For example, when the result of the natural language processing shows that the text information in the notice contains a character string that is recognized as a specific service being offered, such as "take-out,""takeaway," or "8% consumption tax," the determination unit 140 determines that take-out is being offered as a specific service. For example, when the notice contains text information such as "terrace seating available" or "eating and drinking available outside the store," the determination unit 140 determines that outdoor seating is available as a specific service.

[Third Determination Process]
In the third determination process, the determination unit 140 checks the payment amount information included in the payment information 2, and determines that the specific service is being provided if the payment information includes information on the payment that occurs when the specific service is provided. For example, the acquisition unit 120 may acquire payment information that includes a tax amount that differs between when the specific service is provided and when it is not provided.

For example, a lower consumption tax rate may be added to take-out items than to eat-in items. For this reason, the payment amount for take-out items tends to be different from the payment amount for eat-in items. For example, the payment amount for take-out items is often a multiple of "108" because 8% consumption tax is added. On the other hand, the payment amount for eat-in items is often a multiple of "110" because 10% consumption tax is added.

Based on this tendency, for example, the determination unit 140 determines that take-out is being offered as a specific service when the payment amount is frequently a multiple of "108". The determination of whether or not it is increasing can be performed based on appropriate criteria. For example, it can be determined that it is "increasing" when the payment amount is a multiple of "108" at a rate equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value relative to the total payment amount. The determination unit 140 may determine whether or not a specific service is being offered based on the payment amount using the results of statistical processing of the payment amount when the specific service is being offered and when it is not being offered.

Alternatively, the determination unit 140 may determine that the amount is an amount that arises independently when a specific service is provided. For example, in a store that offers lunches at a relatively high price range, a payment such as "500 yen" that is considered to be equivalent to a one-coin lunch that is only available for takeout may be seen. In this case, the "500 yen" is an amount that arises independently when a specific service (takeout) is provided. For example, when payment information showing a payment amount of 500 yen is included, the determination unit 140 determines that takeout is being provided as a specific service.

In the above example, the determination unit 140 may further refer to the time information in the date and time included in the payment information 2 to determine lunchtime, etc. For example, the determination unit 140 may determine that a payment was made during lunchtime if the time the payment was made is between 11:30 and 1:30 p.m.

As a result of the determination, the determination unit 140 may determine the possibility that a specific service is being implemented, instead of or in addition to information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented, and express this as a percentage, for example. For example, if there is an increase in payments whose payment amounts are multiples of "108", there is a high possibility that take-out is being implemented; however, there is also a possibility that the amounts may be biased due to some factor, and there may be an increase in payments whose payment amounts are multiples of "108" even though take-out is not being implemented. For this reason, for example, the possibility of the implementation of a specific service may be calculated so that the higher the proportion of payments whose payment amounts are multiples of "108" out of all payments, the higher the possibility that take-out is being implemented.

The information providing device 100 of the first embodiment determines whether or not a specific service is being offered at a store based on the payment information 2 and first store information 3 provided by the electronic payment server 1. This makes it possible to obtain the implementation status of the specific service more quickly. Furthermore, the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment can quickly notify and provide the user with information about whether or not the specific service is being offered.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the processing executed in the information providing device 100. In the following embodiments, each embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Also, common elements and the like may be given the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 120 acquires text information contained in information related to store services provided by a store that are provided through a service other than the electronic payment service. The information related to store services provided by a store that are provided through a service other than the electronic payment service is, for example, second information sent by a user through various SNS (social networking services). Alternatively, the information related to store services provided by a store that are provided through a service other than the electronic payment service may be, for example, information published by a user who uses an electronic payment service, such as an evaluation or impression of a store whose store service the user has used.

The information related to the store service provided by the store through a service other than the electronic payment service may be, for example, information other than the second information sent by the user through an SNS service. For example, it may be text information sent and received through a means other than the electronic payment app, such as a store introduction app.

The acquisition unit 120 further acquires location information of the terminal device that sent the SNS. The location information is, for example, POI (Point Of Interest) information. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired second information and location information to the determination unit 140.

The determination unit 140 performs natural language processing on the character string included in the text information included in the second information output by the acquisition unit 120. Based on the result of the natural language processing, the determination unit 140 extracts text information for identifying a store that is a restaurant. When the determination unit 140 extracts text information for identifying a restaurant, it extracts text information for determining whether or not a specific service is being provided at the store to be determined (hereinafter referred to as the "target store").

Text information for identifying a target store includes, for example, phrases indicating the store name, industry, product name, business hours (time of visit, time of visit), station name, place name, etc. Text information for determining whether a specific service is being offered includes phrases such as "takeout," "carry-away," and "8% consumption tax."

As in the first embodiment, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered at the restaurant based on the payment information 2 and the first store information included in the first information (hereinafter referred to as the "first determination"). Furthermore, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not a specific service is being offered based on the extracted text information (hereinafter referred to as the "second determination").

Then, the determination unit 140 determines whether the target store that is the subject of the second determination corresponds to any of the restaurants that are the subject of the first determination. If the result of the determination is that the target store that is the subject of the second determination does not correspond to any of the restaurants that are the subject of the first determination, the determination unit 140 ends the determination based on the text information.

When the target store that is the subject of the second judgment corresponds to one of the restaurants that are the subject of the first judgment, the judgment unit 140 identifies the store ID of the target store by matching the target store with the restaurant in the first information that corresponds to the target store (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding restaurant"). The target store and the corresponding restaurant are matched, for example, by matching the location information output by the acquisition unit 120 with the address included in the restaurant information 182, or by matching the store name included in the text information with the store name included in the restaurant information 182.

The position information output by the acquisition unit 120 is matched with the location included in the restaurant information 182, for example, when the distance between the two is within a threshold, when the nearest station is the same, etc. The store name included in the text information and the store name included in the restaurant information 182 may be matched with an exact match. Alternatively, the judgment may be based on whether there is a similar relationship, or a general store abbreviation may be used, or a search query may be utilized, or if the store name includes alphabets, uppercase and lowercase letters may be matched, or if kanji, etc. is included, kanji, etc. may be matched with hiragana, etc. Next, if the result of the second judgment differs from the content shown for the corresponding restaurant in the restaurant information 182, the judgment unit 140 updates the restaurant information 182.

The information providing device of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, can obtain the implementation status of a specific service such as takeout more quickly. Furthermore, the information providing device of the second embodiment determines whether a specific service is being implemented by using information related to store services provided by stores that is provided through a service other than electronic payment services, such as SNS. Therefore, by obtaining information from a wide range, the implementation status of a specific service such as takeout can be obtained even more quickly.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing device 300 of the third embodiment. The information providing device 300 includes a measurement unit 310 in addition to the components of the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the information providing device 300 can specify a position by latitude and longitude, and includes map information including the positions of restaurants. In other respects, the information providing device 300 has the same configuration as the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the terminal device 10 includes, for example, a self-location detection device, such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite system) device 12. The terminal device 10 detects the location of the terminal device 10, in other words, the location of the user of the terminal device 10, using the GNSS device 12. The terminal device 10 transmits the detected user location information to the electronic payment server 1.

The location information includes a user ID, date and time information, and latitude and longitude information. The electronic payment server 1 manages the transmitted location information of the user. The terminal device 10 may transmit the user's location information to a server other than the electronic payment server 1, for example a location management server. In this case, the location management server manages the user's location information. The terminal device 10 may transmit the location information to the information providing device 300. Since the location information includes date and time information and latitude and longitude information, it is possible to calculate the stay time of a user at a specific location based on the location information. The location information is an example of stay time information. A user of the terminal device 10 becomes a store user when he or she visits a restaurant.

In response to a request from the information providing device 300, the electronic payment server 1 transmits location information of the user of the terminal device 10 that it manages to the information providing device 300. The information providing device 300 receives the location information transmitted by the electronic payment server 1 using the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 120 acquires the location information received by the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 120 outputs the received location information to the measurement unit 310.

The measurement unit 310 calculates the user's stay time at a specific location by referring to the map information based on the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 120. The measurement unit 310 generates stay information on the restaurants where the user stayed and the calculated stay time of the user. The measurement unit 310 outputs the generated stay information to the determination unit 140.

The determination unit 140 determines whether a specific service, such as take-out, is offered at the restaurant based on the information about the user's stay at the restaurant output by the measurement unit 310. When determining whether take-out is offered, for example, a first threshold is set for the stay time at the restaurant, and a second threshold is set for the proportion of users whose stay time is equal to or less than the first threshold. When the proportion of users whose stay time is equal to or less than the first threshold is equal to or less than the second threshold, the determination unit 140 determines that the restaurant offers take-out.

Furthermore, the determination unit 140 determines whether the restaurant offers takeout services based on whether the user has made an electronic payment at the restaurant, based on the payment information sent by the electronic payment server 1. For example, when determining the percentage of users whose stay time is equal to or less than the first threshold, the determination unit 140 may be limited to users who have made an electronic payment.

The information providing device of the third embodiment, like the first embodiment, can obtain the implementation status of specific services such as takeout more quickly. Furthermore, the information providing device of the third embodiment determines whether or not a store is providing a specific service, particularly takeout, based on the user's stay time and whether or not electronic payment is used. Therefore, by obtaining information from a wide range, the implementation status of specific services such as takeout can be obtained even more quickly.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the specific service includes takeout, outdoor seating, and delivery, but the specific service may further include other services. For example, the specific service may include a service for avoiding so-called crowded conditions, specifically, a service for removing or suspending the use of some seats in a store, or a service for placing partitions between seats.

The determination unit 140 provides information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented, but may provide information on the possibility that a specific service is being implemented as the information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented. For example, when determining whether or not a specific service is being implemented based on the second information, the possibility that a specific service is being implemented may be calculated, for example, as a percentage, and provided as the possibility (proportion) that a specific service is being implemented. Furthermore, the information providing device 100 may enhance the accuracy (precision) of the information on whether or not a specific service is being implemented by complementary use of the various pieces of information described in the above embodiments.

The synthesis unit 130 may also use location information to determine that the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the first store information 3 is the same as the restaurant associated with the store ID included in the restaurant information 182.

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

Reference Signs List 1...Electronic payment server 2...Payment information 3...First store information 10...Terminal device 12...GNSS device 20...Store payment terminal 30...Store terminal 100...Information providing device 110...Communication unit 120...Acquisition unit 130...Synthesis unit 140...Determination unit 150...Notification unit 160...Promotion unit 180...Memory unit 182...Restaurant information 300...Information providing device 310...Measurement unit NW...Network

Claims (8)

an acquisition unit that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and acquires first information collected by a server that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information including introduction information of stores included in the electronic payment service and enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant;
a determination unit that determines whether the specific service is being provided based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit, and determines that the specific service is being provided when the introduction information included in the first information includes information indicating the implementation status of the specific service ;
A promotion unit that promotes the creation of the introduction information to a manager of the store,
The promotion unit further promotes updating of the introduction information.
Information providing device. the introductory information includes text information;
the determination unit performs natural language processing on a character string included in the text information, and determines that the specific service is being provided when the character string includes an expression that is recognized as indicating that the specific service is being provided.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1 . The promotion unit promotes updating of information indicating an implementation status of the specific service included in the introduction information when there is a change in the implementation status of the specific service.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1. The introduction information is configured by filling in a plurality of fields set for a plurality of genres.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1. The promotion unit promotes updating of the referral information when there is a blank in the field.
5. The information providing device according to claim 4. The promotion unit provides an input form for the introduction information.
2. An information providing device according to claim 1. The computer
acquire first information that is collected by a server that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information including introduction information of stores included in the electronic payment service and enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant;
Determine whether the specific service is being provided based on the acquired first information, and determine that the specific service is being provided when the introduction information included in the first information includes information indicating the implementation status of the specific service ;
Prompting a manager of the store to create the introduction information;
Further facilitating updating of the referral information;
How to provide information. On the computer,
acquire first information that is collected by a server that communicates with a terminal device of a user on which an electronic payment app is installed and that provides an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, the first information including introduction information of stores included in the electronic payment service and enabling recognition of the implementation status of a specific service, including a take-out service, at a restaurant;
Determine whether the specific service is being implemented based on the acquired first information, and determine that the specific service is being implemented when the introduction information included in the first information includes information indicating the implementation status of the specific service ;
Prompting a manager of the store to create the introduction information;
Further facilitating updating of the referral information;
program.

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