JP2002041935A - Point control system, point system, rewarding system, and rewarding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a customer by changing a point which is originally issued by each point issuer to a common point included in another point service. SOLUTION: Local point issuer side systems 1 and 2 and a global point issuer side system 3 are connected to each other via communication network, and the local point issuer side system 1 (or 2) issues the local point to the customer who purchases a commodity. The global point issuer side system 3 issues the global point corresponding to the changeable local point based on the intention of the customer of changing the local point to the global point. This global point is issued as the point service different from the point service provided by each local point issuer, and has the term of validity with the issuing date as a reference for each global point to be issued.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a point management system, a point system, a prize system, and a prize method, and more particularly to a point service which is different from each other based on points issued by each issuer independently. It relates to a point system that issues common points.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a sales promotion method for general consumers,
Point services are widely adopted. In this service, when a product (including a service) is sold to a customer, points are issued in accordance with the price of the product and a privilege is provided in accordance with the number of acquired points. The privilege to be provided includes, for example, a discount of a product at the time of next purchase, exchange of various prizes, and the like.

[0003]

Generally, points issued by an issuer (a merchandise sales company and its affiliated companies) are effective only for a limited entity including the issuer of the points, and are basically used. , Points issued by different point issuers cannot be used in combination. However, if the issuer can use different points in common (globalization), the merits of customers will be greatly improved. This is because, by concentrating the acquired points, it becomes possible to acquire a more expensive privilege, and the variation of the privilege selection is widened.

[0004] On the other hand, points that have not been used among issued points are financially outstanding debts of the point issuer. Therefore, some point issuers may wish to record such unused points as unpaid debt on their balance sheets. However, in the point service issued to the general consumer, the point issuance frequency is extremely high, so that it often takes a great deal of labor to grasp the point issuance status. In addition, issuing points are not centrally managed,
This is one of the factors that makes it difficult to grasp the status of issuance.
In fact, for economic reasons, there are not many cases where issue points are centrally managed by a server, etc.
In most cases, individual management is based on a point card (a rewritable card capable of rewriting stored information) or a stamp card issued for each customer. For the above reasons, it is not easy to accurately grasp the issued unused point status.

[0005] In the above-mentioned point service, in many cases, an expiration date is not set for issued points. Therefore, as long as points are not consumed due to acquisition of a privilege or the like, unused points are accumulated indefinitely. As a result, a situation may arise in which the outstanding debt due to excessively accumulated points cannot be ignored as a potential debt of the point issuer.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to change points issued by each point issuer independently to common points based on separate point services so that customers can obtain points. Is to improve convenience.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to grasp the point issue status of a point issuer by centrally managing common points.

Further, another object of the present invention is to prevent occurrence of a situation in which issued points are excessively accumulated by setting an expiration date for each issued common point.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a prize service based on common points, thereby improving the appeal to customers.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a local point issuer issues local points to a customer who has purchased a product, and a global point issuer issues a local point issuer. In accordance with the intention to change the local points to global points, global points are issued, and the global point issuer provides customers with point services separate from the point services provided by each local point issuer. The present invention relates to a point management system that manages global points in a provided service form. This point management system updates the customer database that manages the cumulative points of global points for each customer, and updates the cumulative points of the customer in the customer database when the cumulative points of global points change for a customer. And first processing means.

Here, in the first invention, when a change occurs in the local point issuer database for managing the cumulative number of global points for each local point issuer and the cumulative number of global points for a certain customer It is preferable to further provide a second processing means for updating the accumulated point number of the local point issuer to which the customer belongs in the local point issuer database.

When there is an indication of a change from a local point to a global point, the first processing means adds a point number corresponding to the local point to be changed to the current accumulated point number for the customer and Preferably, the second processing means adds a point number corresponding to a local point to be changed to the current accumulated point number of the local point issuer to which the customer belongs.

[0013] Further, when there is an acquisition history database for managing the acquisition history of global points for each customer, and when there is an intention to change a local point to a global point, the customer, the number of issued global points, It is preferable to further include a third processing unit for adding an acquisition history associated with a local point issuer that is a source of global points to an acquisition history database.

Here, it is desirable that the above-mentioned acquisition history includes an expiration date of a global point. In this case, it is preferable that the global points whose validity period has expired do not become a count base when acquiring a privilege based on the point service provided by the global point issuer.

On the other hand, the first processing means calculates the cumulative number of points for the customer indicated in the customer database based on the global points within the expiration date, and
Preferably, the processing means calculates the cumulative number of points related to the local point issuer to which the customer indicated in the local point issuer database belongs.

[0016] Further, when a customer makes an offer for obtaining a privilege based on the accumulated points, the first processing means subtracts the number of points necessary for obtaining the privilege from the current accumulated points of the customer, Preferably, the second processing means subtracts the number of points required to obtain the privilege from the current accumulated number of points for the local point issuer to which the customer belongs.

Furthermore, a usage history database that describes the usage history of global points for each customer, and when a customer requests a privilege acquisition based on the accumulated points, the customer and the number of points required to acquire the privilege. It is preferable to further provide a fourth processing unit for adding a use history associated with the global point assignment to the use history database.

A second invention provides a point system in which at least one local point issuer system and a global point issuer system are connected via a communication network. Here, the local point issuer side system issues the global point issue request to the customer who purchased the product and issues a global point issue request by indicating that the local point is to be changed to a global point. Notify the system. Further, the global point issuer side system issues a global point equivalent to a local point to be changed in response to a global point issue request from the local point issuer side system. These global points are issued as a point service separate from the point service provided by each local point issuer, and an expiration date is provided for each issued global point.

Here, in the second invention, the global point issuer side system manages the cumulative number of global points for each customer in consideration of the expiration date, and considers the expiration date, It is preferable to manage the cumulative number of global points for the local point issuer.

Further, it is desirable that the global point issuer side system outputs the accumulated global point information of the local point issuer in order to notify the local point issuer.

The third invention includes first information for specifying a customer, second information for specifying an issuer issuing a local point having no expiration date, and third information relating to the number of local points. A server connected to the server for receiving the signal via a wired or wireless network, and obtaining the first information and applying the third information to the customer's accumulated global point number by a first formula. A customer database that stores the associated customer updated cumulative global points in association with the server, and applies the second information to the second information and the issuer's cumulative global points by a second calculation formula. And a publisher database that stores the publisher update cumulative global points obtained in association with the publisher database. Here, the customer database includes term information on a term during which the customer update accumulated global points are effectively present.

In the third invention, it is preferable that the issuer database includes term information.

Preferably, the first formula is a formula for adding the number of global points corresponding to the third information to the cumulative number of global points of the customer.

It is preferable that the above-mentioned second formula is a formula for adding the number of global points corresponding to the third information to the number of cumulative global points of the issuer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server for receiving, via a wired or wireless network, a signal including first information for specifying a customer and second information on the number of local points having no expiration date, and a server. Connected to the first
And a customer database that stores the customer information and the customer update cumulative global points obtained by applying the second information to the customer cumulative global points by a predetermined calculation formula. I do. Here, the customer database includes term information on a term during which the customer update accumulated global points are valid.

Here, in the fourth invention, the predetermined calculation formula is a second formula based on the cumulative number of global points of the customer.
Is preferably a calculation formula for adding the number of global points corresponding to the above information.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, each local point issuer issues a local point to a customer who has purchased a product, and the global point issuer issues an intention to change the local point to a global point. Global point issuer, and the global point issuer assigns the global point to the customer in a service form in which the point service provided to the customer is different from the point service provided by each local point issuer. A sweepstakes system for managing sweepstakes participants for each sweepstakes in a sweepstakes system that uses the sweepstakes to execute,
A registration means for registering a customer in the sweepstakes participant database as a participant in a sweepstakes project when a customer applies for a sweepstakes, and a sweepstakes participant database when a lottery is performed for the sweepstakes. There is provided a prize system having a search and a participant for extracting a participant of a prize item and a lottery means for determining a winner from among the extracted participants.

Here, in the fifth invention, a customer database for managing the cumulative number of global points for each customer, and when a certain customer participates in a prize, the prize is obtained from the cumulative points for the customer in the customer database. And a first processing unit for subtracting the number of points required for participation.

Further, in the fifth invention, a use history database describing the use history of global points for each customer, and when a certain customer participates in the sweepstakes, the customer and the number of points required for participation in the sweepstakes Second processing means for adding a usage history associated with the global point allocation to the usage history database.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, each local point issuer issues a local point to a customer who has purchased a product, and the global point issuer issues an intention to change the local point to a global point. Global point issuer, and the global point issuer uses the global point in a sweepstakes method in a service form that provides the customer with a point service separate from the point service provided by each local point issuer. The step of announcing the sweepstakes and, if the customer has applied for the sweepstakes for a sweepstakes, the customer is registered as a participant in the sweepstakes, and based on the cumulative points of the global points for the customer, Subtract the number of points required for participation And the step, providing a sweepstakes method comprising the steps of: determining a winner from among the participants in the sweepstakes projects.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of realizing a point service according to the present embodiment. In this system, the local point issuer A side system 1, the local point issuer B side system 2, and the global point issuer side system 3 are connected via a communication network such as the Internet, a wireless network or a wired network. . The local point issuers A and B provide their own point service and also subscribe to the point service operated by the global point issuer. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, only two local point issuing entities are shown, but it is sufficient that at least one issuing entity exists (actually, there are many).

Here, “local point (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as“ LP ”)” is the point issuer A (or B)
Are points that are issued to purchasers of products in the point service that is provided by the company. The local points issued according to the price of the product are the issuing entity A
(Or B) has effect only on a limited number of subjects. The customer can receive a privilege set by the issuer A (or B) according to the number of points acquired by the customer. It should be noted that a shared point that can be mutually used between these issuers by a plurality of point issuers cooperating with each other is also regarded as one mode of the “local point” here. The point service provided by the issuer A and the point service provided by the issuer B are independent of each other, and the local points issued by the issuer A have no effect on the issuer B.

On the other hand, “global points (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as“ GP ”)” are point services (provided by global point issuers) that are separate from the point services provided by the local point issuers A and B. Is a point issued to a customer who has obtained a local point. As a prerequisite for issuing global points, it is necessary for the customer to change the issued local points to global points. Therefore, if the customer does not indicate the intention to convert the local points into global points, the point service provided by the local point issuer A (or B) will be applied as usual. On the other hand, if the customer indicates the intention to convert some or all of the local points into global points, a global point equivalent to the local point to be changed is generated, and the local point is deducted by the amount corresponding to the change.
Once issued global points are accumulated as common points. Then, the customer can obtain the common privilege set by the global point issuer (irrelevant to the privilege set by issuers A and B) according to the number of acquired points.

The systems 1 and 2 on the local point issuer A and B side have the following configuration. First, the local point issuer A side system 1 includes a plurality of POS registers 11 and a server 12. A card reader for reading a point card presented by a customer is connected to the POS register 11 installed in each store. These POS registers 11 are connected to the server 12 via a computer network such as a LAN. Here, the local points issued by the issuer A are individually managed based on point information in a storage unit built in the point card. Upon purchase of a product or acquisition of a privilege, the point information stored in the storage unit of the point card is appropriately rewritten by a card reader.

Local point issuer B side system 2
Is a POS cash register 21, server 22 and RAI
D, etc., which are LAN
And so on via a computer network. Here, the local points issued by the issuer B are centrally managed by a customer database stored in the storage device 23. In this customer database, customer information and the number of accumulated local points are described in association with each other. When the customer purchases a product or acquires a privilege, the customer database in the storage device 23 is updated.

Global point issuer side system 3
Is composed of a server 31 and a storage device 32. The storage device 32 stores a customer database, a local point issuer database, a global point acquisition history database, and a global point use history database. Although the details of these databases will be described later, this system 3 manages the cumulative number of global points acquired by each customer (the person who receives the global point service). The system 3 also manages the cumulative number of global points for each of the local point issuers A and B. In the example of FIG. 1, the cumulative point number of the local point issuer A corresponds to the sum of the cumulative global point numbers of the customers 1 and 2 belonging to the issuer A. Further, the accumulated point number of the local point issuer B corresponds to the sum total of the accumulated global point numbers of the customers 3 and 4 belonging to the issuer B.

Customers 1 and 2 are local point issuers A
When the clerk indicates to the clerk that he or she wants to change some or all of his acquired local points to global points, the clerk passes customer information by passing the presented point card through the card reader. After reading, the POS register 11 is operated. As a result, the server 12 of the issuer A notifies the server 31 of the global point issuer of the global point issue request together with necessary information (the number of points to be changed, customer information, etc.). The local point information stored in the customer's point card is updated according to the number of points to be changed. Even when the customers 3 and 4 indicate such a change intention to the local point issuer B, a similar processing request is notified to the server 31 on the global point issuer side. At the same time, the local point information stored in the storage device 23 on the local point issuer B side is updated according to the number of points to be changed.

On the other hand, when the customers 1 to 4 desire to acquire a common privilege using the acquired global points, the customer requests the local point issuer A (or B) to which the customer belongs. The servers 12 and 22 on the issuer A and B side send a global point use request together with necessary information to the server 3 on the global point issuer side.
Notify 1. The application for using the global points may be directly made to the global point issuer. Specifically, use of the homepage of the global point issuer, use of a mobile terminal (for example, i-mode),
The use of telephone and FAX is exemplified. An application using a multimedia terminal prepared by a convenience store or the like is also conceivable.

When a processing request is received from the servers 12 and 22 of the issuers A and B, the server 31 of the global point issuer updates the global points. This process includes a global point issuing process that occurs when a local point is changed, and a global point use process that occurs when a common privilege is acquired. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the global point updating process.

First, in step 1, the server 31
Refers to the customer database stored in the storage device 32 and searches for customer information to be processed. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer database structure. In the customer database, records (information sets) in which respective fields (items) of “customer ID”, “customer information”, and “cumulative global point number” are associated with each other are created for each customer. Here, "customer ID"
Is a field for specifying a customer using the global point service, and "customer information" is the name, address, telephone number, fax number, and the like of the customer.
The “cumulative number of global points” is the total number of global points acquired by the customer at the present time. Here, the calculation target of the “cumulative global point number” is a global point within the expiration date (hereinafter, referred to as “effective global point”). The “expiration date” will be described later. For example, the uppermost record in the figure indicates that the customer 1 has acquired 600 effective global points at the present time.

The “cumulative number of global points” in the customer database is always updated to the latest information by daily processing in consideration of the expiration date of the global points.

In the following step 2, the server 31
Determines whether the description (customer ID) relating to the customer to be processed exists in the customer database. If there is no description about the customer to be processed, a new customer is registered, that is, a record about the customer is added (step 3). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 4. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 2, that is, if there is a description about the customer to be processed, the process immediately proceeds to step 4 without going through step 3.

In step 4, the processing form of the global point is determined. In the case of the global point issuing process, a process of adding the acquisition history to the global point acquisition history database is performed (step 5). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the global point acquisition history database. The acquisition history database contains "global point ID", "number of issued points", "date of issue",
A record (acquisition history) in which fields of “expiration date”, “local point issuer ID”, and “customer ID” are associated with each other is described. Here, the “number of issued points” is uniquely determined according to the number of local points to be converted into global points (1LP = 1GP as an example of a conversion rate). The “issuing date” is the date when the global point is issued, and becomes the purchase date of the product when the customer requests the global point at the same time as the purchase of the product. In the case where the accumulated local points are collectively converted into global points, the request date is set. The “expiration date” indicates the expiration date of the global point, and is set as a predetermined period (for example, one year) from the issue date of the global point. The “local point issuer ID” is a field for specifying the local point issuer that is the source of the global point, and the “customer ID” is for specifying the customer who has acquired the global point. Field.

For example, based on the local points issued by the local point issuer A, the customer 1 obtains 100 global points on June 16, 1999 based on the local points issued by the local point issuer A. Indicates that the expiration date is until June 16, 2000. In addition, when acquiring common benefits based on the global point service, the count base of points is
Limited to valid global points. In other words, customers cannot claim common benefits based on expired Global Points.

When the acquisition history is added to the acquisition history database shown in FIG. 4, a new global point ID is given, and the above record is added based on the information transmitted from the local point issuer (step). 5).

On the other hand, if the process is a global point use process, the process proceeds from step 4 to step 6, where a process of adding a use history to the global point use history database is performed. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a global point use history database structure. In the usage history database, “service usage ID”, “service content”, “number of required points”, “application date”, “customer ID”, “allocated global point ID (n)”, and “allocated global point number (n) )) Are described (records of use) associated with each field. Here, the “service content” indicates what the customer has selected from among various common benefits (including the prize explained in the second embodiment) provided by the global point issuer, and indicates “the required number of points”. "Indicates the number of global points required to obtain the common privilege. The type of the common privilege and the required number of points are preset by the global point issuer, and are provided separately from the privilege provided by the local point issuer. The “application date” is the date of applying for the acquisition of the common privilege, and the “customer ID” is a field for specifying the customer who has applied for the common privilege.

When a global point issuer provides a common privilege to a customer, it is necessary to charge the local point issuer for a price corresponding to the price of the privilege. Therefore, the generated compensation must be appropriately allocated to each local point issuer. Therefore, fields “assigned global point ID (n)” and “assigned global point (n)” are provided, and the number of points equivalent to the common privilege is assigned sequentially from the global point with the oldest issuance date. For example, the usage history at the top in FIG. 5 indicates that the customer 1 requests the product 1 equivalent to 500 points as a common privilege, and that the point is the 10th oldest issue date.
0 points (allocated global point ID = 0001)
Then, it is allocated to the next oldest 400 points (allocated global point address ID = 0002). In this case, the consideration to be borne by the local point issuer A is equivalent to 100 points, and the consideration to be borne by the local point issuer B is equivalent to 400 points.

When a use history is added to the use history database shown in FIG. 5, a new service use ID is assigned and the above record is added (step 6).

In step 7 following step 5 or 6, update processing of the "cumulative global point number" in the customer database is performed. This update process
This is performed by referring to the acquisition history database and the use history database linked to the customer database. The “cumulative number of global points” of a customer is (sum of effective global points) − (sum of used global points). In the case of global point issuance processing,
Add the number of points equivalent to the local points to be changed to the current accumulated global points. On the other hand, in the case of the global point use process, the number of points required to obtain the privilege is subtracted from the current accumulated number of points. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cumulative number of global points of the customer 1 is the global point ID = 00.
This is 600 points obtained by subtracting the total 500 points of “assigned global point IDs (1), (2)” for the service usage ID = 1111 from the total of 1100 points of “number of issued points” in 01 to 0004.

Then, in step 8, the process of updating the “cumulative number of global points” in the local point issuer database is performed. This updating process is performed by referring to the acquisition history database and the use history database linked to the customer database. In the case of the global point issuance processing, the number of points equivalent to the local points is added to the current accumulated point number of the local point issuer to which the customer to be processed belongs. On the other hand, in the case of global point use processing,
The number of points required to obtain the benefit is subtracted from the current accumulated number of points for the local point issuer to which the customer to be processed belongs. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the local point issuer database. In this database, fields in which fields of “local point issuer ID”, “local point issuer information”, and “accumulated global point number” are associated with each other are described for each local point issuer. Here, the “local point issuer ID” is a field for specifying the local point issuer subscribed to the global point service, and the “local point issuer information” is the company name and address of the issuer. , Telephone number, FAX number, etc. The “cumulative number of global points” is a total sum of unused valid global points acquired by the customer belonging to the issuer.

The "cumulative number of global points" in the local point issuer database is always updated to the latest information by daily processing in consideration of the expiration date of the global points.

The “cumulative number of global points” of a certain local point issuer is (total of effective global points of the issuer) − (total of allocated global points of the issuer). For example, when the point status of the local point issuer A is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the total number of “issuing points” in the global point ID = 0001, 0003, 0004 is 470 points, and the “assigned global Point ID
(1) 370 points obtained by subtracting "100 points" becomes the "number of unused global points". The cumulative number of global points is the outstanding debt of the local point issuer.

Finally, in step 9, it is determined whether or not there is any additional processing. If there is an additional process, the procedure from step 4 is repeated, and if there is no additional process, the global point update process ends. Then, the global point issuer side server 31 notifies the local point issuer side servers 12, 22 and the like that the requested processing has been completed.

The customer can confirm his / her current point count by accessing the homepage of the global point issuer.
The number of points corresponds to a field of “accumulated points” of the customer database stored in the storage device 32.

The server 31 on the global point issuer side outputs the accumulated global point information for each local point issuer in order to notify the outstanding debt status of the local point issuer. Specifically, for each predetermined period (for example, once / month), the number of unused accumulated points related to the local point issuer (that is, the “cumulative global point number” of the local point issuer database) is output. The information may be transferred via a communication network. Further, a global point acquisition history and a use history regarding the local point issuer may be output, and this information may be transferred via a communication network. In addition, the accumulated global point information is output as a hard copy, and is sent by facsimile or mail.
It may be delivered to each local point issuer.

As described above, in the present point service, the local points individually issued by each point issuer can be changed to global points if the customer desires. By sharing distinct local points, customers can centralize their earned points and use them efficiently.
As a result, more expensive common benefits can be obtained, and variations in privilege selection are widened, thereby improving customer convenience.

The global point issuer manages global points issued on the basis of local points in a unified manner, and manages global point generation sources (that is, local point issuers). . Therefore, the local point issuer
Since it is possible to ascertain the status of issuance of global points relating to itself, it is possible to identify the status of outstanding debts resulting therefrom. In particular, for a point issuing entity such as a local point issuer A who does not centrally manage local points for economic reasons, the merit of subscribing to this point service is great. In addition,
For a given local point issuer, the higher the rate of change to global points, the more global points accumulated will reflect the outstanding debt situation.

Further, in this embodiment, an expiration date is set for each issued global point. The global points whose expiration date has expired cannot be used as a count base of the number of points when acquiring a common privilege based on the global point service. By setting an expiration date for each global point in this way, it is possible to suppress an excessive accumulation of unused issuing points, and to suppress a potential increase in debt resulting therefrom.

(Second Embodiment) The present embodiment relates to a prize utilizing a network such as the Internet, that is, a so-called cyber prize. FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of realizing the prize service according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The prize service will be described briefly.
The global point issuer manages global points in a unified manner using the method described above, and also organizes a cyber sweepstakes in which customers holding global points can participate as needed. The customer can participate in the sweepstakes on condition that the customer pays a predetermined number of global points required for participation in the sweepstakes, and can receive a service (prize) when the customer wins.

A global point issuer who hosts a sweepstakes needs to centrally manage sweepstakes cases and sweepstakes participants. Therefore, the global point issuer side system 3
Has a prize item database and a prize participant database in addition to the various databases described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the prize case database structure. The sweepstakes project database contains
A record in which the fields of “D”, “service content ID”, “service content”, “required global points”, “service provider ID” and “service provided quantity” are associated with each other is created for each sweepstakes item. I have. Here, the "prize prize ID" is a field for specifying a prize item. The “service content ID”, “service content”, and “necessary number of global points” are fields that describe information on a prize prize and the number of global points required for prize application. When a plurality of prizes are set in a certain prize (for example, a pair travel ticket and a movie viewing ticket), the “prize prize” is the same and the “service content ID”
There is a record with a difference. "Service Provider I
"D" is a field for specifying the provider of the service (prize), and "service provision quantity" is a field describing the provision quantity of the service. For example, FIG.
The top record in is a prize
The service provider A provides three paired travel tickets, indicating that the number of global points required for the application is 500. With the prize case database having such a structure, individual prize cases are centrally managed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a prize participant database structure. The prize participant database includes “customer ID”, “prize ID”, “service content ID”, “participating global points”, and “service use ID”.
A record in which each of the fields is associated with each other is created for each customer. Here, the “customer ID” is a field for identifying a customer who has applied for the sweepstakes, and is shown in FIG.
The same ID as the “customer ID” used in the customer database shown in FIG. The "prize prize ID" and "service content ID" are fields for specifying a prize proposal and a service to which the customer has applied. The "prize prize ID" and "service content" used in the prize proposal database shown in FIG. The same ID as "ID" is used. Also,
The “number of participating global points” is a field that describes the number of global points required for participating in the prize, and corresponds to the “required number of global points” in the prize item database. Furthermore, "Service usage ID"
Is a field for specifying a record in the global point use history database shown in FIG.

As described above, in the global point use history database, the allocation of consumed points (value) to each local point issuer when a customer uses (consumes) global points is described. Sweepstakes application is one aspect of point consumption,
A new record (use history) is added to the global point use history database by applying for the prize. Then, the ID for identifying this record is "service use I
D ". For example, the record shown in FIG.
This shows that the customer 3 applies for a certain prize (a pair travel ticket) and consumes 500 points for “service use ID = 1115”. Then, referring to the record of this ID in the global point use history database shown in FIG. 5, when applying for the present prize, “assigned GPID = XX
XX "and 400 points acquired and" Allocated GPID = XXXY "
Use (consume) the 100 points obtained in. With the prize participant database having such a structure, individual prize participants are centrally managed.

Next, a specific flow of the prize in this embodiment will be described. First, the global point issuer notifies the customer that the sweepstakes will be held. Examples of the notification method include notification by e-mail distribution, posting on a website operated by a global point issuer, a local point issuer, or the like, or notification by a store poster.

The customer who wants to participate in the prize applies to the global point issuer for the prize participation. As an application method, for example, an application by e-mail using a personal computer 41 on the customer side, an application on a website of a local point issuer or a global point issuer, or a mobile phone 42 (i-mode or the like) or An application using the Fax 43 or the like can be given. In addition, a direct application at a call center for receiving a prize or a local point issuer at a store, or an application using a multimedia terminal at a convenience store or the like may be used.

When an application for participation in a prize is received from a customer for a prize item, the global point issuer side system 3 performs a prize participation registration process in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. This process is performed every time an application for participating in a prize is received from a customer. First, in step 11, the server 31 searches the customer database shown in FIG. 3 to extract a record relating to the customer (applicant) who applied for the prize, and specifies the current number of acquired global points of this applicant. .

Next, in step 12, the server 31 determines whether or not the applicant has global points worth the prize participation (for example, 500 points in the case of a pair travel ticket). If the player does not have global points worth the prize participation, the applicant is notified that prize participation is not possible (step 16).

On the other hand, if the applicant has global points worth the prize participation, the global point use history database and the customer database are updated (step 13). That is, a point use history (record) by applying for a prize is newly added to the global point use history database (for example, “service use ID = 1115” in FIG. 5). Then, the number of points required for participating in the prize is subtracted from the current accumulated global points of the applicant in the customer database.

In step 14 following step 13, the prize participant database is updated and this applicant is registered as a prize participant. That is, a record in which the applicant, the prize case, the service content, the service use history, and the like are newly added to the prize participant database (see FIG. 9). In step 15, the applicant is notified that the registration for participation in the prize has been completed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the lottery process. The lottery is performed in a batch process after a predetermined period (for example, an application acceptance period) has elapsed. First, step 1
In 1, the server 31 searches the sweepstakes participant database and extracts and classifies the participants for each service content (prize) with respect to the sweepstakes item to be drawn. Next, in step 12, a winner for each service content is determined by lottery. The lottery result is notified to the participant using an appropriate method such as e-mail distribution or posting on a homepage (step 13).

Upon receiving the result notification from the global point issuer, each service provider delivers the service (prize) handled by itself to the winner. Then, the payment of the cost incurred by providing this service is charged to the global point issuer. The global point issuer bills each local point issuer for the costs and, after receiving payment from these parties, pays the service provider.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the global point issuer can further enhance the appeal to the customer by executing the sweepstakes using the global points as needed. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of this point service.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, the convenience of the customer can be improved by sharing the points individually issued by each point issuer on the premise of the customer's will. . In addition, by centrally managing global points, it is possible to grasp the point issuance status of each local point issuer. Then, if the local point issuer wishes, it can be recorded on his balance sheet as his own outstanding debt.
In addition, by setting an expiration date for each issued global point, it is possible to suppress the excessive accumulation of unused issuance points and suppress the potential debt for local point issuers due to this increase It is possible to do.

Further, by executing such a prize using the global points as needed, it is possible to improve the appealing power to the customer, and it is possible to further promote the use of the point service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing global point update processing;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a customer database structure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a global point acquisition history database.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a global point use history database structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a local point issuer database structure;

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a prize item database structure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a prize participant database structure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a prize participation registration process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a lottery process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Local point issuer A side system, 2 Local point issuer B side system, 3 Global point issuer side system, 11,21 POS cash register, 12,22 server, 23 storage device, 31 server, 32 storage device, 41 personal Computer, 42 Mobile Phone, 43 Fax

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. Each local point issuer issues a local point to a customer who has purchased a product,
The global point issuer issues global points based on the intention to change the local points to global points, and the global point issuer is independent of the point service provided by each local point issuer. In a point management system that manages global points in a service form that provides point services to customers, changes are made to the customer database that manages the cumulative number of global points for each customer, and the cumulative points of global points for a certain customer. A first processing means for updating the accumulated point number of the customer in the customer database when the customer database occurs. 2. A local point issuer database for managing the cumulative number of global points for each local point issuer, and the local point issuer database when a change occurs in the cumulative number of global points for a certain customer. 2. The point management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second processing unit for updating the accumulated point number relating to the local point issuer to which the customer belongs. 3. When there is an intention to change from a local point to a global point, the first processing means adds a point number corresponding to a local point to be changed to the current accumulated point number of the customer. 3. The point according to claim 2, wherein the second processing unit adds a point number corresponding to a local point to be changed to the current accumulated point number of the local point issuer to which the customer belongs. 4. Management system. 4. An acquisition history database for managing the acquisition history of global points for each customer, and when there is an intention to change local points to global points, the customer, the number of issued global points, 4. The point management system according to claim 3, further comprising: a third processing unit configured to add, to the acquisition history database, an acquisition history associated with a local point issuer that is a source of global points. 5. The point management system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition history includes an expiration date of a global point. 6. The points according to claim 5, wherein the expired global points are not used as a count base when obtaining a privilege based on a point service provided by a global point issuer. Management system. 7. The first processing means calculates, based on the global points within the expiration date, a cumulative number of points for the customer indicated in the customer database, the second processing means calculates 6. The point management system according to claim 5, wherein a cumulative number of points related to the local point issuer to which the customer indicated in the point issuer database belongs is calculated. 8. When a customer makes an offer for obtaining a privilege based on the accumulated points, the first processing means subtracts the number of points necessary for obtaining the privilege from the current accumulated points of the customer and 4. The point management system according to claim 3, wherein the second processing unit subtracts the number of points required to obtain a privilege from the current accumulated number of points related to the local point issuer to which the customer belongs. . 9. A usage history database describing the usage history of global points for each customer, and when a customer requests a privilege acquisition based on accumulated points, the customer and the number of points required to acquire the privilege. 9. The point management system according to claim 8, further comprising: fourth processing means for adding a use history associated with a corresponding global point assignment to the use history database. 10. A point system in which at least one local point issuer side system and a global point issuer side system are connected via a communication network, wherein the local point issuer side system is provided to a customer who has purchased a product. A local point is issued to the global point issuer side system by issuing an intention to change the local point to a global point, and the global point issuer side system notifies the global point issuer side system of the local point. In response to a global point issuance request from the issuer system, a global point equivalent to a local point to be changed is issued, and the global point is a point service provided by each local point issuer. Points system issued as a separate point service, and wherein the expiration date for each global point is provided to be issued. 11. The global point issuer system manages the cumulative number of global points for each customer in consideration of the expiration date, and issues each local point in consideration of the expiration date. The point system according to claim 10, wherein a cumulative number of global points related to a person is managed. 12. The point according to claim 11, wherein the global point issuer side system outputs the accumulated global point information of the local point issuer in order to notify the local point issuer. system. 13. A signal including first information for specifying a customer, second information for specifying an issuer issuing a local point having no expiration date, and third information relating to the number of local points. A server for receiving via a wired or wireless network, connected to the server, applying the first information and the third information to the cumulative number of global points of the customer using a first formula A customer database that stores the customer update cumulative global points obtained in association with the client database; and a second database that is connected to the server and stores the second information and the third information with respect to the cumulative number of global points of the issuer. And a publisher database that stores the publisher update cumulative global points obtained by applying the calculation formula 2 in association with each other. , The customer database, point management system characterized in that it contains date information about the date of the customer updates the cumulative global point exists effectively. 14. The point management system according to claim 13, wherein said issuer database includes said time limit information. 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first formula is a formula for adding the number of global points corresponding to the third information to the cumulative number of global points of the customer. Point management system described in. 16. The system according to claim 16, wherein said second formula is a formula for adding the number of global points corresponding to said third information to the cumulative number of global points of said issuer. 13. The point management system described in 13. 17. A server for receiving a signal including a first information specifying a customer and a second information on the number of local points having no expiration date via a wired or wireless network, and connecting to the server. A customer database storing the first information and a customer update cumulative global point obtained by applying the second information to the customer's cumulative global point number by a predetermined calculation formula; The point management system according to claim 1, wherein the customer database includes term information on a term during which the customer update cumulative global points are valid. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined formula is a formula for adding the number of global points corresponding to said second information to the cumulative number of global points of said customer. The point management system described. 19. Each local point issuer:
Local points are issued to customers who purchase products, and the global point issuer issues global points based on the intention to change the local points to global points, and the global point issuer In the sweepstakes system in which the global points issuer uses the global points to perform a sweepstakes in a service form in which a point service different from the point service provided by each local point issuer is provided to the customer, A sweepstakes participant database for managing sweepstakes participants, and a registration means for registering the customer in the sweepstakes participant database as a participant of the sweepstakes when a customer applies for a sweepstakes for a certain sweepstakes. , Extracted for the prize When performing the prize, the prize participant database is searched, a participant of the prize item is extracted, and lottery means for determining a winner from among the extracted participants is provided. Sweepstakes system. 20. A customer database for managing the cumulative number of global points for each customer, and when a certain customer participates in the sweepstakes, the number of points required for participation in the sweepstakes based on the cumulative points for the customer in the customer database. 20. The prize system according to claim 19, further comprising: first processing means for subtracting the following. 21. A use history database describing the use history of global points for each customer, and when a certain customer participates in a sweepstakes, the customer and the allocation of global points equivalent to the number of points required for participation in the sweepstakes. 21. The prize system according to claim 20, further comprising: a second processing unit for adding a use history associated with the second to the use history database. 22. Each local point issuer:
Local points are issued to customers who purchase products, and the global point issuer issues global points based on the intention to change the local points to global points, and the global point issuer In a prize method in a form of a service in which a point service different from a point service provided by each local point issuer is provided to a customer, a step of notifying execution of a prize using the global points, a prize from the customer for a certain prize item Registering the customer as a participant in the sweepstakes, and subtracting the number of points required for participation in the sweepstakes from the cumulative number of global points related to the customer, when the application for participation is made; Winners among the participants Sweepstakes method characterized by a step of.