JP2004220394A - System for credit card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system using a credit card of which accumulation and use of points are adapted for different types according to kinds of stores. <P>SOLUTION: The credit card has a first memory region allocated for the first store and a second memory region allocated for the second store. A first point program presents to the customer the total of points of the first and second memory regions as points usable for the first store in response to insertion or presentation of the credit card to a terminal of the first store and rewrites the points of the first and second memory regions according to the purchasing amount and used points. A second point program presents to the customer the points of the second memory region as points usable for the second store in response to insertion or presentation of the credit card to a terminal of the second store and rewrites the points of the second memory region according to the purchasing amount and used points. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system that uses a credit card adapted to store and use points differently depending on the type of store.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Usually, when a credit card issued by a certain company is used to purchase goods or services at a store associated with the company, points corresponding to the purchase price are given to the credit card.
[0003]
A credit card that stores information on points, ID information of partner companies, and the like has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). When a customer uses a credit card, the affiliated store terminal reads out the partner company ID information stored in the credit card, and determines whether the terminal is a legitimate affiliated store terminal. The points generated by the purchase of the product are added to the points stored in the credit card. The points used to purchase the product are subtracted from the points stored on the credit card.
[0004]
Further, a point exchange system between a plurality of companies has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). The management center is provided with an issue point totalization file for totalizing issue points for each company and a usage point totalization file for totaling use points for each company. Based on these files, the balance of points is calculated for each company, and each company is collected or paid.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-157430 A
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-42251
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
2. Description of the Related Art A form in which a credit card issued by a certain company is used not only at a directly managed store of the company but also at a partner store affiliated with the company has become widespread. By enabling the use of credit cards at different types of stores in this way, customers are encouraged to use the credit cards.
[0008]
However, even in such a usage form of the credit card, conventionally, only one type of points is given to the credit card, and usually, the points are accumulated as points that can be used only at directly managed stores. The lack of points for partner stores makes it difficult for partner stores to acquire customers. In addition, since a system has not been established that conforms to different forms of accumulation and use of points according to stores (or types of stores), services can be differentiated by points for each store (or type of store). It has become difficult.
[0009]
Points can serve as an indicator of a customer's credit card usage. In the conventional method, it is possible to refer to the accumulated points from the credit card, but it is not possible to grasp the usage status of the customer's credit card in each store. In particular, affiliated stores are often subject to access restrictions to systems provided by credit card companies, which makes it difficult to easily refer to the detailed usage status of the customer's credit card at the store.
[0010]
Therefore, there is a need for a system that uses a credit card whose accumulation and use of points are adapted to different forms depending on the type of store. In addition, at each store, there is a need for a system that can easily ascertain the usage status of a customer's credit card from information about points stored in the credit card.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, a credit card having a first memory area allocated for stores belonging to a first group and a second memory area allocated for stores belonging to a second group Is provided. The system includes a server that communicates via a network with a first terminal installed at each of the stores belonging to the first group and a second terminal installed at each of the stores belonging to the second group. The first terminal and the second terminal have a function of reading and writing a credit card. The server has a first point program for stores belonging to the first group and a second point program for stores belonging to the second group. The first point program includes: (a) in response to the insertion or presentation of a credit card into the first terminal, points stored in the first memory area as points usable at stores belonging to the first group; Presenting to the customer the sum of the stored points and the points stored in the second memory area; and (b) a first memory area according to the purchase price and the used points input to the first terminal. And rewriting the points stored in the second memory area. The second point program includes: (c) in response to the insertion or presentation of the credit card into the second terminal, the points usable in the stores belonging to the second group are stored in the second memory area. Presenting the stored points to the customer; and (d) rewriting the points stored in the second memory area in accordance with the purchase price and the used points input to the second terminal. 2 terminal devices.
[0012]
According to the present invention, accumulation and use of points can be changed between the stores of the first group and the stores of the second group. This makes it possible to differentiate services between the stores in the first and second groups while giving a privilege based on points to both stores in the first and second groups. Also, from the credit card, the customer and the clerk can know the points that can be used in the first and second groups of stores.
[0013]
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the credit card is used as points usable at stores belonging to the first group, and points of points stored in the first memory area and points stored in the second memory area are used. There is further provided a third memory area for storing the sum. According to the present invention, points that can be used in stores belonging to the first group can be acquired from the credit card without requiring any calculation.
[0014]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the first memory area includes, for each of the stores belonging to the first group, a record having a store code field for storing a store code and a point field for storing points. The second memory area includes, for each of the stores belonging to the second group, a record having a store code field for storing a store code and a point field for storing points. The first points program comprises: (a) a first point of points stored in the points field of all records in the first memory area in response to a credit card being inserted or presented at the first terminal; Presenting to the customer the sum of the sum and a second sum of the points stored in the point field of all records in the second memory area; and (b) the purchase price entered at the first terminal and Rewriting the point stored in the point field of the record in the first memory area and the point stored in the point field of the record in the second memory area according to the used point, causing the first terminal to execute It is configured as follows. The second point program includes: (c) responding to the insertion or presentation of the credit card in the second terminal, as points usable in the store, in the point field of the record having the store code of the store. Presenting the stored points to the customer; and (d) rewriting the points stored in the point field of the record having the store code of the store in accordance with the purchase price and the used points input to the second terminal. And the step (b) are performed by the second terminal device. According to the present invention, the accumulation and use of points can be changed for each store. From the credit card, the customer and the clerk can know the points available at any store in the first group and the points available at each of the stores in the second group.
[0015]
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the records in the first and second memory areas further include a field for storing data indicating the performance of the product or service purchased by the customer at the store corresponding to the store code of the record. . Thus, in each of the stores, the usage status of the customer's credit card can be acquired from the card.
[0016]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first memory area includes a field for storing the first sum, and the second memory area includes a field for storing the second sum. Further, the credit card may include a third memory area for storing a sum of the first sum and the second sum. The points indicated by the third memory area are points that can be used in stores belonging to the first group. By providing these fields, it is possible to promptly obtain points usable at stores belonging to the first group from the credit card.
[0017]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the step (b) executed by the first point program includes: (b1) issuing an instruction to the first terminal to make a credit payment for purchase of a product or service at a store to the first terminal. (B2) adding the point corresponding to the amount of the credit settlement to the point stored in the point field of the record having the store code of the store; (B21) If the first total is equal to or more than the used points, the instruction is obtained by subtracting the number of points to be used from the first total when the instruction to be purchased is issued to the first terminal. (B22) distributing the acquired points to a point field of a record included in the first memory area; If the sum is less than the used point, update the point field of the record in the first memory area to zero, and subtract the point obtained by subtracting the difference between the first sum and the used point from the second sum, Distributing to a point field of a record included in the second memory area. According to the present invention, the use of points at the stores belonging to the first group is preferentially used from the points accumulated at the stores of the first group. Thereby, the points accumulated in the stores of the second group are easily stored.
[0018]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the step (b21) executed by the first point program, if the second total is equal to or more than the used point, the step (b21) calculates the number of points to be used from the second total. Distributing the points obtained by the subtraction to the point field of the record included in the second memory area; and in the step (b22), if the second total is smaller than the used point, the second step is performed. The point obtained by updating the point field of the record in the memory area to zero and subtracting the difference between the second sum and the used point from the first sum is used as the point of the record included in the first memory area. This is the step of distributing to the fields. According to the present invention, the use of points in the stores belonging to the first group is preferentially used from the points accumulated in the stores in the second group. As a result, the points accumulated in the stores of the first group are easily stored, and the guidance of customers to the stores of the first group can be further strengthened.
[0019]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the credit card further has a fourth memory area for storing at least a cash amount usable in stores belonging to the first group and stores belonging to the second group. Since the credit card has the electronic money function, the versatility of the card can be improved. In one embodiment, the step (b) further includes a step of calculating an amount to be settled by the card by subtracting an amount corresponding to the used point from the purchase price; Is added to the cash amount stored in the fourth memory area. The predetermined ratio can be set differently for each of the stores belonging to the first and second groups. Since part of the card payment amount is cashed back as electronic money, the convenience of the card can be improved.
[0020]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second point programs are provided in the first and second terminals, respectively. The contents of the rewritten first and second memory areas of the credit card are transmitted to the server. According to the present invention, the cost required for communication with the server can be reduced.
[0021]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the credit card used in the credit card system is an IC card.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a credit card computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The server 2 of the company X that issues the credit card is connected to the network 1. The credit card is realized by an IC card.
[0023]
A customer database 4 and a store database 5 are provided on a storage device (which may be an external storage device or a memory) of the server 2. The customer database 4 stores basic information (name, age, address, etc.) of each customer, and credit information and usage record information on a credit card. The customer database 4 is a master database of information stored in a credit card.
[0024]
The store database 5 includes information on directly managed stores of the company X and information on partner stores affiliated with the company X. The information on the directly managed store and the affiliated store includes, for each store, a store code for identifying the store, a region code for identifying the region where the store is located, and a conversion factor applied to the store.
[0025]
The conversion coefficient includes a first coefficient for converting points into money and a second coefficient for converting money into points. In the present embodiment, the first and second conversion factors for directly managed stores are applied to all directly managed stores, and the first and second conversion factors for partner stores are applied to all directly operated stores. The first and second conversion factors for directly managed stores are set to be different from the first and second conversion factors for affiliated stores, respectively. Alternatively, a different conversion coefficient may be set for each store.
[0026]
A terminal device 7 installed at a directly managed store and a terminal device 9 installed at an affiliated store are connected to the network 1. The terminal devices 7 and 9 have a function of reading and writing a credit card, which is an IC card. The terminal devices 7 and 9 can be any terminal devices including a personal computer, a POS terminal, a read / write device dedicated to an IC card, and the like, including a CPU and a memory.
[0027]
The directly-managed terminal device 7 is equipped with a directly-managed store engine 8 that performs processing related to the use of a credit card in the directly managed store. The affiliated terminal device 9 is equipped with an affiliated store engine 10 that performs processing related to the use of a credit card at the affiliated store. These engines are typically realized by a computer program. These engines can be downloaded from the credit server 2. Alternatively, these engines may be provided in the server 2.
[0028]
FIG. 2A shows a schematic structure of the credit card 11. The credit card 11 is provided with a magnetic stripe 12. The magnetic stripe 12 stores information (card number, expiration date, etc.) necessary for using the credit card.
[0029]
The credit card 11 further has a built-in IC chip 13. FIG. 2B shows a schematic structure of the IC chip 13. The IC chip 13 typically includes a microprocessor 14 and a memory 15. The memory 15 is realized by, for example, a writable EEPROM.
[0030]
Information necessary for using the credit card may be provided in a memory in the IC chip 13.
[0031]
The credit card 11 is provided with a contact point (not shown). When the credit card 11 is inserted into the terminal 7 or 9 having an IC card read / write function, the credit card 11 communicates with the terminal 7 or 9 via the contact.
[0032]
Alternatively, a non-contact IC card may be used instead of the contact IC card as described above. The non-contact type IC card has a built-in antenna, and transmits and receives data using radio waves generated by the terminal 7 or 9. In the case of a non-contact IC card, by presenting the card to the terminal, the card can communicate with the terminal 7 or 9.
[0033]
FIG. 3 conceptually shows a data structure stored in the memory 15 in the IC chip 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that FIG. 3 does not show the physical structure of the data, but shows the logical structure of the data (this also applies to FIGS. 4, 5 and 15). ).
[0034]
The memory 15 includes a first memory area 16 and a second memory area 17. Note that the first and second regions 16 and 17 are not indicative of physical memory region isolation, but merely logical isolation (this is the case in FIGS. 4, 5 and This also applies to FIG.
[0035]
The first memory area 16 includes a directly managed store total field, and the second memory area 17 includes an affiliated store total field. When a purchase of a product or service is made by credit settlement at a certain directly managed store, points according to the credit settlement are added to the value of the directly managed store total field (hereinafter, referred to as directly managed store total points). On the other hand, when a purchase of a product or service is made by credit at a certain affiliated store, points according to the credit settlement are added to the value of the affiliated store total field (hereinafter, referred to as affiliated store total points).
[0036]
Further, the memory 15 includes a total field in the third memory area 18. The total field stores the sum of directly managed store total points and partner store total points (hereinafter, referred to as total points). Instead of providing the total field, the sum of the directly managed store total points and the partner store total points may be calculated as needed. The calculation can be performed by the microprocessor 14 or another processor (for example, the terminal 7, 9 or the server 2) built in the IC card.
[0037]
Points available at any retail store are indicated by aggregate points. When points are used for purchasing goods or services at a certain directly managed store, the points are used from the directly managed store total points. If the directly managed store total points are not enough, the shortage points are used from the partner store total points.
[0038]
The points available at any partner store are indicated by partner store total points. When points are used to purchase goods or services at a partner store, the points are used from the total points of the partner store.
[0039]
As described above, in this embodiment, the points acquired at the affiliated store can be used at the directly managed store so that the use of the credit card at the directly managed store is more advantageous than the use at the affiliated store.
[0040]
Alternatively, the use of points at directly managed stores may be used first from the total points of affiliated stores and, if insufficient, from the total points of directly managed stores. In this case, the guidance of the customer to the directly managed store is further enhanced.
[0041]
In this way, a credit card suitable for a mode in which the accumulation and use of points differs depending on the type of store is realized.
[0042]
FIG. 4 shows a schematic data structure stored in the memory 15 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The first memory area 16 has a directly managed store total field, which is the same as the directly managed store total field of FIG.
[0043]
The second memory area 17 has one record for each affiliated store. The record includes fields for store code, area code, current point, cumulative point, and rating. The store code field stores a code for identifying a partner store. The area code field stores a code for identifying the area where the partner store is located. Alternatively, the store code may include a code for identifying the area.
[0044]
The current point field stores points that can be used at the partner store. The current point is added according to the amount of the credit settlement, and is subtracted according to the used point. The accumulated points field stores the accumulated points acquired in the past at the affiliated store. The accumulated points indicate the past purchase results of the customer at the affiliated store, and are not subtracted even if the points are used.
[0045]
The evaluation field stores the evaluation of the partner store for the customer. The evaluation is set by the person in charge of the affiliated store. For example, when the accumulated points are equal to or more than a predetermined value, it indicates that the customer frequently purchases goods or services of the store. In this case, “A” indicating high evaluation is set in the evaluation field. Alternatively, only one of the accumulated point field and the evaluation field may be provided in the record, and the usage status of the customer may be grasped.
[0046]
The partner store total field is the same as the partner store total field in FIG. The partner store total field stores the total of the values stored in the current point field of all records in the second memory area. Instead of providing the partner store total field, the total of the values stored in the current point fields of all the records may be calculated as necessary. The total field included in the third memory area 18 is the same as the total field of FIG.
[0047]
Points available at any retail store are indicated by aggregate points. When points are used for purchasing goods or services at a certain directly managed store, the points are used from the total points of the directly managed store. If the directly managed store total points are not enough, the shortage points are used from the partner store total points. When the partner store total points are used, the remaining partner store total points are redistributed among the partner stores. According to the redistribution, the current point field value of each affiliated store record is updated.
[0048]
Any technique can be used for redistribution. In this embodiment, redistribution is performed according to the value of the current point between affiliated stores that have the point (that is, the current point field has a value greater than 0). A specific method will be described later. Alternatively, an average distribution method among affiliated stores may be used.
[0049]
In the second embodiment, points available at a particular affiliated store are indicated by the value of the current point field of the affiliated store record. In other words, points that can be used at a particular partner store are limited to points acquired at the partner store. Alternatively, as in the first embodiment, the partner store total points may be made available to any partner store.
[0050]
This credit card can be applied to a form in which points for a plurality of stores are counted together for directly managed stores, and points are counted for each store for affiliated stores. Further, from the credit card, the usage status of the customer in each affiliated store or a predetermined area can be obtained from the accumulated point field and / or the evaluation field.
[0051]
FIG. 5 shows a schematic data structure stored in the memory 15 in the IC chip 13 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the second embodiment is that, as shown in the first memory area 16, the data structure of the directly managed store has the same form as that of the partner store. The first memory area 16 has one record for each directly managed store. The structure of the record is the same as that of the partner store record described with reference to FIG.
[0052]
The directly managed store total field is the same as the directly managed store total field of FIG. The directly managed store total field stores the total of the values stored in the current point field of all the records in the first memory area. Instead of providing the directly managed store total field, the sum of the values stored in the current point field of all the records may be calculated as needed. The total field included in the third memory area 18 is the same as the total field of FIG.
[0053]
Points available at any retail store are indicated by aggregate points. When points are used to purchase goods or services at a certain directly managed store, the points are used from the total points of the directly managed store. As a result, if the directly managed store total points remain, the remaining directly managed store total points are redistributed among the directly managed stores. On the other hand, if the points to be used are not enough in the directly managed store total points, the shortage points are used from the partner store total points. As a result, when the partner store total points remain, the remaining partner point total points are redistributed among the partner stores. These redistribution methods are the same as the redistribution method described in the second embodiment, and the details will be described later.
[0054]
As in the second embodiment, the points available at a particular affiliated store are indicated by the value of the current point field of the affiliated store.
[0055]
This credit card can be applied to a form in which points are counted for each directly managed store and alliance stores. Further, from the credit card, the usage status of the customer in each store can be obtained from the accumulated point field and / or the evaluation field.
[0056]
4 and 5, when a credit card is issued to a customer, a record can be stored in the first and second memory areas in advance. For example, records of the customer's address and / or directly managed stores and affiliated stores in the area to which the company belongs can be stored in advance.
[0057]
When a credit card is used in a certain store, if a record for the store is not included in the memory 15, the record can be loaded from the store database 5 of the server 2 into the memory 15. If the memory 15 is full at the time of this loading, a record for a store where the card is not used can be deleted from the memory 15. Loading and deleting may be performed by the microprocessor 14 of the card 11, or may be performed by the terminal 7, 9 or the server 2.
[0058]
FIG. 6 is a diagram specifically illustrating accumulation and use of points according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory configuration shown in FIG. 5 is employed. It is assumed that the “current point” field is set to zero as an initial value.
[0059]
In the transaction 1, the customer purchases a product corresponding to 20 points in the directly managed store A. As a result, “20” is stored in the current point field of the directly managed store A (store code = 0001) in the first memory area. “20” is stored in the directly managed store total field, and the affiliated store total field remains zero. The sum total field stores the sum of the directly managed store total points and the partner store total points (20 = 20 + 0).
[0060]
In Transaction 2, the customer purchases a product corresponding to 30 points at the affiliated store B. As a result, “30” is stored in the current point field of the affiliated store B (store code = 1001) in the second memory area. “30” is stored in the partner store total field. The total field is updated to "50".
[0061]
In Transaction 3, the customer purchases a service equivalent to 20 points at the affiliated store C. As a result, “20” is stored in the current point field of the affiliated store C (store code = 2001) in the second memory area. The partner store total field is updated to “50”. The total field is updated to "70".
[0062]
In Transaction 4, the customer spends 30 points for purchasing goods at the directly managed store D. As mentioned above, the 70 points indicated by the aggregate field are available at any retail store. The customer uses 30 points.
[0063]
First, since the directly managed store total points are used, the directly managed store total field is updated to zero. The missing 10 points are used from the partner store total points. As a result, the partner store total field is updated to “40”. Thereafter, the partner store total points “40” are redistributed among the partner stores. At the start of the transaction 4, the ratio of the current points of the partner store B and the partner store C is 3: 2. Therefore, 24 points are distributed to the partner store B, and 16 points are distributed to the partner store C.
[0064]
Proceeding to transaction 5, the customer spends 5 points on purchasing merchandise at partner store C. As described above, the points that the customer can use in the partner store C are limited to 16 points indicated by the current point field of the store code 2001. As a result of using 5 points, the current point field is updated to "11". The partner store total field is updated to “35”, and the total field is updated to “35”.
[0065]
FIGS. 7 to 10 are flowcharts of processing performed when purchasing goods or services with the credit card 11 at the directly managed store. This processing is performed by the directly operated store engine 8 of the directly operated store terminal 7. Here, the credit card of the third embodiment is used.
[0066]
The routine starts when a card payment request is issued in the directly managed store terminal 7 (S11). The request can be issued, for example, in response to insertion or presentation of a card in the directly operated store terminal 7, or in response to a key operation or menu selection by a clerk at the directly operated store.
[0067]
In step S12, information and the amount of the purchased product (or service, the same applies hereinafter) are read by an operation (key, barcode reading of the product, etc.) by the clerk. The information on the purchased product may include, for example, a product name, a product type, and the like.
[0068]
In step S13, the card information stored in the magnetic stripe 12 (or the memory 15) of the credit card 11 is loaded into the memory of the directly managed store terminal 7. In step S14, it is determined based on the loaded card information whether or not credit settlement of the purchased product is possible. The determination may include accessing the server 2 as needed. The determination includes checking the validity of the card and the credit limit.
[0069]
If it is determined that credit settlement is not possible, a message indicating that card settlement will be rejected is displayed (S15). If it is determined that credit settlement is possible, the process proceeds to step S16.
[0070]
In step S16, the store code and the area code of the directly managed store are read from the storage device (memory or external storage device) of the directly managed store terminal 7 or by the operation of the clerk. In step S17, the store code and the area code stored in the memory 15 of the card 11 are loaded into the memory of the directly managed store terminal 7.
[0071]
In step S18, it is determined whether or not the store code and area code read in step S16 are included in the store code and area code loaded in step S17. If not included, the store code and the area code of the directly managed store are downloaded from the store database 5 and written into the memory 15 of the card 11 (S19). This indicates that one record is added to the first memory area.
[0072]
Proceeding to steps S21 and S22 in FIG. 8, the first and second conversion factors for the directly managed store and the first and second conversion factors for the partner store are stored in the memory of the directly managed store terminal 7 from the store database 5. to download. Alternatively, these conversion coefficients may be set in the directly managed store engine 8 in advance. In step S23, the data stored in the first to third memory areas 16 to 18 of the card 11 is loaded into the memory of the directly managed store terminal 7.
[0073]
In step S24, the value of the directly managed store total field is multiplied by the first conversion factor for the directly managed store to calculate the converted amount of the directly managed store total points.
[0074]
Alternatively, the value corresponding to the current point may be calculated by multiplying the value of the “current point” field of each directly managed store record by the first conversion coefficient of the directly managed store. In this case, the converted amount of the directly managed store total points is the total amount calculated for each record.
[0075]
In step S25, the value of the partner store total field is multiplied by the first conversion coefficient for the partner store to calculate the conversion amount of the partner store total points.
[0076]
Alternatively, the amount corresponding to the current point may be calculated by multiplying the value of the “current point” field of each partner store record by the first conversion coefficient of the partner store. In this case, the converted amount of the partner store total points is the total amount calculated for each record.
[0077]
In step S26, the converted amount of the directly managed store total points calculated in step S24 and the converted amount of the partner store total points calculated in step S25 are totaled. The calculated amount for the directly managed store indicates the amount corresponding to the number of points that can be used in an arbitrary directly managed store.
[0078]
In step S27, the total points indicated by the total field and the directly managed store amount calculated in step S26 are displayed on the display of the directly managed store terminal 7. Thereby, the customer and the clerk can know the number of points that can be used in the directly managed store and the amount of money corresponding to the points.
[0079]
In step S27, the directly managed store total points and the partner store total points may be displayed. In addition, the current points of each directly managed store and the converted amount thereof, and the current points of each affiliated store and the converted amount thereof may be displayed.
[0080]
Further, in step S27, the value of the accumulated point field and / or the evaluation field of each directly managed store and each affiliated store can be displayed on the display of the directly managed store terminal 7. Thereby, the clerk at the directly managed store can know the detailed usage status of the customer's card.
[0081]
Proceeding to step S31 in FIG. 9, the clerk at the directly operated store instructs the directly operated store terminal 7 whether to use the points for settlement in accordance with the instruction from the customer. For example, the instruction can be given to the terminal 7 by keying in the number of points to be used. If the instruction to use the points is not issued, the price of the purchased product (hereinafter, referred to as a purchase price) is set to the card settlement amount (S32), and zero is set to the use points (S33).
[0082]
Proceeding to step S34, a card payment amount is obtained. Since no points are used, the card payment amount is the same as the purchase price. In step S35, the points to be added are obtained by multiplying the card settlement amount by the second conversion coefficient for the directly managed store. In step S36, the calculated addition point is added to the current point and the accumulated point of the record having the store code of the directly managed store, respectively. Accordingly, additional points are added to the directly managed store total points and the total points, respectively.
[0083]
In step S31, when points are used, the process proceeds to step S51, and the number of points to be used is read. According to the customer's instructions, the clerk can enter the number of points used in the directly managed store terminal 7. It is preferable that the amount of money corresponding to the number of points to be used is calculated on the directly managed store terminal 7 so that it can be presented to the customer. In step S52, the number of points to be used is converted into a monetary value in the same manner as in steps S24 to S26 in FIG.
[0084]
In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the directly managed store total points are used with priority. If the directly managed store total points are not enough, the partner store total points are used. Alternatively, the customer may determine the directly managed store total points and the partner store total points to be used, respectively.
[0085]
In step S53, the converted amount of the used points calculated in step S52 is compared with the purchase price. If the converted amount of the used points is smaller than the purchase price, the customer needs to pay the missing amount. In step S34, the card payment amount is calculated by subtracting the conversion amount of the used points from the purchase price. Thereafter, steps S35 and S36 are performed as described above.
[0086]
In step S51, if the converted amount of the used points is equal to or greater than the purchase price, the card settlement amount is zero (S61 in FIG. 10). In step S62, the directly managed store total points and the used points are compared. If the directly managed store total points are equal to or more than the used points, the used points are subtracted from the directly managed store total points (S63). The total points of partner stores do not change. The total points are updated to the sum of the updated directly managed store total points and the partner store total points (S64).
[0087]
In step S65, the directly managed store total points calculated in step S63 are redistributed among the directly managed stores. As described above, the directly managed store total points can be distributed among the directly managed stores according to the ratio of the current points at the start of the current transaction. The current points of each directly managed store are updated to the distributed points.
[0088]
If the directly managed store total points are less than the used points, the directly managed store total points are subtracted from the used points. The resulting shortage points need to be compensated by the partner points total. The shortage point number is subtracted from the partner store total points (S67).
[0089]
In step S68, the directly managed store total points are updated to zero. The total points are updated to the sum of the updated directly managed store total points and the updated affiliated store total points (S69). In step S70, the partner store total points calculated in step S67 are redistributed among partner stores. As described above, the total points of the affiliated store can be distributed among the affiliated stores according to the ratio of the current points at the start of the current transaction. The current points of each affiliated store are updated to the distributed points.
[0090]
In step S71, the memory 15 of the card 11 is updated with the field values updated as described above. These field values are transmitted to the server 2 to update the customer database 4 (S72). In step S73, a conventional credit card settlement process is performed. In the payment processing, the card payment amount and its details (store name, product name, etc.) are transmitted to the server 2.
[0091]
In step S74, the updated contents of the memory 15 of the card 11 can be stored in the storage device of the directly operated store terminal 7 by a key operation or menu selection by the store clerk. The stored contents of the memory 15 of the card 11 can be used for subsequent customer analysis.
[0092]
FIGS. 11 to 14 are flowcharts of processing performed when purchasing goods or services with the credit card 11 at the affiliated store. This process is performed by the partner store engine 10 of the partner store terminal 9. The affiliated store routine executes almost the same processing as the directly managed store routine shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, and therefore only different parts will be described.
[0093]
Steps S111 to S119 shown in FIG. 11 are the same as steps S11 to S19 shown in FIG. Proceeding to step S122 in FIG. 12, the first and second conversion factors for the partner store are read from the store database 5. Alternatively, the first and second conversion coefficients for the partner store may be set in the partner store engine 10. In step S123, the data contained in the partner store record stored in the second memory area is loaded into the memory of the partner store terminal 9.
[0094]
In step S125, the converted amount of the current point is calculated by multiplying the current point of the partner store record by the first conversion coefficient for the partner store. In step S127, the current points of the partner store and the converted amount are displayed on the display of the partner store terminal 9. As a result, the customer and the clerk can know the number of points that can be used at the affiliated store and the products and services that can be purchased with the points.
[0095]
In step S127, the accumulated points and / or evaluation values of the partner store record can be further displayed on the display of the partner store terminal 9. Thereby, the clerk of the affiliated store can grasp the detailed usage status of the customer's card.
[0096]
In the present embodiment, the clerk of the affiliated store can acquire only information on the affiliated store. Alternatively, information on other affiliated stores or directly managed stores may be read from the credit card 11 and displayed.
[0097]
The processing shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. When the points are not used, the number of points corresponding to the card payment amount is added to the current points and the accumulated points of the partner store (S136). Accordingly, the partner store total points and the total points are also updated.
[0098]
If points are used and the converted amount of the used points is smaller than the purchase price (S153), the number of points corresponding to the difference between the converted amount of the used points and the purchase price is calculated as additional points (S134, S135). . The added points are added to the current points and the accumulated points of the partner store record. Accordingly, the partner store total points and the total points are also updated.
[0099]
In step S153, if the converted amount of the used points is equal to or greater than the purchase price, the card settlement amount is zero (S161 in FIG. 14). In step S163, the used points are subtracted from the current points of the affiliated store. In accordance with the update of the current points, the affiliated store total points and the total points are updated (S164).
[0100]
In step S171, the memory 15 of the card 11 is updated with the field values of the partner store record updated as described above. These field values are transmitted to the server 2 to update the customer database 4 (S172). In step S173, a credit card settlement process is performed. In step S174, the updated contents of the partner store record can be stored in the storage device of the partner store terminal 9 by a key operation or menu selection by the clerk. The contents of the stored partner store record can be used for subsequent customer analysis.
[0101]
FIG. 15 shows a schematic data structure stored in the memory 15 in the IC chip 13 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the third embodiment (FIG. 5) is that an electronic money field is provided in the fourth memory area 19. The electronic money field stores a cash amount that can be generally used. The cash amount can be used at retail stores, affiliated stores, and other designated stores. By paying a desired amount, the card holder can register the amount in the electronic money field. This operation can be performed via a predetermined terminal device (which can be arranged at any store, station, or the like).
[0102]
When the customer makes a payment using the credit card at a directly managed store or a partner store, a predetermined ratio (hereinafter referred to as a cashback rate) of the settled amount is added to the electronic money field as a cash. In the present embodiment, a value for the directly managed store and a value for the partner store are prepared for the cashback rate, and the value for the directly managed store is set to be higher than the value for the partner store. Alternatively, the cashback rate may be set for each store. The cashback rate applied to each store is stored in the store database 5.
[0103]
The flowchart of the process performed when purchasing a product or service at a directly managed store using the credit card shown in FIG. 15 is substantially the same as the directly operated store routine described above, except that FIG. It is. However, it should be noted that, in step S21 in FIG. 8, the addition of downloading the cashback rate for the directly managed store is added, and the loading of data in the fourth memory area is added in step S23. I want to.
[0104]
Referring to FIG. 16, steps S231 to S234 are the same as steps S31 to S34. Steps S251 to S253 are the same as steps S51 to S53. In step S235, it is determined whether to use electronic money. If not, the process proceeds to step S238. If used, the card payment amount is calculated by subtracting the electronic money amount to be used (S236). In step S237, the electronic money amount to be used is subtracted from the electronic money field.
[0105]
In steps S238 and S239, a predetermined percentage of points corresponding to the card payment amount is converted into a cash amount, and the cash amount is added to the electronic money field. In steps S240 and S241, the remaining percentage of points corresponding to the card payment amount is calculated as additional points, and is added to the current point and accumulated point fields of the directly managed store.
[0106]
For example, if the cashback rate is 20% and the number of points corresponding to the card payment amount is 100, 20 points are converted into cash, and the converted cash amount is added to the electronic money field. The remaining 80 points are calculated as additional points.
[0107]
The flowchart of the process performed when purchasing a product or service at a partner store using the credit card shown in FIG. 15 is almost the same except that FIG. 13 is replaced with FIG. However, it should be noted that downloading the cashback rate for the affiliated store is added to step S122 in FIG. 12, and that loading the data in the fourth memory area is added to step S123. I want to.
[0108]
Steps S331 to S334 are the same as steps S131 to S134. Steps S351 to S353 are the same as steps S151 to S153. In step S335, it is determined whether to use electronic money. If not, the process proceeds to step S338. If used, the card payment amount is calculated by subtracting the electronic money amount to be used (S336). In step S337, the electronic money amount to be used is subtracted from the electronic money field.
[0109]
In steps S338 and S339, a predetermined percentage of points corresponding to the card payment amount is converted into a cash amount, and the cash amount is added to the electronic money field. In steps S340 and S341, the remaining percentage of points corresponding to the card payment amount is calculated as an added point, and is added to the current point and accumulated point fields of the partner store.
[0110]
For example, if the cashback rate is 10% and the number of points corresponding to the card payment amount is 100, 10 points are converted into cash, and the converted cash amount is added to the electronic money field. The remaining 90 points are calculated as additional points.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a credit card in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of an IC memory according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of an IC memory according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of an IC memory according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of point provision in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a directly managed store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a directly managed store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a directly managed store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a directly managed store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an affiliated store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an affiliated store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an affiliated store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an affiliated store routine in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data structure of an IC memory according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a directly managed store routine when the card according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an affiliated store routine when the card according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Credit server
4 Customer database
5 store database
7 Retail store terminals
8 Retail engine
9 partner store terminals
10 Partner store engine

Claims (17)

A system using a credit card having a first memory area allocated for a store belonging to a first group and a second memory area allocated for a store belonging to a second group,
The system includes a server that communicates via a network with a first terminal installed at each of the stores belonging to the first group and a second terminal installed at each of the stores belonging to the second group. Equipped,
The first terminal and the second terminal have a function of reading and writing the credit card,
The server includes a first point program for stores belonging to the first group and a second point program for stores belonging to the second group,
The first point program includes:
(A) points stored in the first memory area as points usable in stores belonging to the first group in response to insertion or presentation of the credit card in the first terminal. And presenting to the customer the sum of the points stored in the second memory area;
(B) rewriting the points stored in the first memory area and the points stored in the second memory area according to the purchase price and the used points input to the first terminal. The first terminal device is configured to be executed,
The second point program includes:
(C) points stored in the second memory area as points usable in stores belonging to the second group in response to insertion or presentation of the credit card in the second terminal. Presenting to the customer;
(D) rewriting the points stored in the second memory area in accordance with the purchase price and the used points input to the second terminal. Credit card system. The credit card stores points that are usable at stores belonging to the first group, and stores a total of points stored in the first memory area and points stored in the second memory area. The credit card system according to claim 1, further comprising a third memory area. 3. The credit card according to claim 1, wherein the credit card further includes a fourth memory area storing at least a cash amount usable in a store belonging to the first group and a store belonging to the second group. 4. Credit card system. The step (b) further includes:
Subtracting the amount corresponding to the used point from the purchase price to calculate an amount to be settled by the credit card;
Adding a predetermined percentage of the card payment amount to a cash amount stored in the fourth memory area;
The credit card system according to claim 3, comprising: The first and second point programs are provided in the first and second terminals, respectively,
The credit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contents of the first and second memory areas of the credit card rewritten in the steps (b) and (d) are transmitted to the server. Card system. A credit card used in the credit card system according to claim 1, wherein the credit card is an IC card. A system using a credit card having a first memory area allocated for a store belonging to a first group and a second memory area allocated for a store belonging to a second group,
The system includes a server that communicates via a network with a first terminal installed at each of the stores belonging to the first group and a second terminal installed at each of the stores belonging to the second group. Equipped,
The first terminal and the second terminal have a function of reading and writing the credit card,
The first memory area includes, for each of the stores belonging to the first group, a record having a store code field storing a store code and a point field storing points.
The second memory area includes, for each of the stores belonging to the second group, a record having a store code field for storing a store code and a point field for storing points.
The server includes a first point program for stores belonging to the first group and a second point program for stores belonging to the second group,
The first point program includes:
(A) In response to the credit card being inserted or presented in the first terminal, all points of all records in the first memory area are set as points usable in stores belonging to the first group. Presenting to the customer the sum of the first sum of points stored in the points field and the second sum of points stored in the points field of all records in the second memory area;
(B) In accordance with the purchase price and the used points input to the first terminal, the points stored in the point field of the record in the first memory area and the point field of the record in the second memory area are stored. Rewriting the stored points; and causing the first terminal device to execute,
The second point program includes:
(C) in response to the credit card being inserted or presented in the second terminal, the points stored in the point field of the record having the store code of the store as points usable in the store. Presenting to the customer;
(D) rewriting the points stored in the point field of the record having the store code of the store in accordance with the purchase price and the used points input to the second terminal;
Is executed by the second terminal device. 8. The credit according to claim 7, wherein the records in the first and second memory areas further include a field for storing data indicating the performance of goods or services purchased by a customer at a store corresponding to the store code of the record. 9. Card system. The first memory area further includes a first sum field storing the first sum, and the second memory area further includes a second sum field storing the second sum. The credit card system according to claim 7. The credit card stores the sum of the points stored in the first total field and the points stored in the second total field as points usable at stores belonging to the first group. The credit card system according to claim 9, further comprising a third memory area. The step (b) executed by the first point program further includes:
(B1) When an instruction to purchase a product or service at the store by credit is issued to the first terminal, the credit payment is made to a point stored in a point field of a record having a store code of the store. Adding points corresponding to the amount to be paid;
(B2) when an instruction to purchase a product or service at the store by using points is issued to the first terminal;
(B21) If the first total is equal to or more than the used point, the points obtained by subtracting the used point from the first total are distributed to a point field of a record included in the first memory area. Steps and
(B22) if the first total is smaller than the used point, update the point field of the record in the first memory area to zero, and calculate the difference between the first total and the used point from the second total. Distributing the points obtained by the subtraction to a point field of a record included in the second memory area;
11. The credit card system according to claim 7, wherein the credit card system is configured to cause the first terminal device to execute the following. The step (b) executed by the first point program further includes:
(B1) When an instruction to purchase a product or service at the store by credit is issued to the first terminal, the credit payment is made to a point stored in a point field of a record having a store code of the store. Adding points corresponding to the amount to be paid;
(B2) when an instruction to purchase a product or service at the store by using points is issued to the first terminal;
(B21) If the second total is equal to or more than the used point, the points obtained by subtracting the used point from the second total are distributed to a point field of a record included in the second memory area. Steps and
(B22) if the second total is smaller than the used point, update the point field of the record in the second memory area to zero, and calculate the difference between the second total and the used point from the first total. Distributing points obtained by the subtraction to a point field of a record included in the first memory area;
11. The credit card system according to claim 7, wherein the credit card system is configured to cause the first terminal device to execute the following. 13. The credit card according to claim 7, further comprising: a fourth memory area storing at least a cash amount usable in a store belonging to the first group and a store belonging to the second group. 13. Credit card system described in Crab. The step (b) further comprises a step of subtracting an amount corresponding to the used point from the purchase price to calculate an amount to be settled by the credit card;
Adding a predetermined percentage of the card payment amount to a cash amount stored in the fourth memory area;
14. The credit card system according to claim 13, comprising: The credit card system according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined ratio can be set differently for each of the stores belonging to the first and second groups. The first and second point programs are provided in the first and second terminals, respectively,
The credit according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the contents of the first and second memory areas of the credit card rewritten in the steps (b) and (d) are transmitted to the server. Card system. A credit card used in the credit card system according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the credit card is an IC card.

Images