JP6645081B2 - Point management device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to management of points given as purchase privileges.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a system for giving a user points available for accounting as purchase benefits. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 discloses that points given in e-commerce performed before registration of a membership card are completed can be used in a membership card after registration of the membership card is completed. A system is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 1, even if registration of a membership card and user registration of an e-commerce service are completed, points can be used until a procedure for associating the membership card with a user ID of the e-commerce service is performed. Lost.

JP 2014-146372 A

  When encouraging a user who has already issued a membership card at an actual store to register for an e-commerce service, points will be used at all until the procedure for associating the card number of the membership card with the e-commerce service user ID is performed If the setting cannot be made, the user may feel inconvenient and may lose his will to accumulate points. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a point management device capable of appropriately prompting a user who has already issued a membership card at an actual store to register as a member for e-commerce. .

According to one aspect of the present invention, a point management device includes: a storage unit that stores a card number of a member card issued in a store in association with the number of points given to the card number; The association means for storing the member identification information used by the owner of the member card for e-commerce in the storage means in association with the card number; and a request to use a point designated by the card number. Use permission means for permitting the use of the points associated with the card number based on the use condition of the card, wherein the use permission means specifies a card number not associated with the member identification information. when requested, the usage condition when the there is a use request specifying the card number associated with said member identification information If severe use conditions are met than, to allow the use of points associated with the card number that is not associated with the member identification information.

The point management device includes a storage unit, an association unit, and a use permission unit. The storage unit stores the card number of the member card issued at the store in association with the number of points given to the card number. Here, the “point” refers to a privilege that is generated based on the purchase of a product and the like, which can be used as part or all of payment when purchasing another product. The associating means causes the storage means to store the member identification information issued by the member registration and used by the owner of the member card for electronic commerce in association with the card number. The use permitting means permits the use of the point associated with the card number based on a predetermined use condition when there is a use request for the point specifying the card number. Here, the use permitting means, when there is a use request specifying a card number not associated with the member identification information, when the use request designates a card number associated with the member identification information, When a use condition that is stricter than the use condition is satisfied, use of a point associated with a card number that is not associated with the member identification information is permitted. . Here, the “usage condition” is not limited to the condition regarding whether or not the point can be used, but also includes various conditions regarding the use of the point, such as a condition for determining the number of used points and a value per point. Further, "making the use conditions stricter" means changing the conditions so that the use of points by the user is more restricted or the user is disadvantageous when using the points.

According to this aspect, the point management device allows the use of points for the owner of the member card who has not completed the membership registration for performing the electronic commerce, but also has a higher number of members than the registered member card owner. Tighten usage conditions. As a result, the owner of the member card can be encouraged to register as a member.

In one aspect of the point management device, the point management device is configured to store a point associated with the card number based on a predetermined storage condition when a storage request for the point specifying the card number is made. The point accumulating means further specifies the accumulation condition when there is the accumulation request specifying a card number not associated with the member identification information, and specifies a card number associated with the member identification information. The storage conditions are made stricter when the storage request is made. According to this aspect, the point management device allows the accumulation of points for the owner of the member card who has not completed the membership registration for performing the electronic commerce, but also has a higher number of members than the owner of the registered member card. Tighten storage conditions. As a result, the member card owner can be further encouraged to register as a member.

In another mode of the point managing device, the usage conditions, the number of points the associated with the card number when using point is a condition which requires not less than the predetermined number, the usage permission means Is greater than the predetermined number when there is the use request specifying a card number not associated with the member identification information, and when the use request specifies a card number associated with the member identification information. When a large number of points or more are used, the use of points associated with a card number not associated with the member identification information is permitted . According to this aspect, it is possible to give preferential treatment to the owner of the member card who has completed the membership registration with respect to the use of the points while permitting the use of the points to the owner of the member card who has not completed the member registration used for the electronic commerce. , It is possible to encourage membership registration.

In another aspect of the point management device, the accumulation condition is a condition that specifies a point redemption rate for a purchase amount, and the accumulation request specifies a card number that is not associated with the member identification information. Is lower than the point redemption rate when there is the accumulation request specifying the card number associated with the member identification information. According to this aspect, while accumulating points for an owner of a member card who has not completed a membership registration for performing electronic commerce, it is possible to give preferential treatment to an owner of a member card whose membership has been registered with respect to the accumulation of points. Therefore, the member registration can be encouraged suitably.

  In another aspect of the point management device, the accumulation condition is a condition that specifies an upper limit of the number of points to be stored in association with the card number, and specifies a card number that is not associated with the member identification information. The upper limit of the number of points when there is an accumulation request is lower than the upper limit of the number of points when there is the accumulation request specifying a card number associated with the member identification information. According to this aspect, while accumulating points for the owner of the member card who has not completed the membership registration for performing the electronic commerce, the owner of the member card whose membership has been registered with respect to the accumulation of the points is favorably provided. be able to.

In another aspect of the point management device, when the association unit associates the member identification information with the card number and causes the storage unit to store the member identification information, the owner of the member card of the card number And a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the user. According to this aspect, motivation for member registration can be suitably performed.

  In another aspect of the point management device, the privilege granting unit is configured to determine a length of a period from when the member card is issued until a card number of the member card is associated with the member identification information. The privilege to be granted is determined based on at least one of a purchase performance of goods by the owner and a number of visits of the owner to stores in which the member card can be used during the period. According to this aspect, it is possible to suitably promote the member registration at an early stage after the issuance of the member card, the member registration of a regular customer at an actual store, and the like.

In another aspect of the present invention, a control method executed by a point management device that refers to a storage unit that stores a card number of a member card issued in a store and a point number given to the card number in association with each other An association step of storing member identification information issued by member registration and used by the owner of the member card for electronic commerce in the storage unit in association with the card number, And a use permitting step of permitting use of a point associated with the card number based on a predetermined use condition when the use request is issued, wherein the use permitting step is associated with the member identification information. wherein when a utilization request specifying no card number, the usage is specified card number associated with said member identification information If severe use conditions are satisfied than the use condition when there is a determined, to allow the use of points associated with the card number that is not associated with the member identification information. By executing this control method, the point management device can appropriately encourage the owner of the member card to register as a member.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a computer of a point management device having storage means for storing a card number of a member card issued in a store and a point number given to the card number in association with each other is executed. A program that stores member identification information issued by a member registration and used by the owner of the member card for electronic commerce in the storage unit in association with the card number; and a point that specifies the card number. When the use request is made, the computer is made to function as use permitting means for permitting use of the point associated with the card number, based on predetermined use conditions, and the use permitting means associates with the member identification information. It said if there is a use request specifying are non card number, and the member identification information Permits the use of points associated with a card number that is not associated with the member identification information if the use conditions that are stricter than the use conditions when there is the use request specifying the linked card number I do . By executing this program, the computer of the point management device can appropriately encourage the owner of the member card to register as a member.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the point management apparatus which concerns on this invention, the member who has not completed the member registration for performing electronic commerce while permitting the use of the point for the member card holder who has not completed the member registration for performing electronic commerce. The conditions for using points for the card holder are made stricter than the conditions for using points for the registered member card holder. As a result, it is possible to suitably encourage the member registration.

1 shows a configuration of a point management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a server device. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a user terminal. 4 shows a data structure of member information and member card information. 4 shows a data structure of point history information and point rule information. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a point accumulation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a point use process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of point management system]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a point management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The point management system 100 is a system for centrally managing points generated based on the purchase of goods by e-commerce and purchases of goods at stores, and performs user registration (e.g., “web Also referred to as "member registration."). The point management system 100 mainly includes a server device 1 for managing points of each user, a user terminal 3 used by the user, and a POS register terminal 4 existing in a store. The server device 1 and the user terminal 3 perform data communication with the server device 1 and the POS register terminal 4 via a communication network 2 such as the Internet.

  The server device 1 is a web server managed by a seller of a product such as a book. The server device 1 communicates with the user terminal 3 to perform processing relating to web member registration, and based on a request from the user terminal 3, The display information for displaying the information of the product to be sold is transmitted to the user terminal 3. In addition, the server device 1 manages points of the user who has performed the web member registration and the user who has the membership card 5, and gives points when these users purchase products or accepts the use of points. Or reflect it in the payment amount. The server device 1 assigns a member ID (member identification information) used for electronic commerce or the like to a user who has performed web member registration. The server device 1 is an example of the “point management device” in the present invention.

  The user terminal 3 is a communication terminal such as a smartphone, for example, and has a display 41 on which a touch panel is stacked in the example of FIG. The user terminal 3 displays a member registration screen based on the display information received from the server device 1, receives a user input required for web member registration, and transmits the received input information to the server device 1. Further, the user terminal 3 exchanges information necessary for electronic commerce with the server device 1. Note that the user terminal 3 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 1 and may be various communicable terminals such as a desktop personal computer and a notebook personal computer.

  The POS register terminal 4 is placed at a checkout place in a store and has a reading device such as a barcode reader. The POS register terminal 4 reads a card number from the membership card 5 or reads a product ID or the like from a barcode or the like attached to a purchased product by a reader at the time of accounting or the like. Further, the POS register terminal 4 requests the server device 1 to use a signal (also referred to as a “point accumulation request RS”) for requesting accumulation of points according to the purchase price, and / or use of the accumulated points. A signal (also referred to as “point use request RU”) is transmitted. Hereinafter, the number of points used when purchasing a product is also referred to as “use point number”.

  The member card 5 is a point card given to a user who has performed a predetermined procedure at an actual store, and a member card number registered in the member card information 132 described later is recorded at the actual store. Issue (grant) a membership card to the user. The membership card 5 is configured such that the card number and the like can be read by the POS register terminal 4. The member card 5 may be a card on which a barcode indicating the card number is printed, or an IC card storing the card number. Further, the user terminal 3 may be used as a membership card, or the card number may be displayed as a bar code on the display screen of the user terminal 3 storing the card number.

  Hereinafter, the owner of the member card 5 who has not registered the web member or has not performed the association procedure between the member ID issued by the web member registration and the card number of the member card 5 is referred to as a "temporarily registered member". Call. Also, the owner of the member card 5 who has performed the web member registration and has performed the procedure for associating the member ID issued by the web member registration with the card number of the member card 5 is referred to as a "official registered member". The above-described association procedure may be executed simultaneously with the web member registration. In this case, for example, the user performs the above-described association procedure simultaneously with the web member registration by inputting the card number of the membership card 5 in a predetermined input field on the member registration screen of the web member registration. As will be described later, the server device 1 stores the card number of the member card 5 owned by the registered member and the member ID assigned by the registered member through web member registration in association with (ie, in association with) the member ID. ing.

[Configuration of server device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the server device 1. The server device 1 includes a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14 that performs data communication, and a control unit 15. These components are interconnected via a bus line 10.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the control unit 15 and information necessary for executing a predetermined process by executing the program by the control unit 15. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 13 has member information 131, member card information 132, point history information 133, and point rule information 134. These data structures are described in the [Data Structure] section. Further, the storage unit 13 stores information necessary for generating display information of a product screen, such as information on a product to be sold.

  The control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and performs various controls on each component in the server device 1.

  For example, when the communication unit 14 receives the point accumulation request RS including the card number from the POS register terminal 4 at the time of the purchase of a product at the store, the control unit 15 refers to the point rule information 134 and the like to obtain the points. A condition relating to accumulation (also simply referred to as “accumulation condition”) is specified. Then, the control unit 15 calculates the number of points to be given based on the specified accumulation condition, and updates the member card information 132 and the point history information 133. In addition, when the communication unit 14 receives the point use request RU including the card number from the POS register terminal 4, the control unit 15 refers to the point rule information 134 or the like, and thus, the conditions regarding the use of the points (only Condition).) After that, the control unit 15 notifies the POS register terminal 4 of the usage conditions of the specified points, thereby causing the POS register terminal 4 to specify the number of usage points. Based on the specified usage points, the control unit 15 displays the member card information 132 and the point history information 133. Perform an update.

  In addition, when the user terminal 3 accesses the URL for member registration, the control unit 15 transmits predetermined display information through the communication unit 14 so that the user terminal 3 Display the screen. When the input information on the member registration screen is received from the user terminal 3, the control unit 15 generates a member ID corresponding to the user of the user terminal 3 and updates the member information 131 and the member card information 132. Do. Here, when the card number of the member card 5 is included in the above-described input information, the control unit 15 stores the card number and the generated member ID in association with each other in the member card information 132.

  As described above, the control unit 15 functions as the “associating unit”, the “usage permitting unit”, the “point accumulating unit” in the present invention, and the program executed by the computer.

[Configuration of user terminal]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 includes a display unit 31 such as a display 41, an input unit 32 such as a touch panel, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34 for performing data communication, and a control unit 35. These components are interconnected via a bus line 30.

  The storage unit 33 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 33 stores a program executed by the control unit 35.

  The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the user terminal 3. For example, when the user terminal 3 accesses the URL for the web member registration of the server device 1, the control unit 35 receives the display information of the member registration screen of the web member registration from the server device 1 by the communication unit 34, It is displayed on the display 41. Then, the control unit 35 receives input of information necessary for web member registration, and transmits the input information to the server device 1.

[data structure]
Next, a specific example of the data structure of the member information 131, the member card information 132, the point history information 133, and the point rule information 134 stored in the server device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1) Member information FIG. 4A is an example of the data structure of the member information 131. In the example of FIG. 4A, as the member information 131, a “member ID”, a “login ID”, and a “password” are associated with each user who has registered as a member on the purchase site of the server device 1. ing.

  The server device 1 generates each record of the member information 131 based on the input information received from the user terminal 3 displaying the member registration screen of the web member registration. In the example of FIG. 4A, the server device 1 registers a number obtained by combining an alphabet “U” and a three-digit serial number as a member ID, and also inputs a mail address of a user who has registered as a login ID. , And an arbitrary six-digit symbol input by the user is registered as a password.

(2) Member Card Information FIG. 4B is an example of the data structure of the member card information 132. In the member card information 132, information on a card (also referred to as a “virtual card”) virtually assigned to the user who has performed web member registration or information on the member card 5 is recorded. The member card information 132 in FIG. 4B includes “card number”, “type”, “status”, “store”, “tied member ID”, “takeover card number”, and “point balance”. With each item.

  The card number of the member card 5 (also called "real card number") or the card number of a virtual card (also called "virtual card number") is registered in the "card number" column. In the example of FIG. 4B, the first character of the real card number is set to the alphabet “C”, and the first character of the virtual card number is set to the alphabet “V”. In the “type” column, “real” is recorded for a record corresponding to the real card number, and “virtual” is recorded for a record corresponding to the virtual card number.

  Information indicating the state of the target member card 5 is recorded in the “status” column. Specifically, when the corresponding card number is an actual card number and the card number is not linked with the member ID of the member information indicated in the member information 131, it is “temporary registration”. Is recorded. On the other hand, when the corresponding real card number is linked to the member ID of the member information indicated in the member information 131, the fact that the registration is "final registration" is recorded. Further, when the corresponding card number is a virtual card number, information of “taken over” is registered when the integration of points of the virtual card number and the real card number is completed. If the status of the virtual card is "taken over", the user already has the membership card 5, and the virtual card number of the virtual card and the real card number of the real card held The point assigned to the virtual card is taken over for the associated real card number of the associated real card.

  If the user holding the member card 5 loses the member card 5 and a new member card 5 is issued to the user, the “status” corresponding to the card number of the lost member card 5 is displayed. The column is "taken over". In this case, a record of the card number of the newly issued member card 5 is generated, and the member ID of the user who has reissued the member card 5 is registered in the “linking member ID” column of the record. As described above, even if the corresponding card number is the actual card number, the “status” column may be “taken over”.

  If the corresponding card number is an actual card number, information for identifying the store (“A” or “B” in the example of FIG. 4B) is registered in the “store” column. If the corresponding card number is a virtual card number, “Web” indicating that the electronic commerce is not related to a specific store is registered. Further, in the column of “link destination member ID”, when “status” is a record corresponding to “official registration”, the member ID of the corresponding officially registered member is recorded. If the “status” is a “takeover” record, the member ID of the corresponding member card (real card) 5 is recorded. When the “status” is “temporary registration”, the corresponding real card number is not associated with the member ID, and therefore the member ID is not recorded in the “tied member ID” column.

  The column of “takeover destination card number” records the actual card number that is the takeover destination of the points given to the virtual card number. Specifically, a real card number whose “tied member ID” matches the virtual card number whose “status” is “takeover” is registered. In the example of FIG. 4B, in the “takeover destination card number” column of the virtual card number “V0001”, the actual card number “C0001” associated with the same member ID is recorded. If the "status" is other than "takeover", "NULL" indicating that there is no corresponding real card number is registered.

  In the column of “point balance”, the balance of points for the corresponding real card number or virtual card number is recorded. Note that the point balance of the virtual card number whose “status” has been switched to “taken over” is added to the point balance of the linked real card number to “0” when the “status” is switched. Note that the initial value before the “status” is switched to “takeover completed” is “official registration”. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4B, the point balance of the virtual card number “V0001” having the status “taken over” is “0” as a result of being added to the point balance of the real card number “C0001”. .

  If the holder of the member card 5 registers the web member without performing the procedure for associating the card number of the member card 5 owned by the member, the virtual card number given by the web member registration and the member card 5 The point balance corresponding to the actual card number is updated according to the purchase of the product without being added up. When the server device 1 receives information necessary for the association procedure from the user terminal 3 or the like at an arbitrary timing after the completion of the web member registration, the server device 1 transmits the virtual card number assigned by the web member registration, The point balance associated with the actual card number of the card 5 is added up.

(3) Point History Information FIG. 5A is an example of the data structure of the point history information 133. In the point history information 133, histories regarding acquisition, use, and expiration of points of each member are recorded. The point history information 133 shown in FIG. 5A has items of “card number”, “section”, “point number”, “store”, and “expiration date”.

  Here, information indicating whether points have been acquired, used, or expired is recorded in the “category” column, and the points to be acquired, used, or expired are recorded in the “points” column. The number is recorded. Further, in the column of “store”, identification information of a store where a transaction that causes acquisition or use of points is performed is recorded. Further, the column of "expiration date" records the expiration date of the point when the point is acquired.

  The server device 1 refers to the point history information 133 to determine whether each acquired point has been used within the expiration date, and when there is a point that has not been used within the expiration date, the classification is performed. A record corresponding to “expired” is generated and added to the point history information 133. In this case, the server device 1 searches for the record of the member card information 132 corresponding to the expired point based on the card number, and subtracts the “point balance” corresponding to the record by the number of expired points. Similarly, when the server apparatus 1 generates a record of the category “acquire” or “use” and adds it to the point history information 133, the server apparatus 1 acquires or uses the “point balance” of the corresponding record of the member card information 132. Add or subtract by the number of points.

(4) Point Rule Information FIG. 5B is an example of the data structure of the point rule information 134. In the point rule information 134, records indicating rules (conditions) relating to generation and use of points are registered. The point rule information 134 in FIG. 5B has items of “application target”, “application condition”, “judgment timing”, and “valid / invalid”.

  In the column of "applicable object", the applicable object of the rule is defined. In the example of FIG. 5B, as the “applicable object”, “point redemption rate” indicating the interest rate of points generated for the purchase amount, and “available minimum” indicating the minimum value of the point balance at which points can be used. A record in which a value and an upper limit of the point balance (that is, the upper limit of the number of points that can be accumulated) indicating the upper limit of the point balance are registered. The available minimum value is an example of the “predetermined number” in the present invention.

  In the column of “application condition”, conditions of each application target are recorded according to whether the status is the main registration or the provisional registration. Specifically, in the column of “status = final registration”, the point corresponding to the card number whose “status” of the member card information 132 is “official registration” (that is, the actual card number associated with the member ID) Is stored. In the column of “status = temporary registration”, accumulation of points corresponding to the card number whose “status” of the member card information 132 is “temporary registration” (that is, the actual card number not linked to the member ID). Conditions or usage conditions are recorded.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, the storage condition or use condition defined in “status = temporary registration” is more strict than the storage condition or use condition defined in “status = main registration”. It is set to be. In other words, the server device 1 restricts the accumulation and use of points of the temporarily registered member as compared with the regular registered member.

  For example, in the case of the point redemption rate, the interest rate in which the point redemption rate (1%) in the case of “status = temporary registration” is lower than the point redemption rate (2%) in the case of “status = main registration” Is set to Similarly, in the case of the available minimum value, the available minimum value in the case of “status = temporary registration” (100 points) is smaller than the available minimum value in the case of “status = main registration” (1 point). ) Is set to be higher. Also, in the case of the point balance upper limit, the point balance upper limit (1000 points) when “status = temporary registration” is lower than the point balance upper limit (999999999 points) when “status = main registration”. It is set as follows.

  As described above, according to the point rule information 134 shown in FIG. 5B, the point accumulation condition and the use in the case of “status = temporary registration” are more than the case of “status = main registration”. Conditions are strictly set. Thereby, the server device 1 suitably urges the temporarily registered member who owns the member card 5 to shift to a fully registered member by web member registration.

  The column of “judgment timing” defines the timing at which the rule corresponding to each record is applied. Specifically, a record that defines the point accumulation conditions is defined as “when points are accumulated”, and a record that defines the point use conditions is defined as “when points are used”. In the column of "valid / invalid", the validity of the application condition corresponding to each record is defined. In the example of FIG. 5B, the application condition regarding the point redemption rate and the minimum usable value is set to “valid”, and the application condition regarding the point balance upper limit is set to “invalid”. By providing the “valid / invalid” column as described above, it is possible to flexibly change whether or not the application condition is applied to each application target.

[Processing flow]
(1) Point Accumulation Processing FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of point accumulation processing executed when a user who owns the member card 5 at a certain store purchases a product.

  First, the POS register terminal 4 reads the actual card number from the member card 5 and performs the transaction processing of the product based on the operation of the clerk (step S101). In this case, the POS register terminal 4 reads the barcode or the like attached to the product to recognize the product ID and the selling price of the product to be purchased, and calculates the total purchase price. Next, the POS register terminal 4 transmits a point accumulation request RS including information such as the actual card number and the purchase amount to the server device 1 (step S102). The point accumulation request RS may further include information of a store used when updating the point history information 133 later.

  Then, the server device 1 receives the point accumulation request RS transmitted from the POS register terminal 4, and acquires the status corresponding to the real card number included in the point accumulation request RS by referring to the member card information 132. (Step S103).

  Then, the server device 1 determines whether or not the obtained status is “official registration” (Step S104). If the acquired status is “official registration” (step S104; Yes), the server device 1 extracts valid accumulation conditions to be applied to the status “official registration” when accumulating points from the point rule information 134 (step S104). S105). Specifically, the server apparatus 1 obtains the “application condition” from the record of the point rule information 134 in which the “judgment timing” column is “point accumulation” and the “valid / invalid” column is “valid”. , The application conditions of each application target described in “status = main registration” are extracted.

  On the other hand, if the obtained status is not “main registration” (step S104; No), the server device 1 determines whether the obtained status is “temporary registration” (step S106). If the acquired status is “temporary registration” (step S106; Yes), the server device 1 extracts valid accumulation conditions to be applied to the status “temporary registration” when accumulating points from the point rule information 134 (step S106). S107). Specifically, the server apparatus 1 obtains the “rule” from the record of the point rule information 134 in which “judgment timing” is “point accumulation” and “valid / invalid” is “valid”. The application condition of each application target described in “status = temporary registration” is extracted.

  Next, the server device 1 determines the number of points to be awarded with reference to the membership card information 132 based on the accumulation conditions of each application extracted in step S105 or step S107 (step S108). For example, when applying the accumulation condition relating to the point redemption rate, the server device 1 multiplies the purchase amount included in the point accumulation request RS received from the POS register terminal 4 by the point redemption rate determined as the accumulation condition. Determines the number of points to be awarded. In another example, when the storage condition regarding the point balance upper limit is applied, the server device 1 ensures that the total value with the point balance recorded in the current member card information 132 does not violate the point balance upper limit of the storage condition. The number of points to be given is determined.

  Then, the server device 1 performs a process of adding the number of points determined in step S108 (step S109). Specifically, the server device 1 updates the point balance recorded in the record of the target member card information 132 to a value obtained by adding the number of points determined in step S108. Further, the server device 1 adds a record of the category “acquired” to the point history information 133 in order to leave a history of the added points. In this case, the server device 1 uses, for example, the store information included in the point accumulation request RS received from the POS register terminal 4 as the information of the “store” of the record to be added, and uses the current Set a date after a predetermined period has elapsed from the date. Thereafter, the server device 1 transmits a completion notification indicating that the point accumulation processing has been completed to the POS register terminal 4 (step S110).

(2) Point Use Process FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a point use process for using a point when a user who owns the member card 5 at a certain store purchases a product.

  First, the POS register terminal 4 reads the actual card number from the member card 5 based on the operation of the clerk (step S201). In this case, the POS register terminal 4 recognizes the product to be purchased and the selling price by reading a barcode or the like attached to the product, and calculates the total purchase price. Next, the POS register terminal 4 transmits a point use request RU including the information of the actual card number to the server device 1 (Step S202).

  Then, the server device 1 receives the point use request RU transmitted from the POS register terminal 4, and acquires the status corresponding to the real card number included in the point use request RU by referring to the member card information 132. (Step S203).

  Then, the server device 1 determines whether or not the acquired status is “official registration” (Step S204). Then, when the acquired status is “official registration” (step S204; Yes), the server device 1 extracts valid use conditions applied to the status “official registration” when using points from the point rule information 134 (step S204). S205). More specifically, the server apparatus 1 determines, from the record of the point rule information 134 in which the “judgment timing” is “point use” and the “valid / invalid” is “valid”, the “applicable condition” column “ The application conditions of each application target described in “status = main registration” are extracted.

  On the other hand, if the obtained status is not “main registration” (step S204; No), the server device 1 determines whether the obtained status is “temporary registration” (step S206). If the acquired status is “temporary registration” (step S206; Yes), the server device 1 extracts valid use conditions applied to the status “temporary registration” when using points from the point rule information 134 (step S206). S207). More specifically, the server apparatus 1 determines, from the record of the point rule information 134 in which the “judgment timing” is “point use” and the “valid / invalid” is “valid”, the “applicable condition” column “ The application condition of each application target described in “status = temporary registration” is extracted.

  Next, the server device 1 refers to the use condition of each adaptation target value extracted in step S205 or step S207 and the point balance recorded in the member card information 132 to determine whether points can be used (step S208). ). For example, when the point rule relating to the available minimum value is valid, the server device 1 compares the set available minimum value with the point balance recorded in the record of the corresponding point card information 132. It is determined whether points can be used.

  If it is determined in step S208 that points can be used (step S208; Yes), the server device 1 transmits an inquiry signal of the number of used points to the POS register terminal 4 (step S209). In this case, the above-mentioned inquiry signal includes information on the point balance, which is the maximum value that can be specified as the number of used points. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S208 that the points cannot be used (step S208; No), the server device 1 ends the processing of the flowchart.

  When receiving the inquiry signal of the number of use points from the server device 1, the POS register terminal 4 receives a user input for designating the number of use points (step S210). Then, the POS register terminal 4 notifies the server device 1 of the number of use points specified by the user input (step S211). Further, before and after step S211, the POS register terminal 4 presents, as the amount to be paid, an amount obtained by reducing the purchase amount according to the specified number of used points.

  Thereafter, the server device 1 performs a process of subtracting the notified number of points (Step S212). Specifically, the server device 1 updates the point balance recorded in the record of the corresponding member card information 132 by a value obtained by subtracting the notified number of points. Further, the server device 1 adds a record of the category “use” to the point history information 133 in order to leave a history of the used points. After that, the server device 1 transmits a completion notification to the effect that the point use processing has been completed to the POS register terminal 4 (step S213).

[Functions and effects of the point management system]
According to the point management system 100 of the embodiment, the server device 1 holds the point rule information 134 and temporarily registers the web member registration more than the officially registered member whose real card number is linked to the member ID. Strictly set the conditions for using and accumulating member points. Thereby, the server device 1 can suitably encourage the temporary registered member to register as a web member.

[Modification]
Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. The following modifications may be arbitrarily combined and applied to the above-described embodiment.

(Modification 1)
When the temporary registered member registers as a regular member by registering as a web member, the server device 1 may grant a privilege for performing the web member registration. Hereinafter, specific examples (first to fourth specific examples) of the above benefits will be described. The following specific examples may be applied in any combination.

  In the first specific example, the server device 1 gives more points as the period from the issuance of the membership card 5 to the transfer to the registered member by web member registration is shorter. In this case, the server device 1 further adds information on the date of issue of the membership card 5 to the record corresponding to each real card number in the membership card information 132. Then, when the status is switched from the temporary registration to the official registration, the server device 1 calculates the number of days elapsed from the issue date based on the information on the issue date. In this case, for example, the server device 1 refers to a table or the like defining the number of days elapsed from the date of issuance of the member card 5 and points to be given, and gives more points as the calculated number of days becomes shorter.

  In the second specific example, the server device 1 increases the number of points to be given as a privilege when switching to a regular registered member, as the cumulative number of books purchased until becoming a regular registered member increases. In this case, the server device 1 further stores, for example, information on the number of cumulative purchases as the member card information 132, and updates the information on the number of cumulative purchases together with the point balance each time a product is purchased. In this case, for example, the point accumulation request RS includes information on the number of purchased books, and the server device 1 updates the information on the accumulated number of purchased books in the member card information 132 by receiving the point accumulation request RS. . Then, when detecting the record of the member card information 132 whose status has been switched from the temporary registration to the official registration, the server device 1 refers to a table or the like that defines the cumulative number of purchased books and the points to be given, and checks the detected record. The more points that are accumulated, the more points are given. Preferably, before the status is switched to the official registration, if both the virtual card number given by the web member registration and the actual card number of the membership card 5 have the record of the cumulative number of purchases, the server device 1 May determine the points to be awarded based on the total number of these purchased volumes. Similarly, instead of the cumulative number of books to be purchased, the server device 1 may increase the number of points to be given as a privilege when switching to a regular registered member, as the cumulative purchase amount until becoming a regular registered member increases. The cumulative number of purchases and the cumulative purchase price are examples of the “purchase record” in the present invention.

  In the third specific example, the server device 1 increases the number of points to be given as a privilege when switching to a regular registered member, as the frequency of visiting the store from becoming a temporary registered member to becoming a regular registered member increases. For example, in this case, the server device 1 regards the number of purchases as a temporarily registered member (that is, the number of transactions performed) as the number of visits, and when switching to a regular registered member, determines a predetermined number The number of points to be given is determined with reference to a table or the like. The above-described table and the like are tables that define the relationship between the number of purchases and the number of points to be provided, and are set so that the number of points to be provided increases as the number of purchases increases. In this case, the server device 1 further records information on the number of purchases, for example, in the membership card information 132, and receives information on the card number of the membership card 5 owned by the purchaser from the POS register terminal 4 at the time of accounting for the product. In this case, the number of purchases of the member card information 132 for the corresponding card number is increased by one.

  In addition, instead of considering the number of purchases as the number of visits, the server device 1 may perform the visit procedure (check-in) at each store. Increase the number of points granted as a privilege when switching to a registered member. In this case, for example, a card reader that reads the member card 5 is provided near the entrance of each store, and the visitor holds the member card 5 over the card reader when entering the store and reads the card number. In this case, the card reader transmits the visit information including the card number to the server device 1 via the POS register terminal 4 or the like. In this case, the server device 1 further records, for example, information on the number of visits as the member card information 132, and when the visit information is received from the POS register terminal 4, the item of the number of visits of the member card information 132 for the corresponding card number To update.

  In the fourth specific example, when the temporary registered member registers as a web member and becomes a full registered member, the server device 1 presents a predetermined product to the member as a privilege for performing the web member registration. Is also good. In this case, for example, the server device 1 issues a coupon for free one book of a predetermined amount or less. Note that the fourth specific example may be combined with the second specific example. In this case, for example, the server device 1 may issue a free coupon for a more expensive product as the purchase record such as the cumulative number of purchases or the cumulative purchase amount is larger.

  In this modification, the control unit 15 of the server device 1 is an example of the “privilege granting unit” in the present invention.

(Modification 2)
The products handled by the point management system 100 need not be limited to books. For example, the point management system 100 may deal with music and movie playback media and other various products in addition to or instead of books.

(Modification 3)
The server device 1 may be composed of a plurality of servers. For example, the server device 1 includes an authentication server that has member information 131 and performs user authentication, a web server that transmits display information for displaying a product screen for electronic commerce, and the like, and FIG. 6 and FIG. It may be composed of a point management server that performs processing. In this case, the point management server may further include a plurality of servers. In this case, the plurality of point management servers store, for example, the membership card information 132, the point history information 133, and the point rule information 134 in a distributed manner, and exchange information required for the assigned processing between the servers. The plurality of point management servers in this case are an example of the “point management device” in the present invention.

(Modification 4)
Based on the point rule information 134, the server device 1 sets the conditions for accumulating and using points for temporarily registered members more strictly than the conditions for accumulating and using conditions for regular registered members. Instead, the server device 1 sets the conditions for accumulating points for the temporarily registered member and the regular registered member to be the same, and sets the conditions for using points for the temporarily registered member more strictly than the conditions for the regular registered member. Is also good. For example, in this case, the server device 1 sets the application conditions of “status = main registration” and “status = temporary registration” with respect to the point redemption rate and the upper limit of the point balance applied when accumulating points in the point rule information 134 shown in FIG. Set the same.

  Even in this case, the server device 1 can preferentially encourage the temporary registered member to register as a real member by giving preferential treatment to the temporary registered member with respect to the use of points. it can.

(Modification 5)
The accumulation condition and the use condition registered in the point rule information 134 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, use conditions that define the value per point when using points, or use conditions that define the upper limit value and / or lower limit value of the number of points that can be used per time are registered in the point rule information 134. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server apparatus 2 ... Communication network 3 ... User terminal 4 ... POS register terminal 100 ... Point management system 131 ... Member information 132 ... Member card information 133 ... Point history information 134 ... Point rule information

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing the card number of the member card issued at the store in association with the number of points given to the card number,
Associating means for storing member identification information issued by member registration and used by the owner of the member card for e-commerce in the storage means in association with the card number;
When there is a request to use the point designated by the card number, based on predetermined use conditions, the use permission means for permitting the use of the point associated with the card number,
The use permission unit may be configured to: perform the use request specifying the card number not associated with the member identification information; and perform the use request specifying the card number associated with the member identification information. A point management device , wherein when a use condition stricter than a use condition is satisfied, use of a point associated with a card number not associated with the member identification information is permitted . When there is a request to accumulate points specifying the card number, based on predetermined accumulation conditions, the apparatus further includes point accumulation means for accumulating points associated with the card number,
The point accumulating means may determine the accumulation condition when there is the accumulation request specifying a card number not associated with the member identification information, and the accumulation request specifying a card number associated with the member identification information. 2. The point management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accumulation condition is made stricter than the accumulation condition in a case where there is the event. The use condition is a condition that requires that the number of points associated with the card number be equal to or more than a predetermined number when using points.
The use permission unit may be configured to: perform the use request specifying the card number not associated with the member identification information; and perform the use request specifying the card number associated with the member identification information. 3. The point management device according to claim 1 , wherein when a predetermined number of points greater than a predetermined number are used, use of points associated with a card number that is not associated with the member identification information is permitted . 4. The accumulation condition is a condition that defines a point redemption rate with respect to a purchase amount,
The point redemption rate when there is the accumulation request that specifies a card number that is not associated with the member identification information is the point redemption rate when there is the accumulation request that specifies a card number that is associated with the member identification information. The point management device according to claim 2, wherein the rate is lower than the rate. The accumulation condition is a condition that defines an upper limit of the number of points stored in association with the card number,
The upper limit of the number of points when there is the accumulation request specifying the card number not associated with the member identification information is the upper limit of the point number when there is the accumulation request specifying the card number associated with the member identification information. The point management device according to claim 2, wherein the number of points is lower than an upper limit of the number of points.   When the associating means associates the member identification information with the card number and stores it in the storage means, the information processing apparatus further includes a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the owner of the member card of the card number. The point management device according to claim 1.   The privilege granting means includes: a length of a period from when the member card is issued until the card number of the member card is associated with the member identification information; a record of purchase of a product by the owner during the period; The point management device according to claim 6, wherein the privilege to be granted is determined based on at least one of the number of visits of the owner to a store where the member card can be used. A control method executed by a point management device that refers to a storage unit that stores a card number of a member card issued in a store in association with the number of points given to the card number,
An associating step of storing member identification information issued by member registration and used by the owner of the member card for e-commerce in the storage unit in association with the card number;
A use permitting step of permitting the use of the point associated with the card number based on a predetermined use condition when there is a use request for the point designating the card number,
The use permission step includes: when the use request specifies a card number that is not associated with the member identification information; when the use request specifies a card number associated with the member identification information; A control method characterized by permitting use of a point associated with a card number not associated with the member identification information when a use condition stricter than a use condition is satisfied . A program executed by a computer of a point management device having storage means for storing a card number of a member card issued in a store in association with the number of points given to the card number,
Associating means for storing member identification information issued by member registration and used by the owner of the member card for e-commerce in the storage means in association with the card number;
When there is a use request for the point designated by the card number, based on predetermined use conditions, the computer functions as a use permitting unit that permits use of the point associated with the card number,
The use permission unit may be configured to: perform the use request specifying the card number not associated with the member identification information; and perform the use request specifying the card number associated with the member identification information. A program for permitting use of a point associated with a card number not associated with the member identification information when a use condition that is stricter than a use condition is satisfied .

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