WO2009107886A1

WO2009107886A1 - Method and apparatus for providing rewards to members using processing device

Info

Publication number: WO2009107886A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong-Shin No
Original assignee: Dong-Shin No
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-03

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method of providing rewards to members using a processing device equipped with a means for storing member information. The method includes a first step of determining target member numbers; a second step of determining a method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table for calculating prize money; a third step of selecting a lottery number from among the target member numbers; a fourth step of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table by arranging the member numbers at relevant locations in the prize distribution table in accordance with the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table determined at the fourth step; and a fifth step of calculating prize money for each of the member numbers arranged using the prepared prize distribution arrangement table.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING REWARDS TO MEMBERS USING PROCESSING DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a method and system for providing rewards to members using a processing device, and, more particularly, to a method and system in which a specific prize distribution arrangement table is prepared using a processing device equipped with a means for storing device member information and rewards are provided to registered members based on the prize distribution arrangement table. Internet home shopping is taken as a representative example thereof below. Background Art

[2] In the past, there was great inconvenience in the use of Internet home shopping. That is, since it is impossible for the same person to be issued with a plurality of Identifications (IDs) and operate a home shopping mall, the problem of delivery fees attributable to the delivery of products may be caused.

[3] Furthermore, there are considerable limitations on the utilization of reserve funds through Internet home shopping. That is, there are limitations in that only subsequent purchasing using a reserve fund for 10% or less of the purchase price of each product is allowed at the time of purchasing products, reserve funds may expire without a member's consent when the funds have not been used for a long period, and furthermore, Internet home shopping based on multilevel marketing has the problem of unfairness between upper and lower members because only the upper members have benefits, but the lower members have no benefits.

[4] Furthermore, there is a problem in that, in the distribution of rewards based on an existing recommendation genealogy structure, members can receive rewards only when they are associated with recommendees.

[5] Due to the above-described problems, the conventional Internet home shopping service does not provide sufficient motivation to recruit many members, and there is dissatisfaction with the fair distribution of rewards to all participating members. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system that enables the same person to perform activities using a plurality of IDs at the time of using Internet home shopping, and a method of providing rewards, in which reserve funds are accumulated for members who have purchased products through Internet home shopping service, and predetermined rewards are provided to members having reserve funds equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of money, thereby stimulating members' desires to purchase products through Internet home shopping and, at the same time, providing the members with motivation to continue to use Internet home shopping. Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a method of providing rewards to members using a processing device equipped with means for storing member information, including a first step of determining target member numbers; a second step of determining a method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table for calculating prize money; a third step of selecting a lottery number from among the target member numbers; a fourth step of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table by arranging the member numbers at relevant locations in the prize distribution table in accordance with the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table determined at the fourth step; and a fifth step of calculating prize money for each of the member numbers arranged using the prepared prize distribution arrangement table.

Advantageous Effects

[8] According to the present invention, there are advantages in that rewards related to reserve funds, generated through the use of home shopping service, can be fairly distributed to most members who have subscribed to the home shopping service through a lottery, and, at the same time, members can be motivated to continue to use the service.

[9] Furthermore, since prize money can be provided to a recommender who has recommended subscription to a member, the present invention can contribute to the activation of member subscription to home shopping service.

[10] Furthermore, since even a member who is not associated with a recommendee can receive a reward through the acquisition of a right to participate in a lottery based on the purchase of a product by the member, the activation of the use of home shopping based on the anticipation thereof can be expected.

[11] Furthermore, since the anticipation of the provision of rewards is the same for all members regardless of the registration of the members, members' participation in the use of a shopping mall can be maximized.

[12] Furthermore, since a plurality of IDs may be issued to the same person, members can conveniently use a shopping mall.

[13] Moreover, when another type of member genealogy is accepted without modification, there is an advantage in that conflict between system programs can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of an Internet home shopping service system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[15] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of recommenders according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[16] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing multiple subscription according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[17] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of providing rewards according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[18] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing circular arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[19] Figs. 6 to 25 are diagrams showing examples of a stepped prize distribution arrangement table according to embodiments of the present invention;

[20] Figs. 26 to 33 are diagrams showing examples of a linear prize distribution arrangement table according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[21] Figs. 34 to 36 are diagrams showing methods of calculating prize money according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[22] The construction and operation of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[23] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of an Internet home shopping service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[24] As shown in Fig. 1, the system includes a home shopping service server 100, the

Internet 110, and user terminals 120.

[25] The home shopping service server 100 includes a web server 101 for providing various web pages to the user terminals 120 over the Internet, a DataBase (DB) 102 for storing various data about registered members, a reward provision module 103 for providing rewards to relevant members using reserve funds, a reserve fund processing module 104 for processing the reserve funds of members, an ID management module 105 for managing a plurality of IDs for each person, and a member genealogy management module 106 for managing members' genealogies and recommender genealogies.

[26] The Internet 110 is the wired/wireless Internet, which connects the home shopping service server 100 with the user terminals 120.

[27] The user terminals 120 connect with the home shopping service server 100, and then request member registration and the purchase of products. The user terminals 120 may be Personal Computers (PCs), Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and/or mobile phones.

[28] In order to receive a reward according to the present invention, member subscription must be performed in advance. In the present invention, special contribution money is provided to a member who has recommended subscription to another member, and thus the setting of a recommender for the subscribing member is an important part of member subscription. Accordingly, member subscription is allowed only when a recommender is set for the member. However, an exception can be granted for a first member. The reason for this is that the first member cannot have a recommender. All of the following descriptions will be given on the assumption that a member is a human. If a member or a candidate for member subscription is a corporation, the following descriptions are taken with a human's name replaced with a company name and a resident registration number replaced with a corporate registration number.

[29] First, it is necessary to define the term "recommender." Fig. 2 illustrates an example.

Here, 'Jack', 'A' and 'a' are subscribing members' registered IDs.

[30] As shown in Fig. 2, the immediate upper recommender of the member 'a' is member

¹A', who is referred to as the first generation recommender of the member 'a'. Furthermore, the indirect upper recommender of the member 'a' is member 'Jack', who is referred to as the second generation recommender of member 'a'. In the same manner, the first generation recommender of the member 'd' is member 'B', and the second generation recommender of the member 'd' is member 'Jack'. In the same manner, the first generation recommender of the member 'A' is member 'Jack', and the second generation recommender of the member ¹A' is the first generation recommender of the member 'Jack', which is not shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, member 'a' is the re- commendee of the members A' and 'Jack'. Although not shown in Fig. 1, third, fourth, ..., and nth generation recommenders may be created in the same manner.

[31] Next, a member subscription process will be described below.

[32] When a candidate for member subscription who desires to subscribe to home shopping service as a member connects with the home shopping service server using the user terminal 120 and performs a predetermined subscription procedure of accessing a home page provided by the web server 101 and entering personal information, a resident registration number, an ID, and a password, member registration is performed based on the ID and the candidate is allocated a unique member number for the entered ID in the sequence of registration. The home page, provided in this case, may be classified into two types: a home shopping main home page, and a home page allocated to each individual member provided by the home shopping service server. An example of the Internet address of the former type of home page is www.bujanararo.com, while examples of the Internet addresses of the latter type of home page are www.bujanararo.com/hkd999,www.hkd999.bujanararo.com, and www.joe.bujanararo.com.

[33] When a candidate for member subscription accesses the main home page and performs member subscription, the candidate must select one from among the IDs of registered members and input it, and the selected and input ID is determined to be the ID of a recommender. In contrast, when a candidate for member subscription accesses an allocated home page and performs member subscription, the member who operates the allocated home page is automatically registered as the candidate's recommender. The recommender who is determined in this case is a first generation recommender. In the present invention, individual member subscription, requiring the entry of a resident registration number, is allowed for the same resident registration number one time, and thus it is not allowed for the same person to subscribe again using the same resident registration number. The reason for this is to prevent the same person from having a plurality of first generation recommenders. Such management of recommender genealogies is conducted by the member genealogy management module 106.

[34] The access to an allocated home page may be performed by directly entering the address of the allocated home page or by accessing a main home page and accessing the allocated home page that is linked to specific text that is posted on the main home page by a specific member.

[35] Benefits provided to the recommender will be described below.

[36] When a member having a specific ID purchases a specific product through the home shopping service server 100, reserve money or points corresponding to a purchase price are reserved for the purchasing member, thus forming the member's own reserve fund. Thereafter, respective amounts of reserve money corresponding to respective predetermined percentages of the specific member's own reserve money are reserved for the first and second generation recommenders of the specific member, thus forming respective recommendation reserve funds. Accordingly, the reserve fund of a specific member includes the member's own fund and a recommendation reserve fund. In some cases, respective amounts of recommendation reserve money may be reserved for third and fourth generation recommenders.

[37] An example, which is shown in Fig. 2, and in which the predetermined percentages are 7% for a first generation recommender and 3% for a second generation recommender, is described below. When member 'b' purchases 300 thousand won worth of products, 100 thousand won worth of the member's own money, corresponding to a predetermined percentage of the purchase price, is reserved for member b, seven thousand won worth of recommendation reserve money is reserved from the first generation recommender 'A' of the member 'b', and three thousand won worth of recommendation reserve money is reserved for the second generation recommender 'Jack' of the member 'b'. This method is applied to all the other members in the same manner, and the reserve fund processing module 104 processes this procedure and stores data about the results of the processing in the DB 102.

[38] The present invention provides the following function to realize the convenience of management of reserve funds. That is, a member having a specific ID may access the home shopping service server 100 using a user terminal 120, and remit part of the member's own reserve fund to a member having a different ID in a reserve fund management page among provided web pages. In this case, the remittance may be separately processed for the member's own reserve fund and for the member's recommendation reserve fund. This function is processed by the reserve fund processing module 104.

[39] Meanwhile, a recommender receives a benefit in the distribution of lottery prizes. In the example of Fig. 2, when member T receives a specific amount of prize money in a lottery, respective predetermined percentages of the prize money are provided to the first generation recommender ¹C of the member 'f and the second generation recommender 'Jack' of the member 'f.

[40] In the embodiment of the present invention, a registered member having the same resident registration number may have a plurality of IDs and then use home shopping service according to the present invention using the IDs.

[41] That is, a registered member having the same resident registration number may connect with and log in to the home shopping service server 100 using a user terminal 120, select a multiple subscription button in a provided web page, register a new ID and a password for the new ID, and then use the new ID together with an existing ID. Since a new ID must be dependent on a resident registration number corresponding to an ID used for multiple subscription, it is not necessary to enter the resident registration number again. In this case, the ID management module 105 of the home shopping service server manages the plurality of registered IDs of each member based on the resident registration number of the member. That is, when a multiple subscription is made after logging in using a specific ID, a new ID is managed based on a resident registration number corresponding to the specific ID. For example, assuming that the resident registration number of member 'Jack' is 123456-1234567, the member 'Jack' registers his or her own first member ID 'ID 1 ' using the resident registration number, he or she may register a plurality of IDs 'ID 2', ID 3' and 'ID 4' based on the ID 'ID 1', and may register one or more IDs based on each of the IDs 'ID 2', ID 3' and ID 4'. The plurality of IDs is managed based on the identical resident registration number 123456-1234567. Discriminable members are assigned to respective IDs in the sequence of registration.

[42] The setting of recommenders in the multiple subscription is performed as follows. That is, since a specific ID used in multiple subscription is associated with a re- commender ID, the holder of the recommender ID related with the specific ID becomes the recommender of the holder of a new ID that is assigned through multiple subscription.

[43] Furthermore, in order to make it convenient to manage the information about the plurality of IDs of the same person, the ID management module 105 performs the following function.

[44] When a specific person having a plurality of IDs accesses the home shopping service server 100 using a user terminal 120 and then logs in using an ID, an ID display section for simultaneously displaying all of the IDs that are managed under the resident registration number of the specific person is displayed in a provided web page. When one ID is selected from among the IDs displayed in the display section, logging in using the relevant ID is immediately performed without requiring the input of the password for the selected ID.

[45] The member genealogy management module 106 performs the following multiple subscription function.

[46] As described above, in the present invention, all procedures are performed with one or more recommenders anchored to the same person. That is, a plurality of IDs is managed based on a resident registration number, or individual member subscription is allowed one time. In this case, when a member genealogy managed by another system is accepted, problems occur from the point of view of a system program. That is, there are problems in that the same person must be allowed to perform multiple member subscription and, at the same time, a plurality of recommenders must be allowed. In order to overcome these problems, a multiple subscription function is required.

[47] That is, the resident registration numbers of existing subscribing members and the member resident registration numbers of the accepted member genealogy of another system are scanned, and management is performed in such a way that one or more identification numbers are respectively added to one or more accepted identical resident registration numbers if there are identical resident registration numbers, as described below.

[48] In the management method, accepted members are managed as if different members had subscribed, in such a way as to input accepted member genealogy data to the member genealogy management module 106 of the home shopping service server using a separate input means, to search all resident registration numbers for member IDs in accepted member genealogies and all resident registration numbers for existing member IDs, to extract one or more accepted IDs having a resident registration number identical to each existing resident registration number, to compare the resident registration numbers of first generation recommenders in the respective member genealogies of IDs having the same resident registration number with the resident registration number of the first generation recommender in the existing member genealogy, and to assign discriminable registration numbers, in which discriminable numbers are added to respective resident registration numbers of the accepted recommended members, to relevant accepted IDs if the resident registration numbers of the first generation recommenders are different from each other. For example, when an existing member has registered resident registration number 123456-1234567, one or more identical resident registration numbers 123456-1234567 are present in another accepted member genealogy, the resident registration number of the first generation recommender for an existing member ID having the resident registration number is different from those of the first generation recommenders for accepted member IDs, distinguishable resident registration numbers, in which distinguishable numbers, which sequentially increase, are added to the same resident registration number, are sequentially assigned to respective accepted IDs in the sequence of 123456-1234567-1, 123456-1234567-2, 123456-1234567-3 and the like, so that the accepted IDs are managed based on the distinguishable registration numbers. In this case, in the assignment of distinguishable registration numbers, when first generation recommenders for respective IDs are the same in the same accepted member genealogy, a distinguishable registration number, to which the same distinguishable number is added, is assigned to the IDs. Fig. 3 illustrates this process.

[49] The web server 101 provides the following function.

[50] When an advertisement for a specific product on sale, registered in the home shopping service server of the present invention, is posted on a specific web page provided by another Internet server by a user terminal, the advertisement is linked to the address to which the advertisement pertains in the form of www.hkd999.buzanararo.com/specificproduct page or www.Jack.buzanararo.com/specificproductpage, and a user terminal selects the advertisement, the web server 101 recognizes a selection signal and provides the linked page to the user terminal. In this case, in order to purchase the product in the web page, provided by the web server 101, through the linked page, subscription as the home shopping service member of the present invention must be performed in advance. In this case, the recommender at the time of member subscription is automatically set to registered member ID hkd999 or Jack. That is, the web server 101 stores the member ID of the linked address, and sets the member ID as a recommender when the user terminal performs a member subscription procedure in a web page provided by the web server 101. By doing so, motivation for other members who did not register a specific product on sale to advertise the specific product can be provided.

[51] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of providing bonus prizes to relevant members through a lottery according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is performed by the reward provision module 103.

[52] First, lottery member numbers are determined at step S401. In order to perform the procedure of providing bonus prizes through a lottery, member numbers, registered at the time of initiating a lottery, are determined to be lottery member numbers, which will participate in the lottery. If necessary, all the registered member numbers, except for the member numbers of one or more members, who notify the home shopping service server of nonparticipation in the lottery over the Internet, may be determined to be lottery member numbers.

[53] Thereafter, a method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table for calculating prize money is determined at step S402. This arrangement method may be determined based on random selection using a computer or based on data about members' opinions. The table prepared according to the arrangement method is referred to as a prize distribution arrangement table. Figs. 6 to 33 show examples thereof. Such a prize distribution arrangement table is prepared using the member numbers of members who participate in the distribution of prize money. Here, the member numbers of members who participate in the distribution of prize money are the member numbers of members who meet conditions for participation in the distribution of prize money. This will be described in detail below.

[54] Thereafter, a lottery number selected from among target member numbers is input at step S403. The lottery number is selected in public from among target member numbers offline through a separate lottery machine using lottery balls or the like. The reason for this is to ensure the fairness and trustworthiness of the lottery. The selected lottery number is input to the home shopping service server 100 using a separate input means such as a keyboard. The basis of the determination of a winning number is provided by the lottery number. Furthermore, the lottery number provides a reference point when a prize distribution arrangement table is prepared.

[55] Thereafter, the prize distribution arrangement table is prepared at step S404.

[56] The prize distribution arrangement table is classified as a forward cyclic method or a backward cyclic method. Here, the forward cyclic method refers to a method of selecting the member numbers of members who participate in prize distribution and then arranging the selected member numbers at the predetermined locations of the prize distribution arrangement table in accordance with the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table while performing one or more cycles from a lottery number in the direction in which member numbers increase in a cyclic model for target member numbers. In contrast, the backward cyclic method refers to a method of selecting the member numbers of members who participate in prize distribution and then arranging the selected member numbers at the predetermined locations of the prize distribution arrangement table in accordance with the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table while performing one or more cycles from a lottery number in the direction in which member numbers decrease in a cyclic model for target member numbers. Fig. 5 shows an example thereof. Assuming that target member numbers are consecutive natural numbers ranging from 1 to N and a lottery number is member number 5, the forward cyclic method prepares a prize distribution arrangement table by selecting the member numbers of members who participate in prize distribution and then arranging the member numbers in the prize distribution arrangement table while performing one or more cycles in the sequence of 6, 7, 8, ..., N, 1, 2, 3, 4 on the basis of 5. In contrast, the backward cyclic method prepares a prize distribution arrangement table by selecting the member numbers of members who participate in prize distribution and then arranging the member numbers in the prize distribution arrangement table while performing one or more cycles in the sequence of 4, 3, 2, 1, N, ..., 8, 7, 6 on the basis of 5. The number of cycles varies according to the detailed method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table. That is, one cycle is performed in the case of a sequential arrangement or distribution method, two cycles are performed in an arrangement method in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged, or in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged, and (number of skipped numbers+1) cycles are performed in a skipping arrangement method.

[57] In such an arrangement, a winning number is first selected and is then disposed in a predetermined prize distribution arrangement table. The "winning number" refers to one of the participating member numbers that is located at the first step of a prize distribution arrangement table in the case in which a method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table is a stepped type, and a member number that is located in a first sequential position in a prize distribution arrangement table in the case in which a method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table is a linear type. In these cases, a winning number is located at a predetermined position regardless of whether the winning number is odd or even.

[58] In an embodiment of the present invention, a participating member number is the member number of a member who meets the following condition. That is, a participating member number is the member number of a member whose accumulated reserve fund is equal to or greater than a distribution participation reserve fund and whose own reserve fund is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage of the distribution participation reserve fund. For example, assuming that a distribution participation reserve fund is 100 thousand won, a participating member number is the member number of a member whose accumulated reserve fund, that is, the sum of his or her own reserve fund and his or her recommendation reserve fund is equal to or greater than 100 thousand won when a prize distribution arrangement table is prepared and whose own reserve fund is equal to or greater than 50 thousand won, which corresponds to 50% of the distribution participation reserve fund. The reason why the predetermined percentage of a member's own reserve fund is included in the conditions for participation in distribution is to promote purchasing by the member. That is, the reason for this is to promote members' own purchasing using the home shopping service by preventing members from participating in distribution depending only on recommendation reserve funds based on purchases made by recommendees, without purchases being made by the members.

[59] A method of selecting a winning number is as follows. On the basis of the lottery number selected at step S402, if a member number, which is the lottery number, belongs to the participating member numbers, the lottery number is determined to be a winning number (in Fig. 5, member number 5). In contrast, if the lottery number does not belong to the participating member numbers, the participating member number first selected at the time of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table based on a forward cycle or backward cycle is determined to be a winning number (in Fig. 5, member number 7 or 4).

[60] After the winning number has been located, the prize distribution arrangement table is prepared in accordance with the method that is selected from among the detailed methods of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table, shown in Figs. 6 to 33, at step S402. That is, the prize distribution arrangement table is prepared by, while performing the above-described forward or backward cycle, determining whether each target member number corresponds to a participating member number, determining whether the member number corresponds to a participating member number based on the determined detailed arrangement, selecting a member number that meets the condition, and then locating the member number at a predetermined location in the prize distribution arrangement table.

[61] In this case, although member numbers, which are arranged at respective positions in the prize distribution arrangement table at the time of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table, are participating member numbers and nonconsecutive natural numbers and the procedure is performed without a separate process of extracting participating member numbers, descriptions related to Figs. 6 to 33 will be given on the assumption that participating member numbers are consecutive natural numbers ranging from 1 to 25.

[62] Figs. 6 to 25 show the stepped arrangement method, whereas Figs. 26 to 33 show the linear arrangement method. The method of distributing lottery prizes varies depending on which of the arrangement methods is adopted.

[63] In the stepped arrangement methods of Figs. 6 to 25, a winning number is located at a 1st step, and each of the steps below the 1st step is constructed by arranging participating member numbers that are dependent on respective participating member numbers of an immediately adjacent upper step. The embodiments of the present invention show the cases in which a maximum of three participating member numbers, which are dependent on each of the participating member numbers of the immediately adjacent upper step, are bound together. That is, a winning number located at a 1st step subordinates all the participating member numbers of the remaining lower steps thereto. Each of three participating member numbers located at a 2nd step subordinates a maximum of three participating member numbers of a 3rd step thereto. When the case of Fig. 6 is taken as an example, the winning number 5 of a 1st step subordinates 6, 7 and 8 of a 2nd step and all the participating member numbers of lower steps thereto. 6, 7 and 8 of a 2nd step subordinate 9, 10 and 11 of a 3rd step, 12, 13 and 14 of the 3rd step, and 15, 16 and 17 of the 3rd step, respectively. Each of the lottery numbers of the 3rd step subordinates a maximum of three lottery numbers of a fourth step thereto (9 subordinates 18, 19 and 20 thereto, 10 subordinates 21, 22, and 23 thereto, 11 subordinates 24, 25 and 1 thereto, and 12 subordinates 2, 3 and 4 thereto. In this case, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 do not have subordinate numbers. When the above- described process is continuously performed, each of the participating member numbers of a step subordinates the subordinate participating member numbers of the step subsequent thereto, and all the participating member numbers of the remaining lower steps that are subordinated thereto by the subordinate member numbers thereto. The number of subordinate participating member numbers is used to calculate lottery prize money.

[64] In an example of the stepped arrangement method, on the assumption that a winning number is 5, in the case of sequential forward arrangement, in the sequence of 5, 6, 7, ..., 24, 25, 1, 2, 3 and 4, winning number 5 is located at the 1st step, participating member numbers 6, 7 and 8 are located at the 2nd step, participating member numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are located at the 3rd step, and 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are sequentially arranged at the 4th step, so that a maximum of βstep's sequential position number-i participating member numbers are sequentially arranged at each step. In the case of sequential backward arrangement, in the sequence of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 25, 24, ..., 9, 8, 7 and 6, 5 is located at the 1st step, 4, 3 and 2 are located at the 2nd step, 1, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19 and 18 are located at a 3rd step, and 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6 are located at the 4th step, so that a maximum of 3^ ^sequential position number-i participating member numbers are sequentially located at each step. That is, a participating member number starts to be located at the 1st step, a maximum number of lottery numbers that can be arranged at a subsequent step are located at the subsequent step, and so on. It will be apparent that a number of participating member numbers less than the maximum number of participating member numbers that can be arranged on the last step of the arrangement can be arranged on the last step based on the total number of participating member numbers and the maximum number of dependent member numbers (in the embodiments of the present invention, 3 is taken as an example).

[65] Detailed methods of arranging participating member numbers at steps may include various methods. That is, the methods include sequential arrangement, distributed arrangement, arrangement in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged first, arrangement in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged first, and skipping arrangement. Each of the methods is re-classified as a zigzag method or a meandering method. Figs. 6 to 25 illustrate these methods. Here, a winning number is 5.

[66] In the linear arrangement methods of Figs. 26 to 33, a winning number is located at a

1st sequential position, and the remaining participating member numbers are linearly arranged at sequential positions ranging from a second sequential position to the last sequential position in accordance with a specific rule. In these cases, participating member numbers may be arranged in a forward or backward direction according to the cyclic model, as in the stepped methods.

[67] Figs. 26 to 33 show the cases in which the total number of participating member numbers is 25 and a winning number is 10. Detailed methods of arranging participating member numbers may include various methods such as sequential arrangement, arrangement in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged first, arrangement in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged first, and skipping arrangement. Figs. 26 to 33 show examples thereof.

[68] Fig. 26 shows sequential forward arrangement. Winning number 10 is located at a 1st sequential position, participating member number 11 is located at a 2nd sequential position, participating member number 12 is located at a 4th position, ..., participating member number 25 is located at a 6th sequential position, participating member number 1 is located at a 17th sequential position, ..., and participating member number 9 is located at a 25th sequential position.

[69] In the case of the skipping arrangement method among the above-described methods, in the first cycle of a cyclic model, a (number of numbers to be skipped+l)th participating member number on the basis of a reference participating member number is located immediately after the reference number. In the nth cycle, participating member numbers immediately after participating member numbers arranged in the (n-l)th cycle are arranged. Here, n is a natural number that is equal to or greater than 2.

[70] Thereafter, prize money for each participating member number is calculated using the prize distribution arrangement table at step S405. [71] The calculation of prize money for the stepped arrangement method differs from that for the linear arrangement method. First, in the case of the stepped arrangement method, the prize money for a certain participating member number is the number of all participating member numbers dependant on the participating member numberxa specific amount of money. In the example of Fig. 34, the table of Fig. 34 is a zigzag sequential forward prize distribution arrangement table, and the prize money for winning number 5 is 24,000 won, which is obtained by multiplying the number of lower step participating members that are dependent on the winning number 5, that is, 24, by a specific amount of money, that is, 1000 won. Meanwhile, the prize money for participating member number 6 is 12,000 won, which is obtained by multiplying the number of dependent participating member numbers, that is, 12 (participating member numbers 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 1), by a specific amount of money, that is, 1,000 won. In the example of Fig. 35, the table of Fig. 35 is a zigzag distributed forward prize distribution arrangement table, and the prize money for winning number 5 is 24,000 won, which is obtained by multiplying the number of lower step participating member numbers that are dependent on the winning number 5, that is, 24, by a specific amount of money, that is, 1,000 won. The prize money for participating member number 6 is 9,000 won, which is obtained by multiplying the number of dependent participating member numbers, that is, 9 (participating member numbers 9, 12, 15, 18, 2, 19, 3, 20, and 4), by a specific amount of money, that is, 1,000 won. As described above, the prize money for the same participating member number may differ depending on the prize distribution arrangement table. In the calculation of prize money based on the stepped prize distribution arrangement table, a limit may be set on the number of steps, and then prize money may be calculated. For example, when 12 is the number of steps for the calculation of prize money, prize money is not calculated for members at 13th and lower steps.

[72] In the case of the linear arrangement method, the prize money for each participating member number is the money that is obtained by calculating the acquired points of the participating member number, that is, the number of lower step member numbers, obtaining the amount of money per score by dividing the total amount of prize money by the sum of acquired scores for respective participating member numbers, and multiplying the acquired scores of the participating member number by the amount of money per score.

[73] This may be mathematically expressed as follows:

[74] Prize money for each participating member= (N- sequential position number of participating member number) x [total amount of prize money to be distributed/{N(N-l)/2}], where N is the total number of participating member numbers.

[75] In the example of Fig. 36, N is 20 and the winning number is 10. The amount of prize money for the participating member number 10 having a 1st sequential position is (20-l)x{ 190,000/(20x19/2)}, that is, 19,000 won, and the amount of prize money for participating member number 20 having a 1 lth sequential position is (20-l l)x{ 190,000/(20xl9/2)}, that is, 9,000 won.

[76] Thereafter, reserve money corresponding to participation reserve money is deducted from a reserve fund for each participating member number at step S406. Assuming that distribution participation reserve money is 100 thousand won, a member's own reserve fund for each participating member number is 100 thousand won and a recommendation reserve fund is 40 thousand won, 50% of the distribution participation reserve money fund, that is, 50 thousand won, is deducted from the member's own reserve fund, 40 thousand won of the remaining 50% is deducted from the recommendation reserve fund, and the remaining 10 thousand won is deducted from the member's reserve fund. That is, an amount of money corresponding to 50% of reserve money fund is deducted from a member's own reserve fund, an amount of money corresponding to the remaining 50% thereof is deducted from the member's recommendation reserve fund and the remaining amount of money is deducted from the member's own reserve fund again.

[77] Thereafter, contribution prize money is calculated for one or more recommenders of each participating member number to which prize money is provided at step S407.

[78] Here, the rate of distribution of contribution prize money varies depending on whether the recommender is a first generation recommender or a second generation re- commender. The rate of distribution of contribution prize money varies depending on whether the first and second generation recommenders participate in the present distribution. In the embodiment of the present invention, if relevant recommenders are members who participate in the present distribution, contribution prize money corresponding to 10% of a recommendee's lottery prize money is calculated for a first generation recommender and contribution prize money corresponding to 20% of the recommendee's lottery prize money is calculated for a second generation recommender. In contrast, if relevant recommenders are members who do not participate in the distribution, contribution prize money corresponding to 1 % of a recommendee's lottery prize money is calculated for a first generation recommender, and contribution prize money corresponding to 2% of the recommendee's lottery prize money is calculated for a second generation recommender.

[79] Finally, the lottery prize money and the contribution prize money are provided to respective members.

[80] In the above description, detailed descriptions related to Internet home shopping service have been given as embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced in various modified forms. That is, the present invention can be applied to services using the Internet, regardless of the type thereof. Furthermore, the method of providing rewards in the form of prize money is not limited to members of the Internet home shopping service, but rewards may be provided using the above-described prize distribution arrangement table in a system that is managed based on membership.

Claims

[1] A method of providing rewards to members using a processing device equipped with means for storing member information, comprising: a first step of determining target member numbers; a second step of determining a method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table for calculating prize money; a third step of selecting a lottery number from among the target member numbers; a fourth step of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table by arranging the member numbers at relevant locations in the prize distribution table in accordance with the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table determined at the fourth step; and a fifth step of calculating prize money for each of the member numbers arranged using the prepared prize distribution arrangement table.

[2] The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a step of calculating contribution prize money for one or more recommenders for each of the member numbers to which the prize money is provided at the fifth step.

[3] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the target member numbers are member numbers registered at a time of a lottery, or all registered member numbers except for member numbers of members who have provided notification of nonparticipation in the lottery.

[4] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table at the second step is determined based on random selection using a computer or data about members' opinions.

[5] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table, which is determined at the second step, is any one of various methods based on a stepped arrangement method or a linear arrangement method.

[6] The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the determined method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table is: for the stepped arrangement method, any one of methods that are determined in such a way that the stepped arrangement method is divided into a forward method and a backward method, each of the forward and backward methods is divided into a zigzag method and a meandering method, and each of the zigzag and meandering methods is divided into a sequential arrangement method, a distribution arrangement method, an arrangement method in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged, a method in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged, and a skipping arrangement method; and for the linear arrangement method, any one of methods that are determined in such a way that the linear arrangement method is divided into a forward method and a backward method, each of the forward and backward methods is divided into a sequential arrangement method, an arrangement method in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged, a method in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged, and a skipping arrangement method.

[7] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fourth step is performed by preparing the prize distribution arrangement table in such a way as to select participating member numbers while performing one or more cycles in a forward direction in which the member numbers increase based on the lottery number or in a backward direction in which the member numbers decrease based on the lottery number using a fact that the target member numbers are sequentially arranged in a cyclic manner, and arranging the selected participating member numbers at respective sequential positions of the prize distribution arrangement table according to the predetermined method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table.

[8] The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the participating member numbers are member numbers for each of which an accumulated reserve fund, consisting of the member's own reserve fund and the member's recommendation reserve fund, is equal to or greater than a predetermined distribution participation reserve fund and for each of which the member's own reserve fund is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage of the distribution participation reserve fund.

[9] The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the member's own reserve fund is accumulated through the member's own purchasing or use of service, and the recommendation reserve fund is accumulated through the member's re- commendee's purchasing or use of service.

[10] The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the recommendation reserve fund is reserved in such a way that one or more amounts of reserve money corresponding to one or more predetermined percentages of the recommendee's own reserve fund are reserved for the recommendee's first generation recommender and second generation recommender or for the recommendee's first generation recommender, the percentage for the first generation recommender being greater than the percentage for the second generation recommender.

[11] The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the prize distribution arrangement table is prepared according to a stepped arrangement method, in which a winning number is located at a first step and a maximum of Rsteps sequential position number- 1 participating member numbers is located at each of subsequent steps, or according to a linear arrangement method, in which a winning number is located at a first sequential position and remaining participating member numbers are located at respective subsequent sequential positions, R being a maximum number of participating member numbers at a step immediately below a reference step that can be dependent on each of participating member numbers at the reference step.

[12] The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein R is 3.

[13] The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the winning number is a member number first selected during selection of the participating member numbers, regardless of whether the winning number is even or odd.

[14] The method as set forth in claim 11, where the stepped prize distribution arrangement table is prepared in such a way that the participating member numbers are arranged at steps that sequentially increase, a maximum number of participating member numbers that can be arranged at a step in question are arranged at the step, and subsequent participating member numbers are arranged at subsequent steps.

[15] The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the prize distribution arrangement table is prepared: for the stepped arrangement method, according to any one of methods that are determined in such a way that the stepped arrangement method is divided into a forward method and a backward method, each of the forward and backward methods is divided into a zigzag method and a meandering method, and each of the zigzag and meandering methods is divided into a sequential arrangement method, a distribution arrangement method, an arrangement method in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged, a method in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged, and a skipping arrangement method; and for the linear arrangement method, according to any one of methods that are determined in such a way that the linear arrangement method is divided into a forward method and a backward method, each of the forward and backward methods is divided into a sequential arrangement method, an arrangement method in which even numbers are arranged after odd numbers have been arranged, a method in which odd numbers are arranged after even numbers have been arranged, and a skipping arrangement method.

[16] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation of the lottery prize money at the fifth step is performed: when the prize distribution arrangement table is a stepped table, in such a way that prize money assigned to each of the arranged member numbers is calculated by multiplying a total number of member numbers that are dependent on each of the member numbers arranged in the prize distribution arrangement table by a predetermined amount of money; and when the prize distribution arrangement table is a linear table, in such a way that prize money is assigned to each of the arranged member numbers using the prepared prize distribution arrangement table according to the following equation: prize money for each of arranged member numbers=(N-sequential position of member number) x [total amount of prize money to be distributed/{N(N-l)/2}], where N is a total number of member numbers arranged in the prize distribution arrangement table.

[17] The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of calculating contribution prize money is performed by calculating one or more amounts of contribution prize money corresponding to one or more predetermined percentages of prize money for each of the member numbers who have received the prize money for the member's first and second generation recommender or for the member's first generation recommender, the percentage for the first generation recommender being greater than the percentage for the second generation recommender.

[18] The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the predetermined percentages vary whether member numbers of the first generation recommender or/and the second generation recommender are included in the prize distribution arrangement table, each of the percentages in a case in which they are included in the prize distribution arrangement table being greater than a relevant one in a case in which they are not included in the prize distribution arrangement table.

[19] The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein the predetermined percentages are determined such that each of the percentages in a case in which they are included in the prize distribution arrangement table is 1/10 of a relevant one in a case in which they are not included in the prize distribution arrangement table.

[20] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of deducting a predetermined amount of reserve money from an accumulated reserve fund for each of the member numbers arranged in the prize distribution arrangement table.

[21] The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the step of deducting the predetermined amount of reserve money is performed by deducting 1/2 of distribution participation reserve money from a member's own reserve fund of each of the target members, deducting a remaining 1/2 from the member's recommendation reserve fund, and deducting a remaining amount of money from the member's reserve fund if the remaining amount of money exists.

[22] A method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table using a processing device equipped with means for storing member information, comprising: a first step of determining target member numbers; a second step of determining a method of preparing a prize distribution arrangement table for calculating prize money; a third step of selecting a lottery number from among the target member numbers; and a fourth step of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table by arranging the member numbers at relevant locations in the prize distribution table in accordance with the method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table determined at the fourth step.

[23] The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the fourth step is performed by preparing the prize distribution arrangement table in such a way as to select participating member numbers while performing one or more cycles in a forward direction in which the member number increase based on the lottery number or in a backward direction in which the member numbers decrease based on the lottery number using a fact that the target member numbers are sequentially arranged in a cyclic manner, and arranging the selected participating member numbers at respective sequential positions in the prize distribution arrangement table according to the predetermined method of preparing the prize distribution arrangement table.

[24] A system for providing Internet service, comprising: a service provision server for providing Internet service to user terminals; user terminals for connecting with the service provision server and enabling Internet service to be used; and an Internet for connecting the service provision server with the user terminals; wherein a plurality of IDs for a specific person who logs in to the service provision server is registered and managed in such a way that the user terminal connects with and logs in to the service provision server, the user terminal selects a multiple subscription button in a specific web page provided by the service provision server, and the user terminal inputs the specific person's ID and password; wherein the service provision server, when the user terminal logs in to the service provision server with one ID of the specific person having the plurality of IDs, displays an ID display section, showing the plurality of IDs managed based on the specific person's resident registration number or corporate registration number, on a specific web page that is provided to the user terminal by the service provision server.

[25] The system as set forth in claim 24, wherein the ID display section immediately enables logging in using an ID without requiring an additional login procedure when the ID is selected from among the IDs displayed in the ID display section in the user terminal.

[26] A server for providing Internet service, in which management is performed based on member genealogies having a recommender configuration and a plurality of IDs are managed based on each resident registration number or each corporate registration number, the server comprising: input means for receiving specific data; and means for managing member genealogies having a recommender configuration; wherein accepted member IDs are managed using discriminable registration numbers or discriminable corporate registration numbers in such a way that, when data about member genealogies to be accepted is input through the input means, the member genealogy management means extracts member IDs, managed under an identical resident registration number or an identical corporate registration number, from existing member genealogies and accepted member genealogies, compares resident registration numbers or corporate registration numbers of first generation recommenders of existing member IDs with those of first generation recommenders of accepted member IDs with respect to the identical resident registration number or corporate registration number, adds discriminable numbers to the resident registration number or corporate registration number for the accepted member IDs if the recommenders' resident registration numbers or corporate registration numbers are different from each other, and registers discriminable registration numbers or discriminable corporate registration numbers for the accepted member IDs.

[27] The server as set forth in claim 26, wherein the discriminable numbers are added to respective ends of the resident registration number or corporate registration number, and are natural numbers that sequentially increase for the identical resident registration number or identical corporate registration number.

[28] The server as set forth in claim 27, wherein the discriminable numbers are assigned in such a way that an identical discriminable number is assigned to IDs of an identical accepted member genealogy that have an identical recommender.

[29] The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the prize distribution arrangement table is prepared according to a stepped arrangement method, in which a winning number is located at a first step and a maximum of R^steP^{s s«}i^{uential p}°^sition ∞^mber-ⁱ _parti- cipating member numbers is located at each of subsequent steps, or according to a linear arrangement method, in which a winning number is located at a first sequential position and remaining participating member numbers are located at respective subsequent sequential positions, R being a maximum number of participating member numbers at a step immediately below a reference step that can be dependent on each of participating member numbers at the reference step.

[30] The method as set forth in claim 29, wherein R is 3.

[31] The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lottery number is determined by selecting the lottery number using a lottery number offline in public and inputting the lottery number to the processing device.