JP2002024531A - Digital merchandise coupon utilization system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital merchandise coupon utilization system capable of using a merchandise coupon at member stores anywhere in Japan and purchasing desired merchandise without worrying about the sum of the merchandise within the range of the face value of the coupon. SOLUTION: In this system, shopping sites SS1 and SS2 where plural virtual shops are set, and a merchandise coupon proprietary company 1 having a merchandise coupon management part for issuing and managing a digital merchandise coupon available at the shopping sites, a normal database in which the number of the digital merchandise coupon and the information on a user who orders the digital merchandise coupon is registered to be made correspond to each other and a management server for managing the normal database are connected to a user A (or a user B) who uses the digital merchandise coupon through a communication line I so that data can be transmitted and received.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital gift certificate using system for managing the use of digital gift certificates used in virtual shops and the like, and a method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gift certificates have not been exchanged directly, so it is possible for both those who send them and those who are sent to use them with little care. Because they can select their favorite products, they have been frequently used as thanks for having something done, or as gifts for celebration such as entrance to school and marriage. In addition, department stores and card companies can use the gift certificate issued by the user in their own store or related stores, so that the user can shop, so that the use of the user can be restricted, and They issue a gift certificate because they can make a profit when they sell the ticket.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gift certificate, stores which can be used as described above are limited. There is a problem that the user who has received it has to visit. In particular, it is sufficient that the received user is in a city with many shops, but if the user lives in a place with few available shops, there is a possibility that the received gift certificate cannot be used if he or she is bad. For this reason, the conventional gift certificate has a drawback that the advantage of the gift certificate with respect to the cash described above is not utilized in a place with few shops and the distribution is restricted.

[0004] In addition, the conventional gift certificate has a problem that if the amount received is high, it is difficult to use it when purchasing small items (low-priced products) at department stores or the like, because it is necessary to receive change. is there. On the other hand, if the amount of money given to a conventional gift certificate is small, depending on the store where the gift certificate can be used, the product cannot be purchased with a small amount of money, and the gift certificate will not be used There is a disadvantage that.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and a gift certificate can be used anywhere in Japan, as long as the store is a member of a managing company of the gift certificate. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital gift certificate using system and a method for purchasing a desired product without worrying about the amount of money within a face value range of the ticket.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a digital gift certificate using system, a shopping site provided with a plurality of virtual shops and a digital gift certificate usable and managed on the shopping site are provided. Digital gift certificate issuance management means, and a database in which the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate and information of the user who ordered the digital gift certificate are registered in association with each other,
A server for managing the database; and a digital gift certificate management site connected to the shopping site via a communication line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to the first aspect, the database includes information of another user who has received the gift certificate from the user as a gift, and It is characterized in that the certificate is stored in association with the gift certificate number of the ticket.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to the first or second aspect, when the issuance management means receives an order for a digital gift certificate, the user is provided with the digital gift certificate. It is characterized by confirming the order of a gift certificate.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to any one of the first to third aspects, information on a user who uses the digital gift certificate at the shopping site is used. It is characterized by having a user database that stores the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate and the information of the purchase history in association with each other.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the issuing and issuing management means transmits the digital gift certificate to the other user. , Sending a transmission notification to the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the issuance management means stores the balance of the digital gift certificate used by another user. It is characterized by management.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate utilizing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the issuance management means transmits a digital gift certificate to the other user. When another user confirms receipt, the user is sent as a digital gift certificate package including means for sending a thank-you letter to the user.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the digital gift certificate management site has a backup similar to the data configuration of the database. Characterized by having another database for

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, when the shopping site uses the digital gift certificate of the other user, It is characterized in that the digital gift certificate management site is queried for the balance of the digital gift certificate.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate management system, in response to a request from a user,
Digital gift certificate issuance management means for issuing and managing digital gift certificates, a database in which the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate and information of the user who ordered the digital gift certificate are registered in association with each other, And a managing server.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate management system according to the tenth aspect, the database includes information of another user who has received the digital gift certificate from the user as a gift. It is characterized by storing the gift certificate number of the gift certificate in association with the gift certificate number.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate management system according to any one of the first and eleventh aspects, the issuance management means stores the balance of the digital gift certificate used by another user. It is characterized by management.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate management system according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, when the issuance management means transmits a digital gift certificate to the other user. When another user confirms receipt, the user is sent as a digital gift certificate package including means for sending a thank-you letter to the user.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate management system according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, the digital gift certificate management site has a backup similar to the data configuration of the database. Characterized by having another database for

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system, a plurality of virtual shops in which the digital gift certificate can be used, information on a user who uses the digital gift certificate, and a product of the digital gift certificate used. It is characterized by comprising a user database that stores ticket numbers and purchase history information in association with each other, and a management server that manages the user database.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using system according to the fifteenth aspect, the management server performs external digital gift certificate management when the other user uses the digital gift certificate. Site
It is characterized by inquiring the balance of the digital gift certificate.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate using method, a digital gift certificate for giving a gift to another user is issued in response to a request from a user, and the digital gift certificate is issued to the other user. It is characterized in that every time the other user purchases a product in a virtual shop using the digital gift certificate, the balance of usage of the digital gift certificate is confirmed.

[0023] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate utilizing method according to the seventeenth aspect, the issuance management means can be used on a shopping site provided with a plurality of virtual shops based on a request from a user. A first step of issuing a digital gift certificate, a second step in which a gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate and information of a user who ordered the digital gift certificate are registered in a database, and issuance management. A third step in which the means transmits the digital gift certificate to another user, and a fourth step in which a management server in a shopping site manages the use of the digital gift certificate by the other user in a virtual shop. And characterized in that:

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate utilizing method according to the eighteenth aspect, the first step includes the step of determining whether the gift certificate has been sent from the user as information of another user. And registering the gift certificate in the database in association with the gift certificate number of the gift certificate.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the digital gift certificate utilizing method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the third step transmits a digital gift certificate to the other user. When another user confirms receipt, a thank-you letter is sent to the user as a digital gift certificate package including means for sending out a thank-you mail.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital gift certificate using system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a gift certificate management company 1 issues a digital gift certificate as a gift and manages the issued digital gift certificate. The digital gift certificate referred to here is a file that shows the amount and gift certificate number, unlike the one printed on ordinary paper, and describes the encrypted identification number such as the company number of the gift certificate management company. Is shown.

The shopping site SS1 and the shopping site SS2 are provided with a plurality of virtual shops (virtual stores) which can perform online shopping using the gift certificate and handle different products. Gift certificate management company 1, shopping site SS1, shopping site S
S2 and users A and B can connect to each other using the communication line I.

Each of the user A and the user B is provided with a terminal for connecting to the Internet via a provider (not shown). This terminal is an information processing device such as a personal computer, and has a communication processing device. The communication control processing unit executes all processing required for communication using the Internet, and sets an environment required for using the Internet, such as a web browser, in the personal computer main body. This is achieved by:

Next, the gift certificate management company 1 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital gift certificate management system provided in the gift certificate management company 1. The communication server 3 is a server that transmits and receives data to and from an external server or computer via the communication line I. Here, the communication line I
May be any network that can transmit and receive data, such as a public line, a computer network, or the Internet, but the following description will be made on the assumption that the Internet is used.

Here, the communication server 3
It is an information processing device such as a work station or a personal computer, and has a communication processing device. This communication control processing unit executes all processes required for communication using the Internet, and sets an environment required for using the Internet, such as a web browser, in the workstation body. This is achieved by: Communication server 3
In the internal storage unit, a program describing a web page for performing a gift receiving process and a sending process of a digital gift certificate is also set.

The management server 4 includes a digital gift certificate management unit 5
Based on the data storage and deletion requests from the database, management operations such as registration and deletion of data in the regular database 6 and the backup database 7 are performed. Here, the regular database 6 and the backup database 7 have the same configuration for storing the same data. When the regular database 6 goes down for some reason, the management server 4 performs a switching process for using the backup database 7 as a regular database. Then, while the backup database 7 is used as a regular service, the regular database 6 is repaired.

The digital gift certificate management unit 5 issues a digital gift certificate according to an order from a user. At this time, the encrypted company number added to the digital gift certificate has a key for decrypting the code only in the gift certificate management company 1 and the shopping site SS1 and the shopping site SS2. Unless the digital gift certificate number is verified, the gift certificate cannot be used in the shopping site SS1 and the shopping site SS2.

The digital gift certificate management unit 5 manages the user of the ordering customer who ordered the digital gift certificate and the user of the receiving customer who sends the digital gift certificate as a gift using the regular database 6. Do it. The regular database 6 includes an ordering customer management database 6A and a receiving customer management database 6B. Similarly, the backup database 7 includes an ordering customer management database 7A and a receiving customer database 7B.
It is composed of

Here, the storage areas of the data in the ordering customer management database 6A and the receiving customer management database 6B will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a data storage area of the ordering customer management database 6A. The data storage area includes a gift certificate number storage area, an orderer storage area, an orderer MA (Mail Address) storage area, a payee name storage area, a payee MA storage area, and an amount storage area.

The gift certificate number storage area stores unique gift certificate number data that can be distinguished (or identifiable) from other digital gift certificates, such as serial numbers in the order in which digital gift certificates are issued. . In the orderer name storage area,
The data of the name of the customer who ordered the digital gift certificate is stored. The orderer MA storage area stores the e-mail address of the customer who ordered the digital gift certificate.

The recipient name storage area stores the data of the name of the receiving customer who is given the digital gift certificate. The recipient MA storage area stores the e-mail address of a receiving customer who is given a digital gift certificate. The amount storage area stores the data of the denomination of the issued digital gift certificate. That is, the amount of the digital gift certificate at the time of giving the gift is stored in the amount storage area.

In the ordering customer management database 6A, the name of the ordering customer who ordered the digital gift certificate of this gift certificate number, the mail address of the ordering customer, and the gift certificate number corresponding to the data of each gift certificate number. The data of the name of the receiving customer who received the digital gift certificate, the mail address of the receiving customer, and the face value of the digital gift certificate of the gift certificate number are stored in association with each other.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a data storage area of the receiving customer management database 6B. The data storage area includes a gift certificate number storage area, a payee name storage area, a payee MA storage area, a received money storage area, a used money storage area, and a balance storage area.

In the gift certificate number storage area, similar to the gift certificate number storage area of the ordering customer management database 6A, it can be distinguished from other digital gift certificates (or specified), such as the serial number in the order in which the digital gift certificates are issued. (Possible) unique number data is stored. As in the recipient name storage area of the ordering customer management database 6A, the recipient name storage area stores the data of the name of the recipient customer who receives the digital gift certificate. As in the recipient MA storage area of the ordering customer management database 6A, the recipient MA storage area stores the e-mail address of the recipient who is given the digital gift certificate.

The received amount storage area stores the data of the face value of the issued digital gift certificate in the same manner as the amount storage area of the ordering customer management database 6A. That is, the amount of the digital gift certificate at the time of giving the gift is stored in the amount storage area. In the usage amount storage area,
Using a digital gift certificate corresponding to the gift certificate number, data on the total amount of money used for purchase in the virtual shop is stored. In the balance storage area, the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of the amount used for the purchase in the virtual shop from the amount of the face value of the digital gift certificate digital corresponding to the gift certificate number, that is, the data of the balance of the digital gift certificate is stored. ing. The recipient address storage area stores the address data of the receiving customer who has received the digital gift certificate corresponding to the gift certificate number.

In the receiving customer management database 6B, corresponding to the data of each gift certificate number, the name of the receiving customer who received the gift certificate of the gift certificate number, the mail address of the receiving customer, and the gift certificate The face value of the digital gift certificate of the number, the total amount of money used for purchase in the virtual shop, the balance of the digital gift certificate, and the address of the receiving customer to whom the digital gift certificate was given are stored in association with each other. Further, as described above, the ordering customer database 7A and the receiving customer database 7B in the backup database 7
Have the same data storage areas as the ordering customer database 6A and receiving customer database 6B of the regular database 6, and the same data is always stored by the management server 4.

Next, the shopping site S in FIG.
The configuration of S1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital gift certificate using system provided in shopping site SS1 (shopping site SS2). The communication server 11 is a server that transmits and receives data to and from an external server or computer via the communication line I.

Here, the communication server 11
Is an information processing device such as a workstation or a personal computer, similar to the communication server 3, and has a communication processing device. The communication control processing section executes all processing required for communication using the Internet, and sets an environment required for using the Internet, such as a web browser, in the workstation main body. This is achieved by: Further, in the communication server 11, a program describing a web page of a virtual shop where shopping using a digital gift certificate is described is set in an internal storage unit.

When the receiving customer uses the gifted digital gift certificate, the MA and the balance checking unit 12 decodes the identification number encrypted and added to the digital gift certificate, and sets the decrypted identification number in advance. It is determined whether or not it matches the identification number. In addition, when the receiving customer uses the gifted digital gift certificate, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 receive the e-mail attached with the digital gift certificate for the purchase request of the product from the receiving customer. It transmits the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate to the gift certificate management company 1, accesses the receiving customer management database 6B (FIG. 2), and requests that the recipient's mail address corresponding to the gift certificate number be extracted.

Then, the MA and balance confirmation unit 12 compares the extracted mail address with the mail address of the sender of the purchase request e-mail, and determines whether or not they match. The MA and balance checking unit 12 continues the order processing if the e-mail addresses match, but cancels the order processing if they do not match, and informs the purchase request that the e-mail addresses do not match. The e-mail is sent to the e-mail address of the sender of the e-mail, and the gift certificate management company 1 is also notified of the e-mail address of the e-mail of the purchase request and the e-mail of the purchase request.

When the receiving customer uses the gifted digital gift certificate, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 transmit the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate to the gift certificate management company 1 so that the price of the purchased product is reduced. It requests the gift certificate management company 1 to determine whether or not the balance of the digital gift certificate possessed by the receiving customer has been exceeded. At this time, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 accesses the receiving customer management database 6B (FIG. 2) from the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate and extracts the balance of the digital gift certificate corresponding to the gift certificate number.

Further, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 determines whether or not the price of the product to be purchased exceeds the balance of the digital gift certificate of the receiving customer, and determines whether the price of the product desired to be purchased exceeds the balance. If it is confirmed that the receiving customer has not purchased the merchandise, the shopping site SS1 is notified that the receiving customer can purchase the merchandise. On the other hand, when the digital gift certificate management unit 5 confirms that the amount of the product desired to be purchased exceeds the balance, the digital
1 is notified that the receiving customer cannot purchase the product.

In response to this, shopping site SS1
The MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 continue the order processing when notified that the purchase is possible. On the other hand, when notified that the amount of the product desired to be purchased exceeds the balance, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 perform the order processing. The purchase is canceled, and the fact that the amount of the purchased commodity exceeds the balance of the digital gift certificate is notified to the mail address of the sender of the purchase request e-mail.

Further, the MA and balance confirmation unit 12 confirms that the amount of the product desired to be purchased does not exceed the balance,
In addition, a request is made to the gift certificate management company 1 for the fee of the product, and after the fee is obtained, the product is sent to the address of the receiving customer corresponding to the gift certificate number in the customer management data database 14 described later. . At this time, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 obtain the information of the receiving customer in the fee payment request from the server 13 and, in the customer management database 14, the information of the receiving customer who made the purchase request and the purchased customer. A request for writing product information is made. Here, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 also obtain data on the address of the receiving customer who sends out the product. The server 13 performs management operations such as registration and deletion of data in the customer management data database 14 based on requests for storage and deletion of data from the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12.

Next, the customer management database 14 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows the customer management database 14
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a data storage area. Data storage areas are a gift certificate number storage area, a name storage area, and M
A storage area, purchased goods storage area, amount storage area, order date storage area, shipping date storage area, and address storage area.

In the gift certificate number storage area, as in the gift certificate number storage areas of the ordering customer management database 6A (FIG. 3) and the receiving customer management database 6B (FIG. 4), the serial number of the digital gift certificate issuance order. Such unique gift certificate number data that can be distinguished (or identifiable) from other digital gift certificates is stored. The name storage area stores the data of the name of the receiving customer to whom the digital gift certificate has been given, similarly to the recipient name storing area of the ordering customer management database 6A (FIG. 3) and the receiving customer management database 6B (FIG. 4). Have been. The mail address of the receiving customer to whom the digital gift certificate was given is stored in the MA storage area, similarly to the recipient MA storage area of the ordering customer management database 6A (FIG. 3) and the receiving customer management database 6B (FIG. 4). ing.

In the purchased merchandise storage area, for each gift certificate number,
The data of the name of the product purchased by the customer received by the digital gift certificate of this gift certificate number is stored. The price of the product stored in the purchased product storage area is
Stored in correspondence with the product, and for each gift certificate number, the total price of the product purchased using the digital gift certificate is stored. The order date storage area stores, for each product stored in the purchased product storage area, data on the date on which the product was purchased in the virtual shop. The shipping date storage area stores, for each product stored in the purchased product storage area, data on the date on which the product was shipped to the receiving customer who purchased the product.

As in the recipient address storage area of the recipient customer database 6B (FIG. 4), the address storage area stores the address data of the receiving customer to whom the digital gift certificate corresponding to the gift certificate number has been given. I have. In the customer management database 14, in correspondence with the data of each gift certificate number, the name of the receiving customer who has received the gift certificate of this gift certificate number, the mail address of the receiving customer,
The name of the product purchased by the customer received with the digital gift certificate of this gift certificate number, the value of the product used for purchase in the virtual shop, the total price of the purchased product, the date each product was purchased, and the date each product was shipped The data of the address of the receiving customer to whom the digital gift certificate has been given are stored in association with each other.

Next, an example of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The major flow of the operation of the digital gift certificate utilization system is as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, user A (ordering customer) presents digital gift certificate to user B (receiving customer). Is requested (ordered) to the gift certificate management company 1 for the gift of the digital gift certificate. The gift certificate management company 1 sends a user B
An inquiry is made as to whether or not an order for a process of giving a digital gift certificate has been made. When the user A orders a digital gift certificate as a result of the inquiry of the above determination, the digital gift certificate is sent to the user B.

The user B uses the digital gift certificate given as a gift to perform a product purchase process at the shopping site SS2. The shopping site SS2 determines whether the user B who uses the digital gift certificate is a receiving customer who has received the digital gift certificate from the user A. As a result of the judgment, if the receiving customer who has been given the digital gift certificate matches the user B who uses the digital gift certificate, the shopping site SS2
Is shipped to the user B. Here user B
Lives in an area where there are no stores around that use ordinary paper gift certificates.

In the above-described processing, the operation up to is the operation until the digital gift certificate ordered by the user A reaches the user B who is the receiving customer.
Shows the operation of using the digital gift certificate given by the user A. Next, the flow of gift giving of a digital gift certificate and the flow of purchasing goods using the digital gift certificate will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts.

The flow of presenting a gift of a digital gift certificate will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of gift giving of a digital gift certificate. Step S
In FIG. 1, a user A connects a terminal to a gift certificate management company 1 in order to order a digital gift certificate. Then, the user A displays the gift certificate management company 1 displayed on the terminal.
In accordance with the gift format of the digital gift certificate of the web page, the necessary data, that is, the user's name and email address as the ordering customer, the user B's name, email address and address as the receiving customer, and the face value of the gift gift digital gift certificate The user inputs the amount and orders the gift certificate management company 1 by e-mail for the gift giving process of the digital gift certificate. Then, the user A disconnects the line between the terminal and the gift certificate management company 1.

Next, in step S 2, the communication server 3 in the gift certificate management company 1 outputs the input order e-mail from the user A to the digital gift certificate management unit 5. Then, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 sends the name of the user A and the mail address as the ordering customer, the name, the mail address and the address of the user B as the receiving customer, and the digital goods to give a gift, which are necessary for customer management from the e-mail. The face value of the ticket is extracted and stored temporarily inside.

Next, in step S3, the gift certificate management unit 5 sends an e-mail to confirm whether or not the user A has ordered the gift processing of the digital gift certificate for the user B. Then, in step S4, the user A
By clicking on the "Order placed" or "Not ordered" button in the sent e-mail, the mailer of the terminal is activated and the content of the pressed button is changed to the gift certificate management company 1 is transmitted.

When the user clicks the “not ordered” button, the terminal advances the process to step S5. Thereby, in step S5, the terminal
The user A sends an e-mail to the gift certificate management company 1 indicating that the user has not ordered the gift of the digital gift certificate. And
In step S6, the gift certificate management unit 5 of the product management company 1 checks the reason why the gift order of the digital gift certificate was erroneously made.

On the other hand, in step S4, if the user clicks the "ordering" button, the terminal advances the processing to step S7. Thereby, step S
At 7, the terminal sends an e-mail to the gift certificate management company 1 indicating that the user A is ordering a gift for a digital gift certificate.

Next, in step S8, the gift certificate management unit 5 determines whether or not the par value of the digital gift certificate to be given, which was entered in the e-mail of the user A, can be withdrawn from the bank of the user A. I do. In addition, when the user A desires the credit card settlement, the gift certificate management unit 5 contacts the credit card company to determine whether the card of the user A is usable. That is, the gift certificate management unit 5 determines whether or not the fee for the digital gift certificate from the user A can be collected.

If the gift certificate management unit 5 determines in step S9 that the charge for the digital gift certificate cannot be collected, the process proceeds to step S10. Accordingly, in step S10, the gift certificate management unit 5 issues a charge via the communication server 11 in the form of a message such as "We cannot accept orders for digital gift certificates because the balance of the bank account is insufficient." Since the collection cannot be performed, an e-mail indicating that the order for the digital gift certificate is to be canceled is transmitted to the terminal of the user A, and the data necessary for customer management temporarily stored therein are deleted. Thus, in step S12, the user A deposits the shortage in the bank or lowers the face value of the digital gift certificate, and returns to step S1 again to perform the ordering process of the gift of the digital gift certificate.

On the other hand, in step S9, if the gift certificate management unit 5 determines that the fee for the digital gift certificate can be collected, the process proceeds to step S13. Then, in step S13, the gift certificate management unit 5 deducts the fee for the digital gift certificate from the bank, or performs credit processing on the fee for the digital gift certificate to the credit card company, and collects the fee for the digital gift certificate. . And the gift certificate management part 5 advances a process to step S14.

Next, in step S 14, the gift certificate management unit 5 temporarily stores its own name and mail address as an ordering customer necessary for customer management stored internally.
The name, e-mail address and address of the user B as the receiving customer and the face value of the digital gift certificate to be given are made to correspond to the newly generated gift certificate number, and each of the above data is stored in the regular database 6 by the management server 4. And stored in the corresponding storage area of the backup database 7. Then, the gift certificate management unit 5 performs the processing in step S15.
Proceed to.

Next, the gift certificate management unit 5 generates a digital gift certificate, searches the sending customer management database 6A for the mail address of the user B as an electronic mail, and transmits the mail to the user B using the mail address. . here,
The e-mail of the digital gift certificate sent to the user B, when the user B confirms receipt of the digital gift certificate,
A mailer of the terminal of the user B is activated, and a thank-you note for the digital gift certificate is transmitted to the user A as an email indicating the amount of the face value of the digital gift certificate. It is a gift certificate package combined with the digital gift certificate.

The gift certificate management unit 5 transmits the gift certificate package to the user B, and searches the mail address of the user A from the shipping customer management database 6A based on the gift certificate number. , The user is notified by e-mail that the digital gift certificate has been sent to user B.

Then, in step S16, the user A receives an e-mail from the merchandise management company 1 indicating that the digital gift certificate has been definitely sent to the user B from the terminal. Then, similarly, the user B receives the electronic mail of the gift certificate package by the terminal.

Next, in step S17, the user B
In the terminal, enter the amount of the face value of the digital gift certificate in the received amount column of the received e-mail, and click the item "Confirmation of receipt". As a result, the mailer of the user B's terminal is activated, and a thank-you note e-mail is sent from this terminal to the user A. Thereby, step S
At 18, the user A confirms that the digital gift certificate of the amount presented to the user B has been delivered without fail by the thank-you letter from the user B, and that the user B has received the digital gift certificate.

Next, the flow of the use of the digital gift certificate (1) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of purchasing a product using the digital gift certificate of (1). In step S20, the user B connects the line between the terminal of the user B and the shopping site SS2, inputs the URL of the shopping site SS2, accesses the shopping site SS2, and opens a web page.

Next, in step S21, the user B
Searches for a desired product in a plurality of types of virtual shops on a web page of the shopping site SS2 and performs shopping. And user B
After selecting the desired product, click on the order form item on the web page, an order form by e-mail will be displayed, enter the product name and product number of the selected product in the predetermined columns, and fill out this order form. Shopping site SS2
Send to

Next, in step S22, the communication server 11 of the shopping site SS2
The order slip received by e-mail is sent to the MA and the balance confirmation unit 1
Output to 2. Then, the MA and balance confirmation unit 12 extracts a file of the digital gift certificate from the order slip, decodes the identification number encrypted and added to the digital gift certificate, and is previously set internally. It is determined whether or not it matches the identification number. At this time, when the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 determine that the identification number encrypted and added to the digital gift certificate does not match the identification number set in advance, the gift certificate management company 1 To the contents of the digital gift certificate with a different identification number.

Then, in step S23, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 checks the cause of the occurrence of the digital gift certificate with a different identification number by searching a regular database or the like. On the other hand, in step S22, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 transmit the identification number encrypted and added to the digital gift certificate,
If it is determined that the previously set identification number matches, the process proceeds to step S24.

Next, in step S24, the MA and balance checking unit 12 uses the gift certificate number in the digital gift certificate to confirm that the user of the digital gift certificate is the user B. To request a search for the e-mail address of the receiving customer to whom the digital gift certificate of this gift certificate number was sent.

Thus, in step S25, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 sends the management server 4 based on the mail address confirmation request from the shopping site SS2.
And retrieves the receiving customer management database 6B (FIG. 2) from the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate transmitted from the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12, and extracts the mail address of the recipient corresponding to the gift certificate number. , And sends the extracted mail address to the shopping site SS2.

Next, in step S26, the MA and balance checking unit 12 of the shopping site SS2 compares the extracted mail address with the mail address of the sender of the electronic mail of the order slip, and finds a match. Is determined. At this time, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12
If the extracted e-mail address does not match the e-mail address of the sender of the e-mail of the order slip, the process proceeds to step S27.

As a result, in step S27, M
A and the balance checking unit 12 stop the order processing and notify the user B of the mail address from which the purchase request e-mail has been sent, that the mail addresses do not match. Then, in step S28, the MA and balance checking unit 12 notifies the gift certificate management company 1 of the gift certificate number with the matching email address and the email address of the sender of the purchase request email, and proceeds to step S28. Proceed to S23. On the other hand, in step S26, if the extracted e-mail address matches the e-mail address of the sender of the e-mail of the order slip, the MA and the balance confirmation unit 12 continue the order reception processing, and execute the processing. Proceed to step S29.

Next, in step S29, the MA and balance checking unit 12 transmits the gift certificate number and the price of the product purchased by the user B to the gift certificate management company 1, and the price of the purchased product is changed by the user B Is requested to determine whether or not the balance of the digital gift certificate owned by has been exceeded. Thus, in step S30, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 receives the digital gift certificate from the gift certificate number, accesses the customer management database 6B (FIG. 2) via the management server 4, and corresponds to the gift certificate number. The balance of the digital gift certificate to be processed is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S31.

Next, in step S31, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 compares the extracted balance of the digital gift certificate with the value of the product purchased by the user B, and If the amount exceeds the balance, the process proceeds to step S32. Then, in step S32, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 sets the user B
The amount of the product desired to be purchased exceeds the balance of the digital gift certificate and the excess amount
Send to S2.

Next, in step S33, the MA and balance checking unit 12 of the shopping site SS2 cancels the order processing of the purchase of the goods of the user B, and confirms that the amount of the purchased goods exceeds the balance of the digital gift certificate. , The mail address of the sender of the purchase request e-mail, ie, user B
Notify. Accordingly, in step S34, the user B changes the product to be purchased, and performs the product purchase process again from step S21.

On the other hand, in step S31, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 compares the extracted balance of the digital gift certificate with the price of the product purchased by the user B, and determines the price of the product that the user B wants to purchase. Does not exceed the above balance, the process proceeds to step S35. Then, in step S35, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 determines that the amount of the product desired to be purchased by the user B does not exceed the balance of the digital gift certificate, that is, that the desired product can be purchased. Send to site SS2.

Thus, in step S36, M
After confirming that the amount of the product desired to be purchased does not exceed the balance of the digital gift certificate owned by the user B, the A and balance checking unit 12 requests the gift certificate management company 1 to pay a fee for the product. Do. Then, in step S37, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 of the gift certificate management company 1 receives the fee from the shopping site SS2 via the management server 4 and receives the received customer management database 6
B rewrites the data of the usage amount and the balance corresponding to the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate.

That is, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 adds the price of the product purchased by the user B to the usage amount in the receiving customer management database 6B, and adds the data of the addition result to the usage amount data before addition. Overwrite, subtract the data of the new usage amount from the received amount, obtain the data of the new balance, and overwrite the balance before deduction. Next, in step S38, the digital gift certificate management unit 5 pays the price of the product purchased by the user B to the shopping site SS2.

Thus, in step S39, the MA and balance confirmation unit 12 of shopping site SS2
When the price of the product is obtained, the information of the user B is acquired from the gift certificate management company 1, and a request to write the information of the user B who made the purchase request and the information of the purchased product to the customer management database 14 is issued. , To the server 13. At this time, the server 13 searches the customer management database 14 based on the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate. If the user B is a new customer without searching for the corresponding gift certificate number, the server 13 newly adds a digital gift certificate. User B corresponding to the number
The data of the name of the user B, the mail address of the user B, the purchased product, the price of the purchased product, the order date of the product from the user B, and the address of the house of the user B are stored in a predetermined storage area.

On the other hand, the server 13 searches the customer management database 14 based on the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate, finds the corresponding gift certificate number, and if the user B has purchased the product before, Each data of the purchased product, the price of the purchased product, and the order date of the product from the user B is stored in a predetermined storage area in correspondence with the already registered gift certificate number, and the purchase history of the product of the user B is stored. Information.

Then, the MA and balance confirmation unit 12 searches the customer management database 14 for data on the address of the user B who sends out the merchandise based on the gift certificate number, and ships the purchased merchandise to the searched address. Request to the virtual shop that handles this product. In addition, the server 13 of the shopping site accumulates the sales of the products for each virtual shop, stores the result of the accumulation, and sends the result to each virtual shop every predetermined period (for example, January).
Perform payment processing as sales.

Next, the MA and balance confirmation unit 12 stores the date of shipment of the merchandise as data on the date of shipment corresponding to the gift certificate number in the customer management database 14. Then, in step S40, the user B receives the product sent by Takkyubin (registered trademark) or the like from the virtual shop that has joined the shopping site SS2.

According to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, since the digital gift certificate of the present invention can be used in the virtual shop on the communication line, the user A who wants to send the digital gift certificate as a gift is the user B's residence. This saves the trouble of searching for a gift certificate that can be used at a store in the place where the user is, makes it possible to easily send a digital gift certificate that can be used in a virtual shop that handles user B's favorite products,
Even if you live in a place where there are no stores around, you can use the digital gift certificate in a virtual shop on a communication line. By distributing in the form of a gift certificate, there is an effect that the use range of the gift certificate can be expanded.

Further, according to the configuration of the embodiment, even if the gifted user B receives a large amount of the digital gift certificate, the user B does not directly correspond to the clerk of the virtual shop and has a low price. When you buy a product, you don't get change and you can easily use a large gift certificate.On the other hand, even if the digital gift certificate you receive is small, you can use this digital gift certificate Therefore, it is easy to search for a product that matches the value of the digital gift certificate from many products, so that it is possible to solve the drawback that the received gift certificate is stored and not used.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this preferred embodiment, and a design change or the like may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is also included in the present invention. For example, the digital gift certificate management system of the product management company 1 shown in FIG.
It may be provided in any shopping site. A shopping site provided with the digital gift certificate management system manages the use of digital gift certificates at other shopping sites. Further, one shopping site may be configured to enable distribution of a plurality of digital gift certificates.

[0091]

According to the present invention, since a digital gift certificate can be used in a virtual shop on a communication line, a user who wishes to send a digital gift certificate as a gift can be used at a store where another user lives. It saves the trouble of searching for available gift certificates, makes it possible to easily send digital gift certificates that can be used in virtual shops dealing with other users' favorite products, and lives in a place where there is no store around. Also, since the digital gift certificate can be used in a virtual shop on a communication line, even in an area where the gift certificate was not conventionally distributed, by distributing the gift certificate in the form of a digital gift certificate, This has the effect of expanding the range of use of tickets.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the digital gift certificate received by the other user is large, the digital gift certificate does not correspond directly to the clerk of the virtual shop, and the digital gift certificate is low. When you buy a product at a price, you do not get change, and it is easy to use even a large gift certificate.On the other hand, even if the amount of the digital gift certificate you received is small, you can use this digital gift certificate In the virtual shop, it is easy to search for a product that matches the value of the digital gift certificate from many products, so that the disadvantage that the received gift certificate is stored and used can be solved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a digital gift certificate using system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital gift certificate management system provided in the gift certificate management company 1 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an ordering customer management database 6A in FIG. 2;
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data structure of (ordering customer management database 7A).

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a data configuration of a receiving customer management database 6B (ordering customer management database 7B) in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital gift certificate using system provided in shopping site SS1 (shopping site SS2) in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a data configuration of a customer management database in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of sending out a digital gift certificate in the digital gift certificate using system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example when using a digital gift certificate in the digital gift certificate using system according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 gift certificate management company 3,11 communication server 4 management server 5 digital gift certificate management unit 6 regular database 6A, 7A ordering customer management database 6B, 7B receiving customer management database 7 backup database 12 MA and balance checking unit 13 server 14 customer management Database A, B User I Communication line SS1, SS2 Shopping site

Claims (20)

[Claims] A shopping site provided with a plurality of virtual shops; a digital gift certificate issuing and managing means for issuing and managing digital gift certificates usable at the shopping site;
It has a database in which the gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate and information of the user who ordered the digital gift certificate are registered in association with each other, and a server that manages the database, and is connected to the shopping site via a communication line. A digital gift certificate using system comprising a digital gift certificate management site. 2. The database according to claim 1, wherein the database stores information of another user who has received the gift certificate from the user as a gift and a gift certificate number of the gift certificate. Digital gift certificate utilization system described in. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the issuance management unit confirms the order of the digital gift certificate with the user when the digital gift certificate is ordered.
Digital gift certificate utilization system described in. 4. The shopping site includes a user database that stores information of a user who uses a digital gift certificate, a gift certificate number of the used digital gift certificate, and information of a purchase history in association with each other. The digital gift certificate using system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The digital device according to claim 1, wherein the issuance management unit sends a transmission notice to the user when transmitting the digital gift certificate to the other user. Gift certificate use system. 6. The digital gift certificate using system according to claim 1, wherein the issuing management unit manages the balance of the digital gift certificate used by another user. 7. A digital gift certificate including means for sending a thank-you mail to the user when the issuance management means sends a digital gift certificate to the other user and confirms receipt by another user. 7. The digital gift certificate using system according to claim 1, wherein the digital gift certificate is transmitted as a package. 8. The digital product according to claim 1, wherein the digital gift certificate management site has another backup database similar to the data configuration of the database. Ticket use system. 9. The shopping site according to claim 1, wherein when the other user uses the digital gift certificate, the shopping site queries the digital gift certificate management site for the balance of the digital gift certificate. 8. The digital gift certificate using system according to any one of 8. 10. A digital gift certificate issuing / managing means for issuing and managing a digital gift certificate in response to a request from a user, a gift certificate number of the digital gift certificate, and information of a user who ordered the digital gift certificate. A digital gift certificate management system comprising: a database registered in association with the server; and a server managing the database. 11. The database according to claim 1, wherein the database stores information of another user who has received the digital gift certificate from the user as a gift and a gift certificate number of the gift certificate. 10. The digital gift certificate management system according to 10. 12. The digital gift certificate management system according to claim 1, wherein the issuing management unit manages the balance of the digital gift certificate used by another user. 13. A digital gift certificate including means for sending a thank-you mail to the user when the issuance management means sends a digital gift certificate to the other user and confirms receipt by another user. The digital gift certificate management system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the digital gift certificate management system is transmitted as a package. 14. The digital gift certificate management site according to claim 1, further comprising a backup database similar to the data configuration of the database.
The digital gift certificate management system according to any one of claims 0 to 13. 15. A plurality of virtual shops in which a digital gift certificate can be used, information of a user who uses the digital gift certificate, a gift certificate number of the used digital gift certificate, and information of a purchase history. A digital gift certificate using system, comprising: a user database for storing; and a management server for managing the user database. 16. The management server according to claim 1, wherein when the other user uses the digital gift certificate, the management server queries an external digital gift certificate management site for the balance of the digital gift certificate. Item 16. A digital gift certificate using system according to item 15. 17. A digital gift certificate for giving a gift to another user is issued at the request of the user, the digital gift certificate is sent to the other user, and the other user uses the digital gift certificate. And checking the balance of use of the digital gift certificate each time a product is purchased in the virtual shop. 18. A first step in which issuance management means issues a digital gift certificate usable at a shopping site provided with a plurality of virtual shops based on a request from a user, and a gift certificate of the digital gift certificate. A second process in which the number and the information of the user who ordered the digital gift certificate are registered in the database in association with each other, and a third process in which the issuing management means transmits the digital gift certificate to another user; 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the management server at the shopping site has a fourth step of managing the use of the digital gift certificate by the other user in the virtual shop. 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first step is a step of registering, in the database, the information of another user who has received the gift certificate from the user as a gift and the gift certificate number of the gift certificate. 19. The method of using a digital gift certificate according to claim 18, comprising: 20. The third step, wherein when the digital gift certificate is transmitted to the other user, the other user confirms receipt of the digital gift certificate, and includes means for sending a thank-you mail to the user. The method of using a digital gift certificate according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the gift certificate package.