JP2002042245A - Point card system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point card system adjusting the shared amount of each member store to actual circumstances. SOLUTION: This point card stem is provided with a card 4 used at a plurality of member stores A, B, C, etc.; card readers 5 installed in the respective member stores A, B, C, etc.; and a point information storage server 1 connected to the card readers 5 by the Internet. The card 4 has a card number recording part 7 and a point recording part 8 for recording accumulated points of the card. The card reader 5 has a card identifying means 13 for reading a card number; a point recording means for recording points in the card 4; a transmit data generating means 12 for transmitting acquired points, member store identification information and the card number to the point information storage server 1; and an input-output control part 11. The point information storage sever 1 is provided with a point information storage part 27 for storing points at each of the member stores A, B, C, etc., for every card 4, and a shared amount computing means 23 for computing the shared amount of each of the member stores A, B, C, etc., on the shared amount required for service provided when the accumulated points of the card 4 reaches the full points.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a point card system using a point card which can accumulate points every time a customer makes a shopping or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, loyalty cards have been issued to customers in various types of industries such as public markets, shopping streets, rental video stores, etc., in order to secure customers and further acquire customers, and when customers make purchases, etc. In addition, a point card system for displaying a point mark corresponding to a purchase amount or the like on a card has been introduced and implemented.

The above-mentioned point card system uses a point card having a print layer formed on the front surface and a magnetic recording layer formed on the back surface. Each time the customer makes a purchase or the like, the point card 30 is inserted into the reader / writer 31 as shown in FIG. 8, and as shown in FIG. The point mark 32 is printed, and point information such as the number of accumulated points is recorded in the magnetic recording layer on the back surface by magnetic data. Then, the customer enters the point card 30
The user can receive a privilege such as a discount in accordance with the number of the point marks 32 displayed in.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional point card system, only information such as accumulated points is recorded on the card 30. Therefore, one card 30 can be stored in a plurality of different stores such as specialty stores. In the case of common use at member stores, there is a problem that it is not possible to know the amount of money required for benefits such as discounts provided according to points acquired by customers at each member store. Therefore, it was not suitable for group customer service between different industries.

In a system in which a card is commonly used by a plurality of member stores, a system for clearing the number of transactions with a magnetic card disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-99197 has been proposed as a system capable of clearly managing the amount of burden for each member store. Invented and implemented.

As shown in FIG. 10, the system includes a POS terminal 34 installed at each of the member stores A, B, C, D and E, and a host computer 35 installed at the information center S. I have.

The POS terminal 34 has a function of writing an evaluation point in proportion to the transaction amount on the magnetic card 33 used by the customer, and deducts the number of service points accepted by the customer from the already written evaluation points. And a function of reading and counting evaluation points written on the magnetic card 33 and transmitting and receiving these data.

[0008] The host computer 35 arranges incoming and outgoing transaction evaluation point data and service point data transmitted from the POS terminal 34 for each customer and affiliated point. Then, for each customer, the total of the transaction evaluation points during the period, the total of the service points during the period, and the current balance score obtained by subtracting the total of the service points from the total of the evaluation points are calculated and recorded. In addition, each affiliated point A
For B / C / D / E, the total of the transaction evaluation points unique to these member stores during the period and the total number of service points given to the customers by each of the member stores are calculated, and the member store A is calculated.
-Calculate and record the amount of expenses to be paid for each of B, C, D, E.

[0009]

However, in the customer service system using the card as described above, the customer who has acquired the magnetic card 33 does not always receive the service according to the evaluation point (point), but actually receives the service according to the evaluation point. It is a fact that only a small percentage of all customers enjoy services and benefits by accumulating evaluation points. Under such circumstances, in the above system, when calculating the burden amount for each member store for the cost required for the service provided to the customer, there are customers who have obtained evaluation points (points) but do not enjoy the service. Is not assumed, and each merchant gives an evaluation score (point),
There is a possibility that the burden will be imposed on customers who do not enjoy the service. Although such a system is convenient for a management company that operates and manages the system itself, there is a problem that the cost burden is large for each member store that actually uses the system.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a point card system that can reduce the cost burden of each member store according to the actual situation.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a point card system according to the present invention comprises a card commonly used by a plurality of franchisees by a customer, and a card installed in each franchise and having information stored on the card. And a point information storage server connected to the card reader via a communication line, wherein the card has an identification information recording unit that records card identification information for identifying the card, A point recording unit for recording points acquired at each member store with the card, wherein the card reader reads card identification information recorded on the card to identify the card; Point recording means for recording the points acquired according to the amount in the point recording section of the card; Information transmitting means for transmitting to the point information storage server together with the card identification information, wherein the point information storage server receives the acquired points, the member store identification information and the card identification information transmitted by the card reader, and For each member store, a point storage unit for storing points obtained by the customer with the card for each merchant,
When the accumulated points recorded on the card reach a predetermined point, obtain the amount of burden required for the service provided to the customer according to the accumulated points of the card for each member store stored in the point storage unit. The first gist is that a load amount calculating means for calculating the load amount for each member store from the number of points is provided.

Further, the point card system of the present invention comprises a card commonly used by a plurality of member stores by a customer, and a card reader installed at each member store and capable of reading and writing information on the card. Has a point recording unit that records the points that the customer has acquired at each member store with the card for each member store, and the card reader records the points acquired according to the customer's purchase amount for each member store on the card. A point recording means for recording in the recording unit, and when the accumulated points of the points recorded on the card reach a predetermined point, the amount of the burden required for the service provided to the customer according to the accumulated points of the card , Calculation of the burden amount for each member store from the number of points acquired for each member store recorded in the point recording section of the card In that it comprises a stage the second aspect.

That is, in the first point card system of the present invention, the point information storage server receives the acquired points, the member store identification information, and the card identification information transmitted by the card reader, and for each card, A point storage unit for storing points obtained by the customer with the card every time, and when the accumulated points recorded on the card reach a predetermined point, the service provided to the customer according to the accumulated points of the card was required For the amount of burden, a burden amount calculating means for calculating the amount of burden for each member store from the number of acquired points for each member store stored in the point storage unit is provided. As a result, even if the card is discarded without the accumulated points of the card reaching the predetermined point, and there is a point that does not become a service provided to the customer, the accumulated point reaches the predetermined point and the service is actually provided to the customer. Calculate the burden on each member store for only the points earned. Therefore, each member store does not have to worry about the amount of the card which does not enjoy the service, even though the member stores have earned points, and the cost burden can be reduced.

[0014] In a second point card system of the present invention, the card has a point recording section for recording the points obtained by the customer at each affiliated store with the card for each affiliated store, and is recorded on the card. When the accumulated points of the accumulated points reach the predetermined points, the points required for the services provided to the customer in accordance with the accumulated points of the card, the acquired points for each member store recorded in the point recording section of the card. A burden calculation means is provided for calculating the burden for each member store from the number. This allows
Even if a card is discarded without the accumulated points of the card reaching the predetermined point, and there is a point that does not become a service provided to the customer, even if there is a point where the accumulated point reaches the predetermined point, the amount of points actually provided to the customer Only for each member store, calculate the burden amount of each member store. Therefore, each member store does not have to worry about the amount of the card which does not enjoy the service, even though the member stores have earned points, and the cost burden can be reduced.

In the point card system of the present invention, the card has a point display section for displaying the accumulated points acquired by the customer, and the card reader accumulates the acquired points on the customer's acquired points or the accumulated points of the card. If the customer has point display means for displaying the accumulated points on the card, the customer can see at a glance how much more service can be received by looking at the card on which the accumulated points are displayed, which is convenient. .

In the point card system of the present invention, the point information storage server prompts a customer terminal connected via a communication line to input card identification information, and stores a card corresponding to the input card identification information. When a means for outputting the accumulated points to the customer terminal is provided, cumbersome calculation of the total points is not required, and the accumulated points can be known at any time at the user's convenience. In addition, even when the accumulated points printed on the card are lost due to the card being stained or the like, the accumulated points can be known, and it is extremely easy to use and convenient.

In the present invention, the term "communication line" refers to, for example, an analog telephone line, a high-speed digital line (ISDN line), the Internet, wireless, optical fiber, a portable telephone line (for example, DoPa (registered trademark), etc.), PHS Line (for example, PIAFS, αDATA32, etc.), integrated intelligent communication network (UICN), new advanced information communication (VI & P), satellite communication line, cable broadcasting, data communication and data transfer using various communication cables, and the like. It is intended to include various things other than.

[0018]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the point card system of the present invention. This system comprises a card 4 commonly used by a plurality of member stores A, B, C... By a customer, and a card reader 5 installed at each member store A, B, C. And a point information storage server 1 connected to the card reader 5 via a communication line such as the Internet. The point information storage server 1 is also connected to a customer terminal 2 via a communication line such as the Internet.

The card 4 is a magnetic recording card in which a printing layer made of a heat-sensitive colorant that is colored by heating is formed on the surface of a synthetic resin base sheet, and a magnetic recording layer is formed on the back surface. ing.

In the magnetic recording layer of the card 4, as shown in FIG. 2, a card number recording section 7 for recording a card number assigned to each card 4 for identifying the card 4.
And a point recording unit 8 for recording accumulated points and the like of points acquired according to the purchase amount each time a customer makes a purchase or the like at each of the member stores A, B, C. The print layer of the card 4 is provided with a point display section 9 on which the accumulated points acquired by the customer are displayed by printing a point mark or the like. Thus, the customer can see at a glance how much more service can be received by looking at the card 4 on which the accumulated points are displayed, which is convenient.

The card reader 5 includes card identification means 13 for reading the card number recorded on the card 4 and identifying the card 4. An amount input means 16 for inputting the purchase amount of the customer, and the amount input means 16
Point conversion means 17 which converts the amount input by the above into points at a predetermined conversion rate and calculates the acquired points.
And Further, the card reader 5 reads the accumulated points from the point recording section of the card 4, and records new accumulated points obtained by adding the acquired points to the read accumulated points as described later, and rewrites the accumulated points. 14 is provided.

The card reader 5 adds the acquired points converted by the point conversion means 17 to the accumulated points read from the point recording section 8 of the card 4 by the point recording means 14 to obtain new accumulated points. Is provided. Further, the card reader 5 is provided with point display means 15 for printing the point mark of the acquired points and the number of accumulated points on the point display section 9 of the card 4 and displaying the accumulated points on the card 4.

Further, the card reader 5 has an input / output control unit 11 connected to a communication line such as the Internet for controlling data inputted from the customer terminal 2 and the point information storage server 1 and data outputted to them. , Transmission data generation for generating transmission data for transmitting the acquired points to the point information storage server 1 together with the member store numbers for identifying the member stores A, B, C,. Means 12. The input / output control unit 11 and the transmission data generation unit 12 function as the information transmission unit of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the point information storage server 1 includes a server control unit 21, a program storage unit 26, a point information storage unit 27, and a homepage file storage unit 25. Reference numeral 20 denotes an input / output control unit that controls data when transmitting / receiving data to / from the card reader 5 and the customer terminal 2 connected via the Internet.

The server control means 21 mainly comprises a CP
U, etc., and performs control of each unit, data transfer, various calculations, temporary storage of data, and the like.

The program storage section 26 stores a main program. This main program is
For example, a program for registering a new card and creating a file, a program for authenticating a customer by a customer ID and a password, and a program for receiving data from the card reader 5 as described later. A program for reading / writing / changing data to / from the point information storage unit 27, a program for searching for data stored in the point information storage unit 27, and a homepage file stored in the homepage file storage unit 25. And a program for outputting to the server.

The point information storage unit 27 stores the card 4
A data file 28 created for each is stored. The data file 28 contains the issued card 4
Each time a card number is recorded for each of the member stores A, B, C,.
The points acquired by the customer are stored for each. The information stored in the point information storage unit 27 receives and stores the acquired points, the member store numbers, and the card numbers transmitted by the card reader 5.

The homepage file storage unit 25 stores a homepage file which is output to the customer terminal 2 when the customer terminal 2 is connected to the point information storage server 1 and is displayed on the display unit of the customer terminal 2. I have.

The point information storage server 1 has a card number input means 22 for inputting the card number of the card 4 when the accumulated points recorded on the card 4 reach a predetermined perfect score. The point information storage unit 2 stores the amount of money required for services such as discounts and premiums provided to customers according to the accumulated points of the card whose card number has been input to the card number input means 22.
7 is calculated from the number of points acquired for each of the member stores A, B, C,. And data output means 24 for outputting the burden amount for each of the member stores A, B, C.

The customer terminal 2 is operated by a customer who has made a purchase or the like using the card 4, for example, a computer device, a portable information terminal, a PHS (registered trademark),
A mobile phone or the like is used. Each of the customer terminals 2 includes a display unit such as a CRT or an LCD, a keyboard, a mouse,
And an input unit such as a dial button. Each of the customer terminals 2 is connected to the Internet similarly to the point information storage server 1 and the card reader 5, respectively. Thus, as the customer terminal 2, a mobile phone,
By using a terminal with a high penetration rate such as a PHS, a computer device, or a portable information terminal, a customer can obtain information easily and at low cost.

Next, the operation of the card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the figure, "S" means a step.

First, the operation when a customer makes a shopping at the member stores A, B, C,... Will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the card reader 1 always waits for the card 4 to be inserted (S101). When the card 4 is inserted, the card number of the inserted card 4 is determined by the card identification means 13 by the card identification means 13. The card 4 is read from the number storage unit 7 to identify the card 4 (S102).

Next, the money input means 1 of the card reader 5
6 (S103), the amount input to the amount input means 16 is converted into acquired points by the point conversion means 17 at a predetermined conversion rate (S10).
4). Next, the accumulated points recorded in the point recording section 8 of the card 4 are read by the point recording means 14 (S105), and the acquired points are added to the read accumulated points by the point adding means 18 to obtain new accumulated points. It is calculated (S106).

Then, the calculated new accumulated points are recorded in the point recording section 8 of the card 4 by the point recording means 14 (S107). Next, the point display means 15 displays the accumulated points by printing a point mark corresponding to the acquired point on the point display section 9 of the card 4 (S108), and sends out the card 4 (S109).

After that, the transmission data generating means 12 stores the acquired points in the point information storage server 1 together with the member store numbers for identifying the member stores A, B, C,. The transmission data for transmission is generated (S110). And
The generated data is transmitted from the input / output control unit 11 to the point information storage server 1 via the Internet (S1).
11) Return to the standby state.

On the other hand, the point information storage server 1 receives the data transmitted from the card reader 5 from the reception standby state (S201) (S202), reads the card number from the received data, and stores it in the card number. The data file 28 of the corresponding card 4 is stored in the information storage 27
(S203). Then, the affiliated store number is read from the received data, the acquired point acquired this time is added to the acquired point at the applicable affiliated store, and the acquired point at the affiliated store is rewritten (S204).

Each time the customer uses the card 4 for shopping at each of the member stores A, B, C,..., The above operation is performed, and the points acquired by the customer each time are accumulated on the card 4. To go. In addition, the point information storage server 1 stores acquired points for each member store for each card 4. Then, when the accumulated points of the card 4 reach a predetermined perfect score, services such as discounts and prizes according to the number of perfect scores are provided to the customer in exchange for the full score card 4.

Next, a description will be given of the operation of calculating the burden amount for each of the member stores A, B, C... For the burden amount required for the service of the card 4 collected in exchange for a service such as a discount. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the card number of the collected card 4 is input to the card number input means 22 of the point information storage server 1 (S301). Next, based on the input card number, the data file 28 of the card 4 stored in the point information storage unit 27 is searched (S302).

Next, from the data file 28 extracted by the search, the data of the number of points that are classified and arranged for each of the member stores A, B, C,.
3), each member store A, B, C ...
From the number of points for each member store, the burden amount of each member store A, B, C,... Is calculated (S304). Then, the data output means 24
, The data about the calculated amount of burden for each of the member stores A, B, C,... Is output to a print or the like (S305).

As a result, even if the card 4 is discarded without the accumulated points of the card 4 reaching the predetermined full score, and there is a point which does not become a service given to the customer, the accumulated points are changed to the predetermined full score. For only the points that have reached and actually provided the service to the customer, the burden amount of each of the member stores A, B, C,... Is calculated. Therefore, although each of the member stores A, B, C,... Gives out points, there is no risk that the member 4 will be forced to pay for the card 4 which does not enjoy the service, and the cost burden can be reduced.

Next, the operation when the customer terminal 2 is connected to the point information storage server 1 and the customer confirms the accumulated points of the card 4 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the point information storage server 1 is always waiting for connection (S401), and when the customer terminal 2 is connected (S4).
02), the homepage file is output from the homepage file storage unit 25 (S403), and the homepage is displayed on the display unit of the customer terminal 2 (S404). Then, on the displayed homepage screen, the input of the card number is prompted, and when the card number is input by the input unit of the customer terminal 2 (S405), the point information storage server 1 receives the input card number. Then, the data file 28 of the point information storage unit 27 is searched based on the card number (S406).

Then, the accumulated point data is read from the data file 28 of the card 4 extracted by the search (S407), and the read data is output to the customer terminal 2 (S408). In the customer terminal 2, the accumulated points are displayed on the screen based on the output data (S
409), after confirming the accumulated points, the connection is disconnected (S410).

By doing so, complicated calculation of the total points is not required, and the accumulated points can be known at any time at the user's convenience. In addition, even if the accumulated points printed on the card 4 or the like are lost due to the card 4 being stained or the like, the accumulated points can be confirmed.

In the above embodiment, the accumulated points are recorded in the point recording section 8 of the card 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the accumulated points are stored in the data file 28 of the point information storage server 1. As described above, the points assigned to each of the member stores A, B, C,... May be recorded.

FIG. 7 shows a point card system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This system does not include the point information storage server 1 and is installed in each of the member stores A, B, C,... And a card 4 commonly used by a plurality of member stores A, B, C. A card reader 5 capable of reading and writing information on the card 4 and an administrator computer 6
And

The card 4 is provided with a point recording unit 8 for recording the points obtained by the customer at each of the member stores A, B, C,.
No card number recording unit 7 is provided. Further, the card reader 5 includes a point recording unit 14 for recording the acquired points according to the purchase amount of the customer in the point recording unit 8 of the card 4 for each of the member stores A, B, C. The transmission data generation unit 12 and the input / output control unit 11 are not provided.

When the accumulated points of the points recorded on the card 4 reach a predetermined full score, the manager computer 6 reads the points from the point recording section 8 of the card 4 by the point reading means 29.
And the amount of burden required for the service provided to the customer in accordance with the accumulated points of the card 4 based on the number of points acquired for each of the affiliated stores A, B, C,. A burden calculating means 23 for calculating the burden for each of the member stores A, B, C,... And a data output means 24 for outputting the calculated burden to a print or the like.

The other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also in this system, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

In each of the above embodiments, the purchase amount is directly input to the amount input means 16 of the card reader 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the amount is automatically input directly from a register. It is also possible to optically read the display of the register or the receipt and automatically input the amount.

In each of the above embodiments, the thermal colorant for forming the print layer in the card 4 is not particularly limited, and various types of conventionally known thermal colorants can be used. In each of the above embodiments, the information recording section of the card 4 is a magnetic recording layer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the various kinds of information are recorded on an IC chip or the like. May be used.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the points are displayed on the card 4 by printing or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May not display the acquired points and the like.

[0053]

As described above, according to the point card system of the present invention, it is assumed that the card is discarded without the accumulated points of the card reaching the predetermined point, and that there is a point which does not become a service provided to the customer. In addition, only the points for which the cumulative points have reached the predetermined points and the service has actually been provided to the customer are calculated for the respective member stores. Therefore, each member store does not have to worry about the amount of the card which does not enjoy the service, even though the member stores have earned points, and the cost burden can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a point card system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a card reader and a card.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a point information storage server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the card system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the card system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the card system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the point card system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional point card system.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a point card.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Point information storage server 4 Card 5 Card reader 7 Card number recording unit 8 Point recording unit 11 Input / output control unit 12 Transmission data generation unit 13 Card identification unit 14 Point recording unit 23 Burden calculation unit 27 Point information storage units A, B , C ... Merchant

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideyuki Sasaki 5-21-8 Nihonbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City F-term (reference) 3E042 BA18 CC01 CC02 CD04 CD10 CE01 EA01 5B049 BB11 DD04 FF08 GG02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card commonly used by a plurality of member stores by a customer, a card reader installed at each member store and capable of reading and writing information on the card, and connected to the card reader via a communication line. A point information storage server, wherein the card has an identification information recording unit for recording card identification information for identifying the card, and a point recording unit for recording points acquired at each member store by the customer with the card. The card reader, card identification means for reading the card identification information recorded on the card to identify the card, point recording means for recording the acquisition points according to the purchase amount of the customer in the point recording unit of the card, Information transmitting means for transmitting the acquired points to the point information storage server together with the member store identification information and the card identification information. The point information storage server receives the acquired points, the member store identification information, and the card identification information transmitted by the card reader, and stores, for each card, the points that the customer has acquired with the card for each member store. A point storage unit, and when the accumulated points recorded on the card reach a predetermined point, the amount of burden required for the service provided to the customer according to the accumulated points of the card is stored in the point storage unit. A point card system comprising: a load calculating means for calculating a load for each member store from the number of points acquired for each member store. 2. A card which is used in common by a plurality of member stores by a customer, and a card reader which is installed at each member store and which can read and write information on said card, wherein said card is used by said customer with each card. A point recording unit for recording points acquired at the member store for each member store, wherein the card reader records the acquired points corresponding to the purchase amount of the customer in the point recording unit of the card for each member store. When the accumulated points of the points recorded on the card reach a predetermined point, regarding the burden amount required for the service provided to the customer according to the accumulated points of the card,
A point card system comprising a burden calculating means for calculating a burden for each member store from the number of points acquired for each member store recorded in the point recording section of the card. 3. The card has a point display unit for displaying the accumulated points acquired by the customer, and the card reader displays the accumulated points obtained by accumulating the acquired points on the customer's acquired points or on the card. 3. A display according to claim 1, further comprising a point display means for displaying.
The point card system described. 4. The point information storage server prompts a customer terminal connected via a communication line to input card identification information, and stores the accumulated points of the card corresponding to the input card identification information in the customer terminal. The point card system according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising means for outputting the point card.